Podcast Summary: "Play It Again, Yassir"

Podcast: Conan O’Brien Needs A Friend
Release Date: November 6, 2025
Host(s): Conan O’Brien, Sona Movsesian, Matt Gourley
Guest: Yassir (Listener from Nantes, France)

Episode Overview

In this lively fan episode, Conan and his co-hosts connect with Yassir, a Moroccan project manager living in France. The conversation meanders through Casablanca’s cultural image, the struggles of making friends in a new country, and the universal language of fast food. True to the show’s spirit, the episode blends humor, role-play, and cultural exchange while exploring friendship advice and playful banter about classic films, especially Casablanca, which Yassir shockingly hasn’t seen.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Meet Yassir: From Casablanca to Nantes

• Yassir’s Background (02:09–02:23)
  • Currently in Nantes, France; originally from Casablanca, Morocco.
  • Conan immediately references the classic movie Casablanca, setting the comedic tone.
• "You've never watched Casablanca?" (03:03) — Conan’s disbelief sparks a theme throughout the episode.
• Yassir clarifies that while his parents are from Casablanca, he himself lived there mostly after age 18.

2. Casablanca: The Iconic Movie Nobody Watches (in Casablanca)

• Conan: “When you see the movie Casablanca, is it at all evocative of the Casablanca you know?” (02:47)
• Yassir: “I have no idea. I’ve never watched it.” (02:58)
• Conan jokingly threatens only to befriend Yassir if he sees the film—and pictures himself wandering Casablanca in a trench coat, demanding a screening.

3. Standing Out in Casablanca

• Yassir jokes about how Conan, at 195 cm tall and with his red hair, would stand out in Casablanca. (04:31–04:37)
• "You’d stand out. The hair, the... We don’t have lots of redhead in Casablanca, so I think you’d stand out." (04:37) – Yassir

4. Professional Life and “The Plot of Casablanca”

• Yassir describes his job as a project manager, humorously summarized by Conan as the plot of Casablanca—data entry and file management with a noir twist. (05:13–05:46)
• "This is the plot of Casablanca. This is exactly what it's about. Yeah, it's about a data manager…" – Conan (05:30)

5. Making Friends: The Core Struggle

• Yassir’s social life changed after his move; most current friends found via work. He struggles to make friends outside the workplace. (06:29–06:44)
• Conan: “Hey, sounds like you need a friend.” (06:44)
• Yassir admits, “Yeah, that’s why I’m calling.” (06:47)
• Sona and Matt chime in with playful jabs about Conan’s lack of workplace friends too.

6. Friendship Role-Play: Breaking the Ice

First Attempt – Casablanca Bar (“Rick’s Joint”)

• Sona suggests a bar role-play to help Yassir with social skills. (07:55)
• Elaborate Casablanca-themed scene with Conan as a Bogart-esque figure.
• Yassir and Conan try icebreakers; Conan detours into Nixon impressions and sarcastic comedy. (14:12–15:06)
• The scene collapses in laughter: “Maybe I came on too strong.” – Conan (15:06)

Second Attempt – McDonald’s Scenario

• Sona resets: meet as strangers at a McDonald’s.
• Conan plays defensive and confused; the situation devolves. (15:29–16:08)

Third Attempt – Conan Initiates

• Conan switches, approaches Yassir as a newcomer in Morocco.
• They bond over favorite local foods, revealing Yassir’s go-to is McDonald’s (specifically a Big Mac, fries, and Diet Coke), which Conan finds hilarious and endearing. (16:28–18:02)
• Yassir introduces Conan (and listeners) to unique Moroccan McDonald’s items like “goat cheese nuggets.” (18:49–19:19)

7. Food & Culture: Fast Food Unites

• Extended discussion on McDonald’s differences in Morocco:
  • Goat cheese nuggets
  • Special paprika potatoes
  • Menus in French
• "I love this world where I can talk to someone who’s living in Morocco... and I ask them, ‘What do you love to eat?’ He’s like, ‘A Big Mac.’" – Conan (17:47)

8. Small Talk and Sincerity

• Yassir reveals his wall décor is from Boston, impressing Conan.
• Conan jokes, “I can’t wait to travel 55,000 miles just to see a postcard of Faneuil Hall and wash it all down with a Big Mac.” (21:11–21:36)
• Compassionate close: Conan affirms he likes Yassir, encourages him to see Casablanca, and teases him about his love of water and calm demeanor.

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• [03:03] Conan: "You've never watched Casablanca?"
• [04:37] Yassir: "You’d stand out. The hair, the... We don’t have lots of redhead in Casablanca, so I think you’d stand out."
• [05:30] Conan: "This is the plot of Casablanca. This is exactly what it’s about. Yeah, it's about a data manager..."
• [06:44] Conan: "Hey, sounds like you need a friend."
• [07:54] Conan (joking): "No, I’m busy. No, he doesn’t. Until he sees Casablanca, we are not hanging out."
• [14:16] Yassir (role-play): "Oh, hi, Conan. Is this seat taken?"
• [17:47] Conan: "I love this. I love this. I love this world where I can talk to someone who’s living in Morocco... and I ask them, ‘What do you love to eat?’ He’s like, ‘A Big Mac.’"
• [22:33] Sona: "I think you’re due for some water, though."
• [22:17] Conan: "Wow. Okay. If we could bottle this energy..."
• [22:38] Conan: "I do implore you to watch Casablanca at some point in your life."

Important Segment Timestamps

• 02:09 – Yassir’s origins and Casablanca connection
• 03:03 – Conan reeling that Yassir hasn’t seen Casablanca
• 04:31–04:37 – Conan’s "stand out" in Casablanca discussion
• 05:13–05:46 – Yassir’s career explained with Conan’s twist
• 06:44–06:47 – "You need a friend" moment
• 07:55–09:17 – Bar role-play set-up
• 14:12–15:11 – First awkward role-play exchange
• 16:08–16:56 – McDonald's icebreaker fails and triumphs
• 17:14–18:02 – Food talk: couscous vs. Big Mac
• 18:49–19:19 – Unique Moroccan McDonald’s menu items
• 21:11–21:36 – Boston postcards & Moroccan “experience”
• 22:00–22:43 – Farewell and friendly affirmations

Tone & Takeaway

The conversation is unmistakably Conan: playful, improvisational, teasing but ultimately warm-hearted. Yassir’s openness and Conan’s relentless wit create a global friendship moment over pop culture, shyness, and fast food. Genuine advice about making friends is couched in comedic role-play and relatable anecdotes about starting life in a new city.

Perfect For: Anyone curious about cross-cultural friendship, awkward icebreakers, and the global reach (and quirks!) of McDonald’s—all through the trademark Conan O’Brien lens.