Conan O’Brien Needs A Friend – "Cover Your Hole"
Date: April 30, 2026
Host: Conan O’Brien, with Sona Movsesian and David Hopping
Guest: Philip, Relic Hunter & Preacher from Williamsburg, VA
Episode Overview
In this engaging and lighthearted episode, Conan and his team are joined by Philip, a history-loving relic hunter and preacher from Williamsburg, Virginia. Together they explore the world of metal detecting and the unique artifacts Philip has uncovered, dive into his experiences as a firefighter and preacher, and riff on topics of etiquette, history, and humor. The episode is filled with Conan’s classic banter, playful jokes about “covering your hole,” memorable stories about found treasures (and live grenades!), and reflections on living an interesting, regular life.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Meet Relic Hunter Philip
-
Introduction and Background ([01:45 – 03:19])
- Philip is a lifelong resident of Williamsburg, VA, a passionate history buff, and a family man.
- “I grew up in this area, so I’ve always been a huge fan of history.”—Philip [02:30]
- Married to Karen, a math teacher, and father of two boys.
-
First Impressions: Beards, Dating Apps, and Super Swipes ([01:51 – 03:19])
- Conan admires Philip’s “neatly curated beard,” joking it required jeweler-level maintenance.
- The introduction veers comically into dating app territory:
- “I just swiped you up, Philip. Yeah, super swipe, because you like history, which I love.”—Conan [03:03]
2. The Art and Thrill of Relic Hunting
3. Extraordinary – and Sometimes Dangerous – Finds
- Finding a Live Grenade ([05:52 – 10:45])
- Philip recounts uncovering a Korean War-era live grenade.
- Initially moved the grenade with a shovel (a big no), before calling military bomb techs.
- “When you're digging, you find all sorts of stuff. Most...is trash...but this particular day, I dug a hole and pulled out of the ground...realized quickly what it was.”—Philip [06:25]
- The bomb squad uses C4 and detonates it via Bluetooth:
- “He goes, no, we do that all by Bluetooth now. And so they blew it up with their phone.”—Philip [10:45]
- Conan riffs on the dangers:
- “I’m packing it around...when someone near me accesses a song on Bluetooth and half my face gets blown off…”—Conan [10:47]
4. The Research and Etiquette Behind Treasure Hunting
-
How Philip Chooses Where to Hunt ([18:45 – 20:19])
- Research is “over half of it”: pouring over old maps, getting permissions from private landowners.
- "You have to do some research, I would think, right?"—Conan [18:47]
- “That’s over half of it...just look at old maps and history...figuring out where you can go.”—Philip [19:12]
-
Arrangements with Landowners ([19:53 – 20:19])
- Most landowners don't care about keeping finds, some want to see them or split anything valuable.
-
Fakes and Forgeries in Relic Hunting ([20:19 – 21:37])
- Conan jokes about planting "King Arthur's helmet" to punk treasure hunters.
- Philip reveals a local replica-maker famous for fake Civil War relics:
- “There’s a guy...one of the best replica makers...he was known to go in the Cold Harbor area and bury it and people would find it and lose their minds.”—Philip [21:01]
-
Etiquette: "Cover Your Hole" ([22:56 – 24:22])
-
Respecting property: always fill in holes dug, especially around livestock.
-
“My rule number one is cover your hole. I’ve said that since day one.”—Conan [23:18]
-
The team riffs endlessly and hilariously on the phrase “cover your hole,” blurring lines between innuendo and etiquette.
Memorable Quote:
- "You cover my hole, I'll cover your hole. How much more do you think I can go on this?"—Conan [23:34]
5. Philip the Preacher: A Life of Service
6. Hobby, Family, and Invitation
7. Closing Moments
- Conan warmly thanks Philip, joking that after this, "you will no longer be a preacher" due to their comic routine.
- “This was a joy for us. Seriously. Really fun talking to you.”—Conan [29:06]
- Philip expresses his longtime fandom:
- “Since I was in college...thanks for just taking the few minutes just to hang out.”—Philip [28:56]
Notable Quotes & Moments (with Timestamps)
- [02:30] “I grew up in this area, so I’ve always been a huge fan of history.” — Philip
- [04:55] “I think it says, ‘I choose thee.’” — Philip (on the posey ring inscription)
- [06:10] “What happens when you find a live grenade? Don’t you have to call the police?” — Conan
- [10:45] “They blew it up with their phone.” — Philip (on Bluetooth detonation)
- [18:47] “You have to do some research, I would think, right?” — Conan
- [23:18] “My rule number one is cover your hole. I’ve said that since day one.” — Conan
- [25:05] “You gotta cover your soul. If you don’t, I’ll come and get a preacher to cover your soul.” — Conan
- [26:41] “My dad did not go to church...I was determined from the beginning that I wouldn’t be that guy.” — Philip
- [28:10] “You come to eastern Virginia...we will find something cool and we'll cover them.” — Philip
Episode’s Tone & Style
- Warm, playful, and irreverent—with deeper notes about family, history, and service.
- Conan’s comic timing and rapport with Sona and Philip shine throughout, making even the etiquette of relic hunting into a running joke with heartfelt undertones.
- The running “cover your hole” bit stands out as a hilarious and memorable moment, emblematic of the show’s lovingly ridiculous spirit.
Suggested Listening Timestamps
- [01:45] - Meet Philip & beards/dating app banter
- [04:20] - Discovery of the colonial posey ring
- [05:52] - The live grenade story
- [18:45] - The art and research behind relic hunting
- [22:56] - Treasure hunting etiquette ("cover your hole")
- [25:01] - Philip’s background: firefighter to preacher
- [28:10] - Invitation to Conan, closing riff
Summary
“Cover Your Hole” is an endearingly silly, surprisingly insightful episode where Conan and team find common ground with Philip—relic hunter, preacher, and everyday historian. The episode balances sharp wit, unique life stories, and reflections on curiosity and community, making this a perfect listen for fans of history, comedy, or the simple joy of digging up something unexpected—always remembering to cover your hole.