Conan O'Brien Is Back. And He Will Be Hairy.

Dear Conan,

After months on hiatus - you, our bearded red hair refugee - will take the stage on TBS and debut your new show and God willing, your old flaming facial hair.  Yes, Build-a-Beard still believes in your whiskers.  No surprises here, Mr. O'Brien.  You've enticed us with this Entertainment Weekly article on Five Reasons to Tune In Tonight (we could have edited this to one - your beard), where you boldly tease us with - "You’ll get to see whether I kept the beard or not. And I don’t think I’m self-centered, but I think it’s more important to America than this election.”

You wouldn't dare betray us like that and further, would you really rip out the hearts of your beloved 18-34 year old demographic?  Wahl Trimmers released a facial hair survey that reported:

Perhaps due to his roots in New York and Boston, residents of the Northeast are most supportive of Conan maintaining at least some peach fuzz on his face at all times (17 percent, vs. 12 percent of the rest of the country). The coveted 18-34-year-old demographic feels more strongly than those 35 and older about preferring many TV hosts being far less clean-shaven, including George Lopez (17 percent vs. 8 percent), Jimmy Kimmel (13 percent vs. 4 percent), Stephen Colbert (10 percent vs. 4 percent) and Jon Stewart (10 percent vs. 3 percent).

Still others have questioned if you will shave your beard on-air.  Nonsense. Even The Washington Post advised that you steer clear of the blade - "Don't lose the beard. Sure, it would be all stunt-y to suddenly appear fresh-faced or to actually have your beard shaved off on the air (maybe by first guest Arlene Wagner, proprietor of the Leavenworth Nutcracker Museum?). But the beard is part and parcel of your image now. It sets you apart from Leno, Letterman and Stewart. And, hey, if the whole late-night thing doesn't work out, you're all set for Shakespeare summer stock."

Build-a-Beard has been with you during this trying time - we're Team Coco all the way - please keep up the bearded discipline (even if it takes numerous shots of testosterone).  Prove to your audience that it truly is about turning on, tuning in, & growing it out. 

Looking forward to your show tonight at 11 p.m. ET in all your glistening glory.

All the best,
El Beardo & Riss

Get excited:

Conan, B-a-B is with you!

Our favorite late night talk show host will be on 60 Minutes this Sunday talking about his transition to TBS among other things... and now there is a leaked story that positions CoCo's statement that he "wouldn't have done that" (referring to Leno giving away, then taking back, The Tonight Show).

We here at B-a-B feel that regardless of what Conan said (or will say) on this matter, we stand behind him... he is correct in saying that there are things he wouldn't do that Leno does/did, and conversely there are things that Jay doesn't do that Conan happily does with a hairy smile... like, GROW A KICKASS BEARD.

For that, among many reasons (most notably that Conan's HS Alma Mater is the same as mine,  Brookline High School FTW!)... we salute you Conan and stand with you chin to chin. GO COCO, GO!

P.S. Even if Jay was to grow a beard (and with his chin it would sure to be HUGE), we will not support him... that time has passed, and the ship has sailed... we will however report on it if it does come to be. Below is an artist's (albeit a bad one) interpretation to hold you over.

P.P.S. David Letterman... we do recall your awesome beard... when's it gonna come back? bring it back David, bring it back!