Conan O’Brien Needs A Friend - Ayo Edebiri
Episode Date: July 7, 2025Actress, comedian, and writer Ayo Edebiri feels optimistic about being Conan O’Brien’s friend. Ayo sits down with Conan to discuss being awarded her very own day in the city of Boston, how her pa...rents set her up for a career trajectory in writing and performance, expressing her unique physical comedy, and going from co-star to directing an episode of The Bear’s third season. Later, Conan tests his mettle by attempting to distinguish the members of his team from one another. For Conan videos, tour dates and more visit TeamCoco.com.Got a question for Conan? Call our voicemail: (669) 587-2847. Get access to all the podcasts you love, music channels and radio shows with the SiriusXM App! Get 3 months free using this show link: https://siriusxm.com/conan.
Transcript
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Hi, my name is Ayo Debrey.
And I feel optimistic, hopefully not a misguided optimism, about being Conan O'Brien's friend.
Fall is here, hear the yell, back to school, ring the bell, brand new shoes, walk and lose, I can tell that we are gonna be friends. Yes, I can tell that we are gonna be friends.
Hello there and welcome aboard the good ship.
Conan O'Brien needs a friend.
I'm the captain, Conan.
Of course, there's the cruise director, son of obsession.
Oh, hell yeah, I'd be a great cruise director.
And working down there,
I'm gonna be the captain of the ship.
And I'm gonna be the captain of the ship.
And I'm gonna be the captain of the ship. And I'm I'm the captain, Conan. Of course, there's the cruise director, Sonam Avsesyan.
Hell yeah, I'd be a great cruise director.
Julia, and working down there in the engine room,
covered in grease.
Matt Gorley, you never get to come topside.
No, I thought you were gonna call me gopher.
No, oh God, no.
Around the other passengers, no, no, no.
You're down, you are covered in grease,
you're hard of hearing because of the giant turbines turning all the no, you're down. You are covered in grease. You're hard of hearing because of the giant turbines
turning all the time.
You're rarely allowed out.
In fact, when the ship is sinking,
you're not even told it's sinking.
Aw.
Listen, you know I love you, man.
Do I?
I don't think you could.
I know it.
It's never been a single sign that you love me.
I don't know.
Not based on my behavior towards you, certainly.
Certainly not what other people say.
No facts, no evidence.
I think you hate me, sir.
I do not hate you.
You just don't like me.
No!
I think it's, oh god, what's the word?
There's indifference.
Oh, that's almost worse.
Leaning towards rage.
That's worse, yeah.
Rage, rage, I don't have a word for it,
but listen, no, of course, I respect you.
I think you do a great job.
I can't look you in the eye when I'm lying.
No, and it's just respect is a begrudging respect.
It's a begrudging respect, that's true.
I just wanna make sure,
because we're recording this a little ahead of time.
And one of the things we don't do
is we're not very topical on this podcast.
But now I've got it in my head today,
because I don't think this is gonna drop for a while.
We really can't be topical.
Right. No.
You know what I mean?
So I don't want anyone saying,
well, next week is that big national holiday or,
hey, in two days.
But we do know when this is coming out.
I know.
So we can say things like,
Fourth of July is just around the corner.
I know.
Oh, I thought we-
You still don't understand how any of this works.
I still don't understand how this works.
I see, I'm suspicious of that.
What if we say that and then for some reason,
this gets bumped, you know,
because some huge figure says gets bumped, you know,
because some huge figure says I'll do the podcast,
but it has to air on that day and we go,
huh, we've already got this all set for someone else
and it has to move.
Well, what if they move on 4th of July?
And then we're saying, wow, 4th of July.
You never know what Trump's gonna do.
And people look out the window and it's snowing.
But it's still 4th of July and they live in Antarctica.
Oh.
See the twist I put at the end?
Twist!
Are you saying that we don't have big names right now,
and if we have one, everyone gets pumped?
No, these are big names.
I'm talking about the new pope from Chicago.
He's not coming on this stupid podcast.
I'm just saying, what if my cell phone rings,
and I pick it up and I go, hey, Conan there?
And I go, hello, and he goes, this is a new pope.
And I go, wow, oh my God.
It's incredible, congratulations.
Yeah, I'm thinking I, you know,
I used to be down in Chicago and diversity,
I'd be driving down diversity and I'd be like, you know,
I don't like, I like white socks.
I'm not a Cubs guy, anyhow.
And I'd be getting my sausage and I was thinking, I like this Conan podcast. I'll do like, I like white socks. I'm not a Cubs guy. Anyhow, and I'd be getting my sausage
and I was thinking, I like this Conan podcast.
I'll do it someday if I become Pope.
Probably a 50-50 chance.
That's a good Chicago.
Yeah, and then he, you know, and you know,
and again, now we are getting topical,
but if he wanted to do the podcast,
that would bump anybody.
Yeah.
And also I would want to ask him,
did you use some of your Chicago ways to influence the Conclave?
What are you saying?
They bring a knife, you bring a gun?
Exactly.
They bring black smoke, you bring white smoke.
He was in there just going like,
oh, really, you're gonna vote for that guy, huh?
Or that guy from Portugal, huh?
Maybe at the Conclave, he was walking around behind them with a baseball bat.
I see you're going very cartoonish and very big.
I apologize.
No, no, you shouldn't apologize. I begrudging I see you're going very cartoonish and very big. I apologize. No, no, no, you shouldn't apologize.
I begrudgingly respect you.
I forgot this was a sober and serious podcast.
I think it's more like, hey, you wanted,
remember when you wanted to help moving that couch?
You know, you had that place over on Sheffield?
Remember when you had the place on Sheffield?
Who helped you move the couch?
Wait, you're saying Matt's cartoony?
Uh-huh.
Because whatever this is, it Matt's cartoony? Uh-huh. My pope.
Whatever this is.
My pope did a lot of.
He's very cartoony.
My pope, he did a lot of favors for people.
And also.
Your pope is Dennis Farina.
Yeah.
He's got like, he did a lot of favors for people.
And also, he knows the cops.
He'll take care of that ticket for you.
Yeah, but they were in Rome.
What's that?
They weren't even in Chicago.
Why is he bringing up sofas he moved for people?
Because he was always playing the game.
He was always saying like, hey, you from where you from?
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, from Thailand, eh?
Yeah, hey, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.
You moving out of that place?
Yes, I'm moving out of that.
Hey, hey, hey, I can help you.
Ah, couch, I got some guys that can move it for you.
You don't have to hire anybody, you see.
Is it like he's controlling the altar boy union?
Or, you know?
He's just got his fingers in every pie.
That incense fell off the back of a truck door.
Yeah, exactly.
Exactly.
Yeah, that just fell out of the back of a truck.
Hey, don't be asking a lot of questions.
Yeah.
You know?
And he becomes pope, because he's just working it.
Anyway, my original point is, if my cell phone rings
and I hear, hey, I asked a buddy of a buddy of a buddy,
and he says, I got Conan's number.
Is this your number there, Conan?
I'm like, yeah, this is my number.
Hey, you know, I'd like to come on that bad cast here.
That'd be great.
Bad cast?
I'd like to come on that.
Bad cast.
I'd like to come on that bad cast. You know, and now we could get some sausage
and we could close down a couple of streets for maybe a blues fest.
And then we could have that, you know, anyway.
And then I'd be like, shit, we gotta bump the guest today
so that we can have that pope on.
You know what I mean? Yeah, I'm glad you didn't stay topical.
Yeah.
Because that was really important.
Oh, these popes don't change too fast.
This guy's going to be around a long time.
I know, but he's not going to be the new pope
when this airs, probably.
Oh, it's still a big deal.
Is it?
Eduardo's nodding his head.
He's still, he's still going to be considered new?
Even when this comes out.
Oh, you think in June the fact that there's
a pope from the South Side of Chicago
is gonna be an old story?
This is big news.
Is it that big?
Yeah, it's huge.
He's new for at least a year.
How old is he?
It's like a honeymoon, like a newlywed,
you're newlywed for a year.
You're a new pope for a year.
He's gonna be a new pope.
And also the fact that he's from the South Side of Chicago,
when he came out on a balcony,
he was wearing a white sax uniform.
What happens if we have Jude Law,
who is in a show called The New Pope,
and then we have to bump him for the new pope?
What do you fucking got this gorely working for you?
You know, you got a good role,
and this guy brings up Jude, what the fuck is a Jude Law?
What the hell is that all about? How is he helping you?
It's a deep dish pope.
And who the fuck is that play guy making jokes
other people have already made on the internet?
What the fuck?
You're trying to do original material
and you got these two weights around your neck.
Are you the pope saying what the fuck?
Yes.
Okay.
This is very, it's borderline Andrew Dice Clay Pope.
Yeah.
Yeah, exactly.
And by the way, he did some good work,
a lot of good work, Andrew Dice Clay.
And he's also be, he has matured into a very fine actor.
He's been in, he's worked with Scorsese a lot.
So not gonna have him put down on my watch.
Okay.
What?
I love it.
Yes, did you know that?
A lot?
Yes.
That's not a put down.
I think it's, I don't know what the fuck you're talking about.
The problem here. And Blake, when did you see anything in this conversation Did you know that? A lot? Yes. That's not a putz out. I think it's... I don't know what the fuck you're talking about.
The problem here.
And, Blake, when did you see anything in this conversation
that made you think, I better get in there and help.
I better jump in and save the day.
You're welcome here, Blake.
I better jump in and save the day.
This is a very anti-Pope sentiment coming from you,
isn't it?
It's not!
It's welcoming everyone in.
It is.
Eduardo, did you think this was anti-Pope?
I love this Pope. No, I know. It's not,...welcome everyone in. Eduardo, did you think this was anti-Pope? I love this Pope.
No, I...
It's not, what do you mean?
I think you...
I think the Pope is very welcoming everyone in.
You're being very anti-Pope right now.
How? How?
You said he's strong-armed his way into Popehood.
Wait a minute, you think that me applying that this Pope
used all of his Chicago muscle to get the Popehood
meant that...
That's not what he's saying. He's saying you're Conan, you role- to get the Popehood. And yeah, it's called the Popehood.
That's not what he's saying.
He's saying you're Conan, you role playing as the Pope,
you're being very anti-Pope
by not welcoming anybody into this conversation.
Oh, oh, that's just.
Oh, that.
I thought you were just shitting on the Pope.
Oh, no, no, no, no, no.
Oh, okay.
No, no, no, and listen, you know, I apologize.
And I think it takes a big man to apologize.
I apologize to you, Matt, for ever questioning
your addition to this conversation.
And, Blay, when you jumped in, you know,
and said that he's the deep dish pope,
I don't think anyone said that yet.
Big congrats to you.
So, and thank you both.
So let's get into it.
He lived in Peru for like 20 years, right?
Yeah, but you know. I'm just wondering. Was he really there as much as he said he was?
I think he was leaving a lot on weekends
to go to the White Sox games, you know,
and check out the Blues Fest.
The accent is still so thick
for just having lived in Peru for 20 years.
But okay, no, that's fine.
Was he really there the whole 20 years?
I think he was, yeah. I think it's okay.
Let's check those playing records.
I think he's bopping back and forth.
He's like, yeah, I gotta go to O'Hare.
I gotta get to O'Hare.
And then I gotta take diversity to Sheffield.
And then I gotta see the Blues Fest and get some sausage
and I'll get back to Peru, quick sure.
I don't know, I guess I'm going to hell
or maybe I'm in hell now.
Maybe this is hell.
My guest today is a hilarious writer, actor, director
and comedian who stars in the hit Hulu series, The Bear.
Hey.
And guess what, let me tell you something.
She's a huge star and so when you said,
hey, you implying we don't get big stars,
we get all the big, we get the biggest of the best.
And that show takes place in Chicago.
That's what I was saying.
That's why I said hey, cause that show takes place in Chicago. That's what I was saying. And yeah. That's why I said hey,
cause the bear takes place in Chicago.
Chicago.
I'm excited she's here today.
I'm excited she's here today.
I'm excited she's here today.
I'm excited she's here today.
I'm excited she's here today.
I'm excited she's here today.
I-O at Debris.
Welcome.
I-O at Debris.
Welcome.
I-O at Debris.
I-O at Debris.
You came in, and I gotta admit,
I'm a little high energy today.
And also, you're one of those people
where I start doing bits right away.
We ran into each other at,
I don't know if it was an Oscar thing or whatever,
you and I were somewhere,
I don't think that we had really formally met each other,
and both of us doing bits right away like idiots.
Foul, foul behavior in public.
Yes, but then you did me this great kindness,
which is my children, and this is to their credit,
they're not having the whole Conan O'Brien shtick.
Never have, never been into it.
You made a quick video for my daughter who adores you,
and you made a video where you basically said,
no, no, your dad's okay.
That's true. And I sent that to my daughter
and it got me like 24 hours of solid street cred.
But didn't it look like she was in like a hostage situation?
It kind of did.
Yeah, cause I had my gun up to my head anyway.
So I brought my gun.
She did it all herself.
She held herself hostage while she made me a hostage video.
I always carry on a gun in a newspaper, a lady must.
A lady must.
But that wasn't the, well that was the first time
that we met, but do you remember the first time
we should have met?
We should have met when I saw you way across the street
or I thought I saw you but I wasn't sure it was you
and I was with my real assistant,
the one who actually does things for me, David Hopping.
Come on, you spent phoning it in.
Okay, the one I trained.
I trained him. Oh, you trained him? Yeah, I trained him. Come on, you've been phoning it in for like eight years.
Oh, you trained him?
If you trained him, he wouldn't be doing shit.
Oh!
But anyway.
This is a dragger.
This is like a, like I was gonna say a dragger,
but that doesn't make sense.
But I just like the idea.
Let's all drag each other.
Okay, I'm down.
You're welcome to the show.
That's what it says.
In my way of just, fuck you.
Yeah, yeah.
Wait, there's a terrible thing to say.
We're gonna try it either, idiot. You just said that's a high-o? That's terrible. Yeah, yeah. Wait, there's a terrible thing to say. We're gonna try it either. You just said that to Io?
That's terrible.
Yeah, that's not nice.
That's terrible.
That's okay, that's okay.
You made Io cry.
That's okay.
People love her.
That's okay, I'm fine.
What was that all about, Sona?
Fuck all of you.
That's how I drag.
No.
I'm not good at it.
No, what happened was I was with David
and we were trying to figure out there's a group
of people across a wide street and we're looking and we were trying to figure out there's a group of people across a wide street
and we're looking and we're thinking is that IO? We weren't sure and then I thought should I cross
the street and say hi are you IO? And then I thought no don't do that. I don't need I didn't
know what to do so I didn't do it and I didn't realize that you guys. So it was me, Lionel Boyce, who's also on Bear with Me,
and then Tyler, the creator,
and then one of our other friends.
So it's like, we're like four black people
on Launch Mart, basically.
And then we're like, why is this,
like there's this white guy across the street
who's really tall and he's walking kinda weird.
And then-
I have a limp.
And then I was like, well that's like,
that's surely Conan O'Brien, like look at his head.
And we were.
And then.
Look at his head.
And then Lionel was like, don't be racist,
like you can't just see like a tall white guy
and be like, that's Conan.
And he was like, and Conan wouldn't walk like that also.
But then like now that I'm also thinking about you
like you have this group of like four black people
and being like, well surely I can't cross the street
and just be like, are you, are you the famous one thing?
And then, and then also we were like, oh, that's,
well, he was kind of walking funny
cause he kept kind of looking back
but we were in this like weird Mexican standoff
of like recognition.
Also you guys were kind of part way behind a tree.
Yes.
And, and so I see-
We were hiding.
I see, yeah.
And you know, I, and so I, I said to David, and he was like,
I'm not sure.
And then, I mean, David is welcome to come in
at any point and straighten out this mix up.
He might be off doing some real, running some real errands.
Oh, just strength to me, okay.
Well, I'm sorry, so not-
I trained him, I taught him everything.
You didn't teach him anything.
Yeah, I taught him everything else.
But we were trying to figure it out.
David wasn't sure, we weren't sure.
And then we got upstairs and I was like,
I'm telling you, I'm sure that was IO.
And I wish I had gone across the street and said something.
Is this the first time you guys have confirmed this
and talked about this?
No, we talked about it at-
This Oscars party or something.
Or SNL maybe or something.
Yeah, okay, David.
Here David, you can take my mic.
You can take this mic right here.
Take someone's mic and confirm.
David, your disposition has been called out
as sunny before, yes?
That's nice, I think so, I don't know.
Amazing, amazing disposition.
By the way, this is David in a terrible mood.
I know.
Oh, how are you?
Yeah, I heard we're all yelling at each other.
So David, confirm what happened.
You weren't sure it was IO, I wasn't sure it was IO.
Yeah, and you were about to like yell across the street
and I was like, you can't just yell, Conan.
Yeah. And there was a fear of what if I'm wrong? Yeah, and then I'm that guy who's just like
misidentifying
Black people, it's okay. Yeah, yeah, yeah.
And I didn't want to do that. No, you can't even say that anymore. So true.
But I didn't want to be that person. Yeah, but then also we were like well
We can't just be like a costing tall white people and were like, well, we can't just be like accosting tall white people
and being like, are you like,
are you one of the most famously tall white men of all time?
So, but then I felt like we were just kind of like
getting closer and farther away at the same time.
And then we just kept walking.
It was the perfect, it's a two lane,
there's traffic going two ways.
So it's not a narrow street.
It wouldn't have worked even under better circumstances.
Like too much was going on.
I know.
But you know we're here.
We are here now.
We're together.
I'm so happy you're on the show.
We have a lot to talk about
because you were raised in Dorchester.
Yes sir.
In Boston and I of course come from the nasty side of town
in Brookline, Mass. Dirty dog. Dirty dog.
And you have been honored.
I think you got...
It's so...
What?
This is a real honor.
It is. It's like messed up.
Wasn't there an I.O. day in Boston?
Were all of Boston on April 10th,
the mayor of Boston honored I.O. by declaring
April 10th I.O. a debris day in the mayor of Boston honored IO by declaring April 10th IO a debris day
in the city of Boston.
Excuse me, has there been a Conan O'Brien in Boston?
Quick answer.
No!
Wait, you don't have a day?
I never had a day.
Never.
Oh, and what they're gonna do is say,
you got St. Patrick's Day.
Oh, cause you're Irish.
Very good, Sona.
Very nice, very nice. You know what, fuck you. You've gotten better. Hey, you're getting. Very good, Sona. Very nice, very nice.
You don't have to fuck you.
You've gotten better.
Hey, you're getting better at that too.
No, I've never had a day.
That's actually shocking to me.
But you've been like hasty, put, no wait,
hasty is just women.
No, hasty putting is guys,
and used to dress up as ladies,
but now it's men and women, yeah.
Wait, what the heck?
What's going on?
What do you mean? I don't know, I just feel like I thought you should get, let's fix that. I yeah. Wait, what the heck? What's going on? What do you mean?
I don't know, I just feel like you should get,
let's fix that.
I don't know, what do you do?
Did you go to Boston on your day?
Okay, I, okay, I'm grateful for the day,
I'm grateful for the day.
I had no idea that it was happening.
If I knew that it was happening,
I'm the type of person where I would have not gone.
Cause it just, that sort of thing just makes me so anxious
And so they were just like oh come to your high school, and I was like cool
I'll just like talk to the improv kids
And then they were like actually you're gonna be talking to kids in the auditorium
Which is like my nightmare like I was training to be a teacher and I quit because high school children are so scary with their eyes
and
Then also like the school that I went to is a public school, but it's like, it's for smart kids.
Like you have to take a test to get in.
Like it's that whole vibe.
And every student there is like gonna become
like a doctor of like Adams or something.
Like I don't know.
Doctor of Adams.
Uh-huh.
Okay.
So okay, I literally was like stupid for my school.
Like I was like, yeah, I'm gonna be like a teacher
and go do some like improv at night. And everybody was like stupid for my school. Like I was like, yeah, be like a teacher
and go do some like improv at night.
And everybody was like, good luck, kid.
Like you are a waste roll.
And yeah, ultimately.
But you got a day.
I got a day.
But did you go to your school for your day?
I did go to my school.
Cause I thought I was gonna just talk to the improv kids.
And then I ended up talking to the mayor.
And then the mayor was like, I have a surprise for you.
And in the clip, which I have watched,
I think I look upset,
but it's just cause I'm dissociating to survive,
cause I'm like, I can't believe this is happening.
And I also know that my mom's gonna be so annoyed
cause she's gonna be like,
you never tell anybody when you're getting a day.
And it's like, well, cause I didn't know
I was getting a day.
You didn't know you were getting a day.
Yeah.
You never tell anyone.
You're like, you've gotten lots of days?
No, that's just like,
that's the voice of my mother in my head. she's that type of, she's that type of.
Again, you get a day and I don't get a day.
By the way, Sona and I both have Boston days too.
Yeah, this is so weird.
I know, they're always done, and they're not even from there.
Hand them out to everybody.
You get them at the airport.
It's kind of personal.
As you get off the plane, they hand you a day.
If you go to the Logan Dunkin', they get you a day.
I think that's, you are on record for saying
you think the Dunkin' Donuts is better in Boston.
You can taste the difference.
I do, why do you know that?
I know a lot of things about you.
Is that in your research?
I know everything about you.
What am I thinking right now?
Three, two, one, Conan O'Brien.
I'm paler than you thought.
Oh!
Ultimately, yeah, probably.
Yeah.
You can actually see the veins in my face
and it's freaking you out.
I can see like the back of your ear through your cheek.
What the?
You're looking at me like that model of the visible woman.
Yeah.
Is it one tall man or two smaller men?
We have things in common. We both grew up in Boston.
We clearly both like to riff and screw around constantly
and be silly.
You grew up with anxiety.
I think like a lot of people that get into comedy,
I had anxiety too.
Yeah, you did.
Pretty cool.
Yeah, you did.
Pretty cool.
I talked to your therapist.
Okay, well.
Your therapist is here.
I shouldn't have put you under my, like, my HIPAA exemption.
I knew I shouldn't have done that.
But I love that you, you're very smart
and you have very serious parents who were,
they must have seen this comedy thing coming with you.
They didn't see it coming? Oh, well, I think it just, like, they must have seen this comedy thing coming with you. They didn't see it coming?
Oh, well, I think it just, like, they didn't.
Can I just say something?
Thank God.
Can I say something?
I leaned out of camera.
Okay, can I say something, though?
I noticed it, too.
You reached for that tissue like Liberace or a magician.
You reached like this, where, I I mean if we have footage of it,
and then you plucked it up, and you did this big turn.
I was gonna sneeze, I was gonna sneeze.
Did your sleeve hit the mic too?
Were you following?
I thought a white dove was gonna come out of your jacket.
I'm so sorry.
It's like Penn and Teller doing ASMR.
I'm so sorry.
I was gonna sneeze and I just thought it was a...
Surely nothing will happen.
I'm here to visit the king of friends, but first...
Oh, Jesus.
I love that you didn't let that go.
You are addicted to prop work.
Oh my God.
Get him, get him, get him.
Yeah, I was listening to an episode in the car,
not gonna lie.
["Summer's Tale"]
Your parents. My serious parents.
Your parents, they're serious people.
You grew up in a Pentecostal. Pentecostal, yeah.
Well, yeah, but my dad wasn't really that Christian,
which also is funny,
because I was like, I have these like memories
of like going down to his home office,
which also it's like, hey man,
if you're a dad and you got a home office, whatever.
Anyway, but then I'd go to his home office.
And then I would be like, hey, like,
it just would be really cool if you came to church,
just because if the rapture happens,
me and mom are good, you know what I mean?
And you're gonna be like, in hell.
But he, to his credit, would just be like,
I mean, maybe, girl.
He'd be like, I don't think so, but thanks, sweetie.
I know how to get, I'll take the off ramp.
I'll get there. Thanks, sweetie.
Yeah, so I was low-key more religious
than my parents at one point. But yeah, I'll get there. Thanks, sweetie. Yeah, so I was low-key more religious than my parents at one point, but yeah.
I think that all that kind of,
that was how my anxiety manifested.
And I had to be very prepared for my future,
or I kind of would care about things
even more than my parents did,
because I was just projecting my own sort of fears
about disappointing them or whatever.
And so I think I would just be like,
and I'm gonna be like a doctor of course
and they'd be like, cool, you're gonna be a doctor.
And then my sophomore year of college,
when I changed my major, I was like,
well also then I was like, okay, so I might not be a doctor,
I might be a teacher and they were like, okay, sure, yeah.
And so then, you know, I was like,
I'm not gonna be a teacher, I actually wanna study art.
And they were like, yeah, girl, like, you know,
we've been raising you in our house, right?
Like, every single thing that you've done
or you care about is, like, related to...
the arts.
...comedy or the arts or whatever.
Like, my mom would get really mad at me
because I would delete episodes of Oprah
because I was T-vowing your show and, like, 30 Rock.
And, like, I was like, I was like,
I was just like inhaling all that stuff.
And so they were like, yeah, duh, like, okay.
But it was also very like, my dad was like,
like, I mean, we can't help you, like, just as a heads up.
Like we don't have any connections,
we don't have any like resources.
So like, if you want to do it, just, you have to be prepared.
That's weird, because your dad and I were very tight.
And I kept saying, I will help Ayo.
And he was like, eh, how could you help her in comedy?
And I went, okay.
This was back in the 2000s, early 2000s.
He's a tough guy in that way.
He's a tough guy in that way.
I'd say, you're sure I can't help her get started in comedy?
He's like, yeah, she'll be fine.
What could you do for her anyway, Conan?
You know who I was.
Conan O'Brady. You do for her anyway, Cronin. What did you do? Cronin. Cronin.
Cronin O'Brady.
Yeah, but then also like it's been cool like with them, I feel like I've been learning
more about them since I've been whatever enough to pursue this.
And like my dad actually went to Emerson and his dad made him drop out because his dad
was like, you're the oldest and like we need to get all these other siblings
from Nigeria over here.
So you need to get like a real degree
in something that like means that you can be like,
you know, stable enough to support this family.
And then you went to law school after,
but my dad loves movies.
Like he wanted to make movies.
Now he just comes with me to award shows.
They must be through the roof, happy for you.
I mean, that's a nice thing.
It's interesting.
So when you told them, okay, I'm gonna take this shot
at writing comedy.
We were straight up in an IHOP in Randolph.
Cause I also was like, we can't do this on home turf.
Like we have to go to Randolph.
And I literally was like, I'll meet you guys at the IHOP.
Mind you, I didn't get my license until I was like 24 years
old, so I'm like, they're driving me to the IHOP.
And...
Or you took a horse.
Yeah. Oh!
Um, and so then we're there,
and I'm like not talking to them in the car.
And they're like, are you, like, are you dying?
Or like, what's going on?
Then I just started bust, like I burst out crying.
And I was like, I'm so sorry.
Like, I changed my major without telling I was like, I'm so sorry.
Like I changed my major that time.
I'm gonna study playwriting.
Like I wanna pursue the arts.
And literally they're like eating like a short stack.
Like could not, could not care.
My dad's like extra hash frowns, like let's go.
Yeah, they were so like supportive.
Yeah, I remember very clearly
telling my parents on the phone that, okay, I'm graduating.
I've worked really hard to get into this good college.
I'm gonna graduate.
I wrote a thesis.
I'm a good student.
I want to get into comedy.
And I remember their attitude was very much like,
which one are you looking at?
Oh my God.
We got six.
And then the minute I could pay my own rent,
which was really quickly,
the minute I was like out there and established
and paying my own rent,
they didn't care if I was in pornography.
I was just, you know, which I was okay at that too.
You dabbled.
You did that?
I dabbled.
Okay, fake fans.
No one's out.
No, I think it was the same. I think also my parents were like, yeah,
are you good with money? You're not going to be asking us to buy tickets to the Yuck
Yuck Center, right? As we all know, comedy folks, us, getting extra tickets to the Yuck
Yuck Center.
It's a big thing.
Well, everyone has to pay their dues. But yeah, they were like, if you're good, then we're good.
And I feel like the moment that they could also
kind of start to brag,
like, which was like, even when I was a writer's assistant,
where they were just like, oh my God,
your name is gonna be in the credits of something.
Well, you had a, I'm impressed with this.
You had a plan, which was get yourself in a writer's room
as a writer's assistant,
and you gave yourself time to do that.
Yes, yes.
That was a very smart, I mean, I look at it now
and I think, yes, that was a very smart way to go about it.
Yeah.
What was the plan specifically?
Get into a writer's room.
The plan was, I still have my education degree,
so I was like, okay, I'm gonna give myself
basically two years to be able to pay my rent,
and if I don't, then I'll go back and I'll get my master's,
and then I'll just get my teaching certificate like for the state of New
York but I'll at least be happy that I tried I think that's like I try to make I
don't know a plan that like I'll be happy with whatever the result is like
genuinely like yes failure is not an option so whatever's gonna happen I have
to be happy with it and also be able to pay my rent great and so that was that
plan and then I ended up while I was still in school, I got PA jobs through a friend of a friend
who was working at Jack's.
They were doing like Broad City and Inside Amy Schumer
and Sam Bee at the time.
And then I think I just kind of got a reputation
for like being very hardworking.
And then I got assisting job at the show
called The Rundown with Robin Deedee.
That was on BET for a season. And that's when I got my job at the show called The Rundown with Robin Deedee that was on BET for a season.
And that's when I got my first writer assistant job.
And I just basically was like talking
to every single writer's assistant I knew.
And I was like, okay, like what's like the average timeline
for being a writer's assistant
to like getting an actual TV job?
Like, what does that look like?
And what do I have to do to do that?
And so then I was like, okay, I think I can give myself
like three to four years of doing this before then I have to do to do that? And so then I was like, okay, I think I can give myself like three to four years of doing this
before then I start to get like crazy and a little like,
like I feel like then that's, I don't know,
when I was like meeting writer assistants where they were
like, I've been doing this for like eight years or something,
I was like, oh, okay, like you're not,
you're not happy doing this.
So that, and some people are, but that's just like
how I felt, so I was like, cool, I'll give myself like four,
three or four, cause I kind of know myself.
And I know that's when I'll start to get like restless.
But also then I was doing standup.
And-
Yeah, you were attacking it on like five different fronts.
Yeah.
Which is-
But it was cause I liked it.
Like I think I do, like I have met people also where they're
like, oh, and so you were gunning for this
and you're gunning for that.
But it's like, I think at the base of it,
I also just really liked to learn.
So I really was like, I, and I become very obsessed about stuff and so like I just loved when I was meeting doing
stand-up. I was seeing like all comedy for the first time in New York and that I could kind of
take on a different voice on stage than maybe what might be my my like first instinct. And then also
like I started like writing like shouts and murmurs pieces with my friend
because I was like, okay, my angle is writing,
not performing.
That also is a thing.
Like I really did not picture myself as a actor, performer.
It's interesting because I've, I get the sense
you still think of yourself first as a writer.
I do.
Even though.
And I think sometimes people are like,
are you, are you right in the head?
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
Probably not.
Well, it's so funny because so many people are, don't you right in the head? Yeah, yeah, yeah. It's probably not.
Well, it's so funny,
because so many people don't aspire to,
hey, I recognize you,
and you're gonna get the nice seat at this restaurant.
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
There is something like where I have like a relatively,
not always on, but I think I do have a good sense
of like stuff where I'm like, oh, I can't do this,
or I don't wanna do this,
or like I'm not interested in being this thing.
Even though something that's been interesting
about like acting more is that I think it's like,
oh, people start to have a perception of you.
And that's also why I'm like, whenever I can get the chance,
I'm like, I have to do something that's a comedic thing
so that people like understand like this is actually
like my brain and like my sense of self and not just like like looking cool on red carpet which I love which is great and
Which is fun. Do you like the red carpet? No, but
But but I think it's like I can appreciate it as another type of performance and I think then
That's a good way to look at it. Also like in this weird way
I'm like that's closer to acting than it is then it's also like in this weird way,
I'm like, that's closer to acting than it is to me.
And also like weirdly like drag.
I'm like basically doing drag of myself, I feel like.
And I'm like become this vessel for like outfit
and like hair and makeup.
And I'm like, that's actually, it's like,
it's something else.
I'm like doing like a heightened version
of like a pastiche of myself or something, I don't know.
But yeah, thinking of it that way helps me.
I had an attitude a little bit early on
because I just was so much into,
I'm just gonna, I wanna do these ideas
and I wanna do this weird show.
And then they would say, okay, well, now's the Emmys
and you guys have been nominated,
so you're supposed to go and walk the red carpet.
And I had a little bit of an attitude of,
but I don't like this, this is what I'm about.
And when I was young, but I was also like,
this is what I'm about.
And then it just occurred to me,
it's part of the job, you fucking moron.
It's such a weird part of the job.
Like get over yourself, it's part of the job.
And find a tux that fits and stand there
and get your picture taken and smile. And if, you know, what do you mean you don't love it? and find a tux that fits and stand there
and get your picture taken and smile.
And if, you know, what do you mean you don't love it?
No one. No one does.
Yeah, I mean, maybe there are people
who are beautiful, beautiful freaks,
but who are like, oh yeah, this is what I live for.
But I think actually most people are literally like,
get me out of my skin.
This is so insane.
And so many people are yelling at me also. And they found, they all have a different way of saying my name and it's so insane. And so many people are yelling at me also.
And they found, they all have a different way
of saying my name and it's so weird.
It's so weird.
Yeah, but yeah, it is like where I'm just like,
yeah, this helps me get to be done with it
and then get to actually make stuff.
You have an affinity for physical comedy.
When did you know that?
Oh my God. Like you kind of like using your physicality
And is that something that you always had or is it something you discovered as you as you went along?
I don't know why this member just came to me when I was 11 years old. I remember I did my last split
I did my last
Split and I knew that I was like I was like
For real the last split I was like I I was like, this is for real the last split.
I was like, I'm done.
I have yet to do my last split.
And my, okay.
We're here first.
Come on now, brag.
Brag about it.
But then I remember my cousin came and found me
up the, went like up the stairs,
cause I was stuck.
Like I was, I was just like stuck.
And my cousin started crying from laughing.
And I was like, maybe, like maybe.
Stuck in a split.
Yeah, many such stories in my life.
I love them loading you into the ambulance
and you're still in a split.
On a gurney.
Yeah, on a gurney.
11 years old.
They're pushing you through the hospital court,
it's like the pit,
but they're pushing you through in a split.
Clear, clear!
17 keys of Havers-Harrison.
11 year old stuck in a split.
Again?
Third one today.
Yeah, yeah.
Welcome to the pit.
Welcome to the pit.
They have a special device.
They have a special device that gets you out of the split.
Yeah, so I don't know,
many cases such as this in my life.
And one of my all-time favorites is Cat Williams.
And when I think of my favorite jokes of his,
I'm like, oh yeah, they're the ones
where he has very physical act outs.
I mean, somehow not sweating out that perm.
God bless that man.
And I think also growing up in the church,
huge, huge element of physicality in that,
obviously, in performance and that.
And then I just like, I don't know,
I felt like I just was like,
oh yeah, I have these really long limbs.
Like I wonder what happens when they just keep going.
And I like how it feels also when I can play with like
how little space I'm taking up and how still I'm being.
And then like how ridiculous I get to be too.
Occasionally in my life,
people have asked me about directing something
and my answer is always, I've never thought about it.
It's not something I aspire to.
I don't know anything about that.
You've got to find someone else.
And I realized that I have a vision
and that I'm directing things all the time
when we make comedy, but whenever, but I have a-
Dictating.
Dictating, thank you.
With an iron fist.
Mm-hmm.
And an iron dick.
Yeah. Okay.
Let's take it easy there.
Let's take it easy there, Bow.
I've been there.
Years between you.
Who am I but a spectator?
Been there?
I think of...
I think of Sherman Mao as a director, if you will.
Um, but anyway, I know that you directed an episode
in season three of The Bear, The Napkin.
Yeah, yeah.
And you got an award for it.
Yeah, I got a nomination.
I got a DGA nomination.
What's the sign of a sign of an award?
Cause once you get the, it's an honor to be nominated.
Yeah, all right, yeah.
You won the Oscar for best directing in a TV show.
A TV show, yeah, the first one.
First time it's ever happened.
A lifetime achievement Oscar for directing a TV show.
For 75 years of work, you beat Lucille Ball's ghost.
And my mom was pissed.
Yeah, we were all really mad.
We thought that was fucked up.
But I, at my age, do not have the courage to say,
let me direct that, and you did, and did a great job.
Thanks.
What drove you to, or what did you summon in yourself?
Or were you encouraged by the creator of the bit?
Definitely encouraged, definitely encouraged.
I've known Chris since I was like 22,
and I think, well, the first time we met
was at a John and Vitties, and there's like probably two-
This is Chris Storer?
Yeah, there's probably like two clear This is Chris Storer. Yeah, there's probably like two clear pictures
of Chris Storer like online,
cause he does not go outside, that man is inside.
Yeah.
And like, and it's aided by his own,
like also like he missed the Emmys where we,
like the first Emmys where we like won everything,
cause he got COVID, cause he went outside the house.
Oh!
But he was also like, I get to be at home.
Like it's, that's very Chris's vibe. So we met at a John and Vinny. But he was also like, I get to be at home. That's very Chris's
vibe. So we met at a John and Vinny's and he was like, yeah, listen, I'm probably gonna
be here for about like 30 minutes, but I've met you, we're gonna work together again.
And also you're a director. And I was like, cool. See you on set whenever. Also, you're
crazy. And then Bear started happening again, maybe, you know, I was like 26 or something.
Yep.
He had 25 or 26 and that whole time, like, we would just talk about movies, TV shows, things that we liked,
and writing, producing, like we were just always talking about these things and I at the time didn't realize it,
but he was speaking to me as if I was another director.
And would ask me questions, thoughts, and also ask me why.
Like, why was I thinking this thing? Where was it coming from?
Oh, what would you do? Or, oh, that's interesting. Like, here's this story.
Oh, maybe when you work on something else, you should talk to the other director, like, see how that goes.
And then kind of around the second season more intentionally, he was like,
I'm thinking about this thing for you. Like, I think that this could be cool.
Do you think that this could be cool?
And if you do, like, are you gonna put in the work?
And so then I just really, I think,
I was nervous about, I don't like undertaking anything
if I'm not gonna be able to like do my best.
And so I just really was like, oh, okay,
I'm gonna like try to learn top to bottom
what this actually means.
Cause I think I also didn't really have an idea
of what that job actually was.
Although you had been around, you'd been on set
and you had been directed.
So you probably had some sense of, okay,
this is single camera, I kind of see what they're doing here.
But like, what does it mean?
And also like, can I do this if I feel like
I don't know everything about every type of camera
and every type of lens, you know?
Like, I think my fear was like, I had to know everything, but then it's actually
like, well, you should know a good amount, but also like be able to know enough to
help facilitate the people who like, who actually are experts on the thing, I feel
like. And yeah, so anyway, he just really aided me. And then I think I remember
during Bottoms, Rachel and I were talking about it we were like oh yeah like we do
also do a certain amount of like
Directing and like thinking about things and shots and we do have like ideas you have opinions
Yeah, we have opinions, but they're not just like based in us being actors
Also, like we are thinking about the shot like we are thinking about like what would be funniest for the frame or like, okay, like make sure you get
this insert actually, or like even though me as an actor,
I might wanna do this joke in a certain way
because it would serve my performance.
Like actually if I do less here,
it's better for like the movie overall,
or if I, you know, like whatever, things like that.
And so yeah, then I just kind of just kind of went in
and every day that I wasn't working,
I was on set with Chris, I was shadowing him or I was shadowing other guest directors.
Then if I wasn't on Bear and I was on another show, I would basically be shadowing the director,
even if the director didn't know it.
So do you have the bug now? Do you see yourself directing more?
I do, but not anytime soon. Because, I mean, unless something comes up that's like really, you know, I don't know,
something really cool that is like inspiring me, I think it's a sort of thing where I'm
like, oh, I actually love this so much that I want like to take my time and have the next
thing be really right.
And I'm like writing again for me too,
and or not for me, for myself, for other things too.
Because I've missed that also.
Like I've missed in a weird way, like being in a room,
just writing for other people who have like other things
that they can do.
And so I've been writing again and yeah.
You co-wrote an episode for season four.
Yeah, I did.
That's cool.
Yeah, which I'm excited, which I'm excited.
The best quality to have is just to be curious
and be kind of voracious and just, I wanna know more,
I wanna know more, and I wanna evolve.
And that is also, I mean,
at the risk of this turning into a seminar,
I think these are all really good things for,
especially young people starting out to hear
that there is no secret formula.
Also, luck is a huge part.
Luck is a huge part.
People that don't give it up for luck need a beating.
Give it up for luck.
Give it up for luck.
No, but even like, I feel like lucky enough
that like when I was in rooms,
that the people who were like my bosses
were also people who fostered curiosity.
I worked on, I don't know, I'm big mouth.
And like Nick is somebody cruel. Nick cruel. Is somebody on, I don't know, on Big Mouth. And like Nick is somebody
cruel. Nick is somebody cruel. Brackets. But like Nick is somebody where I'm like, oh
you're very curious and also like you know that like when you are checking out
young comedians who are doing things that people are responding to and you're
still making sure you get time on stage and you're figuring out like what's
going on. You're inviting these people to like be collaborators
and share those ideas.
Like that only makes you better.
Like that keeps you active.
Like that keeps you going.
And you actually let those people like work
or like if they're interested in certain areas
in the room or on stage or whatever,
you're like, you're bringing them around.
You're like showing them these things.
Yeah.
I know, I always say you make a decision early
in your career, be threatened by other really funny people
or just go towards them and try and evolve from them.
Or a third thing, go towards them threateningly.
That's also-
Go towards them, yes, well that was a fly.
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.
Go towards them with a mallet or a large stick
and then try and beat them until they get out of the business,
clearing the path for yourself.
And others.
I attacked Odenkirk many times back in the day, in the 80s.
That's somebody else where it's like he and Naomi,
when I first came out to LA,
they let me stay in their guest bedroom.
Did you get the bill yet?
Yeah.
Cause they did that with me too.
And then later on, $600,000 for three months.
To be fair, Faberge egg in the room,
but quite a pretty penny.
Which you're free to keep.
Quite a pretty penny.
I also want to congratulate you on becoming,
I mean, you started this joke,
which was an, you improvised a joke about being Irish,
and then you kept going.
And there's this crucial point where a joke either becomes
like, okay, that's enough, I've done it enough,
I should stop, or you double, triple,
and quadruple down on it and refuse to let it go,
which you did because you made a joke about being Irish.
And now it has resonated so much
that the people of Ireland have accepted you
as one of their own, which they will not do with me.
Sorry, brother.
I am a figure of great shame in Ireland.
But you- She's getting all the accolades.
You got a day in Boston
and you're revered by the Irish people.
I am rightfully loathed by the Irish and never a day in Boston and you're revered by the Irish people, I am rightfully loathed by the Irish
and never a day in Boston.
Yeah, I think your day could come.
Is what I'll say about that.
I gotta keep at it.
I'm clear about the Irish relations.
We'll do the best.
Yeah, I just like, I think like,
I remember talking about this with a friend
where I was like, my favorite type of joke, Loki,
might be a friend. I was like my favorite type of joke low-key might be a lie
Like something where it's like it's it's almost not even funny. It's mostly just funny to me Yeah, I remember in that moment. I saw like my like my like PR
She's the quarter by I and she was kind of like
Because I was just like it was just depends on what the lie was nonsense It was just me being like oh, yeah, you know I was no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no,? And I'm like, yeah, what's up? Didn't you claim that you were the donkey? Yeah, I was the donkey.
You were the donkey in Banshees of Nisheer.
Yeah.
I'm a good actor.
I don't know why.
You are a very good actor.
I don't know why I can do comedy and drama, Conan.
And animal work.
I'm sort of like the Andy Serkis of the equine family.
You just, I love it.
Your attitude is don't put me in a box.
I can be the donkey and banshees of Inna Sheeran.
That's true though.
Don't, yeah, exactly.
It's true, you can.
I owe you an apology.
I will think about how I feel about it.
Yeah.
How much longer do we have on the clock?
You have six more days here.
Great.
Yeah, we're gonna bring in some water for you.
By day four, I will have made a decision.
It is a delight talking to you, really. It's over? Yeah. Yeah. we're gonna bring in some water for you. By day four, I will have made a decision. It is a delight talking to you, really.
It's over?
Yeah.
Yeah, that's it.
I mean, we can go more if you want, you know?
But what are we really gonna do, you know?
You're gonna quickly look at me and go,
God, he's so sickly.
God.
Um.
Or, or, or, I don't know, it's fine, yeah.
I'm sorry.
What the hell was going on there? I was like, I don't know, it's fine, yeah. I'm sorry. What the hell was going on there?
I was like, I don't know, I thought maybe.
That was adorable.
I thought it was adorable what you were doing.
He is sick.
He's terminal.
And also, I'm gonna tell you something.
You were late.
You were three minutes late to this podcast.
Wow, wow.
And listen, I just, you know,
I think professionalism is important.
Okay, then I'll just say that for real, for real,
like you're on like one of my,
I mean, you're talking about your influences.
I feel like you're one of mine and in a major way.
So this is really cool.
Oh, thank you.
To get to be here with you
before we put you on a-
Ventilator.
Yeah.
Ventilator's Yeah. Yeah. Ventilator's coming.
Yeah.
I am, no, and I get a lot of optimism and energy
by meeting all these young people that are out there
doing it the right way and so talented
and taking all these chances and doing such good work.
And you also have just such a great spirit.
So it's a joy having you here.
I hope you come back. Next time I see you way across the street.
Let's run into oncoming traffic.
I'm gonna run into oncoming traffic.
I would love to see you have a conversation
with Tyler the Creator.
I mean, that would be great.
I don't even know who he is.
Oh yeah, you don't know.
No, I've looked him up in the phone book.
He's creator comics, Tyler the.
Tyler the Creator and Conan the Destroyer.
Dorn on a spree doesn't even know who he is.
Everybody knows Tyler the creator.
He's the creator named Tyler.
He's in the phone book as creator, comma, Tyler the.
Oh, God, these people.
Idiots. You're surrounded by idiots.
Surrounded by fools.
Sheritans, halfwits Dragging me into the muck!
As if you don't know creator
karma, Tyler. As if I don't know.
Google search, Google search.
And all his assorted creations!
The things he's created?
Oh my god, don't get me started on the things
Tyler's created!
Don't waste your breath on them!
I was gonna start at the top! I know, but don't!
Oh, IO, stop me from the longest list of Tyler's creations.
They don't deserve it.
There isn't time, you're right, Io.
Thank you so much for being here.
Come back any time and you make me happy.
Okay, and like in two minutes or?
20 minutes. Great.
Give me a 20 minute break.
Bye.
Bye. Bye. ["The New Heart of the New World"]
["The New Heart of the New World"]
["The New Heart of the New World"]
We're gonna go back to something we did
way in the early stages of this podcast before.
It was like 1976.
Yeah.
It's maybe one of the dumbest things
we've ever done on this podcast.
So I was absent for at least an episode.
I think it might have even been more than one episode,
around the Bob Newhart episode or something.
And this was back in the early days,
where I wasn't really on the mic that much.
And you used Adam as me, as a stand-in for me,
and never mentioned it on the podcast.
So he would just say, as me, you'd say, like,
I'm here with Matt Gourley, and he'd go, hi.
BOTH LAUGH Why couldn't we just admit that Matt, it's such a funny.
Well, I'm glad you didn't,
because it ended up being this thing that when I came back,
we decided to play a game with the two of you
where you turned around, closed your eyes,
and Adam and I both took turns saying hi,
trying to get you to figure out which one of us was me.
That is so stupid.
And remember this?
Yes, I do remember this.
I do remember this being,
and this is really saying something for me,
height of idiocy.
It was awesome.
And for me to say that.
And there was also no question when it was Adam
and when it was me.
It wasn't even like, you really-
Also, the part that made it the dumbest
is that we just kept taking turns.
Yeah.
And so-
And we didn't randomize it or anything.
We didn't randomize it at all.
Because we didn't think about it beforehand.
So what we're gonna do today is we're gonna try it again.
Okay.
And then we're also gonna.
Adam.
I know.
We're also gonna add in Eduardo and Blay to the mix
after that.
We'll do a round with just me and Adam.
Okay, so you guys are gonna have to turn around.
Turn around. Or close your eyes. And Adam, you gotta come over to my mic, so we're in the same area. Wait, so you guys are gonna have to turn around or close your eyes.
And Adam, you gotta come over to my mic
so we're in the same area.
Do we do this?
It's more that you have to close your eyes.
Okay.
Also, I have my eyes closed and my head down
like I'm very sad.
I know.
Okay, and we will randomize this time.
Oh wait, this means I'm off mic.
Hold on.
I forgot about the microphone.
Here we go.
All right.
Hi. That's Adam. That's Adam. Hi. Here we go. All right. Hi.
That's Adam.
That's Adam.
Hi.
That's Matt.
Hi.
That's Matt.
That's Matt.
Hi.
Oh, that's interesting.
Can we hear that one again?
Hi.
That's Matt.
That's Matt.
Hi. That's Adam. That's Matt. Hi.
That's Adam.
That's Adam.
Hi.
Matt.
Hi.
Matt.
Hi.
That's Adam.
Your voices are so different.
You guys, I have news for you.
But also, you can open your eyes.
You guys both have completely different voices.
Yes.
I'm proud to tell you, you scored 100%.
Yes. What? It's not that. Oh my, you know what your personalities come through even in in I mean, it's barely
Was this hard the first no?
We didn't know you as well then I know that was in the early days, okay now the we're gonna do it all four of us
Oh, yeah, that's gonna be tough. I don't know, Eduardo...
Eduardo says, hola!
Our range is kind of...
Eduardo's gonna say hola, and Clay is gonna go,
Hey!
And everyone's gonna have to adjust the board.
Matt tried so hard to make his voice sound so different.
It was always the same.
I love this game, and I don't know why, and I love it so much.
It's fun. It's fun.
I do have to say you have to really concentrate, but people can't hide their essence.
Yes.
It's true.
Oh my God.
Okay, so you two come over here.
We're so stupid.
The way we're crouching and closing.
Quiet.
You got to take this seriously.
We're so stupid.
And then we'll make sure we're on the camera too.
I can't believe this is my job.
Okay.
This photo is going to be incredible. All. I can't believe this is my job. Okay. This photo's gonna be incredible.
All right, here we go.
Oh my God.
And Sona, you have to wait a second.
You're just upset,
cause I guessed it before you.
No, no, no, it's not that.
Just lean in.
Cause sometimes, okay, go ahead and let's be three, two.
Hi.
Well, that sounds like Eduardo to me.
Same, Zs. Hi. to hi well that sounds like Eduardo to me same Z's hi that still sounds like
it water to me no that sounds like I think that's Adam hi hold on the
other coming too quickly say again hi that's play that's. Blay? That's.
I'm going to say that's Matt.
Hi.
That's Matt.
That's Matt.
Hi.
That's Eduardo.
Yeah, it's Eduardo because I think it has a tilde on it.
Jesus Christ.
I felt a tilde fall to the floor and make a clanging sound.
Hi. That's Eduardo. That's, I think that's Adam. I think it's, I think it's
Adam after he's traveled. He's spent some time traveling,
and he's been watching a lot of football.
Hi.
Oh my god.
That's Matt just doing one of his bits.
Hi.
That's gotta be Blay.
Blay.
Hi.
Just going so soft that we can barelyabored whispering that it feels like it's
Blai.
When Blai goes through the TSA, the wand goes off and they confiscate 35 exclamation points.
Who was that?
Who was that Conan?
That last one.
I was going to say, I was going to say, I was going to say, I was going to say, I was
going to say, I was going to say, I was going to say, I was going to say, I was going to
say, I was going to say, I was going to say, I was going to say, I was going to say, I was say the wand goes off and they confiscate 35 exclamation points.
Who was it?
Who was that Conan?
That last one.
Uh, let me hear it again.
Hi.
I'm going to say, I'm going to say it's Bray.
Okay. We're going to do one last round.
Hold on.
Wait, you have to tell us how we did.
We will close your eyes.
We're going to do one last one.
We're going to do four in a row.
It's going to be each one of us does one and you have to say in order, which one of it is, okay. Hi. last one where we're gonna do four in a Hi. Hi. Hi. Hi. Okay, I think it's Adam first, then Matt.
What do you think, Sona?
Adam, Matt, Blake, Eduardo.
Yeah.
Okay, we're opening our eyes.
Yes, wow.
This was a lot more difficult for you guys.
Yes, of course.
Oh my God.
You only got four correct.
The both of you, the both of you.
And what were the mistakes that we made?
Besides hiring you guys?
I'm not sure, but that last one.
I'm so glad I wasn't around for the first version.
The last one with the four of us, you both got right.
Yes.
All four in a row.
I didn't even have my headphones in the whole time.
Did I?
You did.
Oh, just kidding.
Why would you lie like that?
I thought you did.
You're a sociopath.
You know what's so great about this game?
Who lies about this game?
How competitive are you?
I don't think I have my headphones on.
We have video.
We do?
Well, what are you talking about?
You're the one going like,
no, you can't just do it quiet.
You had all these complaints.
Hold on a second.
You always have to complain about the game
when you're kind of teetering on success.
Listen to me, please.
I just about time someone listened to me on this podcast.
When do I get a chance to speak?
Oh boy.
Said the idiot.
I do think it's a little unfair when it gets down to,
you're just like, okay, now it's just a little bit of air.
That's all, it's me.
Maybe I'm being a little fussy.
Fair enough.
The great thing about this game is it's not only fun
and smart, but listeners can play at home as well.
Oh yeah.
That's a really good point.
And you know what, if people play this and enjoy it,
we will figure out a way to make this into a game
that you have to purchase.
Yeah, home edition.
A voice box, and you press it,
and someone says hi, and you guess.
Remember on Family Feud, they'd have the like. You're talking about a machine, I was thinking it'd be like an app or something, A voice box and you press it and someone says hi and you guess.
Remember on Family Feud when they have the like-
You're talking about a machine?
I was thinking it'd be like an app or something,
but you're talking about an actual machine.
I thought you meant like a board game, like Twister.
Yeah, I thought so too.
Like Family Feud when they say you get to take
the board game home with you.
You know what?
We could call it, we could call it,
make hay while the sun shines.
And there's a little box and you hit it
and it gives you a hay.
And if you correct, if you guess which of all of us it is,
you get to advance your piece.
Yes.
Or haymaker.
No, haymaker.
No, it's high.
We're saying high.
They've been saying high.
Doesn't it sound like hay to you?
Hey.
No, we just heard it like 40 times.
It's high.
Same.
It's always been a high.
Whoever said hey.
This game has made everyone so dumb.
But that is why we should call it
make high while the sun shines.
Yes.
Make high while the sun shines.
It sounded like hey to me.
I know that I have a problem.
You do.
We just heard it.
I drink before the podcast and afterwards.
Could be a fun drinking game.
If you get it wrong, shotty shot.
Yeah, but we need to figure out a way
to make this something that we can profit from.
And I don't want the profits going to some charity.
I'm sorry, but I-
We need to, you said.
No, I don't want to.
No, I said we need to make this a game somehow.
We need to make it a game,
and then we need to profit from it.
And I don't wanna hear about these sick kids.
I'm sick of that shit.
And wait, hold on, what is this we? Cause Adam and I came up and designed this game, We need to profit from it. And I don't wanna hear about these sick kids. I'm sick of that shit.
And wait, hold on, what is this we?
Yeah, is that all of us?
Because Adam and I came up and designed this game
and we spent a lot of time on it.
We met outside of the podcast.
So you're basically, you work at Apple
and you just went to Steve Jobs and said,
well, I thought of it while working for you.
So I don't think you should.
I'm an independent contractor.
I'm not in any kind of like.
Oh, you think that's gonna work on Steve Jobs?
He's gonna just... He's gonna start...
His head's gonna start quivering a little bit.
I never signed anything.
And then your brain is gonna explode.
I'm taking this straight to Smartless.
No, you know what? If it's just the two of you
saying hi with no one guessing,
it's just two dicks in a microphone.
And so we add a layer...
Hey, you got another title.
That's the name. That's the name. We add a layer. Two dicks in a mic. Two dicks in a mic. But there's so many dicks in a microphone, and so we add a layer. Hey, you got another title. That's the name, that's the name.
Hey, two dicks in a mic.
Two dicks in a mic, but there's so many dicks,
and I think all of us need to do it.
Two dicks in a mic would sell, and,
you know, just call it four dicks in a mic,
is a good title.
That's better than my, you know,
God, I thought they said hey, and they said hi,
whatever, okay, that was wrong.
But I think it's called four dicks.
You're over simple, you thought they said hey
after you heard them say hi so many times.
Do you know that I was in a lot of accidents
when I was a kid?
Why?
A lot of head injuries,
and that I was beaten constantly by my brother Neil.
And still when I go home to Brookline Mass,
I'm still beaten by my brother Neil.
Okay, then we can call it hey and just say hi.
No, no, no, no, we've got the title.
One, two, three, four, five, six.
No, it's four.
What do you mean?
Because you have two people at home guessing.
I mean, if it's a home version, it's six of us, right?
All of us saying hi.
Yes, so it's six.
You guys have, your voices are too distinct.
I can change mine, listen to this.
Buh.
Just say hi, why aren't you saying hi?
Cause I'm too outside the box for that.
You always want Picasso to paint inside the lines.
Can you do hi like Gorrils?
Hi.
That's Gorrils and Michael Jackson.
That's Gorrils and Michael Jackson.
Oh my God.
So do you, try.
And in the background you hear bubbles.
Hi-hi-ow.
I'm gonna do it.
Hi.
Okay, you're just getting quiet when you get. Anyway, hey, if you hear bubbles. Hee-hee-haw! I'm gonna do it. Hi. Okay, you're just getting quiet when you get...
Anyway, hey, if you're interested...
Oh, that was a good one.
Excuse me.
If you're interested in six dicks and a mic...
being a game...
And listen, this isn't some free thing.
This has got to be something!
People are gonna think that's porn.
Six dicks and a mic?
That's why they're gonna buy it, and then they're gonna get it, and they're gonna think, wow, Six dicks and a mic? That's why they're going to buy it.
And then they're going to get it, and they're going to think,
wow, six dicks and a mic.
What is the mic?
Why is there not a camera?
It's a mic.
Oh, man.
It's six dicks and a mic.
And you know what?
If people buy it thinking it's porn,
and then they find out that it's this thing
yet in the mail, this cardboard board game with pegs
with our faces on it, and a little box you hit
that randomly goes,
hi, hey, hi, bleh.
Now we have to make this.
We have to make this.
That's what's in the box,
but on the cover is a dude named Mike and Speedos.
Yeah, yeah, shirtless, all oiled up.
Yes, that's the cover is six dicks and a mic.
The cover is very male porn.
And then you open it up and it's this game that we,
and Adam, I wanna make sure we, the worst people make this, that it's very male porn. And then you open it up and it's this game that we, and Adam, I wanna make sure we,
the worst people make this, that it's very cheaply made.
And do they still, can you still get,
I want it to be made of something that's kind of toxic.
Yeah.
Is there a Parker brother who's been outcast
from the other Parker brothers?
Yeah, Parker Posey.
Yeah. It's Parker Posey.
Okay.
Anyway, we're gonna be looking for this soon.
It's gonna be available, six dicks and a mic
coming soon to an alley near you.
Yeah.
Yeah.
Yeah.
Yeah.
Conan O'Brien needs a friend.
With Conan O'Brien, Sonam Avsesian and Matt Gourley.
Produced by me, Matt Gourley.
Executive produced by Adam Sachs, Jeff Ross,
and Nick Leow.
Theme song by The White Stripes.
Incidental music by Jimmy Vivino.
Take it away, Jimmy.
Our supervising producer is Aaron Blair,
and our associate talent producer is Jennifer Samples.
Engineering and mixing by Eduardo Perez and Brendan Burns.
Additional production support by Mars Melnik.
Talent booking by Paula
Davis, Gina Battista, and Brit Kahn. You can rate and review this show on Apple podcasts,
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