Adam Scott

Summary

Podcast Summary: Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend – Episode Featuring Adam Scott Release Date: February 17, 2025

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Introduction and Lighthearted Banter (00:00 – 10:15)

The episode kicks off with Conan O’Brien engaging in his characteristic playful banter alongside his co-hosts Matt Gourley and Sona Movsesian. The conversation quickly centers around Sona's infamous leather jacket, affectionately dubbed "Dr. Zas," which Sona reveals has been lost to a house fire.

• Adam Scott (00:03): "Hi, my name is Adam Scott, and I feel pure joy about being Conan O'Brien's fucking friend. Wait, what is this? What is this?"

• Conan O'Brien (02:00): "I really am. I really am. It was fun making fun of that jacket. And now that it's gone and the way that it went, I'm sad."

Sona shares her disappointment over the loss of her beloved jacket, prompting Conan to express genuine sympathy amidst the humorous exchanges.

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Introducing Adam Scott and Discussing His Career (10:15 – 24:17)

Adam Scott joins the conversation, bringing a wealth of experience from his roles in "Parks and Recreation," "Party Down," and the critically acclaimed Apple TV series "Severance." Conan enthusiastically praises Scott's work, particularly highlighting the artistry and meticulous crafting of "Severance."

• Conan O'Brien (10:31): "You're killing it. And I'm just happy for you."

Adam reflects on his career trajectory, sharing anecdotes about auditioning for roles and the serendipitous nature of his successes.

• Adam Scott (15:03): "For a Tia Carrera music video. That was one of my many background gigs."

The conversation delves into the challenges and triumphs of working within ensemble casts, emphasizing the collaborative effort behind successful television shows.

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Behind the Scenes of "Severance" and Creative Processes (24:17 – 37:07)

Conan and Adam delve deeper into the creative processes behind "Severance," discussing the show's unique visual storytelling and narrative complexity. They explore how meticulous planning and artistic choices contribute to the show's distinctive atmosphere.

• Conan O'Brien (18:04): "It takes a lot of very talented people working very hard to make something terrible."

Adam commends the show's director, Jessica Lee Gagne, highlighting the seamless integration of visual elements that convey the story's emotional depth even without sound.

• Adam Scott (20:37): "And I think how Ben and Jessica Lee Gagne, the director of photography, and Jeremy, our production designer, and Kat, our props master, ... you could watch it with the sound off and get the story too emotionally."

The discussion underscores the importance of team collaboration and visionary leadership in creating compelling television.

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Reflecting on Early Career and Industry Anecdotes (37:07 – 53:57)

The conversation shifts to personal anecdotes from Conan's early career, including his experiences working on "Late Night with David Letterman" and interactions with industry legends like Al Pacino. These stories offer a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the challenges and humorous moments that shaped Conan's path in show business.

• Conan O'Brien (25:03): "You were the best part."

• Adam Scott (26:29): "I listened to his book that he was promoting here, and just him talking about, like, scenes in the Godfather..."

Reflecting on missed opportunities and unexpected successes, Adam shares his own experiences with auditions and the unpredictability of the entertainment industry.

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Embarrassing Moments and Shared Experiences (53:57 – 65:28)

Towards the latter part of the episode, Conan introduces a segment featuring a drawing contest inspired by nostalgic childhood advertisements promising grand prizes for minimal effort, such as submarines for $1.50. The hosts engage in a humorous and light-hearted activity, showcasing their artistic talents (or lack thereof) and fostering camaraderie through shared laughter.

• Matt Gourley (54:23): "I think it was a mix up of some sort."

• Conan O'Brien (57:39): "I'm gonna be the pirate."

This segment underscores the show's emphasis on genuine friendship and the joy of playful interactions away from the formalities of traditional interviews.

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Conclusion and Final Thoughts (65:28 – End)

As the episode wraps up, Conan emphasizes his appreciation for Adam Scott's contributions to television and expresses a heartfelt desire to continue building genuine friendships through the podcast. The hosts reminisce about their early podcasting days and the enduring bonds they've formed over time.

• Conan O'Brien (62:13): "I think the crew I had at Late Night in '93, '94, and '95... we're just trying some weird stuff. I don't know. I think it's gonna be okay."

• Adam Scott (53:35): "Look at these people. Gorgeous and hilarious."

The episode concludes on a warm note, reinforcing the podcast's mission to foster real and lasting friendships with its celebrity guests.

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Notable Quotes with Timestamps:

• Adam Scott (10:31): "You're killing it. And I'm just happy for you."

• Conan O'Brien (18:04): "It takes a lot of very talented people working very hard to make something terrible."

• Adam Scott (20:37): "You could watch it with the sound off and get the story too emotionally."

• Conan O'Brien (25:03): "You were the best part."

• Matt Gourley (54:23): "I think it was a mix up of some sort."

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Key Takeaways:

1. Authentic Friendships: The podcast emphasizes building genuine relationships beyond superficial interactions, as exemplified by Conan's ongoing quest for real friendships with his guests.

2. Collaborative Creativity: Adam Scott's insights into "Severance" highlight the importance of collaborative efforts and meticulous planning in creating immersive and emotionally resonant television.

3. Industry Anecdotes: Personal stories from Conan and Adam provide a candid look into the challenges and humorous moments within the entertainment industry, offering listeners both entertainment and inspiration.

4. Playful Interactions: The drawing contest and lighthearted segments underscore the podcast's commitment to maintaining a fun and relaxed atmosphere, fostering a sense of camaraderie among hosts and guests.

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This episode of "Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend" with Adam Scott offers a blend of insightful discussions on television production, personal anecdotes from their careers, and engaging, playful segments that illustrate the podcast's mission to cultivate genuine friendships through meaningful and entertaining conversations.

Transcript

[Adam Scott]

Hi, my name is Adam Scott, and I feel pure joy about being Conan O'Brien's fucking friend. Wait, what is this? What is this?

[Matt Gourley]

That's right. But I love that he had to think about it.

[Conan O'Brien]

You hit pure joy, and then you clearly couldn't do it. Like you had eaten something rotten and you couldn't keep it down.

[Adam Scott]

I think putrefied is the exact word. The exact word. Feeling.

[Matt Gourley]

Brand new shoes Walking loose Climb the fence Books and pens I can tell that we are gonna be friends I can tell that we are gonna.

[Conan O'Brien]

Be friends hey there. Conan O'Brien here. Welcome to Conan O'Brien Needs a Friend. And I do need a friend. Fortunately, I have 1.5 in Sonom of session.

[Matt Gourley]

Wait a minute.

[Conan O'Brien]

And Goerli. Matt Gourley.

[Matt Gourley]

Am I 0.5 or are we both 75? Or is it something?

[Conan O'Brien]

Yeah, you know what? It's something you'll have to figure out on your own. That's the beauty of my mystical little quips. You never know what I really mean. This is an exciting day because Sona's wearing a jacket I haven't seen before. And this is a woman who will wear the same jacket day in and day out. And I don't believe someone should be a clothes horse. I don't think someone should be, you know, styling it every day. You know, that's not my way. But I am not a material man. But.

[Sona Movsesian]

But you talk about my clothes.

[Matt Gourley]

Yeah.

[Conan O'Brien]

All the time. Because for most of the many, many, many years I employed you, you wore the same jacket every day.

[Matt Gourley]

And with all due respect, does that jacket exist anymore?

[Sona Movsesian]

Jesus, Matt.

[Conan O'Brien]

Sorry.

[Sona Movsesian]

It does not.

[Conan O'Brien]

No. No. Did that jacket go up in the fire?

[Sona Movsesian]

Yes, it did.

[Conan O'Brien]

Oh, my God.

[Sona Movsesian]

Like, why? Apology.

[Matt Gourley]

Why is he saying that? I meant to defend you.

[Conan O'Brien]

I just assumed it would be okay because you wear it all the time. So the one time you took it off, you left it in your house, and that's when your house caught fire.

[Sona Movsesian]

Yes. So you should buy me a new one.

[Conan O'Brien]

Yeah, well, I could buy you 30. They don't. They don't look that expensive. Oh, my God. I'm sorry.

[Adam Scott]

Oh, my God.

[Conan O'Brien]

Oh, my God.

[Matt Gourley]

We just also noticed that this is the first recording we've done since the one recording we've done after the fires. And already you're back on her.

[Conan O'Brien]

Already. I'm saying, I used to give you a hard time about that jacket, and I'm sure we've discussed it in different episodes. I called it the old Dr. Zayas. It was. It's a dark jacket. Dr. Zas was kind of an orange.

[Sona Movsesian]

But it was black. It was a black leather jacket.

[Conan O'Brien]

Yeah, it was black, but had some crenelations and folds. Had a little bit of an 80s vibe to it.

[Sona Movsesian]

Oh, my God.

[Conan O'Brien]

But anyway, you just wore the same thing every single day. And I used to say, did I not? I'll get you a jacket.

[Sona Movsesian]

I looked so cool in that jacket. I did. Nothing is cooler than a worn in jacket.

[Conan O'Brien]

Oh, it was worn in all right. Yes. No, no, no. It was. It was. Wow. I am shocked that jacket's gone. Because that is such a part of.

[Sona Movsesian]

It's okay. She lived a good life.

[Matt Gourley]

She saw some shit.

[Conan O'Brien]

It's a she. It's a she.

[Sona Movsesian]

Yeah. I don't know.

[Matt Gourley]

Your current jacket is definitely a she.

[Conan O'Brien]

My jacket.

[Sona Movsesian]

My current jacket. My best friend Veronica got me. Oh, look at this. What's gave me. Because I had pins all over my other denim jackets. So she got me a happy face, a popcorn, a Freddie Mercury, and a vagina pin.

[Conan O'Brien]

I love that. I just pointed to a vagina and said, what is that? What is that? I've heard tell.

[Matt Gourley]

A new discovery.

[Sona Movsesian]

Yeah, wait, I know you want to. You should probably see it.

[Matt Gourley]

It's not just a vagina. It's got like the fallopian tubes.

[Sona Movsesian]

It has the whole thing.

[Conan O'Brien]

Fallopian tubes that are flowers. What's that? Really? I mean, is that a vagina? Sorry.

[Matt Gourley]

No, it's more like a cattle head with roses for horns.

[Conan O'Brien]

Yes. I'm sorry.

[Matt Gourley]

What do you guys got going on in there?

[Conan O'Brien]

Yeah.

[Sona Movsesian]

Where are we doing it? I don't. Don't make me do an anatomy lesson. Because to be honest, I don't even know how it works. I don't even know what's going on down there.

[Conan O'Brien]

Do you never done that thing that women are supposed to do to empower themselves, where they get a mirror and they look there and they love themselves and all that?

[Sona Movsesian]

Why are you saying disdain?

[Conan O'Brien]

That wasn't disdain. That was utter horror. Horror.

[Sona Movsesian]

Have you ever closely examined yourself? Your. Your wellness?

[Conan O'Brien]

Ours? You could see it all the time.

[Adam Scott]

That's.

[Matt Gourley]

Sometimes it looks right at you.

[Conan O'Brien]

They're on the. They're on the outside.

[Sona Movsesian]

No, there are. There's a lot of things going on with this and it's. You know, I don't. I never. I never really examined it, but maybe I should and I'll learn something.

[Conan O'Brien]

Wait, the pin or your actual undercarriage?

[Sona Movsesian]

Don't say undercarriage. Don't say undercarriage. My vagina. You can say vagina. It's okay to say it.

[Conan O'Brien]

Well, I think it's. I don't know. I'm not sure. It's vagina. That's what it is.

[Matt Gourley]

Why do you shrug your shoulders when you do it?

[Sona Movsesian]

So uncomfortable.

[Matt Gourley]

Oh, my God.

[Sona Movsesian]

Oh, my God.

[Conan O'Brien]

Now I'm doing it like Jeff Ross would do vagina.

[Sona Movsesian]

Do you want to wear the vagina pin?

[Conan O'Brien]

I'm good.

[Sona Movsesian]

Okay.

[Conan O'Brien]

I'm good. People will think I just spilled some tomatillo sauce on. I don't think I'll wear the pin. I'm good.

[Sona Movsesian]

All right.

[Conan O'Brien]

But I think I want women to know I'm in their corner.

[Sona Movsesian]

Just.

[Conan O'Brien]

Just keep that thing away from me. Now. Would your mom be okay with you wearing that pin?

[Sona Movsesian]

I think at this point they just, like, don't know what to. They can't tell me not to do something.

[Matt Gourley]

Would she. Just looking at that, would she. No, it's a vagina. Because it's not.

[Conan O'Brien]

It's not. It's weird.

[Sona Movsesian]

It's pretty vaggy.

[Matt Gourley]

You have to. You have to. Yeah, I think your first instinct is vaggy, but you have to, like, give it a double look.

[Sona Movsesian]

What else could it be?

[Matt Gourley]

It's got roses on it.

[Conan O'Brien]

That's it.

[Sona Movsesian]

This is a vagina. This is how a vagina looks.

[Conan O'Brien]

Is it a vagina? I think blay weigh in. Well, have a bunch of men.

[Sona Movsesian]

Let's.

[Conan O'Brien]

Seen two in his lifetime.

[Eduardo Perez]

What was the one I came out of passing through?

[Conan O'Brien]

It's like when you go when you're in a train and it's not your station. There goes New Haven, I think.

[Eduardo Perez]

Well, aren't these supposed to be the fallopian tubes and ovaries? So it's not just the vagina, it's the women's reproductive system.

[Sona Movsesian]

Yes.

[Adam Scott]

Oh.

[Sona Movsesian]

Oh, you were being more like. Yeah, it's the whole thing. It's all of it.

[Conan O'Brien]

Yeah. Well, why didn't they keep going and have parts of the. The bladder? Why not just keep going at that point? Why'd they put the fallopian tubes in there? I don't know.

[Sona Movsesian]

They probably want to celebrate that we have the ability to create life and that makes us special. Unlike men, who just, like, don't do anything.

[Matt Gourley]

Where's the tattoo? That's why I enter.

[Conan O'Brien]

Yeah, we have. No, but listen, we have a. We do something.

[Sona Movsesian]

What do you. What do you do?

[Conan O'Brien]

We carry the sacred seed.

[Sona Movsesian]

Okay, don't say sacred.

[Conan O'Brien]

We do. Don't. Stop saying. Don't say this and don't say that.

[Sona Movsesian]

No, no, but the way you approach this is Very.

[Conan O'Brien]

But to say that we do nothing, I think is. It takes two to tango, as they say.

[Sona Movsesian]

And we do think biologically.

[Conan O'Brien]

Yes, biologically, I think we are, for now, a necessity.

[Sona Movsesian]

Yeah. Okay, you're right. I do think, obviously, yes. Biologically, yes. But then we have to do everything after that, and that's a lot.

[Conan O'Brien]

Well, we do things too. We're like, honey, can I get you some tea before I go out to the strip club with my pals? Honey, can I prop your feet up before I head out and ogle the ladies on the boulevard and eat ham sandwiches with my chums? Yes. Sorry.

[Eduardo Perez]

I'm just gonna say one thing, which is I. I think it kind of says everything that someone. You know that. That you have a beautiful pin celebrating women's reproductive organs. And we have truck nuts.

[Sona Movsesian]

That's true. That is true.

[Conan O'Brien]

I don't. I don't put them on my.

[Matt Gourley]

Well, in your case, you biologically have truck nuts.

[Conan O'Brien]

I do, yeah. Yeah. That was just a. It's a gift from God and General motors.

[Matt Gourley]

I have 1963 Saab nuts.

[Conan O'Brien]

They're a little different. Those are cold. Those are cold weather nuts. Those are four wheel drive, cold weather, European designed nuts.

[Matt Gourley]

They're attractive in a vintage way.

[Conan O'Brien]

Sure, yeah, yeah. If you can see these nuts, you're way too close, buddy. Back up.

[Matt Gourley]

And they drive on the wrong side of the road.

[Conan O'Brien]

Exactly. What are those nuts doing over there? This is America.

[Sona Movsesian]

I don't wanna be here.

[Conan O'Brien]

Listen, can I fervently hold this up, please? Yes. I am sorry for the loss of that jacket. I really am.

[Sona Movsesian]

Okay?

[Conan O'Brien]

I really am.

[Sona Movsesian]

I don't think you are.

[Conan O'Brien]

No, I am. I am. I mean, you went through a terrible thing and I'm. I do. It was fun making fun of that jacket. And now that it's gone and the way that it went, I'm sad.

[Matt Gourley]

So you're sad that you don't really get to make fun of it anymore.

[Conan O'Brien]

I have lost one of the arrows in my quiver. I now have one less thing to attack Sona with. And I think that's the greatest tragedy here.

[Sona Movsesian]

So many arrows.

[Conan O'Brien]

Let's wrap it up.

[Sona Movsesian]

It's an endless supply of arrows. Like, another one just popped up and I don't know for what, but it's there, so don't worry about it. So you'll be okay?

[Conan O'Brien]

Yes. I'll get you to the end of time. Sorry about your loss. My guest today starred in shows like Parks and Recreation and Party Down. Now you can see him in the second season. I Am so excited about this. I'm loving the second season and I do honestly think this is one of the most beautifully crafted things on television. The hit Apple TV series Severance. So excited he's here today. I celebrate this gentleman, Adam Scott. Welcome. Very excited to have you here.

[Adam Scott]

Thank you so much.

[Conan O'Brien]

I'm a massive fan of your work, but also you as a person and we've had the joy of hanging out a little bit and I'm just, I could not be happier for you.

[Adam Scott]

Oh, thanks.

[Conan O'Brien]

That you are right now at the center of the coolest show on television. Universal acclaim. Everyone's been waiting on the second season. It shows up. It was appointment television for my son. My wife and I, we just like, we sat down, loving it. We debate it. It is beautifully made. You're killing it. And I'm just, I'm happy for you.

[Adam Scott]

Thank you. Conan.

[Conan O'Brien]

Do I wish it were me? Yes, I do.

[Matt Gourley]

Sure, sure.

[Adam Scott]

I understand.

[Conan O'Brien]

Do I feel that maybe there was a. There's a chance that I'd get that part?

[Adam Scott]

There was a mix up of some sort.

[Conan O'Brien]

Yeah. Stiller. I know Stiller called me at one point and I didn't get the call. I couldn't quite pick it up. But no, I'm just, I'm.

[Adam Scott]

That's show business.

[Conan O'Brien]

That's. Yeah. And then he had to go with his second choice.

[Adam Scott]

That's right.

[Conan O'Brien]

Adam Scott.

[Adam Scott]

That's right.

[Conan O'Brien]

What the fuck? Well, whatever. You know what, it ended up working out and. No, it is just so artfully done, so beautifully done. So much thought has gone into this. And I watched the opening shot of the second season several times.

[Adam Scott]

Oh, really?

[Conan O'Brien]

Because you're. I'm not giving anything away, but the opening shot of the second season, you are running down this hallway that just doesn't end. And there's something about the way it's shot. I don't know what it is. I've watched a lot of film, I've watched a lot of television and I have never seen anything quite like it. And I can't put my finger on what's happening there. But it is a absolutely incredible piece of filmmaking. That's the start of a television show.

[Adam Scott]

Yeah. That's all. Ben, first of all, thank you for having me. I'm so excited to be here. I listen to the show all the time. And Conan, you are one of those people who, as you move through show business, you get to know people that you know their work. And I'm a fan. You are a fan before you get to know them. You are definitely One of those people. I still can't believe that I actually know you. And I know there are a lot of us who feel that way. So thank you and thanks for having me.

[Conan O'Brien]

It may not last.

[Adam Scott]

No, no, no. I can already tell it's fading.

[Conan O'Brien]

Yeah. I'm starting to forget your name right now.

[Adam Scott]

That's right. That's right. Which I totally expect based on previous experience.

[Conan O'Brien]

Every time I've seen you out on the street, I usually ask you a waiter.

[Adam Scott]

Yes. Can I get some more ice water?

[Conan O'Brien]

Party down, Confusion.

[Adam Scott]

That's right.

[Conan O'Brien]

Yeah. But anyway, I know that Ben. Ben takes this really seriously. And it's not just making a TV show. This is a whole other thing.

[Adam Scott]

Yeah. And that's part of what I love about it, is that he's someone who, you know him, he's thinking about all of it. He's thinking about the whole grid at all times. And for me, that's. That lets me relax. And the rest of the cast as well, and we can just focus on. Because if you're worried about, like, what it. Yeah, but if you're asking me to do this. But is it going to feel ridiculous? Because that thing's happening and we're going 40 miles an hour if that guy's right here and I'm reacting this way, like. And sometimes you say that and the director looks at you and it's clear that they haven't thought about any of this. Which is fine too. It's a matter of experience or how different people make different things. But with Ben, you know, he's thinking about the entire thing. He's considered every detail. So we can all just focus on the task at hand.

[Conan O'Brien]

The sense I get is that Ben is playing three dimensional chess.

[Adam Scott]

Yes.

[Conan O'Brien]

And, you know.

[Adam Scott]

And we're playing Connect 4.

[Conan O'Brien]

Exactly. And you ask him a question, you'll be like, do not worry. He's seeing like his nine dimensional chessboard. But looking at the whole span of your career, this is quite a different gig.

[Adam Scott]

Yeah.

[Conan O'Brien]

First of all, I know it took you a while. You paid. Talk about paying your dues. You paid your dues for a long time. It took you a long time to find your footing, catch your break. And then it was really in. I mean, starting out in, like, background work. Weren't you doing background work?

[Adam Scott]

Yeah. For a Tia Carrera music video. That was one of my many background gigs.

[Matt Gourley]

That was you.

[Adam Scott]

Yeah, I know.

[Conan O'Brien]

You were the best part.

[Adam Scott]

You guys probably all recognized me when I walked in.

[Conan O'Brien]

Yeah.

[Adam Scott]

Guy with beret, I believe is how they referred to me.

[Matt Gourley]

For real?

[Sona Movsesian]

You were wearing a beret? For real.

[Adam Scott]

My own. I can't find it anywhere. I really have looked. It was fall of 1999, D3, and I had a beret and I thought it was great, and I wore it all the time, and I definitely wore it to the. To the filming of the Tia Carrera video. So I hope. I would love to try and find it. I don't even know if I appear.

[Conan O'Brien]

I just say, I don't know if you guys do this, I. And you might do it, because this used to be your profession. I look at background people sometimes in scenes, and if I don't find the scene particularly riveting, I really do look at the background people, and I'm usually impressed. Like, they're in it. They're both not talking at the same time, even though. And then every now and then, there's someone who's just too happy about having a cup of coffee.

[Adam Scott]

Yes. Or having a conversation where they're like, you know, yes. Just take it down a notch. Yes.

[Conan O'Brien]

Yeah. Or wearing a beret. Or wearing a beret. Anything to get noticed. But, you know, then when your breaks start to come, it's very much ensemble work. And you are in an ensemble now, but you are the face of the show. So this is. I mean, there must be something kind of comforting about ensemble work. Clearly. I mean, working on something like Party Down. You're just working with these wonderful improvised. I mean, what a cast.

[Adam Scott]

It's incredible. Yeah. I'm feeling like you're just ensconced in this and this. Incredible. And Parks and Rec, too, just being part of this crew that Amy was really leading. But, yeah, comforting is a perfect word for it. And it's part of why I was so freaked out when Severance first came out a few years ago. It's like, suddenly the billboards went up and it was my face around town. And it really. It should have been like this big, happy, you know, monumental moment that I've been waiting for for 30 years. But it just freaked me out. And Ben sort of talked me down because he's certainly been through it, just because at that point, we made the show in a bubble and no one had seen it, and we loved it, but had no clue if anyone would like it or if people would just make fun of us. Like, you just don't know at all, other than your own barometer. And we thought it was cool, but, man, you just have. You have zero sense of how it's going to be received. So it could have been this big embarrassing thing, anyway. Yeah. When you're kind of out front, it is. It's. It's frightening. And then also rewarding when you're doing something that you feel good about. Yes.

[Conan O'Brien]

I've said this for many years, and I don't think most people would understand it. I think the assumption is if you're working on something cool that's going to be iconic, everyone knows it as they're working on it. And that is not the case. And I've always said it takes a lot of very talented people working very hard to make something terrible.

[Adam Scott]

Yeah.

[Conan O'Brien]

You know, it's why I get very impatient around Oscar season. There are all these reviews of movies and a lot of them are really brilliant movies. And they'll say, yeah, but then they really blew it in that one part. And I'll be thinking, do you know how hard it is just to make a movie, let alone a great movie? But there's that one part in the Brutalist where they kind of miss the.

[Matt Gourley]

Mark a little bit.

[Adam Scott]

People become just film historians when Oscar season comes around. They get very, very persnickety. Yeah. And also all the time it takes. I think that was part of why we were also afraid of it landing with a thud is that it was so hard to make and took so long that it would have been a bummer. But anything that comes out and doesn't quite work, people were working on it for a few years.

[Conan O'Brien]

It's always one thing geeking out about severance. The visuals, the way it's shot, the colors, there's all this thought going into stuff. The machines they use are oddly out of time.

[Adam Scott]

And the cars.

[Conan O'Brien]

The cars are out of time, which leads to all different kinds of theories. But the choices, directing and creating. A lot of the time is about choices and just everything is just a little off in this weird way that I can't quite put my finger on. And I find I could watch it, you know, watch it with the sound on and then you could watch it again with the sound off and just look at the colors and what people are wearing and how things are framed in the shots.

[Adam Scott]

And I think how Ben and Jessica Lee Gagne, the director of photography, and Jeremy, our production designer, and Kat, our props master, I think the way they visually tell the story too, you could watch it with the sound off and get the story too emotionally. And maybe some of the more kind of mind twisty details wouldn't be there, but you would emotionally get the story. And I think that's really important too, when you can make something where you can turn the sound off. Like, it's like if you listen to your podcast with the sound off, you get.

[Conan O'Brien]

You get it, you know, I'm gonna tell you something.

[Matt Gourley]

You get a little bit more than if you do listen to it with the sound.

[Adam Scott]

Right.

[Conan O'Brien]

We recommend that people, when they're driving, turn the sound off, and you'll have a completely superior experience.

[Matt Gourley]

I recommend you put on a different podcast.

[Conan O'Brien]

Yeah.

[Adam Scott]

But keep the sound off on this one concurrently. Play another one. That's the experience.

[Conan O'Brien]

It's funny. Cause you've had one of those careers, too, where you popped in different things over the years. Sona, you're a. We all love stepbrothers. You're a stepbrothers. I love. Stephen, You're a stepbrothers fanatic.

[Sona Movsesian]

I do love it so much.

[Conan O'Brien]

The way you popped in, that must have, you know, felt like.

[Matt Gourley]

Oh, yeah, one carb.

[Conan O'Brien]

That's right. I always.

[Matt Gourley]

That's the thing I remember most about that movie.

[Conan O'Brien]

Yeah, but. And I know that your arc in Parks and Rec was a little strange Right when the show started. There's a story to it.

[Adam Scott]

Well, I started at the end of season two. I mean, I had auditioned for the show originally, but it wasn't even really for a specific role. It was so early that Mike was still. Me and Rashida read together and blew it and was bummed. And then Party down came along. So in a way, it sort of worked out well. I was able to do that because I didn't get the Parks pilot. And I'm so glad I was able to do Party Down. And then, weirdly, Mike loved Party down. And from that, asked me to come and join Park. So it all sort of came around.

[Conan O'Brien]

Now, this is the inevitable question. Did you ever get to ask Mike, hey, man, what the fuck? What the fuck? I was here. Remember when I auditioned for you? That's just something that. And it's so funny because I've had. We've had this experience here on this podcast where we're talking to iconic, legendary actors, and when they bring up the guy who snubbed them, the casting director, Harrison Ford, did it on this podcast. And he was like, you know, the year was 1967.

[Adam Scott]

He's still, like, pissed about it.

[Conan O'Brien]

He's pissed.

[Sona Movsesian]

Jerry Sakowski, Jerry Takovsky.

[Conan O'Brien]

Yeah. And also, you know, famously, Michael Jordan. When he was accepted into, like, the, you know, basketball hall of Fame, his speech was all a list. Yeah. He started listing people who. This guy benched me in fifth grade. Remember that? Josh Killaway, you know, and it's his fuel.

[Adam Scott]

Like that documentary. He's constantly bringing it.

[Conan O'Brien]

Yeah, it's his fuel, but it does bring up the idea of you're working with someone who rejected me. I had this with.

[Sona Movsesian]

Wait, what are you saying? He should be pissed at Mike Schur.

[Conan O'Brien]

No, no, no.

[Adam Scott]

You know what?

[Conan O'Brien]

You' yes.

[Adam Scott]

God damn it.

[Conan O'Brien]

This is the goal of this, my.

[Adam Scott]

Podcast, to dig up old animosities.

[Conan O'Brien]

Here's a very well liked. Adam is a very well liked actor. Celebrity, critically acclaimed, his wonderful family. He's happy. He's having this big moment that will keep going. And all I want to do is get him mad.

[Adam Scott]

I'm going straight to Mike's house after.

[Conan O'Brien]

Ding dong, hey, Adam. Bang, asshole. Boom.

[Adam Scott]

Fuck you. And then we never speak again.

[Conan O'Brien]

Then later he hears the podcast. Oh, I see. Then he rings my bell. Oh, hi, Mike. Soon, just a cavalcade of people punching.

[Adam Scott]

Each other and just lawsuits for years.

[Conan O'Brien]

Yeah, lawsuits for years. We're all tied up in the courts.

[Adam Scott]

I never asked him, I think, because I was just 100% sure why, which was I blew the. I sucked at auditioning. I hated it. It was embarrassing, and I was just never very good at it. So I didn't walk out of there thinking I was gonna get the job.

[Conan O'Brien]

Anyway, I had this with Ray Romano. Ray Romano who? We didn't. He wanted to be a monologue writer for my show. Great comedian, great joke writer. We didn't have a slot, but he had a good packet and people knew him. So I met with him and sat across. He came into my office and, you know, at the time, I'm like 32 years old.

[Adam Scott]

Do you remember him meeting that?

[Conan O'Brien]

Vaguely. And he was sitting there and he was real nervous, and I just kind of said that your stuff is great, but we didn't have an opening. So he goes from that experience to maybe a year later getting Everybody Loves Raymond and then becoming this monolithic TV star. And I remember later on running in him and said, ah. So I was really bummed I didn't get that job, you know? What are you talking about? Do you realize what we pay monologue rent. Was it me? There wasn't an Altman. Ray. Ray. Hello, Ray?

[Adam Scott]

Yeah.

[Conan O'Brien]

You're Ray Romano. That doesn't happen if you're with me writing.

[Adam Scott]

Oh, you know, you are profoundly wealthy.

[Conan O'Brien]

Yeah, exactly.

[Adam Scott]

Because of your greatness, you can buy.

[Conan O'Brien]

And sell me 35. I don't know, but I think I could have done better.

[Matt Gourley]

Are you sure you weren't talking to Bobcat Goldthwaite.

[Conan O'Brien]

No, I was talking to Cookie Monster Cookies. Anyway, you know, it's just. I don't. It. I love people that just get stuck on something like that. And I'm trying to get you stuck on it, but.

[Adam Scott]

Well, I. I am now. I'm obsessed. Al Pacino, too. Did he say something about that? You guys had Al Pacino?

[Conan O'Brien]

Yeah, and he sat right where you're sitting, and he's one of my great. And talk about. You can't believe. I couldn't believe that I'm in. You know, I mean, I had bumped into him a couple of times. He had always been very sweet to me, knew who I was, would, like, call me, called me over to his table once at a. I mean, just. I couldn't. I. I. I couldn't believe that this guy.

[Adam Scott]

Yeah, there's a.

[Conan O'Brien]

There's of. Of all the space in his brain, there's one cell that knows about me. Like, I couldn't. I couldn't believe it. Cause I'm such a massive fan. But he. He was sitting here, and, yeah, he was very in touch with no bitterness at all, but very much in touch with the fact that, you know, Coppola and the studio really didn't want him. I mean, Coppola wanted him to have the role in the Godfather, but studio didn't want him. And then for maybe half the shoot of the movie, they don't like. The studio doesn't like him. And Coppola is like, yeah, no, he's not bringing it. He's not bringing it and tells him that. And he remembered being called over to Coppola's table at a restaurant, and Coppola that didn't even stand up.

[Adam Scott]

Yeah. You didn't ask him to sit down.

[Conan O'Brien]

Didn't ask him to sit down. And so he was very much in touch with that and still is. And I remembered him saying it to me like, you know, Conan, they didn't want me. They didn't want me. And I'm like, yes. But then you did get it, and you became the face of Michael Corleone. Yes. For not one, but two of the greatest films ever made. And then you go on to do all this other iconic work, and it's like, I know, but they didn't want me. And it's just incredible, you know, Al Pacino. Al Pacino is just to think I.

[Adam Scott]

Listened to his book that he was promoting here, and just him talking about, like, scenes in the Godfather and how he finally convinced them he was right for the role from doing the scene. Where he shoots the two guys in the restaurant. But just thinking about at one point there were people just like working on that scene and trying to figure out like how to do. It's just so weird to think that there was a time before that scene existed and that that scene is because of some decisions that people kind of guessed at and were just figuring it out.

[Conan O'Brien]

Also, I love, and this has happened before too, I love the concept that there are crew people going, who the fuck is this guy?

[Adam Scott]

I know.

[Conan O'Brien]

And when they were shooting the. God, the big, you know, the opening of the Godfather takes place at the big wedding at Marlon Brando's estate. And everyone's, you know, dancing and having fun. And they cut over to Michael and Kay. He's really underplaying it. You know, he's just out of the army and he's explaining who people are. He's oh, that's Luca Braszi. He works for my father. He takes care of. So what does your father do, Michael? But apparently those dailies came back and the people at, I guess it was paramount maybe were like, who is this droopy noodle of a guy in a big army hat? He's terrible.

[Adam Scott]

Yeah, like zero charisma.

[Conan O'Brien]

Zero charisma. And he's not being. And the crew, the crew is like, whoops with this guy. And apparently the other time that happened, a graduate.

[Adam Scott]

Yeah.

[Conan O'Brien]

So Dustin Hoffman is in the book the Graduate. The graduate is blonde haired, blue eyed. And so they wanted Robert Redford. That was who it was supposed to be. And the big brave decision was, no, it's gonna be this little known actor, theater actor, Dustin Hoffman. Whose not a blonde haired, blue eyed kid. And the crew. And everyone is like, what the. Yeah, this guy's mumbling the same crew.

[Matt Gourley]

What about you?

[Conan O'Brien]

Yeah, no, no, no, hey, trust me. This is the. Hey, trust me.

[Adam Scott]

They didn't believe in what they were working on.

[Conan O'Brien]

This is the crew I had at late night in 93, 94 and 95.

[Adam Scott]

Right.

[Conan O'Brien]

Because we inherited. And I swear to God, people were like, I don't blame them, but they were like, you know, they had just had David Letterman.

[Adam Scott]

Wait, you had Dave's crew?

[Conan O'Brien]

I had a third. Yeah, his core. I had his camera, some of his camera, because they stayed behind. Sure, Dave went to CBS and took some people, but there was a core and I don't blame them. There was like cable pullers and stuff. And David Letterman, after 11 years of, you know, reinventing the format and dominating, has now gone on to greater heights. And they're like, they got this new kid. Here he comes. And I come in and I'm like, hi, everybody, my name's Conan. I know. Anyway, I like improv. We're gonna try some weird stuff. I don't know. I think it's gonna be okay. Hey, does anybody. What dries up acne? Does anybody know? Like, I still had acne break out occasionally. And I'd be like, does anyone. Cause I use this stuff. Is there something better? And these heart.

[Sona Movsesian]

Where are you at asking the crew about your acne?

[Conan O'Brien]

I don't know.

[Adam Scott]

And these guys reached out to everyone, asking if anyone has any recommendations.

[Conan O'Brien]

I opened the shows with it.

[Adam Scott]

Austin, Hi.

[Conan O'Brien]

If anyone's out there watching. It just keeps. I think it might be cystic. I don't know. It comes back. But that was the thing that blew my mind was the. And I didn't blame them. But there were just. I mean, there were guys on my crew that had worked on Sullivan when the Beatles played there. And I would ask them, like, what was that like? And they were guys from Long island, you know. And they'd say stuff like. I don't know. I was mad. Cause I was. Sunday night. I'm not supposed to work Sunday night. And I'm out on the island. And then they call me. Cause Steve guts. I gotta come in. And I saw him up in that. And I. But it was the Beatles. It was the Beatles. And I'm like, that's all. I don't know. I don't know. That fucking hair. I don't know. And then I'm on the way home, the carburetor blows out. So fuck that shit, you know? And I don't get paid overtime. And you're like, that's their memory of it. Yeah.

[Adam Scott]

You're like, great. This was a really special talk that we just had. Thank you very much.

[Conan O'Brien]

On the. On the subject of music, I know that you have done many podcasts, music centric podcasts. You have your obsessions. Rm.

[Adam Scott]

Yeah.

[Conan O'Brien]

You love rm.

[Adam Scott]

Yeah, I. Yeah, because I'm, you know that generation that kind of grew up with that. That music, like, they got huge around 87, like with the. Their first big hit. And I was like 14. So it was kind of perfect.

[Conan O'Brien]

My college girlfriend, when I was, I think, a senior, she was so cool. She knew about music. She knew bands before they broke. But I remembered her being very cool and saying, yeah, R.E.M. i'm like, R.E.M. what is that?

[Adam Scott]

Right?

[Conan O'Brien]

That sounds. I don't. Is that a. That's a band, right? And kind of Thinking great. You like your niche. Little band that's not going anywhere.

[Sona Movsesian]

Why did she break up with you?

[Matt Gourley]

I know you seemed really cool.

[Adam Scott]

I have no idea about anything you're talking about.

[Matt Gourley]

Nothing interesting.

[Conan O'Brien]

I think I said to her, nothing you say is of value to me. And then she walks out on me. What's that all about?

[Adam Scott]

So weird. That didn't work.

[Conan O'Brien]

Women.

[Adam Scott]

No. There was something mysterious about their name and the way they looked and the music videos they weren't in. It was just all cool, you know, back then.

[Conan O'Brien]

Yeah. And any to this day, a lot of great music.

[Adam Scott]

Yeah.

[Conan O'Brien]

So it's. It's what, what are your bands? Your bands are REM. YouTube.

[Adam Scott]

Yeah, those were like my Beatles. Beatles and Stones kind of for, I don't know, for my age group or generation or whatever. Those were the two big.

[Conan O'Brien]

I'm seeing here that you're 77 years old.

[Adam Scott]

77 years old, yeah, those were the two big ones. And they were very. Now looking back it's like. Well, of course they were both, both very mainstream, like arena rock bands. And I think that's part of what I liked about it too. Just sort of the grandness of it.

[Conan O'Brien]

What are you, what are you watching when you're a kid? What are the shows that mean something to you on tv?

[Adam Scott]

Letterman was a huge one. We didn't have. I grew up in Santa Cruz, California which is a little hip, kind of hippie beach town. And so we didn't have a TV in our house. I lived with my mom for, for. For a majority of the time and then went back and forth. But for while I was living there, my dad got me this little 5 inch black and white TV that I just kept in my room and I was just glued to it. You know, without cable television you have three, three stations. So I would just watch whatever was on.

[Conan O'Brien]

Yes.

[Adam Scott]

From 7pm or whenever till they went off the air at.

[Conan O'Brien]

Yeah.

[Adam Scott]

Was it 1:30 or 2 or whatever. Anyway, Letterman, you know, and Different Strokes and whatever network comedies were on. Hour long dramas always felt like too grown up and boring until I got older. And now you go back and look at hour long dramas when you know, we were coming of age and they're just like pornography bad, you know, like not only are they just weirdly bad but. But they show. There's so much shoe leather just. Cause they're trying to fill up the 42 minutes.

[Conan O'Brien]

Oh, I'm obsessed with. I've had huge fights. I had a huge fight with Bill Burr, who loves chips and I went after Bill and said chips is a piece of shit. And he's like, what are you talking about? He's getting crazy on me about how much he loves chips and how much it meant to him. But if you watch those shows now, the editing, they'll. So I don't know if everyone's on coke that's making them, but the shots are lazy. So the whole point of the show is there's gonna be this big meeting, you know, and so a guy's gonna pull up in his car and go talk to someone who's in another car. The car will pull up in some big parking lot 30ft away. The guy will get out and shut the door and walk 30ft to the other guy.

[Adam Scott]

Totally no cutting, no.

[Conan O'Brien]

No editing. Cause they're like, yeah, we can kill some time walking from that giant, bad, late 70s American car to this one.

[Adam Scott]

That's right.

[Matt Gourley]

That's right.

[Adam Scott]

Like, people have no idea how lucky they are with Breaking Bad and the surprise. You know, whatever. You know, modern television, we did those credit sequence things, the Greatest Event. So we had to go and watch, like, Simon and Simon episodes to find these certain scenes, to get context on some of them. And, like, Bill Burr, like, my memories of Simon and Simon are one thing. Like, it meant so much to me as a kid, but then kind of diving in and really watching it's just a whole different thing. Like, I would challenge Bill Burr to binge chips right now. Like, really see if he can hang in there.

[Conan O'Brien]

Well, I'm sure I'll be getting a call from him very soon. I just saw him the other day. We had a lovely meal, and now he's gonna feel like I betrayed him. But I think we are in TV's golden age. I keep saying that. Clearly, the whole business changed, but what you're describing. And now we sound like, you know, the two old men on the Muppet show in the balcony. But you watched what was on.

[Adam Scott]

Right.

[Conan O'Brien]

And you had an awareness. Sometimes this doesn't seem that good. Right. But it was all there was. There's three networks, and also there's what can. What comes in. Meaning what will. What will my reception capture?

[Adam Scott]

Yes.

[Conan O'Brien]

Because sometimes there's a good show and you'd go to turn it on, and, well, there was the antenna. I keep moving the antenna around.

[Adam Scott]

That's right.

[Conan O'Brien]

And so just this. I don't know. We're moving.

[Adam Scott]

It was inconsistent. Some nights, CBS would come in great, and some nights it was just garbage.

[Conan O'Brien]

Right. And so now there's the other problem of I have 7,000 options. And yes, there are some very obvious choices I can make when I know there's a really good documentary out or hey, Severance is back. I know what I'm doing. It's appointment television. But then there's so much where people have told me, you've gotta watch Gub Gub Nation. And I'm like, what is it?

[Adam Scott]

I love Gub Gub.

[Matt Gourley]

You're surrounded by people that love Gub Gub Nation.

[Conan O'Brien]

And I'll be like, we're Gub Gubbers.

[Adam Scott]

Yeah, we're just from Gubheads. What's up everybody? Oh fuck.

[Matt Gourley]

Oh my God.

[Conan O'Brien]

And I'll say, what is it? And you'll be like, oh, it takes place at an advertising agency. It's British, but you're gonna really. And then I'll watch like two episodes.

[Adam Scott]

And oh, you gotta hang in for seven.

[Conan O'Brien]

Seven. Get to seven.

[Matt Gourley]

No, you have to, have to get to seven.

[Conan O'Brien]

Because that's when the Gub gubbers show up.

[Adam Scott]

And those Gub gubbers walk in. Lights out. Yeah. And we could like, because now kids, it's all dependent on they can watch whatever they want. So it just depends on their taste.

[Conan O'Brien]

Yes.

[Adam Scott]

What they're going to watch. Back then, like you said, we just watched whatever was on. And that's how we came up with our taste, was by watching everything. So it's just a completely. I have no idea what I'm talking about. Nevermind, never mind, never mind.

[Conan O'Brien]

I remember my writing partner when I came out to LA for the first time, Greg Daniels, of course, the great Greg Daniels. He and I came out here and were both 22 years old and there wasn't that much television. There was just, as I said, a couple of networks and a couple of big sitcoms and some dramas and so you'd seen everything. There was no such thing as a show that you had never heard of because there aren't that many shows.

[Adam Scott]

Yeah.

[Conan O'Brien]

So I remember once Greg and I are working late and I think we were over at Sunset Gower Studios, which isn't too far from where we are now. And we're these like wide eyed 22 year old guys right out of college and we're working on this show called Not Necessarily the News. But then we're also wandering around cause we're like, wow, this is where they make television. And we wandered onto. Oh my God, this is the set where they make Benson.

[Adam Scott]

Whoa.

[Conan O'Brien]

And Benson with Robert Guillaume.

[Adam Scott]

They were still making it.

[Conan O'Brien]

I think they were still making it. And this would be 1985 yeah, yeah. I'm seeing an actual. This is the governor's mansion where Benson lives. What? This is it. And it's. All the lights are kind of down. There's a couple of lights on, but there's, like, cloth over things.

[Adam Scott]

They put the things, the sheets over the furniture.

[Conan O'Brien]

And we're wandering in and Greg and I. I mean, it's so funny now. Greg has made so much iconic tv, but I remembered very clearly him being like.

[Adam Scott]

Like, wow.

[Conan O'Brien]

And I'm like, yeah. And then we walk in and we get up close and we look and we're looking at the actual, like, vase and table. And it's supposed to be a rich, like, governor's mansion. And it looks like shit. Yeah, it's like. Because fake. It's all fake. And it's all slapped on kind of fake gold paint. And that's a. The vase looks like it cost $2. And I remember having this revelation of. Of. It's all a lie, man.

[Adam Scott]

Totally.

[Conan O'Brien]

Benson's Mansion sucks.

[Adam Scott]

Yeah.

[Conan O'Brien]

What is this? You know, and then having that realization over and over and over again whenever I was on a set and sitting down and like, this is the chair where the girls on Facts of Life sit. Wow. Crap.

[Adam Scott]

How much time did you get to spend on the Facts of Life set?

[Matt Gourley]

I know, I know.

[Conan O'Brien]

I used to go over there a lot, hang out in the chair. That sounds so creepy. Do you know where the chair is from Facts of Life where the ladies sit.

[Sona Movsesian]

All of them at the same time.

[Conan O'Brien]

There's that one scene. No, I don't.

[Adam Scott]

I don't just. Mrs. Garrett, sit in. Point me in the general direction.

[Conan O'Brien]

No, but I mean, it's just so such a revelation when you got to see. And it would be. I mean, it's never really changed, you know, when you're on a set.

[Adam Scott]

Oh, yeah.

[Conan O'Brien]

The first time that I saw Letterman's show, which so weirdly. But I was in college and I went to New York and saw a live taping of Late Night with David Letterman.

[Adam Scott]

That's wild.

[Conan O'Brien]

Having no idea that I would take over that show. That's wild. And in that studio and that some of those crew members would be my crew members. And I'm so. I remembered sitting. Being led in by NBC pages and sitting down and thinking, what's going on? This is really small. Because on television, the perspective is widened and things look big and realizing, wait a minute, what the fuck? Like, where Dave is standing doing his monologue, he can reach over and touch, you know, Paul Schaeffer. He could touch him. Whereas on tv, the way they shoot it, it doesn't look that way at all. It's huge. Studio 6A is notoriously. It's a small. It was built for radio. It wasn't built for television. And that's the magic of it, is that it's small. So comedy rockets around the room and bounces off the wal.

[Adam Scott]

Felt like there was something. It felt exclusive and small. It felt like a. Like the audience. They didn't sweeten the audience either, which I don't know if late night shows do that at all, but they.

[Conan O'Brien]

I wish we did. We never thought of that.

[Adam Scott]

By the way. I have a story relating to that. Wishing your audience was sweetened with a terrible, terrible bit. I brought on your show. But as far as the Letterman show goes, there was something just as a fan that felt really. It felt like a clubhouse or something. Like it was an. So did they find you in the audience? Did they go back ever and find you on that episode?

[Conan O'Brien]

I've seen pretty far back. And I would have to. I know one of.

[Adam Scott]

Cause that's incredible.

[Conan O'Brien]

I gotta find that episode, actually.

[Matt Gourley]

What was the guest? Do you remember?

[Conan O'Brien]

It's a blur. I have a memory of one bit and I'm gonna really have to think about it. But a door slides open and. And a boxer comes out of the wall. But I bet I could figure out what the episode is. I don't think there's a shot of me in the audience of sitting pretty far back with my friend Maya Williams. And afterwards, Maya knew one of the writers on the show, Steve O'Donnell.

[Adam Scott]

Oh, yeah, Steve O'Donnell.

[Conan O'Brien]

And Steve brought us up to the offices.

[Adam Scott]

Whoa.

[Conan O'Brien]

And we're sitting in Steve ODonnell's tiny office. And I'm sitting there with Maya talking to Steve and Merrill Marko walks by and a guy in a leather jacket walks by with her carrying a box. And it's Dave Letterman. He kind of just nods at us and keeps moving. And I. It was. Well, there's no. If I was a kid, I'd say it was like the President of the United States walk by. But that no longer works.

[Adam Scott]

Right?

[Conan O'Brien]

That was the president now. I'm sorry, I don't care who's president now in this world. It would be like as a president.

[Adam Scott]

It's been so demystified.

[Conan O'Brien]

Who cares? But I'll never forget. I remember the jacket he was wearing and remembered thinking, wow, he gets to have this show. And then the idea that. What is that? That's probably 1983. The idea that 10 years later, I'm hosting that show to this day makes no sense to me and I think was a mistake. I really do in my heart think.

[Adam Scott]

It was a fucking blunder.

[Conan O'Brien]

No, I mean, I'm taking it all in. Whatever I'm saying, it's a beautiful thing, but did you ever talk about that? It's funny. I don't know that I have. I don't know that I have because I don't know. I mean, not that Dave and I talk that much, only because we don't cross paths much when we do. I treasure those moments. But from his perspective, it's a story of. I saw you once and you were wearing a leather jacket in a hallway and I had acne. Right.

[Matt Gourley]

And I asked you, do you have anything that can clear this up?

[Conan O'Brien]

I don't have anything. And will your crew hate me as much as I think they will?

[Adam Scott]

Andrew, do you want to spend your moments with Dave recalling that particular.

[Conan O'Brien]

I think I will next time.

[Adam Scott]

Yeah, you should. I bet he would get a kick out of it.

[Conan O'Brien]

He might. I don't know. Or he might have me taken away by his retinue of goons.

[Matt Gourley]

What was the story when you were on the.

[Conan O'Brien]

Oh, yeah. You didn't tell us. You were. You did a bit. What happened?

[Adam Scott]

Okay, so it was. This is. Ended up being.

[Conan O'Brien]

I know.

[Adam Scott]

You know what?

[Conan O'Brien]

Go ahead, Go ahead.

[Adam Scott]

It ended up being one of the most deeply embarrassing moments I've had. And it's also confounding to me from beginning to end why I did this. I just had this confidence in this bit and didn't really slow down to think about it before I. Okay. I was promoting Big Little Lies. Right. The second season of Big Little Lies. And so the bit that I came up with, it's also interesting because it's so bad from so many different angles and there's nothing about it that works. Nothing.

[Conan O'Brien]

You know what? I love you. So don't want to tell us what it is. I know that you keep qualifying.

[Adam Scott]

I know.

[Conan O'Brien]

Another thing you should know because is that the Roman Empire did not have movable type.

[Adam Scott]

When I tell you the basic premise, you're gonna be like, why would you do that? Okay, so Big Little eyes. The way I saw it going is like us talking and you being like, wow, big little. The cast is amazing. It's like. Yeah, no, it's. Yeah, it's all like legendary actresses. It's like the Traveling Wilburies of legendary actresses. You know, like. So what I had done is I thought that that saying the Traveling Wilburys of actresses and equating Big Little Lies with the Traveling Wilburys would be this, like, comedy explosion. It is funny that that would.

[Conan O'Brien]

Well, but then. And then you start to go through, like, for example.

[Adam Scott]

Yeah.

[Conan O'Brien]

I. Reese feels like. Go ahead.

[Adam Scott]

I had mocked up the album cover.

[Conan O'Brien]

Oh, wow.

[Adam Scott]

With instead of the Traveling Wilburys, the actresses faces on their bodies. And also had gone through for each Traveling Wilbury and switched them out for, like, Reese's. Bob Dylan, Shailene, you know, Nicole Kidman is George Harrison. Whatever. I don't remember what it was.

[Conan O'Brien]

And you had reasons why?

[Adam Scott]

I had reasons why. But first of all, nobody under 50 knows who the fuck the Traveling Wilburies are.

[Conan O'Brien]

This was immediately apparent when I said the first line.

[Adam Scott]

It's like the Traveling Wilburies of. It was silent, silent, silence.

[Conan O'Brien]

You could hear the air condenser.

[Adam Scott]

Literally.

[Conan O'Brien]

Yeah.

[Adam Scott]

But also, I came to learn that those over 50 who do remember the Traveling Wilburys don't give a fuck about.

[Matt Gourley]

I may be your 1 demographic for this.

[Adam Scott]

Why weren't you there?

[Matt Gourley]

I was at a Traveling Wilbur's concert.

[Adam Scott]

So I say it. Silence. Show the record cover. Silence.

[Conan O'Brien]

Right.

[Adam Scott]

And then I start going through each member of the band.

[Conan O'Brien]

Yep, you sure did.

[Adam Scott]

The crazy thing is, is I was so sure that this was gonna create a tidal wave of comedy that you and I would just be able to surf through each member of the band that I never came up with actual jokes for each one.

[Conan O'Brien]

Right.

[Adam Scott]

I just had these little, like. Oh, she was in Days of Thunder, so she's Bob Dylan thinking it would just be so, like, crackly. And you and Andy would be like.

[Conan O'Brien]

It would take on this life of its own. Yes. And it's like nuclear fission or fusion. It's just gonna.

[Adam Scott]

Yes.

[Conan O'Brien]

Molecules are gonna be bouncing off each other and the rest will take care of itself.

[Adam Scott]

That's right.

[Conan O'Brien]

Yeah.

[Adam Scott]

And we'll be fine.

[Conan O'Brien]

Yeah.

[Matt Gourley]

But like you in the Letterman Theater. Here we are ten years later, and look at the gold it's giving us.

[Conan O'Brien]

No, no. And this is the perfect place to discuss this because it's Anatomy of a You are not alone. I've. I. I've had many prominent people come up to me over the years and say, I just want to say I'm sorry. And I'll say, what? And they'll say, well, in 1998, I came on and I tried this thing and I bombed so hard. And I don't remember.

[Adam Scott]

Right.

[Conan O'Brien]

Yours. I remember I woke up this. I wake up every morning thinking about it, and my wife is like, what happened? Is it the Wilbury Is it the M. Scott Wilbur's bit? And I'm like, it is, it is. And she's like, you're not there anymore. It's over. It's over. You're safe. You're with me. And we get a cold cloth and we.

[Adam Scott]

It was so long.

[Conan O'Brien]

And so. But what I remember about that moment is you. A lot of other people would have bailed, and you clearly were like, no, I made my bed, and I'm seeing this through to the end. And I think at the end, you say something like, and that is why people can look it up now, which is the beauty. But.

[Adam Scott]

But no, no, because after the show, I remember talking to Andy backstage and being like, how could I have thought that was something that was nothing? And we begged you guys not to air it. And I think the reaction was like, oh, please, can we. Oh, no, of course we're not going to air that. So I don't think it aired.

[Conan O'Brien]

It exists somewhere and I've got to find it.

[Sona Movsesian]

Did you help him out at all, or were you just standing sitting there, just watching what happened?

[Conan O'Brien]

I think I tried. I do have the reputation of trying to help.

[Sona Movsesian]

I know, that's why I'm asking.

[Conan O'Brien]

But at a certain point, I saw nine sharks chomping away at Adam Scott and blood just. And gore filling the water, and I decided to get back on the boat.

[Matt Gourley]

That sounds like you.

[Conan O'Brien]

Yeah, I. I removed my foot from the water and got into the boat. And then. Because I saw, like, he's lost too much. It's. It's. It's over.

[Adam Scott]

You know, I had no legs. Like, what are you going to do? I can't swim with you to the boat.

[Conan O'Brien]

At the end of the episode, we did cut it out. But at the end of the episode, you went from telling a good story to just being ahead.

[Adam Scott]

That's right. Just floating. Like, where are you going?

[Conan O'Brien]

A head sitting on a chair.

[Adam Scott]

I still haven't done Roy Orbison.

[Conan O'Brien]

We never did get to Roy Orbison. Yeah, well, you know why it's funny now? Because it's funny now because you're just. You could not. Things could not be going better for you. And you're in this show where you get to, in every way, show the power you have and the range you have. And, yes, they could have found someone else to do it. And I think I could have done it.

[Adam Scott]

That much is clear.

[Conan O'Brien]

I think that's. If you take one thing from this episode, is I know how to have my face change a little bit in an elevator. I'VE done it before, and they wouldn't need special effects. I can just do it. And that saves $600.

[Adam Scott]

Well, we don't use special effects, but fine. Yes. No, you could do it.

[Conan O'Brien]

Oh, I know. You guys do something. No, I just. I couldn't be happier for you because you're just a great guy and you deserve all this.

[Adam Scott]

Well, it means so much, so thank you very much. You have incredible taste, obviously, and.

[Conan O'Brien]

Well, no, clearly. Look around you.

[Adam Scott]

Yeah. Look at these people. Gorgeous and hilarious.

[Conan O'Brien]

I know you're a busy guy, and thank you so much for being here.

[Adam Scott]

Thank you.

[Conan O'Brien]

I love. Let's. Let's break bread someday soon, and we'll get. You know what I want? I want to get Bill Burr involved, and then you and I both go at him about chips.

[Adam Scott]

Yes.

[Conan O'Brien]

Okay.

[Adam Scott]

I. I'm. I. I promise you he hasn't seen it since 1987. There's no way he's just saying he loves chips.

[Conan O'Brien]

All right, take care.

[Adam Scott]

All right, thanks, everybody.

[Matt Gourley]

You guys remember back in the early days of this podcast, we did a few drawing contests?

[Conan O'Brien]

I do.

[Sona Movsesian]

No one's right. One.

[Matt Gourley]

What?

[Sona Movsesian]

I won.

[Matt Gourley]

Did you win both? We did at least two.

[Sona Movsesian]

No, I really lost both of them.

[Matt Gourley]

Did you?

[Sona Movsesian]

Yeah, I'm pretty sure I did.

[Matt Gourley]

Okay, well, I went back and I found you guys might remember this from your childhoods. I think especially you will. Do you remember these advertisements?

[Conan O'Brien]

Yes.

[Matt Gourley]

Drawing contests.

[Conan O'Brien]

Yes.

[Matt Gourley]

Yes.

[Conan O'Brien]

They were on the back of. I think they were on the back. Back of matchbooks.

[Matt Gourley]

Yeah. And comic books. And they were also, I think, TV commercials. And basically, you would draw one of these, send it in, and they would assess if you had any talent, and then you could take their trade school. It was all a scam, basically.

[Conan O'Brien]

Was it a scam?

[Matt Gourley]

I think it was. I think it was like the Barbizon modeling schools, you know, like, they'll take anybody just to get the money out of them.

[Conan O'Brien]

There used to be these ads, speaking of scams, on the back of comic books that would say things akin to, if you clip this out and you include $1.50, will send you a hovercraft to your home.

[Matt Gourley]

Definitely.

[Conan O'Brien]

Or there was one that was a submarine, a working submarine. So send us $1.50. And I always was curious, do you get something in the mail?

[Matt Gourley]

That's a good question.

[Conan O'Brien]

And what is it? And how could it be anything close to a submarine? I mean, I would love someone out there to find out. What did you actually get in the late 60s and early 70s, if you cut out the Coupon that said you get a submarine.

[Matt Gourley]

Wasn't it a kit, though? I thought it was, like, they send you a fan with a motor and then you have to an inner tube around it or something.

[Conan O'Brien]

Maybe, but still, I remember the price being absurdly low. Yeah. And the drawing was very deceptive. It showed, like, basically a German U boat prowling the North Atlantic. So I would love to know, what did you get? I'm sure it would be very disappointing, but the fact that you got anything that might approximate the foundation of a submarine for $1.50.

[Matt Gourley]

Our guys are on it. Let's do this drawing contest, and maybe by the end we'll have an answer.

[Conan O'Brien]

All right, what's the plan here?

[Matt Gourley]

Okay, so you get to choose one, and I'm gonna give you guys five minutes in real time. It'll be edited down by the time we listen.

[Sona Movsesian]

Do we each choose a different character?

[Matt Gourley]

I guess you should choose separately.

[Conan O'Brien]

There's Tippi, who looks to be a tortoise in a turtleneck. Well, that makes sense. Turtleneck sweater.

[Sona Movsesian]

Oh, that's cute.

[Matt Gourley]

It's just a neck sweater to him.

[Conan O'Brien]

Exactly. He just calls it, this is my sweater. Yeah, this is my me sweater. My me neck. As opposed to a V neck. And then there's a pirate. Clearly no idea why pirates always have an eye patch. That'll get worked out later on.

[Matt Gourley]

I could tell you.

[Conan O'Brien]

Oh, yeah? What's that?

[Matt Gourley]

They always say it's because, oh, they lost an eye, but it's because they'd be below deck, and they have to. When they're above deck in the sun and they have to go below deck, they don't need time to adjust their sight, so they open their eyepatch and they can see.

[Conan O'Brien]

Very good. Very nice. Oh, that's good to know. And then there's Tiny, who is either. Now, this is a little confusing. Could be a little kitten.

[Matt Gourley]

I think it's a mouse.

[Conan O'Brien]

It's a mouse. You're right. It's a mouse because of the ears.

[Matt Gourley]

And he's wearing a party hat.

[Conan O'Brien]

Yeah.

[Sona Movsesian]

They have both eyes.

[Conan O'Brien]

What? What?

[Sona Movsesian]

The pirates have both eyes and they're both functioning.

[Conan O'Brien]

Yeah.

[Sona Movsesian]

That is crazy.

[Conan O'Brien]

Yeah. They wear the eye patch so that they can. This is.

[Sona Movsesian]

Why are you saying this like you knew it this whole time?

[Matt Gourley]

And also, I don't even know if that's true.

[Conan O'Brien]

I'm telling you, I heard it from a guy. I heard it from a guy not too long ago.

[Matt Gourley]

Okay. All right, somebody pick a number between 1 and 10. Conan.

[Conan O'Brien]

Oh, my God. Why does everything have to be complicated. 5. 5.

[Matt Gourley]

Sona.

[Sona Movsesian]

6.

[Matt Gourley]

The number was four. So, Conan, you get to pick first.

[Conan O'Brien]

Okay, well, I guess there's no getting around it. I'm gonna be the pirate.

[Matt Gourley]

Okay, Sona, what would you like?

[Sona Movsesian]

I'll do Tippy the Turtle.

[Matt Gourley]

Okay.

[Conan O'Brien]

All right.

[Sona Movsesian]

Mine's gonna be awful.

[Conan O'Brien]

Let's get to it.

[Matt Gourley]

Ready?

[Sona Movsesian]

All right, let's do it.

[Matt Gourley]

One, two, three, go. Five minutes. We'll make it three minutes. You have three minutes.

[Conan O'Brien]

Okay.

[Matt Gourley]

Oh, my God. So that's an abomination.

[Sona Movsesian]

Shut your stupid mouth.

[Conan O'Brien]

I can tell you're concentrating because your lips are moving.

[Matt Gourley]

One minute has lapsed. You have two minutes left and you're actually done. So I don't know if I got the time right on this.

[Sona Movsesian]

So bad.

[Conan O'Brien]

You're not giving us a lot of time for this.

[Matt Gourley]

Oh, that's the pressure.

[Conan O'Brien]

How much time do I have left?

[Matt Gourley]

You got plenty of time.

[Conan O'Brien]

Good, because I need more time.

[Matt Gourley]

We're gonna. We're gonna knock a minute off. You've got 30 seconds.

[Conan O'Brien]

No, no, don't do that. Don't do that. Don't do that.

[Sona Movsesian]

I'm almost done.

[Conan O'Brien]

That's not. I want it to be somewhat.

[Matt Gourley]

Oh, yeah. This has got to be above board.

[Conan O'Brien]

No, I want it to be somewhat decent. I take some pride in my drawing.

[Sona Movsesian]

I don't. I'm okay with it being done now.

[Matt Gourley]

But keep in mind, it's not just technical ability. It's. It's that certain extra life. The genesis quoi.

[Conan O'Brien]

It's the je ne sais.

[Matt Gourley]

You could take it on, just having more life, you know? Jackson Pollock, he did his paintings. It was about the experience, not the result.

[Conan O'Brien]

Died in a drunk driving crash.

[Sona Movsesian]

Look at. Tippy's head is real flat.

[Conan O'Brien]

Matt, why are you drawing?

[Matt Gourley]

I just didn't. I assumed it was down to them. All right, I'll get in there.

[Conan O'Brien]

No, no, no.

[Sona Movsesian]

Well, it's too late.

[Conan O'Brien]

Yeah, we're not waiting for that.

[Sona Movsesian]

These aren't the pens I like using.

[Matt Gourley]

Yeah, Ben's fault.

[Conan O'Brien]

Huh?

[Sona Movsesian]

I'll sign mine.

[Conan O'Brien]

She's done. Why is everything a she?

[Sona Movsesian]

Just give me the money.

[Conan O'Brien]

Giving you a jacket. You don't deserve any more than that. I can't believe that jacket went up. I can't believe the fire didn't recoil.

[Sona Movsesian]

When it's on, the fire would record.

[Conan O'Brien]

Nah. Let's get out of here, guys. That thing's ugly.

[Matt Gourley]

Three, two.

[Conan O'Brien]

Hold it. One.

[Sona Movsesian]

Oh.

[Conan O'Brien]

All right, what do we do? We show our.

[Matt Gourley]

Yeah, put them in the center here. And then Adam, Eduardo, Blay, get to judicate.

[Sona Movsesian]

I think you guys should give some points for speed, because I did it. I did mine really fast.

[Matt Gourley]

Well, I'll just say I did mine in like a quarter of the time of anybody else. If we're doing speed, you go and.

[Sona Movsesian]

You illustrate with your mom. Mine's also the biggest.

[Eduardo Perez]

Now, is this American Idol style where we each go through and say what we thought of each one, or do you think.

[Matt Gourley]

Yeah, but make it brief, because we don't have a lot of time.

[Conan O'Brien]

Make it brief. Okay, great.

[Matt Gourley]

Yeah.

[Eduardo Perez]

Adam, you want to start?

[Matt Gourley]

Yeah.

[F]

I think the pirate is fantastic, actually. It's really accurate. Nose is maybe a bit off, but otherwise it's really pretty good.

[Conan O'Brien]

I like to improve people as I go.

[Matt Gourley]

Pirate looks like Randy Macho Man Savage.

[Sona Movsesian]

Yeah, it does.

[Conan O'Brien]

That's who I was drawing.

[Matt Gourley]

A little small for my liking ratio to the page here, but otherwise very well. I like that you're a firm judge.

[Adam Scott]

Yeah.

[Eduardo Perez]

I think this is fantastic. I think the earring is a little too prominent here, but otherwise great. It evokes the same emotion I feel when I look at the original drawing of the pirate. Isn't that what art's all about?

[Conan O'Brien]

Yeah.

[F]

The turtle Sona, that's you. I actually. I love the scale. Things went awry with the eye area, but I actually like that.

[Matt Gourley]

I think you. It was.

[F]

It's more interpretive, which I like. You're not just trying to do, you know, a perfect facsimile. It's a nice interpretation, and I like it.

[Conan O'Brien]

I think it's. Yeah, I think my true. I'm like a forger. I'm trying to pass this off, you know, as a forgery.

[Matt Gourley]

I really like this one here. I feel like I want to color it in.

[Sona Movsesian]

Okay.

[Matt Gourley]

So I really appreciate. Yeah, it's. I would be proud to put this on a refrigerator, you know, so. Yeah, it's going your way.

[Sona Movsesian]

I know.

[Conan O'Brien]

I agree.

[Eduardo Perez]

Simple, clean lines, excellent execution. I think it's fantastic. Also, I don't know, was the pirate signed? Was there a signature on that one?

[Conan O'Brien]

No, not a signature.

[Eduardo Perez]

Although signature here. So the artist clearly stands behind their work.

[Sona Movsesian]

So it's pride.

[Eduardo Perez]

Yeah, the artist stands behind their work.

[Conan O'Brien]

Well, also, I was copying something else. I didn't want to get the reputation of someone who steel, so I didn't want to do it. The original artist, whoever they are, it's really their work, and I give it up for them.

[Sona Movsesian]

This is Mippy, my turtle. He's different than Tippy.

[Matt Gourley]

I think you've got tipsy the turtle all right.

[F]

And then the mouse, I would say, Matt, you get credit because you were handicapped with time. You rushed it. And considering the rush, it's really, really nice. It looks a little stretched, I would say, like, it's kind of like horizontally stretched.

[Conan O'Brien]

Yeah, it looks like it was put on a projector at a different angle.

[Matt Gourley]

Yeah, it's true. It's just this tiny. Has a really large brain, right? Yeah.

[F]

But really, really good, especially considering how quickly you did it.

[Conan O'Brien]

I mean, I don't know. They're all very different. I don't know how you choose a winner. Who's the winner?

[Matt Gourley]

He's already angling for defeat, you know.

[Conan O'Brien]

No, no, no. Not, not. I mean, I know who the winner should be.

[Matt Gourley]

I'm just impressed with how quickly you did this. Thank you. This was like 60 seconds worth of drive. Yeah, I like it.

[Conan O'Brien]

It's like, it Crazy. Can you believe he rendered a mouth with a hat in 60 seconds? Honestly, never in the annals of man.

[Eduardo Perez]

Less time.

[Conan O'Brien]

Wait a minute.

[Eduardo Perez]

Effortless lines.

[Matt Gourley]

Looks.

[Eduardo Perez]

Has a point of spin on it.

[Conan O'Brien]

So he gets points for forgetting to do the assignments.

[Matt Gourley]

Well, I didn't think I was going to do it. I was just giving the.

[Conan O'Brien]

You don't think that should factor in? If I enter a marathon late. Late. You know what I mean? And managed to get a mile in, I don't think you guys would be. Whoa. But he showed up late in a cab.

[Adam Scott]

He finished.

[Eduardo Perez]

But now I will say it does look a little squashed. But. But, yeah, a lot. A lot of personality. A lot of personality.

[Conan O'Brien]

Well, who. Who's that? So now we have to leave it up.

[F]

Can we just leave it up to the fans to vote?

[Conan O'Brien]

I guess the fans want to do it.

[F]

Like, put it on social media.

[Matt Gourley]

Okay. Why don't we put it on Instagram?

[Conan O'Brien]

Social media.

[Matt Gourley]

Go to Team Coco podcast on Instagram. And are we still on the vast hellscape of Twitter X?

[F]

Let's just send people to Instagram.

[Conan O'Brien]

Let's do that. Yeah, that's good.

[Matt Gourley]

All right, we'll see what happens.

[Conan O'Brien]

This is pretty exciting.

[Matt Gourley]

It wouldn't be a drawing contest without abject hatred for the game.

[Conan O'Brien]

Oh, I did find the submarine just for. Oh, good, good, good. Let's see it. I want to see this. Look at that.

[Matt Gourley]

That's $6.98.

[Conan O'Brien]

$6.98. And then. And it says, fires rockets and torpedoes over 7ft long. Big enough for two kids now. That's what they're showing now. When I was a kid, I lost my shit over this thing. I was like, wait a minute, this is incredible. And I want to know what was the company. Did anyone in America purchase this thing? And what did you in fact get?

[Matt Gourley]

Because down on the side, they're showing people inside the cockpit of this thing.

[Conan O'Brien]

And it says over 7ft long seats two kids. Controls that work?

[Matt Gourley]

Oh, wait, I think I remember what.

[Conan O'Brien]

That's fire. Real periscopes.

[Matt Gourley]

Same with the hovercraft. It's a manual on how to build it, if I'm not mistaken. And there's somewhere in the folder.

[Conan O'Brien]

You know what? We need to find out? We need to find out because this is. This haunted my childhood. This is up there with the Uncle Sam Halloween mask. I must find out. Someone, please, out there. The Polaris nuclear sub for $6.98 plus $0.75 shipping charges. Yeah.

[Matt Gourley]

Yeah. We gotta find out more about this.

[Conan O'Brien]

Okay.

[Matt Gourley]

To be continued.

[Conan O'Brien]

All right.

[Matt Gourley]

Conan O'Brien needs a friend with Conan O'Brien Sonam of Session 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 Melnick. Talent booking by Paula Davis, Gina Bautista and Brit Kahn. You can rate and review this show on Apple Podcasts and you might find your review read on a future episode. Got a question for Conan? Call the Team Coco hotline at at 669-587-2847 and leave a message. It too could be featured on a future episode. You can also get three free months of SiriusXM when you sign [e-mail] Conan and if you haven't already, please subscribe to Conan O'Brien needs a friend. Wherever fine podcasts are downloaded.