Conan O'Brien: Statesman

Those of you who watch Conan O'Brien know he is hugely popular in Finland. Here's why

And here is the Tribune write-up.

The "Late Night" host handed the Nordic country's first female president[Tarja Halonen] a Valentine's Day present, wrapped in red paper, as they posed for photographers before the closed-door meeting that was expected to last 15 minutes.

there's more

Some 2,000 fans had waited hours in subfreezing temperatures to catch a glimpse of the quirky, self-deprecating talk-show host who is unusually popular in this small, taciturn nation on the northern fringe of Europe.

During the tour, O'Brien visited Arctic Lapland, some 500 miles north of the capital, with his film crew, and appeared on several Finnish TV shows.

Later Tuesday, he was to receive a TV award for being "the most surprising and entertaining TV personality in Finland."