GOODBYE FOR NOW

Conan O'Brien Signs Off NBC A Free Bird

AND SO THE PAINFUL PUBLIC DISSOLUTION OF THE MARRIAGE BETWEEN CONAN O'BRIEN and longtime partner NBC comes to a poignant, heartbreaking end.

After slicing and dicing the network for weeks, a resigned Conan last night professed no hard feelings, and advised the kiddies to work hard and avoid cynicism.

"Please do not be cynical,'' an earnest Conan said. "I hate cynicism. For the record, it's my least favorite quality. It doesn't lead anywhere. Nobody in life gets exactly what they thought they were going to get. But if you work really hard, and you're kind, amazing things will happen."

The once and future talk show host thanks his legions of fans who staged rallies, camped out in the rain and bled their support all over the Internet.

"This massive outpouring of support and passion, from so many people, has been overwhelming for me,'' he said, his voice cracking. "The rallies, the signs, all this goofy outrageous creativity on the internet …You made a sad situation joyous and inspirational."

And then he introduced Will Ferrell performing a faux funny Lynyrd Skynyrd's Freebird. Because even though this is supposed to be comedy, we're crushed that irreconcilable differences ended what we thought was a beautiful relationship.