Conan says goodbye to NYC with old friends

New York City — Conan O’Brien said goodbye to New York and NBC’s “Late Night” by passing out shards of his stage, enjoying one last rub from Will Ferrell and promising fans he wouldn’t grow up for an earlier time slot.

O’Brien is heading to Los Angeles, where NBC will fulfill a promise it made five years ago to make him “Tonight” show host. That new gig begins in June.

O’Brien took a sledgehammer and ax to his stage set this week, giving fans souvenirs. On his last show, taped Friday evening, a construction vehicle was used to tear down a pillar of lights, which was cut up offstage.

Most of his final “Late Night” after 16 years was spent airing highlights and visiting with Andy Richter, O’Brien’s former sidekick who left the show in 2000. It was an excuse to air the priceless clip of Richter, “tricked” into believing he was going to a spa, wandering nude onto the “Today” show set and interrupting Matt Lauer.

“We’re going on to this next gig and sometimes I read that it’s time for Conan to grow up because he’s going to 11:30,” said the 45-year-old O’Brien. “I assure you, that’s just not going to happen.