Lorne Michaels Says Conan O'Brien Will Be Just Fine

Saturday Night Live creator and NBC employee is on the same team as Howard Stern: Team CoCo

By Breanne L. Heldman Mar 03, 2010 2:09 PMTags
Conan O'Brien, Lorne MichaelsPaul Drinkwater/NBC; Mary Ellen Matthews / NBC

Just because he pitches for the losing team doesn't mean Lorne Michaels doesn't cheer for his former players.

The Saturday Night Live creator and executive producer may work for NBC, but he feels his past employee Conan O'Brien is "just brilliant" and has an "amazing character," he told the Hollywood Reporter.

In other words, while he didn't say anything about Jay Leno inducing nausea, he agrees with the outspoken Howard Stern on at least one issue.

After early struggles, Conan prevailed, "and I'm sure he will again," Michaels said.

He also agrees with Howard that Conan did "not necessarily" have the best of lead-ins following Leno's 10 p.m. spot, but thinks some of the issue may stem from promising the redhead the gig so far in advance.

"You can't tell someone that you want to stay married for five years" and then get a divorce, he said.

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Howard Stern's been doing a ton of talking lately. Keep up with what he's been saying right here.