A prominent Irish commentator has strongly criticized Conan O' Brien for abusing his Irish roots on "60 Minutes."
John Doyle, from The Globe and Mail, believes O'Brien is running down the Irish by blaming all his problems on his Gaelic heritage.
Doyle was enraged when he watched Conan O’Brien’s whiney interview on CBS’ “60 Minutes.”
“On behalf of the people of Ireland, the Irish-born everywhere and descendants of Irish emigrants around the world, I hereby issue a plea: Conan O’Brien, shut up,” said Doyle.
O’Brien wore an Irish rugby jersey and referred to his Irish heritage four times within 20 minutes.
In the interview, which brought in 13.3 million viewers to CBS, Doyle classified O’Brien’s behavior as embarrassing and bitter.
“He’s morphed into a stereotype that we, the Irish, don’t need," said Doyle.
Doyle commented that O’Brien is holding some sort of “an absurd grudge” against NBC and Jay Leno, even though he walked away from the negotiations with a cool $32 million in compensation.
This interview is O’Brien’s first since he left NBC. The network stipulated that he remain silent until May 1.
By May 2, O’Brien was on “60 Minutes.”
“Mother o’ God, man, would you not allow a decent interval and hold onto some dignity?” said Doyle.
O’Brien continued by saying that his Irish-Catholic upbringing taught him “things happen for a reason.”
“It was just cringe-inducing the way O’Brien sought refuge in his Irish identity,” added Doyle.
Doyle went on to comment on what a blessed career O’Brien has had from starting as a writer for “The Simpsons” to being replacement host for David Letterman and then on to having his own Emmy-winning show.
He also commented on the fact that O’Brien could have stayed at NBC had he just agreed to moving “The Tonight Show” to 12.05.
“Conan O’Brien wasn’t fired. He was outmaneuvered and paid a lot of money to walk away and stay quiet for a few months,” he said.
He compared O’Brien to “the bitter Paddy wallowing in melancholy and grievance. The stage Irishman indulging in the myth of victimization.”
Doyle joked about O’Brien’s overwhelming self-pity saying, “NBC didn’t re-jig the late-night schedule with a note saying, “No Irish Need Apply.”
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Switch to the desktop site to post a comment.RinehartS | May 10, 2010, 09:29 AM EDT
Wow, I watched the entire interview and I got the joke. It's sad that Doyle and many others replying here didn't get it (or didn't even watch the interview but feel like they have a right to pass judgment anyway). I agree with offalymike, lighten up. The man has been through a lot and he is very funny to some of us...those who get him.
JimThompson | May 09, 2010, 03:00 PM EDT
That is just one reason why I never watch his shows after the first few that I saw.
Ernesider | May 09, 2010, 01:52 PM EDT
You refer to him as a prominent Irish commentator and I'm still confused and so is Conan as until reading your piece I brought it up with Conan and his Mother at a lovely Mother's Day breakfast and neither of us have hereto heard of the same John Doyle. Most of them Doyles are a sinister and jealous crowd with the odd exception of course. Conan's a credit and he will return soon. Go away Doyle.
ciarrai | May 09, 2010, 01:23 PM EDT
I think O'Brien ought to shut up because he walked with $30 million and that's should soothe any hard feelings. I didn't feel annoyed as Doyle did. Maybe he ought to be less bitchy. No?
killowen | May 09, 2010, 09:02 AM EDT
Who's this Doyle nobody. With respect to Conan; I find the poor chap unable to express his thoughts in a coherent manner. Some folks are like that - where the listener is left trying to decipher while hoping all the while. Conan is so unfunny to me. That said lets get on to more important subjects. The devastating oil a-pouring from under the waves. Our Brit cousin keeps on giving Sammy grief. Drill baby drill offshore was the cry - no reasoning put into it. A few more catastrophies and we'll have a planet whose people have gone over the edge. Nuts.
killowen | May 09, 2010, 09:01 AM EDT
Who's this Doyle nobody. With respect to Conan; I find the poor chap unable to express his thoughts in a coherent manner. Some folks are like that - where the listener is left trying to decipher while hoping all the while. Conan is so unfunny to me. That said lets get on to more important subjects. The devastating oil a-pouring from under the waves. Our Brit cousin keeps on giving Sammy grief. Drill baby drill offshore was the cry - no reasoning but into it. A few more catastrophies and we'll have a planet whose people have gone over the edge. Nuts.
offalymike | May 09, 2010, 08:48 AM EDT
I ALSO WATCHED 60 MINUTES & DID NOT FIND IT INSULTING AT ALL I THINK WE NEED TO LIGHTEN UP & NOT TAKE LIFE TOO SEROUSLY.
IRISHKNIGHT110 | May 07, 2010, 11:54 AM EDT
when John Doyle gets screwed like Conan did then he has the right to say something, otherwise he should just shut up!
galway2001 | May 06, 2010, 09:37 PM EDT
conan o'brien was right jay leno should not except his old job back how pathetic
chesapeake | May 06, 2010, 09:09 AM EDT
Doyle dosn't particularly like O'Brien, does he? Who cares?
Monsoonman | May 05, 2010, 06:36 PM EDT
Conan should look forward and carry on. The bottom line is that he did not get the ratings when he moved into the prime spot. This is not the gummint where incompetency is tolerated and championed, this is private enterprise, it is cruel. NBC tried to work with him and move him to a later slot, Conan rejected it and got fired. When you point a finger at someone else, you notice 3 are pointing back at you.
Derrylass627 | May 05, 2010, 03:13 PM EDT
I agree with cmthornton. I watched the show and never got any hint of an insult against the Irish. Maybe Mr. Doyle should lighten up - he seems to be looking for a fight. I wish Conan all the best!
cmthornton | May 05, 2010, 02:07 PM EDT
What interview was Mr Doyle watching? Conan was fair and honest and did not insult anyone. Can't wait to see his new show on TBS, where he will have the support of the station & creative freedom.
Reilleyfam | May 05, 2010, 12:55 PM EDT
I think Mr. Doyle is mistaken and frankly a bit too touchy.
Mavaureen | May 05, 2010, 11:36 AM EDT
Doyle is mistaken...no insult by Conan that I heard. Conan was sincere and honorable; he kept his end of bargain even when Leno and Letterman were mouthing off. I think NBC is the only one that should be "blamed" for the whole fiasco; they were the ones that played it out in the media instead of resolving the matter in a gentlemanly fashion "behind closed doors" before releasing the info. Shame, shame, shame on them!!!
Searlit | May 05, 2010, 11:16 AM EDT
I don't think Conan insulted his Irish Heritage on 60 minutes. It was clear that what happened had thrown him for a loop, and he was angry at NBC. No-one likes having the rug pulled out from under them. Sometimes people need to vent.
erieshark | May 05, 2010, 09:20 AM EDT
Conan O'Brien was not funny. His appeal has never been apparent to me. For all of his cry babying, he should realize they gave him a shot and he was not up to the job of being successor to Jack Parr, Johnny Carson, and Jay Leno. Go visit your bank account, Conan. Getting $32 million for the job you did is obscene.
Irishlassred | May 05, 2010, 09:16 AM EDT
The interview was fine; Conan had served his silent period and was allowed to speak, so why not? No one shut up Leno the entire time, or the weasel Zucker in fact no one but Conan was silenced. I thought his references to his heritage were cute; many of us believe things happen for a reason, whether we ever know the reason or not.
lynchsteele | May 05, 2010, 09:12 AM EDT
ah...I say to Mr Doyle..let Conan yap all he likes, lighten up brother..tis a blessing that , we the Irish, don't get all caught up like the Jews, Blacks , muslims, Italians, Polish in how IMPORTANT we are...it's his trifle, why make it ours...let him live, speech and opinion are still free aren't they????? We're bigger than worrying about getting all stuffy 'bout any such malarky....lol!!!!
ccgal135 | May 05, 2010, 09:02 AM EDT
It wouldn't be "The Tonight Show" if it was on at 12:05AM! And a good chunk of Conan's payoff went to his staff and crew who moved their entire families out to LA to do The Tonight Show!! I think this Doyle guy works for NBC!
Verum68 | May 05, 2010, 07:55 AM EDT
Once again a headline which doesn't fit the story. I watched Conan's interview. At no time did he insult his Irish heritage. This article certainly doesn't provide evidence that Conan did so.