Conan O’Brien Needs A Friend - Don’t Look A Gift Horse Meat In The Mouth

Episode Date: September 4, 2025

Conan talks to Nurzhamal in Almaty, Kazakhstan to discuss Conan’s evasion of her attempts to get ahold of him and performing on the Kazakh stand-up circuit. Wanna get a chance to talk to Conan? Submit here: teamcoco.com/apply 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.

Conan O'Brien needs a fan. Want to talk to Conan? Visit teamcoco.com slash call Conan. Okay, let's get started. Hi, Nerjimal. Welcome to Conan O'Brien needs a fan. Hi, I guys. Hi.

Hello, Nerjimal. Wow, I just cannot believe. Hi, Sona. Hi. Hi, Conan. Nice to see it. Hi to me first. All we save the best for last, they say.

And then, hi, Matt's here as well. Hi, I saw Matt early, so I said hi already. Yes. I'm kidding you. No, there's no reason for us to assume he wasn't as important. I was. Nersimal, welcome to our little podcast. It's nice to meet you.

Am I saying your name correctly, Nersimal? Yes, it's Nersimal, yeah. Nersimal. And where are you coming to a little? Where are you coming to us from? I'm calling from Almaty, Kazakhstan. Wow, Kazakhstan. That's the first.

Yeah. I think you're our first person that we're talking to you from Kazakhstan. And you're in, you said you're in Almadi. Is that right? Yes, it's Almaty. It's in the south part of Kazakhstan. That's what I assumed. It's the really good city.

Do you like it there? Have you lived there your whole life? Yeah, I was born here. I was raised here. And by the way, it's not the first. time we are talking with you, Conan. Yeah, we, I think our story goes back like seven years before. Wait, was I married to you?

No, no. I married some woman in Kazakhstan, I remember, and it was very, and it was very short-lived. And, yeah, most of it's been scrubbed from the internet. Wait, so how do I, are we interacted? You said seven, eight years ago? What was this interaction? So seven years ago, I was on my undergraduate studies and I was super depressed and I found one of your videos like when I got this in YouTube poll and I got and I was so in love with the comedy and I saw this video where you said that if you send me snacks from the country, I will come to this country and, you know, say thank you in person. So I believe that I was like, okay, I will collect all. the snacks that I know from Kazakhstan, I send it to you, and then no, nothing. And I was like,

okay. We didn't. Did we, wait a minute, hold on a second. This is important to me. You sent us a bunch of, I'm going to say, Kazakhstanie snacks. Yeah, that's true. And you never heard back from us. I do not recall getting snacks from Kazakhstan. Sona. Sonia, you have some Kazakhzani snack wrappers hanging out of your pockets right now. Let's go ahead. Listen, here's what happened. When you did that, A lot of people from a lot of different countries sent us snacks. Yes. And so a lot of us in the office would open them, save the letters, and then we would eat the snacks. And you didn't make me aware that I had been, I mean, the gift was to me.

Can I say, though, we did send all the letters to Mike Sweeney, your head writer. So I passed along my responsibility, and now I'm making. And now you're passing along the book. Now I'm passing the buck along. No, Mike Sweeney, who's not here to speak for himself. So, yeah, it's his fault. Nizumal, let me make it clear to you. I was unaware, but I would like to know what were the snacks.

What are some snacks from Kazakhstan? What did I miss out on? There were some chips with a taste of horse meat. I know it sounds. Oh, Christ. I know. Like, I'm sorry, but. Well, hold on.

So, wait a minute. I can't believe horse meat flavored chips didn't make their way to me. Sona, I know, I remember that we. You smelled like horse. And you had all this horse chip crumbs around your mouth. You know what? I do remember this box because they were very unique snacks. And we tried them just to see how they would taste.

They just tasted like chips, if I remember, right? I mean, right? They're not like. So the horse meat flavor didn't really come through? No. I've never had horse. So maybe it did. But it just tasted like chips.

I couldn't send horse meat because, you know, food regulations and stuff. So I... Hey, you know what? The government, I hate when the government won't let us send shredded horse through the mail. Stay out of my horse meat snacks. Exactly. Don't tread on me, horse meat grabber. Okay.

And I sent one of the fine chocolates of Kazakhstan. By the way, I called the office, even though I was a broke student, I was calling the office and had office manager on call. and I was asking if you, like, had the chance of tasting it. And I don't remember what he said, but I was making sure that you would taste it. So, you know, it makes me suspicious. You said office manager. This is not, we are, this is not like an Apple store. This is not a professional.

We're not a staples. This is a very goofy place. So anyone who picked up the phone and said, office manager, was probably just some random idiot. Yeah. It may not have been someone who worked here. Let's cut to the chase. I am sorry, Narjamal, that I did not receive and acknowledge your gift.

That makes me feel sad. Not so sad that it, I mean, it's a sadness that will be short-lived. But I'm sorry that I didn't get your horse meat ships. Because there is a continuation to that story. Oh, God. So, I don't know. No, keep coming. Keep it going.

We need to hear. I just feel badly for what's coming. So, I'm like, okay, he didn't respond to that. And then I had a graduation ceremony. And I thought, okay, I need to invite him. But I didn't have money because, you know, I was a student. And there was only one thing that was precious to me. It was a printer that was a gift from my mom.

And I sold it. and it was exactly the price of a letter to send you because it was a FedEx and it was expensive. Wait, wait, wait. You sold a printer that prints out, you know, emails, right? A real printer. A printer that copies and also scans and also prints. Wait a minute.

You sold that and that's how much it costs to send a letter from Kazakhstan to Los Angeles? It was like a how to say. It's like in three, four days It was like a very fast delivery So it goes that much Yeah Was this, did you print your letter With this printer

Or was it handwritten? Yeah, of course Before I sold it I was like, this is your last letter It's like the gift of the magic Yeah, it is You know, I sold my hair to buy you Watch fob

The watch fob And that's so funny I sold my watch fob to buy you this comb That's the trick Kandang. Sorry, it's a old Henry's story that no one cares about anymore. But, and thanks for the help with the watchfob

because you actually have a watchfob on you right now. Listen. So I helped you and you're going to insult me. That's not an insult. Hey, that's not an insult. Well, it's a lie. It's a lie, but it's not an insult. I do have some Pearl and Lake Combs on me.

Oh, my God. Narjimal, I can't believe this story. You sold a printer of, expensive printer so that you could get the money to FedEx sounds like almost overnight a letter to me please tell me I responded to the letter please you responded yes on your Instagram account and you made like just the day before my graduation and it was crazy I was like to be honest with it I was crying of happiness this is a yeah this makes me happy Narja Mal I'm not I'm not kidding I'm I'm I hate that you went through all this, and I'm so happy that you got, that I've responded.

We have a lot of, as you can imagine, it's a little chaotic here. And there's a lot of people in Kazakhstan sending me chips and selling printers to send me their wigs so that I can get them a watch fob. How long ago, sorry, just so I know who your assistant was, how long ago was that a letter that you sent? I sent in 2019. Oh! You were done by then? No, I was still your assistant. Hey! Hey!

We have it on record that she accomplished something. Okay. Yay! Cut your footage of cheering crowds from the 1920s. No, good job. Listen, Sona, all joking aside, Sona was a great assistant, and she did take care of the important stuff.

You really did. I did. And so the fact that, I mean, we joke around. a lot and some of it's based in truth and a lot of it's based in truth but you it's mostly based in truth it's all true but you know i'm so glad that you sold that printer i do yeah i think that printer. I do. Yeah, I think I think we should get her name for it. There is a continuation. Oh, this

story has so many layers. You know what? You know what's faster? Narjamal? You can say but there's more. You don't have to say but there is a continuation because it's just a little shorter but there's more. Okay. Thank you so much. That's okay. I'm just trying to help. I'm not a light of speaker, so yeah. No, no, you're doing it. You speak very well

and just this is a little trick. This is a little life hack instead of, but there is a continuation. But there's more. Okay. But there's more. A year ago, you had this radio show where you told that people could call you. So I thought, like, okay, you know, he didn't still show up. I mean, I haven't seen you in Kazakhstan, so I should call. But it was 2 a.m.

And I was trying to call, and it was an international call. So obviously, it was very hard for me. So my friend who lives in Michigan, she was at the office working. So she was like, let me help you. And she postponed all of her meetings. And she was calling you. We collectively, we called like 500 times, I think. So we got you on a line.

And she was on the phone. I was talking like this through laptop. And she was putting her phone like this. And we could speak for like 10 minutes. Were you speaking to me or were you speaking to someone at the show? No, I was speaking to you, And you said that I have beautiful name. And now that I know you forgot and, oh, you know.

I remember this. I was there for this. But wait, I'm just trying to understand the context of it. That's all. I, I, I, so many people, Narjamal, you're very near and dear to my heart, but so many people call in. You hosted a, it was like a one hour, just call in style show. Got it. And at Sirsex Am offices.

And it was during that time that it saw. And I remember specifically. See, I don't even, yeah, there were. It was just Conan. I am constantly, Narjamal, you have to understand I'm constantly on the go, interacting. He's doing things without us.

Of course I do things without you. I've got to make some scratch. I'm just hurtful. Yeah, that's money I get to keep. I don't have to, you know, take off 2% for you guys. It does feel like we should have got Mark Twain prizes. Yeah, I agree.

They are. They're coming. Okay. They're called the Shania Twains. I'll take it. Man, I feel like a woman. It's better. And that Mark Twain guy.

Please, I'm making it about Narzumal, and you're making your dumb Shania Twain jokes, which have been made before, by the way. I just borrowed it. Narzumal, I feel badly about the printer. And I'm, it sounds like I've had, I did send you a video, and I did talk to you on the phone.

So I think I've been a pretty good guy, but I feel very badly about this printer and the goods you sent me that were not acknowledged. So, I think I need to replace the printer. Do you think that's fair? That would be fair because my mom didn't know that I sold the printer because I couldn't tell her. I was ashamed that, you know, when I showed your show,

she was like, what is this? And I'm like, well, you know what, parents never... This is the guy that I sold the printer for, and she was so disappointed. And you know what? Wait, wait a minute, wait a minute. Your mother said, you showed your mother the show and you said, this is the reason I sold the printer

and your mother was, her reaction was disappointed? Did she think I was funny? I mean, I'm a little disappointed. Did she think I was funny? She was like, no. But who cares? I think that she were funny. No, now you don't understand my psyche.

Narjamal, you don't understand my psyche. I always go towards the person who's not responding. and now I feel like I don't need to visit you. I'm obsessed with winning your mother over. She told me this conlan guy needs to buy me a printer then. So I'm like... Oh, that's how you win her over. There you go.

No, I feel like I have to learn something more than that now. I mean, I really have to win her over. Buy her a person who's in the trade of a printer, you know? From the 1880s. Yeah. Just bring a mix. She was like, she would have been okay about the printer if she liked you. Right.

If it had been a better comedian. Yeah. Then she would have been on board. Does she, does she, is she a big comedy fan? She likes my jokes. Because, by the way, I started doing a stand-up comedy after, well, after I started watching your show, I got inspired. And I started doing comedy. Good for you.

Yeah. So thank you. Then it's like sometimes there are two people in the audience for English crowd. So I'm not doing that well, but it's okay. Can I ask you a question? Why can't you do it in the native tongue? Why can't you do stand-up comedy for the people of Kazakhstan in their own language? That's a good question.

Why are you doing it in English for two people who? It's, I start, you know what? because I usually think in English and everything that I consume is in English, for example, through your show, I was introduced to great comedians like Norm MacDonald. Oh, yeah, he's the best. I love your segment with Kevin Neeland.

And so many great comedians through your show. And I was like, I got inspired and I started doing it in different countries as well. So I decided to come back to Kazakhstan to, I mean, to do something here. You do stand-up comedy, you do it in English, and you're doing it in Kazakhstan. You say the problem is that when you're at the club, how many comedy clubs are there in Kazakhstan? There are several.

What are their names? What are the names of the Kazakhstan-y? Okay. There is one in my city. It's called Central Stand-Up Club. But we have a club for English. Yeah. The Central Stand-up Club.

You must have your papers in order. You have been given issued a warning by the Central Committee of the Stand-Uks. Yuck-Yucks of the state. Chuckles for the people and for the revolution. The people's belly laughs. Laughter for grain and for larger families. Sorry, we went on a little run there

and it was a lot of fun for everybody. And I think it showed real knowledge of different cultures. Norghumal. I do feel like I owe you. You've been a very loyal fan. I'm glad that I've inspired you to do comedy and to try and make other people laugh.

I do think it's the hope for the future is laughter. Well, actually also vaccines and enough food for everyone in maybe a cooler climate. Those are ahead of laughter. Laughter is like last. But we need to say, we need. to get rid of nuclear, nuclear disarmament, global warming, enough food, some kind of renewable, cool energy source. We need an end to dictatorships and oligarchs and then laughter.

Those are the things in that list. Okay. Thank you for the lecture. I go ahead. You're good. You're good. But let me say more in continuation. Uh, you. Oh, no. I think for... It's more, right? It's more to this. There's more.

This is how you tell it. There's more. But wait. You don't say, but wait, there's more. But wait. Oh, okay. There's more. And you give kind of a look like, but wait, there's more.

There's more. Yeah. That's good. You got it. You got it. I think you show a lot of promise, Nersmo, you're very funny. You're very persistent. You're very generous.

You have a big heart. You're creative. You're all the things that I, you're, you're all the things that I, you're love about a fan, about anybody, but especially a fan of mine, I think your mother is way out of control with her comedy tastes. And I'm just going to be, I'm going to wake up at three in the morning and wonder, why can't I win over Narzumal's mother? I know. But I'm very happy that we are talking, and I hope we get to meet in person, and I will find a way to write what's been wrong, okay?

Wow. That's a lot of promise for the person who told that you will travel to the country where you send the snacks. So I'm like, wow, wow. You did say it. I have just, no, no, no. To be fair, I'm really honored to see you guys. I'm trying to. Yeah, to be fair.

To be fair, you have. To be fair, you lied to me, Conan. You broke my heart. you didn't acknowledge the snacks I sent. You robbed my mother of a printer that I stole from her just so I could communicate with you and you don't remember the time we talked on the phone. Other than that, you seem like a swell guy.

You left the drapes open in the town hall. This is just... I've been annihilated, Narjimal. I will make this right. Or my name isn't... Steve. Blabelab. No, I'm going to make this right.

Okay. Okay. I like you. You're a nice person. You guys, I am so honored and so happy to be here. And to see you, I was like a big fan. I'm still, I listen to the podcast. And I love all of you.

Oh, that's nice. I'm so happy to say Sona and I never let you down. Yeah, you can rely on those two. Yeah. Because Sona never forgets a thing. 2019. It's a, yeah. All right.

It's an honor. Narjamal, it's an honor to talk to you, and I do look forward to meeting you in person. Something tells me our story continues. Something tells me there'll be more. More in continuation. There'll be more in continuation to put it in your own words. All right, you take care, Narjamal. You too, guys.

Be safe. Thank you so much for an invitation. You too. That's like mind-blowing. Thank you for all of the people who worked there. and Eduardo. Thank you so much, you guys. You're so sweet.

She's so nice. Edward has shot out. Yeah, cut out the part where Eduardo's thing, please. We can convert that into landfill. Wow. Bye-bye, Narjamal. Take care.

Bye, Conan. Bye. Conan needs a fan. With Conan O'Brien, Sonam of Sessian, and Matt Gourley. Produced by me, Matt Gourley. Executive produced by Adam Sacks, Jeff Ross, and Nick Leia.

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