Conan O'Brien Can't Stop (2011)

Conan O'Brien Can't Stop (2011). 1h 29m | R

“Iu0026#39;ve heard from several people that his attitude in this documentary has damaged their perception of Conan as a person. In some ways, I can understand where theyu0026#39;re coming from; his humor on a person-to-person basis is much more biting and acidic than it is on television, and the filmu0026#39;s approach of basically lining up every joke told behind the scenes, back-to-back-to-back, does give the impression that heu0026#39;s constantly picking on anyone who dares to enter the dressing room. That it also cuts away so quickly after every punchline doesnu0026#39;t give us a chance to understand the context of the conversation or the targetu0026#39;s response to his barbs. The japes are constantly funny, but that uncertainty about their reception ultimately keeps the laughs from flowing freely. Thereu0026#39;s also an impression that heu0026#39;s always on, telling jokes without taking a breath – even during quiet moments at home with his wife and kids. To some, that might make him seem imposing and attention-seeking, but I took it as his way of dealing with the stress of an overloaded schedule, uncertain future and relentless media attention that he was working through at the time, just weeks after his public blowup with NBC. Conan runs with a very funny group of guys, and their puns combined with the glimpses both on the stage and behind the curtains at his u0026quot;Prohibited Touru0026quot; make for some great material. Itu0026#39;s just not an entirely friendly atmosphere for unbridled comedy.”