Conan might just be the only talk show host and comedian who is also an interesting genius. He literally knows how to work out comedy and seriousness, all at once.
"Every failure was freeing, and today I’m as nostalgic for the bad as I am for the good. So that’s what I wish for all of you-the bad as well as the good." Wise as he is funny, and those words that stuck with me for years. Any Conan fan wouldn't be surprised how much we have learned from him.
Same!! I went on a Conan TH-cam and TV binge last year during a really stressful time in my life and watching him was the only reason I was even laughing at that point. Pretty positive I watched every single clip on YT from his show. 🥴
I'll admit, I was never the brightest, took 5 years instead of 3 to finish my undergrad, and now in 2020 thrown into the unknown with this pandemic. The solace I sought was from my graduation ceremony, which was unceremoniously cancelled. But this. As well as the 2020 version, is truly a glimmer of hope and light in an otherwise pitch black world. And so for that I thank you. Conan for doing what you do best. And for the people at Team Coco who work so tirelessly and endlessly to make the magic happen. Thank you all and stay blessed. Stay safe.
In the remote chance that you haven't already seen it, do check out Conan's commencement speech at Dartmouth too. Impactful stuff! Wish you all the best ahead!
Have to say have become a big Conan O'Brien fan in lockdown. Exactly the type of comedy the world needs right now. Even if this video is 20 years old, it's still hilarious and relevant. Well done.
It's astounding how in control he is of every line. That's some serious, once in a generation hold over his craft. Not to mention this might be the funniest commencement speech I've ever seen.
Thank you, Conan! I'll remember this. My mistakes will take me to where I need to go. I'm a 27-year-old struggling writer and college grad and this is what I needed to hear.
Commented on the 2020 commencement video about this speech, and I was thrilled to finally see a high quality version of it uploaded. Truly an inspiring speech with a very personal and important message. Great words written by a great man :)
i played this speech quite a few times over the years.. Listening to conan's podcast and his other interviews, i think he too genuinely believes that "when all else fails, you have delusion" its funny and profound and true at the same time... I was looking for a better version of this video for a long time, thanks for uploading! Thank you Conan for doing what you do... Respect from London and Mumbai Gopal
Just what I needed to hear after getting that dreaded "sorry you were unsuccessful" call.. funny, real, informative and inspiring! You are the best Conan!
This has become such a classic. I remember READING this before youtube ever existed, and keep coming back to it! Definitely the best commencement speech to my mind.
Seriously though how can someone get to be this funny and genius? Like how do you learn how to write jokes like this and where do you even begin to learn?
I can't believe that was 20 years ago already. Still seems like it was yesterday to me. But that video quality though makes it look much older than I remembered.
That's Elisabeth Shue in the crowd beginning at 14:30. According to Wikipedia: "After graduating from high school, Shue attended Wellesley College. She then transferred to Harvard University in 1985, from which she withdrew to pursue her acting career (she was inspired by a friend to work in television commercials as a way to pay for college) one semester short of earning her degree. Over a decade later, she returned to Harvard and completed her B.A. in political science in 2000."
1:15 "My one goal this afternoon is to be half as funny as tomorrow's commencement speaker moral philosopher and economist Amartya Sen. That's the job" I'm gonna die of laughter
Also, as a UGA grad, I can tell you that the alumni association will never stop asking you for money. Conan was right. That hasn't changed in 20 years.
David Eanes I'm literally seeing blue in this video.The background is blue, Conans shirt and tie are blue, even some of the guests are so blue...da ba Dee da ba di.
It's quite refreshing to not see people holding phones in the air. Instead, a few good old camcorders.... PS: Great job Conan! You'll always be my fave!
If you enjoyed this, do yourself a favor and go watch his Dartmouth commencement speech in 2011 after he lost the Tonight Show. It's one of the most sublime and truly helpful I've ever heard.
Imagine being the sign language interpreter for this
one of the hardest jobs i guess..
Then i would be the lmao deaf who lol.
Ya how does one make dog noises?
@@Temuville mimic dogs growling I guess
7:15 There you go
Ah yes, the year 2000, when the only colors in existence were blue and yellow
Haha...the thumbnail made Conan look somewhat like The Hulk!
ya, a big leap from the black and white era
If its 2000, why they talk about Facebook? I think this is another year.
@@daemon2470 He was talking about the end of the year picture book which is called Facebook in Harvard. It is what Zuckerberg named his website after.
Slava Ukraini!
Conan might just be the only talk show host and comedian who is also an interesting genius. He literally knows how to work out comedy and seriousness, all at once.
this is why i believe he should run for president
@@christopherduggan6272he is utterly not interested in politics. Sure he talks about it. But never too much.
If only Norm got the late late show
Colbert and Stewart are both pretty clever too...Fallon's probably the dumbest, if I had to guess.
How can a person be this silly and yet genius at the same time?
answer: he does it on purpose.
Genius recognizes despair and overcompensates.
Comedians are supposed to be smart
Same as Robin Williams, he was at Julliard with Christopher Reeves before becoming famous
Fred Gwynne (Herman Munster) went to Harvard.
20yrs later, he still looking pretty young
He looks worse here than he does now lmao
Without all that tv makeup he actually looks really old
He always looked kinda mature n old
But not as green
Have you seen him up close?
"Every failure was freeing, and today I’m as nostalgic for the bad as I am for the good. So that’s what I wish for all of you-the bad as well as the good."
Wise as he is funny, and those words that stuck with me for years. Any Conan fan wouldn't be surprised how much we have learned from him.
I love the girls reaction in the back of Conan just perfect
yeah natural and not scripted
i came here looking for this comment, here is my like lol
Nah... it's excessive and not fun to watch.
yes
I love watching Conan because he makes me forget about my depressed state.
Same here dude
But this time will past
Same!! I went on a Conan TH-cam and TV binge last year during a really stressful time in my life and watching him was the only reason I was even laughing at that point. Pretty positive I watched every single clip on YT from his show. 🥴
I love watching Conan but nothing makes me forget about my depressed state.
So When it's all over, u'll be over too
"if you can laugh at yourself loud and hard every time you fall people will think you're drunk".
okey, that's my new motto.
Little did Conan know, his acclaimed delusion would turn in to truth and he would in fact become exactly what he said 20 years ago.
Amazing.
Fake it till you make it :)
What did he say?
I'll admit, I was never the brightest, took 5 years instead of 3 to finish my undergrad, and now in 2020 thrown into the unknown with this pandemic. The solace I sought was from my graduation ceremony, which was unceremoniously cancelled. But this. As well as the 2020 version, is truly a glimmer of hope and light in an otherwise pitch black world. And so for that I thank you. Conan for doing what you do best. And for the people at Team Coco who work so tirelessly and endlessly to make the magic happen. Thank you all and stay blessed. Stay safe.
In the remote chance that you haven't already seen it, do check out Conan's commencement speech at Dartmouth too. Impactful stuff!
Wish you all the best ahead!
Woah... Was just wondering about this after the 2020 commencement speech. Team coco on overdrive
I can't wait for the 2040 commencement speech.
Have to say have become a big Conan O'Brien fan in lockdown. Exactly the type of comedy the world needs right now. Even if this video is 20 years old, it's still hilarious and relevant. Well done.
Exactly! That's always been Conan's goal
It's astounding how in control he is of every line. That's some serious, once in a generation hold over his craft. Not to mention this might be the funniest commencement speech I've ever seen.
I can't believe the year 2000 was 20 years ago.
I can
Yeah 2000 seems like it was just a couple years ago!
I can cuz that's when I was born
Now it’s 24 years ago
Feels like Conan travelled back in time to give this speech
Been watching this and his Dartmouth address repeatedly for a long time, Conan is just head and shoulders above his contemporaries.
That is an epic speech, I can't believe it cost him $110k back in the day to go there, I can only imagine how much it cost now
$240k + rent and food and other fees.
man hes been through so much in his professional career its honestly inspiring asf to see him be where he is today
Thank you, Conan! I'll remember this. My mistakes will take me to where I need to go. I'm a 27-year-old struggling writer and college grad and this is what I needed to hear.
Am not American and Imho Conan is the best host, really helps with my depression. Only host who makes me laugh!
Dude then you must look up Craig Ferguson he's the best imo
As Jordan Schlansky said.... Conan looks like his face is digitally manipulated 😆😆
In various ways.
This was during a dark period in Conan's life.. He was addicted to fruit loops and regular milk. It's sad...
@@hi-vv3jo 🤣
he looks pretty fine to me, younger conan is really hot 😅
he said 2002 conan looked fatter. he looks normal here
Commented on the 2020 commencement video about this speech, and I was thrilled to finally see a high quality version of it uploaded. Truly an inspiring speech with a very personal and important message. Great words written by a great man :)
Conan: "Roommate's mom very hot"
Cameraman : 2:22
Lol
@@Zetsuke4 why do i always find you
@ I'm a big fan of coco
i played this speech quite a few times over the years.. Listening to conan's podcast and his other interviews, i think he too genuinely believes that "when all else fails, you have delusion" its funny and profound and true at the same time... I was looking for a better version of this video for a long time, thanks for uploading! Thank you Conan for doing what you do...
Respect from London and Mumbai
Gopal
Just what I needed to hear after getting that dreaded "sorry you were unsuccessful" call.. funny, real, informative and inspiring! You are the best Conan!
Conan is a phenomenal commencement speaker. He delivers everytime.
I want to erase my memory and re-watch all Conan episodes from the beginning.
12:00 reminded me of the Jennifer Garner's interview.
"Conan you went to Harvard you should know that snuck isn't a word!".
In the last 20 years, so much has changed. The world is no longer easy and simple.
But Conan is still best host and speech giver🤩✊🏽❤
"if you can laugh at yourself loud every time you fall, people will think you are drunk." 🤣🤣🤣 Damn 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾
Conan is the best late night talk show host ever in my opinion. Just so down to earth in real life
Freaking loved it. This was gold!
Wish 2020 speech had a crowd and 20 mins too. Standing ovation! Best commencement Speech ever
This speech always cracks me up! I downloaded it many years ago as an MP3 and would play it in my car about once a month or so lol
Do you think these guys have paid off their student loans yet?
Most probably have or are about to finish paying it off. I assume 🤷🏻♀️
Well they can afford Harvard so probably didn't have to take a loan.
Well they went to Harvard so I assume they’ve gotten some nice paychecks in the last 20 years
Hell no
1 out of 4 in that crowd is unemployed now !
I never knew I could love someone so much..........Love you Conan........You are one of the few reasons that makes me smile on a daily basis.......
This has become such a classic. I remember READING this before youtube ever existed, and keep coming back to it! Definitely the best commencement speech to my mind.
This is his best commencement speech by far.
Conan is a comedy genius. Peerless. Second to none. Absolute talent.
I want to go to Harvard now just for this.
Snickerbeast ok, “sneaker beast”
@@realprisec 😂😂😂
Yea Harvard should really use this video for recruiting seems like they have trouble attracting future students.
If you wanna watch Conan make jokes, then there are plenty of clips on the internet.😏
Lmaaooo
I finally get to see graduate's and their family's reaction and I knew it was going to be a standing ovation
September a year later, America would change forever.
Still the best Commencement Address I've ever heard. I send all college graduates to this link.
He is one hell of a commencement speaker. This is great. Just as good as the 2011 speech at Dartmouth.
He didn't changed one bit. I love it!
The fact that this is 20 years ago hurts my feelings.
Still one of the greatest graduation speeches of all time
He really became the greatest talk show host of all time
Like!! if you came after watching Conan's 2020 Harvard Speech.
Oh man 2000 Conan doens't even know he is going to return to radio and will need a friend!
Well, he was right about that A-ha tune standing the test of time.
Was searching for this. That track is timeless. Crazy how he called it
@@campeador94 That wasn't really a 15 year old speech...
@@GregoMorgan yes, it's a 20 year old speech
That's the joke.
@@campeador94 he was joking lol
oh my god, this is the content i subscribed for
Really?
Nerdy
Conan is pure class and the epitome of what a human being should aspire to be.
Literally the greatest speech in harvard history.
Seriously though how can someone get to be this funny and genius? Like how do you learn how to write jokes like this and where do you even begin to learn?
His humor and his looks never age. Long live Conan!!!
I am clapping for Conan right from my room *!!*
“ the world most trusted brand comeday in the universe “ you said it Conan
Wow! I loved this speech so much! Conan, to me, you are an absolutely massive inspiration!
Such a good monologue, a great writer very amusing
I love Conan so much I've started to learn from him.
I can't believe that was 20 years ago already. Still seems like it was yesterday to me. But that video quality though makes it look much older than I remembered.
Respect, effort put in made you genuine.
To every Harvard graduate, well done, now go and do some good, you are much needed. 👏👏👏👏🇺🇸🏴👩🎓 👨🎓
Didn't know Conan was green in his early years...
I loved every piece of that speech Conan! He came so so far and never quit! Boom look at him now!
First time catching an upload inside of a minute.
Congratulations!
After watching the video and seeing the comments, i thought: time really flies.
Wow. He makes such a good point in such a funny and fabulous way
Hey, if you're reading this mid way through, remember to lower the volume back down after watching :)
Imagine going to harvard DRIVING school and still getting to do a speech. Twice
Most comedians get better with Time.
Conan is one of those rare comedians who was as hilarious back then as he is now.
That's Elisabeth Shue in the crowd beginning at 14:30. According to Wikipedia: "After graduating from high school, Shue attended Wellesley College. She then transferred to Harvard University in 1985, from which she withdrew to pursue her acting career (she was inspired by a friend to work in television commercials as a way to pay for college) one semester short of earning her degree. Over a decade later, she returned to Harvard and completed her B.A. in political science in 2000."
Having heard Amartya Sen live once in Jaipur Literature Fest, I can say with certainty he actually is funny!
2:10 That lady reaction was me when he said that 😂
The girl in the back is who I look for reaction
Conan is, was, and always will be the best!
And yet, in my graduation commencement, they had an 87 years old lady who gave the longest 8 minutes of my life.
That ending bit was gold
Woah I haven’t realised that this video is released just 3 hours ago , this is vibranium content
Beautiful speech and laugh out loud funny!
1:15 "My one goal this afternoon is to be half as funny as tomorrow's commencement speaker moral philosopher and economist Amartya Sen. That's the job"
I'm gonna die of laughter
Conan is oasis in the desert of late night show.
Not gonna lie, I needed to hear that last bit 6 years ago
Never forget, without this genius we would’ve never gotten The Slip-Nutz or Dudez A-Plenti!!!
Conan is like fine wine gets better with time
Thank you for sharing this Conan. I hope I can see you if you go remote at Tokyo
Also, as a UGA grad, I can tell you that the alumni association will never stop asking you for money. Conan was right. That hasn't changed in 20 years.
Ahhh this brings back memories.. only a month before I was born!
This was a true masterpiece
“When all else fails, you always have delusion.”
I’m writing this on my mirror 😂
I wish I went to Harvard just so I could’ve had the chance for Conan to perform my commencement speech
I really want to meet this guy someday...
same ✊🏻😔💕
✊🏾
This was the year 2000 and everyone looking blue... Makes me think about that one song from this era lol... You know what I’m talking ‘bout y’all!!
David Eanes I'm literally seeing blue in this video.The background is blue, Conans shirt and tie are blue, even some of the guests are so blue...da ba Dee da ba di.
Why is there a ghost laughing in the audience
It's quite refreshing to not see people holding phones in the air. Instead, a few good old camcorders.... PS: Great job Conan! You'll always be my fave!
If you enjoyed this, do yourself a favor and go watch his Dartmouth commencement speech in 2011 after he lost the Tonight Show. It's one of the most sublime and truly helpful I've ever heard.
This tape desperately needs it's red back
so they're doing the 20 years cycle backwards?
WHERE'S Conan Addresses The Harvard Class Of 1980 ?
he wasn't even a student there yet hahahaha
@@nurmadihahbintizulkifli1734 he did attend Harvard. histlit.fas.harvard.edu/people/people/alumni/conan-obrien
Zarkex Tech nah she was saying he wasn't even in college yet in 1980
Because his speech was rejected
so conan does commencement speeches every 10 years? Definitely expecting the 2030 one ❤️