Intelligent people given enough time to become ridiculous.
Five conversations in which dryness, surrealism, overthinking, and active sabotage reveal how friendship might actually work.
Conan O’Brien claims to need a friend. His best guests respond by misunderstanding the assignment, attacking its foundations, or wandering into a much stranger conversation.
These four episodes are the strongest introductions to that chemistry. Timothy Olyphant waits in the encore, already inside the house and moving the furniture.
Conan O'Brien with Werner Herzog
Herzog brings ecstatic truth, enormous walks, impossible filmmaking, and Honey Boo Boo; Conan recognizes usable comedy in all of it.
Two very different philosophers investigate the absurdity of being alive.
Open the note →Conan O'Brien with Harrison Ford
Ford declines the conventional celebrity interview so dryly that antagonism becomes the most generous form of participation.
A master class in discovering that the person refusing to participate may actually be participating hardest.
Open the note →Conan O'Brien with Jeff Goldblum
Goldblum and Conan produce procedural surrealism from pinky rings, funny children, marriage, elocution, and speaking in jazz.
Conan O'Brien with Bill Hader
Two funny people examine antiquated language, performance, relaxation, crime-show narration, and the mechanics of getting out of their own way.
Two professional overthinkers discuss the importance of not thinking so much.
Open the note →Conan O'Brien with Timothy Olyphant
An actual friendship gives Olyphant permission to undermine the premise, pacing, and remaining dignity of Conan's program.
The podcast equivalent of inviting someone into your home and watching them rearrange the furniture.
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