Sword Play

Summary

Podcast Summary: Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend

Episode: Sword Play
Release Date: June 11, 2026
Host: Conan O’Brien
Co-hosts: Sona Movsesian, Matt Gourley
Main Guest: Zach Tarantelli (Head of Animation, Zach D Films)

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Episode Theme Overview

In this playful, laughter-filled episode, Conan and his co-hosts connect with Zach Tarantelli, an animator from Ohio and massive Tolkien fan whose work and personal quirks—including his collection of replica swords—set the tone for an energetic discussion about animation, fandom, relationships, mystical moon rituals, and, of course, swords. The conversation highlights the delightful oddities that make fans and creators alike, offering listeners a comedic yet genuinely warm exploration of personal passions and shared eccentricities.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Animation, Identity, and Conan as a Cartoon

• Conan’s Love for Animation:
  • “First of all, I'm a long fan of animation. Raised on the very best of the Warner Brothers cartoons. The classics worked on the Simpsons. So I've always loved animation and admire what you people do.” — Conan (03:11)
• Zach’s Career:
  • Zach animated over 70 shorts for Zach D Films (which has 27 million followers) before becoming Head of Animation.
• The Cartoon Persona:
  • “Thank you for saying that, because I do often think I'm a cartoon character. My motions are exaggerated, my hair is a ridiculous cupcake, I act like Woody Woodpecker.” — Conan (04:03)

2. Fan Art and “Risky” Animation

• Zach’s Animated Short for Conan:
  • Zach created a quick animated short “of a sexual nature” for Conan, expressing hesitancy about sharing it publicly due to its rushed quality and questionable content. This sets off signature Conan teasing about accidental leaks and “rating your work based on that.” (04:57–06:05)
• Creative Risks and Professional Reputation:
  • The dialogue pokes fun at the line between creation and curation, as well as the personal stakes attached to viral content.

3. Sword Obsession and Collector Culture

• Zach’s Legendary Sword Display:
  • Zach displays multiple replicas of Aragorn’s sword (from Lord of the Rings) in his workspace, which becomes a running joke.
  • “You buy an Aragorn sword. It's too large. The sheath is gone. You need to find the sheath. You buy a knockoff, that sheath is too small. Then you've got two Aragorn swords. Then you think, I need a third one because it's got to be his and hers.” — Conan (07:31)
  • Zach has three swords, including an “eight-foot one,” prompting Conan to wish “a plague of locusts fly up your ass.” (08:06)
• Shared Foibles:
  • Matt and Conan riff on the universal tendency to go overboard with obsessions—especially regarding collectibles.

4. Relationships, Spirituality, and Mystical Rituals

• Ash: The Fiancee and Muse
  • Ash is described as a singer, writer, and “soulmate,” met through collaborative sketch comedy.
    • “We met working at a regional theater together. Both writing. Sketch comedy.” — Zach (09:06)
  • She’s spiritual and hosts “coven nights” around the full moon, involving ritual, intention-setting, and psychology.
    • “She has a very close relationship to the moon.” — Zach (09:53)
    • “I proposed underneath a super blood moon, lunar eclipse.” — Zach (16:11)
• Moon Rituals and Mysticism:
  • Conan and the team toggle between gentle skepticism and enthusiastic amusement at Ash’s spirituality, with Sona cheering: “I love that shit.” (15:45)
  • Conan quips about being so pale, he could “get a moon burn.” (17:18)
• Discussion on Values and Mortality:
  • Zach and Ash try to “appreciate what we have now before we're old,” debating the best age to “call it quits”—Zach suggests 75, which Conan refutes by referencing Mick Jagger’s ongoing exploits.
    • “I think the energy you put out is very similar to the energy that you attract.” — Zach (17:41)
    • “If you said, I want out at 75, [Mick Jagger] would laugh at you and then kick your ass.” — Conan (19:01)
  • The couple’s end-of-life fantasies range from a “Thelma & Louise–style” cliff jump to a peaceful wine-and-pill sendoff, with Conan and Matt hilariously fixating on the logistics and sword-themed demise. (20:14–21:33)

5. Creative Hobbies and Alterverse, the Trading Card Game

• Game Design:
  • Zach is co-designing “Alterverse,” a trading card game where alternate versions of historical and legendary figures battle in an interdimensional Hunger Games.
  • “The elevator pitch is Interdimensional Hunger Games where alternate versions of history's legends fight in an arena.” — Zach (22:31)
  • Examples: “Sherlock as a robot fighting Hercules as a caveman.” (23:21)
• Best Friends Debate:
  • Conan and Sona debate whether you can have multiple “best friends.”
    • “He is my best friend. But then I have another. I have five best friends.” — Zach (22:19)
    • “No, you can't. It's not how it works.” — Conan (22:24)
• Conan’s Narcissistic Hobby:
  • “I sign headshots to myself...and I get excited. And each time I open one, I'm equally excited.” — Conan (24:21)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Below the waist, blonde. Nobody asked.” — Conan, irreverently oversharing (02:19)
• “My beard comes in redder than my hair. Oh, wow. Yeah, it’s more aggressively like copper. No idea what that is yet.” — Conan (02:08)
• “That's probably a sign of insanity, but I think we just have to accept it for now.” — Conan on Zach’s multi-colored hair and beard (02:02)
• “Your eight foot raw dog.” — Zach, riding with the sword innuendo (09:50)
• “I appreciate wanting to stay young, but you can't plan now... Grab seven of your swords and jump on them.” — Conan’s morbid comic logic (21:20)
• “Does the whole moon thing creep me out in the covens late at night? Yeah. I'm worried. I'm really worried.” — Conan, gently needling Zach (25:27)
• “Would I be happier if you didn't have the swords? Yes, I would. Would I be happier still if your red beard matched your hair? Yes, delighted. But I can't control these things.” — Conan (25:33)

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• Intro—Meeting Zach & Animation: 01:33–04:57
• Fan Art & Animation Tensions: 04:57–06:13
• Sword Collection & Weaponry Humor: 06:25–08:15
• Meeting Ash: Love, Spirituality, and the Moon: 08:15–10:47
• Coven Nights & Moon Manifestation: 15:26–16:50
• Proposal Under the Blood Moon: 16:11–17:03
• Mortality Conversation (Ages, Fears): 17:41–21:20
• Thelma & Louise Ending & Sword Demise: 20:14–21:33
• Alterverse Game Design & Best Friends Riff: 22:05–23:21
• Conan’s Narcissistic Hobby: 24:21–24:41
• Final Blessings and Affectionately Roasting Zach: 25:27–25:56

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Tone & Atmosphere

The episode is classic Conan: playful, irreverent, and warm, balancing affectionate teasing with keen interest in fan culture and creative eccentricities. The interview moves quickly between lighthearted banter, offbeat personal stories, and genuine curiosity about animation, imagination, and the ways people connect, love, and entertain themselves.

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For listeners who missed the episode:
You’ll come away with a smile, a few sword jokes, newfound respect for the intersection of nerd and occult, and a reminder that friendship—whether celestial, comical, or carnivorous—thrives in the company of good stories and honest weirdness.

Transcript

[Conan O'Brien]

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[Sona]

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[Conan O'Brien]

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[Sona]

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[Conan O'Brien]

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[Sona]

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[Conan O'Brien]

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[Sona]

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[Conan O'Brien]

Marketers know that feeling. They optimize for the numbers that look great, like impressions, but then they don't see revenue. You know what I'm talking about, don't you?

[Sona]

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[Conan O'Brien]

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[Sona]

Bull spin.

[Conan O'Brien]

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[Sona]

Conan O' Brien needs a fan. Want to talk to Conan? Visit teamcoco.com call Conan. Okay, let.

[Zach Tarantelli]

Hello.

[Matt Gourley]

Hi, Zach. Welcome to Conan O' Brien needs a fan.

[Zach Tarantelli]

Hey, Matt, how you doing?

[Conan O'Brien]

I'm good. How are you? How you doing there, Zach? Zach Tarantelli is your name? I'm not asking, I'm telling. You're an animator from Ohio, is that correct? Sir?

[Zach Tarantelli]

That's 100% correct.

[Conan O'Brien]

And I can tell from looking at you that you are a ginger. Welcome to the club.

[Zach Tarantelli]

Just in the beard though. The hair is like blonde. Like dirty blonde.

[Conan O'Brien]

Okay, that's very strange. That's probably a sign of insanity, but I think we just have to accept it for now. I know that my beard comes in redder than my hair. Oh, wow. Yeah, it's more aggressively like copper. No idea what that is yet. Below the waist, blonde. Nobody asked.

[Matt Gourley]

It's like, it's like fiber optic.

[Conan O'Brien]

It's just like see through.

[Zach Tarantelli]

You know what I mean?

[Conan O'Brien]

And also it changes. You know what it does?

[Matt Gourley]

That's so deep down that you can kind of.

[Conan O'Brien]

And you know what? It changes colors, like the sphere a lot of rock bands. Want to perform down there? Anyway, let's move on. Zach, it says here, and I have notes on you. Oh, I've got an old dossier on you, Zach, that you are the head of animation for Zach D Films. Is that right?

[Zach Tarantelli]

That's right. Different Zach, but yes.

[Conan O'Brien]

Okay, that's all right. Conquering the world together, and you guys are very successful. It says you have 27 million followers and you've. You're an animator of over 70 shorts, is that correct?

[Zach Tarantelli]

I personally animated 70 shorts for the channel before I moved into my current position.

[Conan O'Brien]

Yeah. That's so cool. I mean, first of all, I'm a long fan of animation. Raised on the very best of the Warner Brothers cartoons. The classics worked on the Simpsons. So I've always loved animation and admirer what you people do. I really do.

[Zach Tarantelli]

What do you love about it?

[Conan O'Brien]

Well, I love that it sort of brings the. First of all, you can do anything. Anything can happen. And so whether it's Ren and Stimpy or a classic roadrunner, Bugs Bunny, and so many of the great animated shows today, anything can happen that's in your imagination, and it can really get perverse, which is my true joy,

[Zach Tarantelli]

100%. And I that you would love that because you're basically a cartoon yourself.

[Conan O'Brien]

You know what? Thank you for saying that, because I do have often thought I'm a cartoon character. My motions are exaggerated, my hair is a ridiculous cupcake, I act like Woody Woodpecker. Yeah. And, yeah, I look like olive oil. Pardon me?

[Zach Tarantelli]

Nothing.

[Conan O'Brien]

What was that?

[Matt Gourley]

Nothing.

[Zach Tarantelli]

Jumbie.

[Conan O'Brien]

Yeah, listen, I heard what you said, and I don't disagree.

[Zach Tarantelli]

Popeye before the spinach.

[Conan O'Brien]

No, even better. A blend of Popeye before the spinach. Yeah. And olive oil. Okay, so that's all to be admired, Zack, that you have these amazing skills. And I'm glad you think of me as a cartoon character. Please turn me into one, because there has yet to be a successful Conan animated short. And I think that's your territory, Zach. You could do it.

[Zach Tarantelli]

Well, it's so funny you bring this up, and I feel like the producers are gonna hate me because we just talked about this, But I did do a little anim for you, and I was gonna email it to somebody, but I gotta tell you, here's the thing. I can send. What's the matter? The problem is. Nothing's the matter.

[Conan O'Brien]

Great. He's a great animator, and, yeah, he made a little short. What's the problem? Why?

[Zach Tarantelli]

You know, the problem is the great animation takes time. And I only had like two days to put it together. So. I don't know. I want the world. I did it for Conan.

[Conan O'Brien]

Yeah, well, why can't we look at it?

[Zach Tarantelli]

I'll send it. Well, I want to send it to you, but I don't know if I want the world to see it. You know what I mean? It's got my name on it, you know, Is it, it's, it's.

[Conan O'Brien]

Is it of a.

[Sona]

Is it of a.

[Conan O'Brien]

Is it of a sexual nature?

[Zach Tarantelli]

I mean, some could interpret it as such. Okay, okay, well, no, it's, it's, it's fun. It's just, you know. Well, you know what?

[Conan O'Brien]

We will not share it.

[Zach Tarantelli]

I love it for.

[Conan O'Brien]

You know, we won't share it with the world if you send it to me and then it accidentally gets online and it's attached as Zach D Films and people rate your work based on that. That's just. Who can help that that's something that we can't help.

[Zach Tarantelli]

You see my conundrum? I lead a team or your talented artists.

[Conan O'Brien]

Sorry, a little self obsessed.

[Zach Tarantelli]

Is, Are we cutting this soon? Are we ending this?

[Conan O'Brien]

Oh, no, no, no, no. Your career is over, but my interview with you will continue. Oh, look, there's some. Couple of. There's some weaponry on the wall behind you.

[Matt Gourley]

Not only that, but there's dedicated lighting for the weaponry.

[Zach Tarantelli]

Yeah, I know. I had to be all extra about the.

[Conan O'Brien]

That's okay. We have someone in studio who also likes to buy medieval weapons online and then sort of charged them back to the show. His name's Aaron Blair and he's currently being investigated by the Internal Revenue Service along with his mother. When I. When I. Thank you for the introduction. When I pre interviewed Zack, the first thing I asked was about the swords. And. And the last thing you asked?

[Zach Tarantelli]

Yeah, we talked about it for like half an hour.

[Conan O'Brien]

But I was asking about the swords and they are. They're the same sword, right, Zack?

[Zach Tarantelli]

It's the same. It's. Yes. So it is a replica of Aragorn sword and reforged Narsu.

[Conan O'Brien]

His and hers.

[Zach Tarantelli]

Yeah, so. So they are both. The story is I have a. Like an 8 foot one behind the computer and it didn't have a sheath, so I bought a cheap knockoff for the sheath, but the sheath is too small and they sent me. So now I have. Are you blamed?

[Conan O'Brien]

I've never seen Conan so angry. I just say that. No, I mean, hey, this is a problem we all confront. You buy an Aragon sword. It's too large. The sheath is gone. You need to find the sheath. You buy a knockoff, that sheath is too small. Then you've got two Aragon swords. Then you think, I need a third one because it's got to be his and hers. And then I get two tinier versions of the same Aragon sword. I wish nothing but ill upon you, sir. I hope a plague of locusts fly up your ass.

[Zach Tarantelli]

You can wish whatever you want. I have three swords

[Conan O'Brien]

now. Remarkably. You have a fiance?

[Zach Tarantelli]

Believe it or not, I do.

[Conan O'Brien]

Her name. It says her name is Ash. Is that right?

[Zach Tarantelli]

That's right.

[Conan O'Brien]

Tell us about Ash. And is she okay with you having the Swords of Aragon? Is she cool with it?

[Zach Tarantelli]

She was just bummed because she was going to buy me one, and then it seemed egregious at that point, so.

[Conan O'Brien]

Yeah. Yeah. Well, I think you found the right person for every Mickey. There's a Minnie. And you found someone who was reaching for the same Aragon sword as you at Colonel Buster's.

[Zach Tarantelli]

Colonel Buster?

[Conan O'Brien]

Shop of bullshittery.

[Zach Tarantelli]

No, I do want to talk about Ash because she is amazing.

[Conan O'Brien]

She's the most. Yeah, let's talk about Ash.

[Zach Tarantelli]

Beautiful. I mean, she's incredibly talented. She's a singer. She's an actor. She's a writer. We met working at a regional theater together. Both writing. Sketch comedy.

[Conan O'Brien]

Oh, great.

[Zach Tarantelli]

Performing at the.

[Conan O'Brien]

That's lovely. So she's the love of your life.

[Zach Tarantelli]

Contract. And soulmate by every definition of the word.

[Conan O'Brien]

Oh, I'm very happy for you, Zack. Thank you. Is this correct? She's kind of into mysticism. Let's elaborate on that. Tell us about Ash.

[Zach Tarantelli]

She's a spiritual person. You know, has. Has warmed me up a bit to the. To the idea. Warmed this cold heart to, you know, accept there may be something bigger than ourselves out there.

[Conan O'Brien]

Yes. Your sword, eight feet long.

[Zach Tarantelli]

Yes.

[Conan O'Brien]

Hanging behind your computer.

[Zach Tarantelli]

What's your obsession with my sword?

[Conan O'Brien]

I don't know. I just can't forget about your big sword. Yeah.

[Zach Tarantelli]

Your eight foot raw dog.

[Conan O'Brien]

All right, take it easy.

[Zach Tarantelli]

She. She has a very close relationship to the moon.

[Conan O'Brien]

What, and you're not jealous?

[Zach Tarantelli]

I know.

[Matt Gourley]

How do you get that?

[Conan O'Brien]

Talk about this. She's into the moon. What do you mean, she's into the moon?

[Zach Tarantelli]

I mean, she, you know, ebbs and flows like the tides.

[Conan O'Brien]

Okay.

[Zach Tarantelli]

I mean, she's connected. Like I think a lot of spiritual people are. Maybe they don't know what you're saying. She's a werewolf.

[Conan O'Brien]

Yeah. No, but you know what's interesting? This is interesting, is that you could say it's not crazy to think the moon would have a significance on our lives because we are made of water. And we all know that the Moon. Moon controls the tides, affects the tides, and is responsible for them. So is it possible then, that the Moon would have significance in our moods and our destinies? No, it's not possible.

[Zach Tarantelli]

Discounted so glad.

[Conan O'Brien]

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[Sona]

Me too.

[Conan O'Brien]

You know what I'm talking about. First of all, July 4th is going to be the 250th anniversary of the United States of America. That's a big deal. And just as important, some pretty big soccer games headed our way.

[Sona]

Sports.

[Conan O'Brien]

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[Sona]

No, I was not.

[Conan O'Brien]

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[Sona]

Yeah, I do.

[Conan O'Brien]

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[Sona]

Oh God, they went too far.

[Conan O'Brien]

They went too far.

[Sona]

Yeah. And you read it. You read it all. Didn't even ask any questions.

[Conan O'Brien]

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[Sona]

I have, I have. You work yourself a little too hard sometimes.

[Conan O'Brien]

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[Zach Tarantelli]

Okay she'll host, like, little, like, coven nights surrounding the new moon and the full moon. Because there's lots of psychology actually, behind planting seeds and, you know, manifesting them through the power of thought.

[Sona]

I love that shit.

[Conan O'Brien]

What's that?

[Sona]

I love.

[Conan O'Brien]

Spoken like a true spiritualist. I love that shit.

[Zach Tarantelli]

So this is spicy psychology.

[Conan O'Brien]

Does this affect the way you schedule things with Ash? Do you. Do you try to. Do you try to look at what the moon is up to? If you're gonna make a reservation or there's a big event coming up, do you consult the moon? Do you let the moon guide your actions?

[Zach Tarantelli]

Well, I actually. I proposed underneath a super blood moon, lunar eclipse.

[Conan O'Brien]

Oh, whoa. And, okay, so you knew what date that was happening. You had to propose. Did you try to. I mean, how does that work? You have to wait at night. Cause you want the moon to be out, right?

[Zach Tarantelli]

Yeah. So I, you know, I told her, hey, what about, you know, in a week and three days, we have our regularly scheduled nighttime picnics, you know, like we have never done before.

[Conan O'Brien]

Right?

[Zach Tarantelli]

And she was like, okay, weird. Sure.

[Matt Gourley]

Yeah.

[Zach Tarantelli]

And then, of course, after I proposed and she said yes, she told me that she actually had it marked on her calendar. Expect proposal this day. Circle voice.

[Conan O'Brien]

Oh, she is a witch. Can't you. Couldn't you have done a better job of surprising her?

[Zach Tarantelli]

I mean, I could have tried.

[Conan O'Brien]

You know what you do? You wait. You make sure you're in the house at the moment, and then you yell fire. And she has to go outside. Right?

[Zach Tarantelli]

Oh, that's good.

[Conan O'Brien]

That's good. Yeah. Why do you need me in your life?

[Zach Tarantelli]

Where were you? Where were you when I was planning this?

[Conan O'Brien]

I fear the moon. I can get. I am so pale. I can get a moon burn. My dermatologist situation just said, avoid day and night. Okay, so you and Ash, what are your plans for the future? Do you have the same values? Do you have the same fears?

[Zach Tarantelli]

I mean, I think we have values and fears that align. You know, we both value a lot of the same things, like being a good person and putting positivity out into the world. You know, I think that the energy you put out is very similar to the energy that you attract. Whether that is spiritualism or psychology. I think it's. It's all the same thing, really. But we both try to live our lives recognizing that the day that we have today is. Is the good old days and really trying to appreciate what we have now before we're old, like some people and.

[Conan O'Brien]

Wait a minute. What?

[Zach Tarantelli]

Looking back, what.

[Conan O'Brien]

What okay, now, is this true? You. You don't want to get too old? It sounds like you guys don't want to get too old. You want to stay young and then call it quits. At what age. What age do you think you'd like to go out at?

[Zach Tarantelli]

I have the benefit of being a young man, so I have often joked that I would, you know, if I could go out at 75. I think 75 is enough. Life lived.

[Conan O'Brien]

No. What are you talking about?

[Zach Tarantelli]

I don't know that I want to live much longer. I mean, at that point, you're just a burden to the people around.

[Conan O'Brien]

This is name droppy, but I had the great privilege of getting to introduce the Rolling Stones a couple of days ago at this big event. And I believe Mick Jagger is 82. That guy's having the time of his life. And if you said, I want out at 75, he would laugh at you and then kick your ass. There's no. You can't.

[Zach Tarantelli]

Could he kick my ass, though?

[Conan O'Brien]

Oh, he could. You know why? He has nine security guards that could kick. He would just point to you. He would be the one responsible for your ass kicking. But he wouldn't do the ass kicking. Anyway. I think you will be amending that when you're 74.

[Zach Tarantelli]

I agree. Of course, you know, by the time I get up there, I'll probably want a couple more years, but I actually. That's pushed into 76.

[Conan O'Brien]

Yeah.

[Zach Tarantelli]

You know, just hitting the snooze button.

[Conan O'Brien]

Yes. Yeah. I love that idea.

[Zach Tarantelli]

That's how life works.

[Conan O'Brien]

Yeah. Yeah. Oh, yeah. You start to hear AM radio and you're like, no, I want a few more years. That's.

[Zach Tarantelli]

That's. That is a fear of mine is. Is reaching an age where I no longer know who I am.

[Conan O'Brien]

Well, I hit that about four years ago, and let me tell you, it's not bad because I've forgotten many of my heinous crimes. So it's all just a dim memory to me. No, I appreciate wanting to stay young, but you can't plan now. But let's say you guys both hit 75 and you want out. How are you gonna do it?

[Zach Tarantelli]

We've actually talked about this. We've discussed two ways. They're both very different. First is going out Thelma and Louise style, getting in a car, just driving right off the Grand Canyon. Then we're going out together.

[Conan O'Brien]

Yeah.

[Zach Tarantelli]

You know, at the same time. And the other way is, you know, the last of us, Nick Offerman style, with some pills and the glass of wine. And, you know, just fall asleep together.

[Conan O'Brien]

Wow, this got super depressing. I would combine.

[Matt Gourley]

None of these involve your Aragorn swords.

[Conan O'Brien]

Yeah, you've got those swords. You might as well use them.

[Zach Tarantelli]

You know what?

[Conan O'Brien]

I would think people romanticize that Thelma and Louise ending. I know. Me. And if I was in that car with my beloved and we went off the cliff of the Grand Canyon, my whole thought, the way down would be, someone's gotta get this car out of the Grand Canyon. And I would feel like, ah, that's a drag, and people are gonna be mad at me, and what if we hit? Like, you would do it, but you

[Matt Gourley]

would leave, like, let's say, a $2,500 check behind for cleaning services.

[Conan O'Brien]

For Crane services. Yeah, I think it's gonna be more than that, actually, to get that out. But I don't care if they have to split the difference. Trust me, I've looked into this. Yeah, I don't know. I just say, don't even worry about it. Your death is not your concern. Just enjoy life for now. And then when the time is nigh, grab seven of your swords and jump on them.

[Zach Tarantelli]

Yeah. You know, I don't know if I want to go out in that flashy of a way. I think the peaceful.

[Conan O'Brien]

Yeah, just a car off the Grand Canyon. Car off the Grand Canyon.

[Matt Gourley]

You had hotel sex with Brad Pitt.

[Zach Tarantelli]

Yeah, it's. Hey, that's peaceful to me. It's just open sky right in front of you. You know, it sounds.

[Conan O'Brien]

So, besides your. Your obsession with these Aragon swords, and of course, your work in animation and your growing interest in all things lunar, what are your hobbies? What's. What would you say is your most interesting hobby?

[Zach Tarantelli]

Well, you know, actually, right now, I'm designing a trading card game with my brother and best friend.

[Conan O'Brien]

Okay, is that two people, or is your brother your best friend? It's a little confusing.

[Zach Tarantelli]

He is my best friend. But then I have another. I have five best friends. No, no, you can't.

[Conan O'Brien]

It's not how it works.

[Sona]

No, I get it. I have that.

[Conan O'Brien]

And what's the trading cards? Just, you know, before we wrap it up. What's the trading cards?

[Zach Tarantelli]

The. So the game is called Alterverse, and the elevator pitch is Interdimensional Hunger Games where alternate versions of history's legends fight in an arena, one on one, to them.

[Conan O'Brien]

Okay, so alternate versions, of course, we go right to Lincoln. What? One Lincoln versus another Lincoln.

[Zach Tarantelli]

What, as a warrior? Yeah.

[Conan O'Brien]

Bizarre.

[Zach Tarantelli]

Of course, when you bring him Lincoln the night, which is, you know, Abraham Linklebot. The robot from the year 3022.

[Matt Gourley]

Genghis Khan versus Lincoln.

[Conan O'Brien]

No, no, no. I think he's saying there's alternate versions. Do the alternate versions fight each other? Does Linkle Bot fight Abraham Lincoln? O. Lincoln, who lives in Ireland. And do they fight each other?

[Zach Tarantelli]

They could fight each other. You could. Right now we have Sherlock as a robot fighting Hercules as a caveman. So maybe not even like actual people that existed. Just the legends. Maybe exist as reality in some other alternate dimension.

[Conan O'Brien]

Have you worked out how the game works in the whole thing?

[Zach Tarantelli]

It's all worked out. We've been play testing it. We've been designing cards. It's. You know, I would challenge you in a game because I know you would. You would love that. I know you're actually dying for me to ask you to do that.

[Conan O'Brien]

You know what? No one's ever read my mind before, but you have. You have. I would love to play you in this game. And he said lying.

[Zach Tarantelli]

I'm.

[Conan O'Brien]

Yeah. I don't know that game sounds like. Obviously you're a very creative guy. You're a very talented guy.

[Zach Tarantelli]

And so do you create things in your hobby? Like when you're just sitting around, if you've got a weekend off or anything like that, do you find yourself writing little things or doodling or doing any sort of creation?

[Conan O'Brien]

I sign headshots to myself. Jesus Christ. Headshots of me from the 90s to me. And then I sign them to me. And then I put them in an envelope. And then I open them and I get excited. And each time I open one, I'm equally excited.

[Zach Tarantelli]

Wow.

[Conan O'Brien]

Yeah. Yeah.

[Zach Tarantelli]

Okay.

[Conan O'Brien]

Yeah. It's a little game I called Narcissus. No, I have lots of little things I do. We all entertain ourselves, I suppose, in different ways. For me, obviously, it's working on my body. What's that?

[Zach Tarantelli]

Yeah.

[Conan O'Brien]

Actually hear nothing good from here. Thank you. I look best on a zoom. Well, it's been delightful talking to you. I mean it when I say you seem like a nice guy and a talented guy. I'm very excited for you. And Ash, who sounds amazing and she's great. And I'm just. I'm happy for you guys. That's all I can say. Would I be happier if you didn't have the swords? Yes, I would. Would I be happier still if your red beard matched your hair? Yes, delighted. But I can't control these things. Does the whole moon thing creep me out in the covens late at night? Yeah. I'm worried. I'm really worried. Does the game sound fun? No. No, it doesn't. But all those things aside, Zach, I like you and I bless you moving forward in life.

[Zach Tarantelli]

Thank you so much. Honestly, it's a pleasure. I have three more swords in the closet. I was gonna send you one.

[Conan O'Brien]

Okay, we have Zack. Thank you so much. Seriously, thank you.

[Zach Tarantelli]

Thank you all. It's been a serious fun meeting you all.

[Conan O'Brien]

And us too, fan. I salute you.

[Zach Tarantelli]

Bye.

[Matt Gourley]

Conan o' Brien Needs a Fan 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 Incidental music by Jimmy Vivino Take it away, Jimmy. Supervising Producer Aaron Blair Associate Talent Producer Jennifer Samples Associate producers Sean Doherty and Lisa Berm Engineering by eduardo Perez get three free months of SiriusXM when you sign [e-mail] Conan Please rate, review and subscribe to Conan O' Brien needs a Fan Wherever fine podcasts are downloaded,

[Conan O'Brien]

Support for Conan O' Brien needs a friend comes from FX's alien Earth, one of the most critically acclaimed series of 2025 and a Craig's Choice nominee, hailed as a dazzlingly haunting epic by the Wrap, with standout performances from Sydney Chandler, Timothy Olyphant and Babu Sissay. RogerEbert.com declares that the series from Noah Hawley shatters already high expectations for your Emmy consideration in all drama categories. Alien Earth is now streaming on Hulu and Hulu on Disney for bundled subscribers with the U.S. bank Smartly Visa Signature Card. You earn an unlimited 2% cash back on every purchase. Huh. That's a good deal.

[Sona]

Yeah.

[Conan O'Brien]

No quarterly activations, no categories to track. Just unlimited 2% cash back on every purchase. Sona, just the other day I bought you this antique wig stand and I didn't get cash back and I regret it now.

[Sona]

Oh, okay. Well, that's a very thoughtful gift.

[Conan O'Brien]

Do you wear a wig or is that your hair?

[Sona]

Absolutely not. It's definitely my hair. Of it's kind of insulting you would buy that gift for me.

[Conan O'Brien]

Well, I'll just return it anyway. But I do wish I got cash back.

[Sona]

Yeah.

[Conan O'Brien]

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