A high-energy O’Brien opens nationwide comedy tour before enthusiastic Oregon crowd

A high-energy O’Brien opens nationwide comedy tour

EUGENE, Ore. — Conan O’Brien, fueled by three months of unused comedy energy, kicked off a nationwide tour that evoked his late-night brand of edgy humor and brought a college-town crowd to its feet.

The former “Tonight Show” host, who started his two-month tour on the day his new TBS show was announced, took swipes at former employer NBC — and himself — in an evening of jokes, music and wild costume changes that at point had O’Brien in a pink leather outfit.

Some familiar bits from his NBC years were on display, including Triumph the Insult Comic Dog, although O’Brien said he was uncertain if he was legally allowed to make use of them.

O’Brien’s next stop is Vancouver, Canada, on Wednesday.