 Beginning in 1996, O'Brien and the "Late Night" writing team were nominated annually for the Emmy Award for Best Writing in a Comedy or Variety Series, winning the award for the first and only time in 2007.In 1997, 2000, 2002, 2003, and 2004, he and the "Late Night" writing staff won the Writers Guild Award for Best Writing in a Comedy/Variety Series.In 2001, he formed his own television production company, Conaco, which subsequently shared in the production credits for "Late Night".