Conan O'Brien Warns Writers' Room Decline Is a 'Real Problem'
At Bloomberg's Screentime event, Conan O'Brien called the shrinking of writers' rooms a 'real problem' and said he hasn't considered life after his SiriusXM deal.
Conan O'Brien says the contraction of television writers' rooms is a "real problem" for the industry. Speaking at Bloomberg's Screentime event, the former late-night host addressed the shifting economics of comedy and scripted television, where fewer writers are being hired to staff shows.
O'Brien struck an optimistic note about the creative community even as he acknowledged the structural challenge. He said creative people will find ways to be creative, and that talented people will profit from it.
On his own business future, O'Brien said he hasn't thought about continuing his SiriusXM deal after 2027. In 2022, O'Brien struck a deal with the radio giant for SiriusXM to acquire his Team Coco company for a reported $150 million, an agreement said to keep him employed until 2027.
The Writers Guild of America West's latest report showed 27% fewer writers working in 2025 than in 2022, a figure that underscores the scale of the decline O'Brien described.
O'Brien's own career began in writers' rooms. He worked as a writer on Saturday Night Live between 1988 and 1991, got his start on HBO's Not Necessarily The News and Fox's The Wilton North Report, and later wrote for The Simpsons before hosting Late Night with Conan O'Brien and The Tonight Show.
Quick answers
What did Conan O'Brien say about writers' rooms?
At Bloomberg's Screentime event, O'Brien said the decline of writers' rooms is a 'real problem.'
Has Conan O'Brien decided on his SiriusXM future?
He said he hasn't thought about continuing his SiriusXM deal after 2027.
How many fewer writers were working in 2025?
The WGA West's latest report showed 27% fewer writers working in 2025 than in 2022.