Photographer Gillian Laub was given the rare opportunity to follow Conan O’Brien as he made the transition from the host of Late Night With Conan O’Brien to the host of The Tonight Show. The well-publicized journey led Conan and his entire staff from the East coast to the West coast, and then back again as The Tonight Show ended its run with Conan way earlier than anybody ever expected.

In a series of never-before-seen photos, Gillian Laub captured the hopeful Conan as he wound down his former show to make the move to California.