TV.com Top Ten: Conan O'Brien's best

An era ends tonight...an era of defecating ducks, a bear beating off, and drummers doing drummers. Conan O'Brien tapes his final Late Night with Conan O'Brien tonight, and will graduate to the 11:30 p.m. slot as the replacement for Jay Leno later this summer.

We're not sure if the pale one will be able to bring some of his characters to the more conservative pre-midnight show, but we're crossing our fingers. Before his arrival, O'Brien's absurd sense of comedy was sorely lacking in the late-night circuit, and was a great alternative to Letterman's smart-alecky ribbing and Leno's straight jokes. Here are our favorite Late Night with Conan O'Brien bits.

10. Pimpbot 5000

Imagine Robby the Robot with a surly disposition and in a fur-lined hat. The Pimpbot 5000 jokes never went much further that the idea of a 1950s sci-fi movie doing what Big Daddy Kane said "ain't easy," but they didn't have to--the metallic threats of the 'bot slapping Conan were enough.

9. Quackers the S***-eating Duck

Sometimes the best moments happen spontaneously, and when you produce a show "live to tape" as Conan and company do, there are plenty of surprises. The best happened when a white duck walked onto the stage as part of a gag, dropped a deuce, and proceeded to shovel it around with its bill. A star is born!

8. If They Mated

This cheap gimmick was nothing more than some interns goofing off with early versions of Photoshop, but gosh darnit it was hilarious. Two celebrities rumored to be dating (or not, no one was spared) had features composited to give a peek at their would-be children, and the results were infant freaks of nature with eyeliner, beards, and the worst hairstyles ever.

7. Desk Driving

In the old days when Conan was joined by co-host Andy Richter, the two would occasionally take advantage of green-screen technology and "drive" their desk around the world. Inevitably, Conan and Andy would run people over, disobey both laws of traffic and physics, and crash. Good times.

6. In the Year 2000

Using flashlights for the worst special effect ever, Conan and Andy (or a guest) donned robes and what looked like jingle bells around their necks for a look into the future. First started before the turn of the millennium, the absurdity of the sketch got even better in 2001 and beyond. And big ups to band member Richie "LaBamba" Rosenburg for providing the haunting chorus.

5. Walker Texas Ranger Yellow Lever

Could anyone else do a comedy bit where clips of Walker, Texas Ranger are shown other than Conan? Nope. The bit involves Conan pulling a yellow lever and showing a clip of the show. We're not sure why it's so funny, all we know is we can't stop laughing.

4. Masturbating Bear

A bear in a diaper walks on set and begins going at it furiously. That is all. (Horny Manatee and Vomiting Kermit could also fit in here)

3. Fake Interviews

One of Conan's classic bits involves more cheap technology. Conan would speak to a video screen with a celebrity's portrait--with one of Conan's writers providing the words...and the lips. Just about anyone in the news was fair game, but no one was funnier than the "Yeeeehooo"-ing Bill Clinton.

2. Max on Max

The only comedy bit in Conan's arsenal that scarred many people for life, "Max on Max" was--simply put--a look at a porno movie starring band drummer Max Weinberg and co-starring Max Weinberg. Soft music, candles, and Max thrusting unto himself left our jaws dropped and gag reflexes tested. Thankfully it was only from the waist up.

1. Triumph, the Insult Comic Dog

Was there any doubt what was number one? Robert Smigel's cigar-smoking hand puppet has provided some of the best moments in late-night history. Over the course of the years we've seen Triumph humping show dogs at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, comment on the Michael Jackson trial, and insult Star Wars fans. On one of the most innovative late-night shows ever, Triumph is the best...for us to poop on.

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