Podcast Summary: Conan O’Brien Needs A Friend

Episode: Andy Richter Returns

Date: September 24, 2025
Guests: Andy Richter, Conan O’Brien, Matt Gourley
Theme: Andy Richter discusses his surreal and hilarious journey as a contestant on “Dancing with the Stars,” with plenty of classic Conan-Andy banter about friendship, showbiz, aging, and the pains and rewards of stepping way outside one’s comfort zone.

Episode Overview

This episode features Conan’s longtime friend and collaborator Andy Richter, who returns to the podcast after being cast in "Dancing with the Stars" (DWTS). The episode is a comedic deep-dive into Andy’s anxieties over dancing on live television, the realities of practicing with a professional ballroom dancer while managing aging knees and a soon-to-be-replaced hip, and the nature—and mechanics—of modern celebrity reality TV. The old friends riff on the absurdities of showbiz, physical decline, and their own friendship, keeping the conversation both heartfelt and uproariously funny.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Reunion & Andy’s Scorn (01:19 - 02:14)

• Andy’s Opening Jab:
  "I feel resentful that it took me to be on Dancing with the Stars for Conan O'Brien to remember that I'm his friend." — Andy Richter [01:19]
• Conan playfully accuses Andy of briefly forgetting his last name, lampooning the Irishness they share.

2. Conan & Andy’s Long Friendship (03:12 - 04:48)

• Conan reminisces about their decade-spanning friendship, describing them as “confederates” and cracking jokes about years of imagined “heists.”
• Notable Quote: "We've known each other a long time. You're doing this, you're doing this show. And we can talk about other things as well. But I brought you in here. Cause I thought I said, get me Andy Richter." — Conan O'Brien [03:12]

3. Dancing Phobias & Accepting the Challenge (04:49 - 06:57)

• Andy reveals a lifelong discomfort with dance.
• Relates past traumatic dance experiences—including dodging wedding dances and getting angry with choreography while filming sitcoms.
• Why Did Andy Agree?
  Andy describes initially wanting to decline DWTS, but quickly realizing, “I have to do this… because crabby baby does not want to be pushed out of his comfort zone” [05:52].
• Andy discloses he’s doing DWTS despite knee problems and a diagnosis requiring hip replacement:
  “I need a new left hip… this is like a big bon voyage to my old arthritic hip.” — Andy Richter [06:33]

4. The Reality of Live TV & Training with Emma Slater (06:57 - 11:47)

• Conan and Andy joke about leveraging Andy’s medical condition for votes, imagining a grand entrance featuring his orthopedic surgeon presenting x-rays for pity points [07:08-08:10].
• Andy discusses DWTS rehearsal:
  “You rehearse four hours a day, seven days a week.” — Andy Richter [10:48]
• Reports finding support and fun with his pro partner, Emma Slater, who is universally beloved by staff:
  “She is just so much fun… you’ve got the best one.” [10:34]
• Conan lauds Andy’s comedic DWTS TikToks, suggesting making videos alone would be worth it.

5. The Mental Battle & Getting the Moves Down (11:47 - 15:27)

• Andy describes the struggle of learning dance steps and the incremental progress via repetition:
  “…slowly, as you with repetition and commitment and dedication to not just throwing a fit and running out, it’s like the wiring starts to be built up.” [12:18]
• Humorous look at the pressure to stand out on live TV: Andy’s daughter advises, “Dad, don't smile too much” [20:51], wary of overdoing the ‘TV grin’.

6. Inside the World of DWTS (21:07 - 24:24)

• The show is truly live (“No, it’s live. It is really, truly live.” — Andy Richter [21:31]), with specific instructions for dealing with on-air injuries.
• Andy highlights the camaraderie among contestants, likening their “show and tell” practices to joining a cult, cheered by “all being scared kids in front of each other.” [22:10]
• Finds reassurance in doing it right during rehearsal, lessening stage anxiety.

7. Sabotage and Sabotage Fantasies (24:24 - 26:57)

• Conan explores devious ways to sabotage the competition; the group jokes about dosing rivals with “lead in lunches” (causing mental fog) or “the poops,” using bodily functions for comedic effect.
• "I would give them the poops… they're all wearing really tight costumes." — Matt Gourley [24:50]

8. Physicality, Performance, and Ballroom Culture (26:26 - 27:28)

• Andy comments on the openness and lack of body shame among dancers.
  “There's something almost kind of like animal… beautiful, incredible animals that are doing animally things.” [26:32]

9. The Voting Hustle & What’s Next (27:28 - 34:38)

• Andy outlines DWTS voting logistics: it’s live-only and time-limited, which tricks many viewers. Voting windows disadvantage some time zones.

• Notable Quote:
  “They're asking you to vote for your favorite dancer. Not the best dancer, the favorite dancer.” — Andy Richter [28:56]

• Andy shares hopes for staying on the show, largely relying on Emma’s online campaign.

• Next hurdle: performing a tango to “It’s Raining Men.”

• Andy gives practical voting instructions and jokes, “You’d be an idiot not to” vote for them. [32:23]

10. Aches, Replacement Hips, and Medical Pragmatism (33:07 - 34:38)

• Conan worries about Andy’s hip “exploding.”
• Andy is matter-of-fact about needing surgery, saying, “I’m saving that for January. That’ll be my big New Year’s present to myself as a new hip… everybody says that it’s a wonderful thing to get done.” [33:47]
• Both share a readiness to address health issues head-on.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Conan on friendship:
  “I’m your friend, maybe your oldest friend, maybe your only true friend, and I want to help you in your cause.” [31:52]

• Andy, on why he’s there:
  “For me, this is a TV job. I take all different kinds of TV jobs. I’m here to serve a purpose, adding fun and value to this production.” [19:22]

• On sabotage:
  “I would give them the poops… because they’re all wearing really tight…the costume." — Matt Gourley [24:52]
  Conan: “Lead is kind of funnier because they just can’t—their brain isn’t working.” [25:12]

• Andy’s attitude:
  “Don’t smile too much… you know, like. And I know what she means.” [20:55]

• On learning dance:
  “I did slowly learn it and I did slowly kind of get a handle on it and you would be able to do it, but, you know, but it is like, I wouldn't be doing this for fun. I'm doing this because I got hired to do it.” — Andy Richter [19:22]

Key Timestamps - Segment Highlights

• Reunion and Banter (01:19 - 04:48)
• Andy on Dancing Fears & Acceptance (04:49 - 06:57)
• Hip Replacement & Health (06:18, 33:07, 33:47)
• DWTS Rehearsal & Emma Slater Tribute (10:34 - 11:05)
• Making Comedy TikToks (11:05 - 11:47)
• Live TV, DWTS Rehearsals, and Camaraderie (21:07 - 24:24)
• Sabotaging Rivals (24:24 - 26:57)
• Voting and Fan Mobilization (27:28 - 30:33, 32:23 - 33:06)

Summary

The episode is a candid, riotously funny, and sneakily moving reflection on late-life spontaneity, the indignities and joys of aging, and real showbiz friendship. Conan and Andy’s rapport is on full display, leavening insight with biting wit. Andy’s journey on DWTS is framed less as a quest for victory than as an adventure in pushing boundaries, embracing discomfort, and finding comedy in the midst of the absurd. For DWTS and podcast fans alike, it’s a celebration of taking risks, leaning on friends, and finding humor in awkwardness—laced with classic Conan-Andy zaniness at every turn.