"Early on, they were timing my contract with an egg timer"

This quote by Conan O'Brien is a humorous referral to the fact that his agreement with NBC was pertaining to an end. By saying that they were timing his contract with an egg timer, he is indicating that his time was limited which he was being treated as if he was a product that was going out. This is a funny method of revealing the fact that his agreement was pertaining to an end which he was being treated as if he was a product that was running out of time. It is likewise a way of expressing his frustration with the circumstance, as he was not provided the chance to stay with the network for longer. This quote is an amusing method of revealing the truth that his time was restricted which he was being treated as if he was a commodity that was going out.