O'Brien told reporters Wednesday that he and Letterman have "always been good. I said he didn't owe me a phone call, but I appreciated it."
O'Brien wouldn't be so receptive to a call from Jay Leno, who preceded and replaced him as "Tonight" show host.
He says the reason is no mystery, noting, "We all know the story."
O'Brien said the experience of losing the "Tonight" show left him and his staff feeling like a band of pirates that stuck together through hard times. It's a dynamic he believes makes the show stronger.
Conan O'Brien ok with David Letterman
O'Brien's new TBS show, called "Conan," began in November. He said the past year's upheaval has left him more willing to take chances onstage.
"I'm very appreciative," he said. "There's nothing like walking away from the 'Tonight' show that makes you appreciative of being on the air and having a TV show. I think that feeling is coming through."
O'Brien's show and "Lopez Tonight," which follows it on TBS' lineup, both have an audience with an average age of 33, the youngest among the late-night talk shows.
"I like performing for children," he said. "I have a 7-year-old and a 5-year-old. That's a workout. Making them laugh brings me a lot of joy."
Conan O'Brien ok with David Letterman
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