"Yesterday, the Pentagon warned U.S. reporters that they should get out of Baghdad as soon as possible because the U.S. could attack at any time. Then the Pentagon added, 'Whatever you do, don't tell Geraldo.'"

In this quote, Conan O'Brien is making a satirical comment on the tense scenario in Baghdad throughout the Iraq War. The Pentagon, the head office of the United States Department of Defense, is alerting American reporters to leave the city immediately due to the possibility of a U.S. attack. However, the addition of "Whatever you do, don't inform Geraldo" adds a humorous twist to the seriousness of the scenario. Geraldo Rivera, a widely known American reporter, was understood for his controversial reporting design and may have been viewed as a liability in this circumstance. O'Brien's usage of irony highlights the absurdity of war and the media's function in it.