Conan O’Brien‘s famous hairstyle has been almost as recognizable as the comedian himself for more than three decades. That’s why fans were so surprised when he debuted a dramatically different look on the latest episode of his podcast.

The new episode of Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend was uploaded to YouTube on July 20 and teased via the show’s Instagram page. The change in O’Brien’s hairstyle essentially overshadowed his chat with Saturday Night Live alum Molly Shannon.

For years, O’Brien has worn his signature pompadour hairstyle. In the new podcast episode, the entertainer’s hair looked completely different. His red hair was slicked back and didn’t have the usual iconic swoop and volume that fans have loved for over 30 years.

“Slick back Conan jumpscare,” quipped one of O’Brien’s fans on Instagram.

Various commenters suggested that O’Brien looked ready for a role in the movie The Outsiders or a Jack Nicholson biopic.

Someone else joked, “Season 1 Michael Scott hair entered the podcast,” a reference to Steve Carell‘s character on The Office.

O’Brien made no references to the different look during the podcast, and that fact did not go unnoticed.

One fan commented, “We need to make them address Conan’s hair in the next episode for a segment and read the comments to Conan.”

Most of the comments left on Instagram were good-natured, although some O’Brien fans on Reddit were a bit harsher. All in all, the slicked-back look did not garner many sincere compliments. Some, however, thought all of the commentary on it was a bit excessive.

“He… brushed his hair a bit differently and people are losing their minds,” one Reddit user commented.

Another Redditor declared, “Been fearing the day we lose the iconic locks. Truly the end of an era.”

Fans may have felt strongly about O’Brien’s look in his latest podcast episode, but the entertainer likely won’t take it personally. O’Brien has spent years poking fun at his own famously gravity-defying hair, so while he didn’t mention it during the recent podcast episode, he may well address the internet’s reaction in time.

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