Podcast Summary

Podcast: Conan O’Brien Needs A Friend
Episode: Spinal Tap Live From The SiriusXM Garage
Date: September 15, 2025
Guests: Spinal Tap – David St. Hubbins, Nigel Tufnel, Derek Smalls, & “filmmaker” Marty DiBergi
Host & Team: Conan O'Brien, Sona Movsessian, Matt Gourley, plus live audience participation

Episode Overview

This special live episode sees Conan O’Brien fulfilling a lifelong dream: interviewing the legendary (and famously fictional) rock band Spinal Tap alongside their documentarian, Marty DiBergi. The show blends playful chaos, deep-cut comedy, and improvisational mayhem as Conan and his team dive into Spinal Tap’s enduring influence, their disastrous post-fame ventures, poignant mockery of the rock industry, and the legacy of their groundbreaking 1984 mockumentary. Live audience interaction and behind-the-scenes stories from the Spinal Tap sequel add further fun, irreverence, and nostalgia throughout.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Audience Energy & Team Banter (00:00–12:24)

• The episode begins with live audience members humorously describing their feelings about possibly being Conan's friend, setting an energetic and absurdist tone.
• Conan gently mocks the ceremonial audience applause and jokes about awkward backstage corridors and failed high-fives.
• He introduces Sona Movsessian and Matt Gourley, engages in playful banter about their relationships, app-sharing, and the mechanics of working for Team Coco.
• Conan reminisces about seeing Spinal Tap in 1984, emphasizing how formative this was for his comedic sensibility.

Notable Quotes:

• “Please, please, don’t chant the Conan. It sounds like a Salem witch trial.” (Conan, 01:23)
• “If you told Young Conan of 1984 he’d hang out with Spinal Tap, he’d freak out.” (Conan, 01:56)

2. Introducing Spinal Tap & Marty DiBergi: The Reunion (12:24–17:22)

• Spinal Tap (in-character) and Marty DiBergi join the show to playful applause.
• The band and Marty joke about their tumultuous relationship, Marty’s so-called “hatchet job” documentary, and the ensuing struggles for employment.
• Marty references bizarre failed filmmaking, including “Kramer vs Kramer vs Godzilla.”
• The band reveals they only reunited contractually (not by inspiration).

Notable Quotes:

• “They called it a hatchet job. I thought it was a loving portrayal, but they felt differently.” (Marty DiBergi, 15:04)
• “It gave us an opportunity to get back together... and break up again. And then get back together again.” (David St. Hubbins, 17:04)

3. What Have The Members Been Up To? (17:22–25:02)

• Nigel Tufnel: Runs a cheese and guitar shop where customers barter between the two. Hasn’t turned a profit but is content with the barter system.
• David St. Hubbins: Lives in Morro Bay, California; writes hold music and scores podcasts, proud of his “middle of the road” musical contributions.
• Derek Smalls: Runs a non-profit glue museum, explaining his fixation as bassists are the “glue” of bands.
• Marty: Struggles with career and acceptance, feeling unappreciated by the band and ostracized from their history.

Notable Quotes:

• “I thought you could buy cheese or guitars—but you can trade cheese FOR guitars.” (Conan, 17:51)
• “I’ve opened a museum—of glue.” (Derek Smalls, 23:05)

4. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Snub & Band Reflections (25:02–26:54)

• The band riffs on being rejected repeatedly by the Hall, with the Hall’s only acknowledgment being T-shirts in the gift shop.
• Jokes about their legacy, commercialization, and how shallow such honors can be.

Notable Quotes:

• “The Hall sent a letter that said, ‘Go f--- yourself.' Very unusual.” (Marty DiBergi, 23:58)
• “We’re not inducted, but they sell ‘Hello Cleveland’ in their gift shop!” (Derek Smalls, 24:43)

5. Spinal Tap’s Drummer Curse & Band History (26:54–32:27)

• Conan inquires about the band’s notorious string of deceased drummers. The band confirms 12 lost, including one who “sneezed himself to death.”
• Brief detour into a failed attempt to use a drum machine.
• Playful interrogation of Conan’s glasses–on/off habit.

Notable Quotes:

• “We tried [a drum machine]. It died.” (David St. Hubbins, 26:31)
• “I’m a bit of a guitar enthusiast myself…” (Conan, 28:58)

6. The Spinal Tap Business Ventures & Inventions (32:27–36:33)

• The group describes outlandish inventions and failed businesses: folding wine glasses (that leak), finger bowls for dogs, and more.
• Nigel reluctantly discusses his “secret compartment guitar.”
• Banter about cheese shop survival, glue museum funding, and amusement park pitches.

Notable Quotes:

• “The folding wine glass had hinges on all the sides... by the time you raise it to your lips, your crotch is soaked in wine.” (Nigel Tufnel, 31:00)
• “I built the glue museum. They don’t grow on trees, you know.” (Derek Smalls, 43:27)

7. Star Encounters & Iconic Collaborations (32:27–36:33)

• Conan highlights a scene from the new documentary where Paul McCartney jams with them, and recounts how David was prickly to Sir Paul.
• Elton John also appears in the film, fueling more legendary “two Sirs, no madam” wordplay.

Notable Quotes:

• “He never mentioned your name, Conan.” (Derek Smalls, 33:06)
• “Two Sirs. No Madam.” (Derek Smalls, 35:17)

8. Life After Tap: Nostalgia & Small-Town Legacy (36:33–41:20)

• Conan discusses the band’s origins in “Squatney” (now replaced by a Tesco), and the absence of hometown statues.
• David and Nigel lament how their old haunts are gone, but dismiss the possibility of memorials out of comic self-deprecation.

Notable Quotes:

• “If you saw a statue of yourself, you wouldn’t recognize it.” (Conan, 38:24)
• “They’d put a statue of Lucille Ball before one of us.” (David St. Hubbins, 38:40)

9. The Money Question: Are Spinal Tap Rich? (41:20–44:04)

• Conan notes that, unlike the Stones, Tap are not billionaires. Each member details their modest livelihoods, with Derek citing financial struggles and a collapse after a failed cryptocurrency, BruegelCoin.
• They recall a failed attempt to create “Tapland” with funds mis-directed into Derek’s glue museum.

Notable Quotes:

• “I’m working my way back up to nothing.” (Derek Smalls, 42:49)

10. Towards the Future: Will Spinal Tap Live On? (45:27–46:28)

• Team and Spinal Tap members reflect on what might come next, agreeably vague about a potential future or more films.
• Final sendoff and plugs for the new documentary Spinal Tap 2: The End Continues and new book A Fine Line Between Stupid and Clever (corrected from “Clever and Stupid”).

Notable Quotes:

• “If you did reunite, do you think there’s another film there?” (Marty, 46:20)
• “Go to hell.” (David St. Hubbins, 46:25)
• “It’s as good a place to end as any.” (Conan, 46:28)

Audience Q&A Highlights (55:07–76:12)

• Nervousness & Focus: Conan explains he doesn’t get nervous with guests, just focused. He admits he’d only fear making catastrophic financial decisions. (57:22)
• Influences: Spinal Tap was a formative influence on Conan’s career, especially at a “window” in adolescence when comedy hits hardest. (61:30)
• Personal Gifts: An audience member presents Conan with an illustration of "Smarty Pants," his Pixar character, sparking discussion about creativity and Conan's role in Toy Story 5. (62:26)
• Hair Pomade: Asked about his hair routine and the prospect of a Conan hair care line, Conan floats “Conan Pomade” and jokes about its hypothetical features and marketing. (66:32)
• High-Five Tutorial: Audience member teaches Conan the “look at the elbow” trick for perfect high fives. (70:26)
• Film with Rose Byrne: Conan shares how proud he is of his work opposite Rose Byrne in an upcoming A24 film, praising director Mary Bronstein and recalling the thrill of a significant acting experience. (72:32)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “We brought joy to hundreds of people.” – David St. Hubbins (17:04)
• “The Hall of Fame said, ‘Go f--- yourself.’ So unusual in so many ways.” – Marty DiBergi (23:58)
• “I’m working my way back to nothing.” – Derek Smalls (42:49)
• “If you saw a statue to yourself, you wouldn’t recognize that statue.” – Conan (38:24)
• “Go to hell.” – David St. Hubbins, on another film (46:25)

Important Timestamps

| Time | Segment/Topic | |-----------|-------------------------------------------------------------------| | 00:00 | Audience “friend” feelings, Conan’s fanboy intro | | 12:24 | Welcoming Spinal Tap & Marty DiBergi on stage | | 17:22 | Band updates: cheeses, glue museums, and hold music | | 25:02 | Hall of Fame snub, band’s legacy | | 26:54 | Drummer curse, glasses-on/off joke, Spinal Tap’s secret guitar | | 32:27 | Paul McCartney appearance, Elton John, wordplay galore | | 36:33 | Nostalgia: Squatney, local statues, disappearance of old haunts | | 41:20 | Spinal Tap’s financial status, glue museum funding, Tapland plans | | 45:27 | Hopes (or lack thereof) for the future of Spinal Tap | | 55:07 | Audience Q&A – guests, nervousness, influences, gifts | | 66:32 | Conan’s hair routine/hypothetical pomade product | | 70:26 | Audience high-five tutorial, Rose Byrne film discussion |

Tone & Style

The episode is irreverent, playful, self-mocking, and tightly improvisational, in classic Conan and Spinal Tap style. There’s a blend of wit, absurdity, British deadpan, and meta-commentary, with genuine moments of nostalgic sincerity peeking through the biting humor.

Final Thoughts

For fans of Conan, Spinal Tap, or both, this episode is a riotously surreal (and at times, surprisingly sweet) collision between comedy legends and their comedic offspring. It’s a tribute to showbiz absurdity, creative perseverance, and enduring (mockumentary) friendship—a must-listen for comedy and rock fans alike.