Late-Night Hosts, Celebs React to Boston Explosions
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Michael Tran/FilmMagic(NEW YORK) — Conan O’Brien, Jimmy Kimmel and Craig Ferguson all took time on their late-night shows on Monday to address the explosions at the Boston Marathon that claimed the lives of three people and injured at least 176 others.
O’Brien, a Boston native who attended Harvard University in neighboring Cambridge, told the studio audience on his TBS show Conan, “Boston is my hometown, it’s where I grew up, it’s where my family lives. So I wanted to take a moment to say that, like everybody here, my thoughts and prayers are with the people of Boston and everybody who has been affected by this absolutely senseless act.
“That said, it is our job to do a show,” he continued. “We’re going to try and entertain you the very best we can. Which, given our track record, gives you people a 20-percent chance of having a good show tonight, and I think that’s pretty good.”
ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel Live! began with host Jimmy Kimmel remarking, “I don’t want to bring everyone down but it was a terrible day, very bad things happened today for no good reason, and our thoughts are with the people of Boston and everyone who’s suffering as a result of the bombings in the marathon. It’s a disgusting thing, I don’t understand it, but my job is to make you laugh and so I’ll try to do that, and I will probably fail. I’m failing already.”
Ferguson opened his CBS Late Late Show broadcast in part by asking, “Is anyone else sick of this s***? I seem to have to say that too often.”
Though he’s originally from Scotland, Ferguson pointed out that he has a strong connection to 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…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.”
Jay Leno, David Letterman and Jimmy Fallon’s shows aired repeats Monday night.
Earlier in the day, Ben Affleck was one of many stars with a Massachusetts connection who took to Facebook and Twitter to express his sympathy and concern.
Affleck, who was raised in Cambridge, wrote on his Facebook page and Twitter feed, “Such a senseless and tragic day. My family and I send our love to our beloved and resilient Boston.”
Bostonian Mark Wahlberg commented, “Thoughts and prayers with my hometown Boston today.”
Wahlberg’s New Kids on the Block and Blue Bloods star brother Donnie tweeted, “No words to describe the pain in my heart, at this moment, in seeing my city torn apart this way. So sad. Please #pray4boston & the victims.”
Former Survivor winner Ethan Zohn, who was born in Lexington, Mass., and who participated in the Boston Marathon on Monday, tweeted, “I’m OK. Most importantly, praying for those injured and affected by this. …Thanks for your love and concern.”
Comedian Dane Cook, who’s from Beantown, wrote on Twitter, “My prayers with everyone in Boston right now after this atrocious act of violence!!”
The Office actor John Krasinski, a native of Newton, Mass., tweeted, “My heart and my prayers are in Boston and with everyone affected by this nightmare of an incident.”
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