Conan O’Brien: ‘Final Space’ Creator Olan Rogers Is “Rare Find” And “Good, Authentic Voice”

Like many before him, a YouTube star is attempting the jump to TV, and he is doing so with the effusive support of big name in late-night programming. Olan Rogers and Conan O’Brien appeared together at the Television Critics Association‘s winter press tour in order to promote Rogers’ series Final Space, which will premiere on TBS on February 26.

Final Space is an animated series that follows the adventures of a human prisoner who befriends a super-powerful space creature. Together with other companions, they head out on adventures across the universe, some of which are teased in a Final Space trailer that arrived on January 11.

Though TV projects led by YouTube stars often struggle to attract audiences, Rogers believes Final Space will be able to succeed because he works well with others. Other YouTubers “can’t get away from the ‘You,’” he said. “They have a hard time collaborating.”

Final Space‘s path to TV has required collaborative work at every step of its journey. Rogers first launched the show as a pilot, which was included in one of New Form’s incubator series. From there, he was able to catch O’Brien’s attention and snag a deal with TBS.

O’Brien echoed the idea that Rogers is a special talent in the YouTube world. The Conan host referred to the animation whiz as both “a rare find in a YouTube world where there’s million of people creating things in their basements” and “a good, authentic voice that can grow and mature.”

While he brings Final Space to TV, Rogers is still working on fun, witty animated content. He worked with New From on another pilot, titled The Lion’s Blaze, which premiered online last August.