Director's Cut Blog with Frank Macek

CLEVELAND -- For 16 years, Mark Pender graced NBC airwaves, tooting his horn on "Late Night with Conan O'Brien." But now, his adventure is just beginning. In June, Pender will make his debut playing in the band on the "Tonight Show." He's making the move with Conan to L.A. On Friday morning, Pender made a special appearance on Channel 3 News Today. If you missed it, he's making a weekend appearance at Fat Fish Blue. Mark Pender will play Saturday night at 9 p.m. at Fat Fish Blue. There is a $15 cover charge at the door. For more information: CLICK HERE

The expectations were high on day one for NBC: Replace Dave Letterman with someone that could keep the momentum of the show going while building it into their own. The choosen one: Conan O'Brien. Now Conan O'Brien is promising not to cry tonight as he ends his 16-year run at "Late Night." O'Brien joked on NBC's "Today" show that he's gotten injections and has had a lot of therapy to do away with his emotions. Seriously, though, O'Brien says he doesn't know how he'll react when his final show ends tonight. He takes over the "Tonight Show" June 1. Jimmy Fallon replaces O'Brien March 2. On April 25, 1993, Lorne Michaels suggested O'Brien try out to be David Letterman's successor as host of Late Night with David Letterman, with Andy Richter signed on to be his sidekick. O'Brien auditioned on the set of The Tonight Show, where he interviewed Mimi Rogers and Jason Alexander. O'Brien resigned his position on ...