Conan O'Brien Opens Up About 'Tonight Show' Exit

Only Conan O'Brien could turn a heartbreaking career setback into a cementing of his cult status. The comedian, who was cut from his Tonight Show hosting gig a mere seven months after taking over, has generated a ton of support from fans, many of whom proudly declared "I'm with Coco," played at Bonnaroo in June and will host a new late night talk show on TBS, which premieres November 8.

But after his firing in January, in which he was replaced by old host Jay Leno, O'Brien had a difficult time dealing with what had happened. He spoke candidly about the situation in an interview with Rolling Stone. "My wife says those first couple of months, the thing I said most often was, 'Wait a minute, what just happened?'" O'Brien recalled. The day after his final show, while he and his wife Liza Powel were driving to a California resort, he said he felt like he had just been in a car accident. "Like a crazy mix of elation, anger, sorrow. Confusion was a big one."

O'Brien also discusses his various attempts to keep busy in the interview. The issue hits newsstands Friday. –ISHITA SINGH