O’Brien, Kimmel and Ferguson discuss Boston bombing

Conan O’Brien, Jimmy Kimmel and Craig Ferguson all taped new episodes Monday and all three took a few moments to offer commentary on the bombing of the Boston Marathon earlier that day.

For O’Brien, the attack really hit home as Boston is the city where his parents and other relatives live. After asking the audience of “Conan” to be seated, he took a couple of moments to acknowledge the tragedy.

“I have to mention what an upsetting and sad day it’s been,” he said. “Boston is my hometown -- it’s where I grew up, and it’s where my family lives. So I just wanted to take a moment to say that -- like everyone here -- my thoughts and prayers are with the people of Boston and everyone who has been affected by this senseless act. That said -- it is our job to do a show. We’re going to try and entertain you the best we can. Which, given our track record, gives you people a 20% chance of having a good time tonight.”

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Jimmy Kimmel’s comments were even shorter. The ABC late night host wasted no time diving right into his disclaimer at the top of the show.

“Well -- it was a terrible day,” Kimmel said. “Very bad things happened today for no good reason -- and our thoughts are with the people of Boston and everyone who is suffering as a result of the bombings at the marathon. It’s a disgusting thing. I don’t understand it. But my job is to make you laugh and so I will try to do that. And I will probably fail. I’m failing already.”

Of the three, it was Craig Ferguson who had the most extensive comments on the matter. Ferguson has never been one to adhere to the traditional late-night conventions with his show and his comments reflected that.

“I’m sick of this,” and then he uttered a blunt description of the bombings and other recent tragedies. It was not the kind of language you normally hear uttered on CBS (bleeped or otherwise).

He went on to explain how the bombing affected him personally, stating, “I have a personal connection with the city of Boston. I have some history there. I have family there. When I became an American citizen in 2008, I spoke at Faneuil Hall on July 4, at the invitation of Tommy Menino who is the mayor of Boston, and one of the more colorful characters in American politics.... I’ve been there for the Fourth of July many times ... and every cop in Boston looks like I’m his brother.... My first stand-up special in America, I shot it in Boston. I like that town. I’m appalled by this thing and when I watch it on these streets that I know, it’s horrifying.”

There was no new Letterman, Leno or, most critically, Jon Stewart. Stewart’s show returns with a new episode Tuesday night.

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