Podcast Summary: Conan O’Brien Needs A Friend

Episode: "12 Clomp Program"
Release Date: February 19, 2026
Host: Conan O’Brien
Guests and Team: Sona Movsesian, Matt Gourley, Eduardo Perez
Featured Fan: Joey Litvak, Film Preservationist

Episode Overview

This episode features Conan reconnecting with Joey Litvak, a film preservationist from Toronto who specializes in preserving home movies. The conversation captures the quirky charm typical of Conan's podcast, as well as insightful reflections on the historical and emotional value of personal footage. Joey shares anecdotes about his work, the odd requests he receives from clients, and his passion for archiving micro-histories. The episode’s highlight is a playful riff on family dynamics in home movies, ultimately culminating in Conan promising to be Joey’s reference for a job at the Academy and an invitation to Joey’s film premiere.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Conan & Joey’s Past Encounter

• [01:30] Conan realizes he met Joey previously at a Cambridge, MA, bookstore, where Joey filmed him with a vintage home-movie camera.
• Joey confirms, showcasing the camera, which dates back to 1975, and reveals the footage is part of a personal film project.

2. Joey’s Work as a Film Preservationist

• [02:47] Joey specializes in preserving home movies, not just classic films. He explains:
  • “I think that micro history is so much more telling and fascinating than macro history.” (Joey, 03:12)
  • Home movies reveal unique family dynamics and capture universal themes in human behavior.
• Conan agrees, recalling how watching old footage can evoke a powerful sense of “presence”—you’re not just observing the past, but feeling as if you're inside it.

3. The Innocence of Old Footage vs. Modern Media Savvy

• [04:16] Both discuss the transformation in how people relate to cameras:
  • Conan remarks, “People have become very media savvy… There’s a real innocence [in old footage]… they’re excited, not knowing and ironic like people today.”
  • Joey mentions seeing excited crowds in Mel Brooks’ Super 8 footage: “Today, people get so annoyed, they don’t know what you’re going to do with the footage.” (05:14)

4. The Weirdest Client Requests

• [06:46] Joey shares that people sometimes ask to edit out estranged family members:
  • “I’ve had a few people say, can you cut my sister out of this footage? She’s a bitch.” (Joey, 06:54)
  • Conan jokes about editing, AI-tricks, and adding “devil horns” to unwanted siblings.
  • Sona adds, “I would think you’d want to cut out all your siblings so you can live out your fantasies of being an only child.” (08:03)
  • The group makes light of the extreme pettiness and family drama inherent in these requests.

5. Home Movie Restoration as Emotional Labor

• [08:50] Conan sums up: “It’s so fascinating how you get dragged into the pettiness of people.”
• Joey confirms he’s also been asked to digitally fix acne, but not yet to artificially speed up puberty or tan someone in footage—the hosts riff on these ideas with classic Conan self-deprecation.

6. “Retro” Cameras and Public Reaction

• [09:58] Joey notes people are more open to being filmed on analog cameras: “Everyone is happy... it’s kind of the opposite reaction to cell phone footage.”
• Conan quips that the retro vibe feels “friendly and good… which is very Canadian of you.”

7. Joey’s Film Archive at the Academy

• [15:41] Joey reveals his home-movie footage of Conan is preserved at the Academy Film Archive in LA from his time as an intern there.
• He describes seeing Alfred Hitchcock’s and Charlie Chaplin’s home movies, including Hitchcock riding a tricycle: “Pretty amazing. There’s footage of him riding like a tricycle.” (Joey, 16:35)
• Conan jokes about the size of the tricycle, continuing the playful tone.

8. Turning Passion into a Career

• [18:43] Joey discusses discovering his grandparents’ 8mm films and his academic path:
  • “I’m a very historical thinker. I studied history and material culture… and then a master’s in film preservation.”
  • Conan reflects, “My favorite people are the ones that have turned their childhood obsession into a career.”

9. Best “Home Movie” Moment

• [19:34] Joey describes a classic moment: “There’s footage of my grandfather giving beer to a donkey.”
• Conan riffs, “That donkey became an alcoholic… He was in a 12 klomp program.” (19:54)
• The cast cracks up, with Sona declaring: “12 Club. That’s the best thing you’ve ever said.” (20:19)

10. Joey’s Question for Conan: Advice for an Academy Job Interview

• [21:08] Joey asks for tips, revealing his upcoming interview at the Academy.
  • Conan offers to act as a personal reference: “Seriously? I would be. I’m not kidding.” (21:40)

11. Invitation to Joey’s Movie Premiere

• [23:12] Joey invites Conan (and the team, after Sona intervenes) to the LA premiere of his film, Ghost Camera, blending home-movie footage of his family and modern day:
  • “It uses my home movies, my grandparents’ home movies, and then I shot stuff in the present to contrast it.” (Joey, 23:23)

12. Playful Banter and Episode Close

• The group teases Conan about his “10th anniversary show” and him not actually being busy when declining invites.
• Joey and Conan exchange friendly farewells and best wishes.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “I think that micro history is so much more telling and fascinating than macro history.” – Joey Litvak, 03:12
• “People have become very media savvy… there’s a real innocence when you see old footage… and they’re not knowing and ironic and cynical about the camera…” – Conan, 04:16
• “Can you cut my sister out of this footage? She’s a bitch.” – Joey, 06:54
• “That donkey became an alcoholic… he was in a 12 klomp program.” – Conan, 19:54
• “12 Club. That’s the best thing you’ve ever said.” – Sona, 20:19
• “My favorite people are the ones that have turned their childhood obsession into a career.” – Conan, 18:43
• “If you never hosted the Oscars, you would still be in the Academy.” – Joey, 16:10
• “Seriously, you’re a good fellow and I wish you all the best. I really do.” – Conan, 23:02

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [01:30] – Conan recalls meeting Joey in Cambridge
• [03:08] – Joey describes his work with home movies
• [04:16] – Discussion on innocence of early home movie footage
• [06:46] – Joey’s wildest client requests
• [09:58] – Filming people today with a retro camera
• [15:41] – Joey’s home-movie footage of Conan at the Academy
• [16:35] – Describing historic home movies (Hitchcock, Chaplin)
• [18:43] – Joey’s journey from obsession to career
• [19:34] – The infamous “beer for a donkey” home movie
• [21:08] – Joey’s question about his interview; Conan offers as a reference
• [23:12] – Joey invites Conan and the team to his film premiere

Tone and Style

The episode is, as always, irreverent, nostalgic, and warm-hearted. Conan’s signature self-deprecating humor mingles with Joey’s passion for storytelling through visual history, creating a playful yet meaningful dialogue. Sona and Matt add peppery asides, enhancing the casual, friendly atmosphere.

Conclusion

This episode stands out for its blend of unusual personal anecdotes, a passionate defense of archival work, and classic Team Coco banter. Whether recounting bizarre restoration requests or riffing on donkeys in recovery, Conan and Joey make it a memorable, engaging listen for fans of both comedy and history.