Inside Conan: An Important Hollywood Podcast

Conan sits down with writers Mike Sweeney, Matt O’Brien, Jessie Gaskell, and producer Jason Chillemi for a roundtable discussion about the making of his newest travel show Conan O’Brien Must Go, featuring insights into the destination selection process, a sneak preview of a Bono-centric segment, and the tease of a special surprise narrator.

Transcribed - Published: 19 April 2024

Conan O’Brien and longtime executive producer Jeff Ross join Mike and Jessie to continue the origin story of Late Night, including auditioning bands, the terror of the first test shows, the impetus for the first cold open, and the original name Conan and Robert Smigel wanted for Late Night.

Transcribed - Published: 2 August 2023

Comedian and author Jim Gaffigan joins Mike and Jessie to discuss his many stand-up appearances on Late Night and CONAN, the origins of the Late Night cartoon series "Pale Force", and the future of Late Night television as a whole. This episode was recorded on 6/15/2023.

Transcribed - Published: 26 July 2023

Mike and Jessie answer some of our listeners' most burning questions about the origins of classic Late Night comedy bits like In The Year 2000 and Jeremy and Ira-Two Guys From Another Dimension. Then David Hopping drops into the studio to discuss stepping in as Conan's successor and reveal a few details about the most mysterious Team Coco employee, Erica Brown.

Transcribed - Published: 19 July 2023

Actor, comedian, and writer Sam Richardson joins Mike and Jessie to discuss traveling to Ghana with Conan, getting his first taste of Improv in Detroit, and how he and Tim Robinson found each other. Plus, Mike and Jessie are joined by long time CONAN Script Supervisor John Crotteau to talk about the ups and downs of living on a tour bus for the Legally Prohibited Tour, why he's called the Conan whisperer, and the last season of CONAN at Largo.

Transcribed - Published: 12 July 2023

Comedian Sarah Silverman joins Mike and Jessie to discuss her early days on SNL, appearing on CONAN as Hitler, and lighting the Human Centipede menorah.

Transcribed - Published: 5 July 2023

Robert Smigel, Jonathan Groff, and Matt O'Brien join Mike and Jessie as the head writers from each era of Conan's Late Night shows to discuss their favorite remotes, moments, and disasters from each of their Late Night reigns. Plus, Mike and Jessie breakdown the origins of Nathan Fielder's back-up guest comedy bit with Susan Sarandon.

Transcribed - Published: 28 June 2023

IT legend Chris Hayes returns to discuss his pilgrimage to the Taco Bell headquarters and the time he filled in for Snoop during rehearsal. Plus, Mike and Jessie give some advice for what to do if you run into a celebrity in the wild.

Transcribed - Published: 21 June 2023

Comedian Jimmy Pardo joins Mike and Jessie to discuss the synchronicity of doing warmup for the first Tonight Show at Universal Studios and the Last CONAN show at Largo and the thrill of welcoming comedy greats like Martin Short on his behind the scenes remote series Pardo Patrol. Plus the three delve deep into their pasts to relive their worst run-ins with school bullies.

Transcribed - Published: 14 June 2023

Actor, comedian, and former CONAN writer Deon Cole joins Mike and Jessie to discuss what it was like introducing Conan to soul food, getting kicked out of the Republican National Convention, and his underground album "Sex Sounds".

Transcribed - Published: 7 June 2023

Actor, comedian, and author Pete Holmes joins Mike and Jessie to discuss Conan plucking him from obscurity and donning him with a his own Late Night talk show, much like Lorne Michaels did for Conan in 1993 and how that opportunity led to his meeting of Judd Apatow and the eventual hit HBO series Crashing.

Transcribed - Published: 31 May 2023

Andy Richter joins Mike and Jessie to discuss some of his favorite remotes, including his trip to Woodstock, visiting his old apartment in Chicago, and eating pot brownies while riding in a rickshaw in the Mardi Gras parade. Plus, Mike and Jessie are abruptly interrupted by the one and only INTERRUPTER (AKA writer Brian Stack) to break down the origin story of the classic bit.

Transcribed - Published: 24 May 2023

Local producers Lady May and Maritza Carbajal join Mike and Jessie to discuss the ins and outs of producing CONAN in Ghana and Mexico. Plus, Mike and Jessie break down what goes into a writing packet and the biggest pitfalls to avoid when submitting to a Late Night show.

Transcribed - Published: 17 May 2023

This episode continues where episode 115 leaves off. CONAN OG's Jordan Schlansky, Jason Chillemi, and Frank Smiley discuss, Ralph Macchio shattering Jordan's perception of Hollywood, Conan's very specific palate, and Jordan's constant fear of getting ambushed at work.

Transcribed - Published: 10 May 2023

CONAN OG's Jordan Schlansky, Jason Chillemi, and Frank Smiley discuss pulling together the Italy trip in two weeks, Jordan's foray into nude modeling, and the importance of thinly sliced prosciutto.

Transcribed - Published: 3 May 2023

Writer and actor Colton Dunn joins Mike and Jessie to discuss getting cast in his first network television gig as part of Late Night's fake boy band Dudez-A-Plenti and also reveals the only person on earth who has the Dudez-A-Plenti hit single as their ringtone.

Transcribed - Published: 26 April 2023

Legendary former CONAN writers Brian Stack, Andy Blitz, and Jon Glaser are re-united for an in-depth discussion of their fake comedy vocal harmony group, Slipnutz. The performers discuss their chaotic experience opening up for Slipknot live on tour, the fake tribute album that featured real covers from John Mayer, Patti Smith, and Coldplay, and much more.

Transcribed - Published: 19 April 2023

CONAN writer Laurie Kilmartin joins Mike and Jessie to discuss traveling to the Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar with Conan, First Lady Michelle Obama, John Mulaney, and musician Grace Potter for "Mission: Conan”. The conversation is, once again, briefly hijacked by Conan O’Brien.

Transcribed - Published: 12 April 2023

Flula Borg joins Mike and Jessie to discuss traveling to Germany with Conan for "Conan Without Borders", the Schuhplattler basics, and what's really in his fanny pack.

Transcribed - Published: 5 April 2023

Billy Eichner joins Mike and Jessie to discuss crashing the Super Bowl with the CONAN crew, following Madonna all the way to Israel with CONAN producer Frank Smiley, and shooting the classic Grindr remote.

Transcribed - Published: 29 March 2023

Sona Movsesian joins Mike and Jessie to discuss traveling to Armenia with Conan for "Conan Without Borders". The conversation is briefly hijacked by Joel McHale and Conan O'Brien, who wander into the studio for twenty minutes of delightful chaos.

Transcribed - Published: 22 March 2023

Mike and Jessie are back to tell you about "The Weird Place," a new episodic sci-fi comedy adventure from Dana Carvey and Team Coco Podcasts. From manipulative aliens to time-traveling pirates to a power-hungry mad man with a magic globe, "The Weird Place" has no shortage of action-packed supernatural occurrences. Listen to the "The Weird Place" wherever you get your podcasts.

Transcribed - Published: 1 November 2022

Our friend Brian Reich, the legendary Late Night with Conan O’Brien writer responsible for characters like the Masturbating Bear and Pimpbot 5000, passed away on September 12, 2022. We were lucky enough to have him on the show back in November 2021, where he told one of our favorite stories in all of Conan history. He was a sweet man with a brilliant comedic mind - his contributions to our show, and comedy, are countless. We’ll miss him.

Transcribed - Published: 22 September 2022

Bill Tull, Team Coco’s prop master for 28 years, passed away on July 27th, 2022. In honor of their beloved colleague, Jessie and Mike are revisiting an episode from earlier this year when Bill and fellow prop master John Rau came on to talk about their adventures over the years, from Late Night to CONAN.

Transcribed - Published: 2 August 2022

Mike and Jessie are back with a special announcement from Team Coco! Earlier this year, Conan’s wife Liza joined Inside Conan for one of the most popular episodes to date. Now Liza has her own podcast, Significant Others, and Mike and Jessie have a sneak peek!

Transcribed - Published: 22 July 2022

Conan O’Brien and longtime executive producer Jeff Ross join writers Mike Sweeney and Jessie Gaskell to discuss Conan and Jeff's first meeting, the start of Late Night, Tom Hanks’ message to Conan, and the fate of Conan’s Ford Taurus.

Transcribed - Published: 24 June 2022

Dana Carvey joins Conan writer Mike Sweeney to discuss meeting Conan at Saturday Night Live, the genius and humility of Robin Williams, the key to a good Beatles impression, and the time Regis Philbin heckled Sweeney. Plus Mike and Jessie answer a listener question about wrestling Conan.

Transcribed - Published: 17 June 2022

The man behind the legendary Largo theater, Mark Flanagan, joins writers Mike Sweeney and Jessie Gaskell to discuss CONAN’s run at Largo in 2020-2021, Jack Black’s injury before the show’s final episode, the relationship between comedy and music, legendary singer-songwriter Elliott Smith, and much more. Plus Diana Chang drops by to answer a listener's question about her classic remote with Kevin Hart and Ice Cube!

Transcribed - Published: 10 June 2022

This week Mike and Jessie look back at CONAN’s Comic-Con specials with writers Andres du Bouchet, Levi MacDougall, and Dan Cronin. They discuss working with Comic-Con legends like Mark Hamill and Jamie Lee Curtis, Conan’s cold-open tribute to Mad Max, the convention’s nightlife, the joys of electric scooters, and much more.

Transcribed - Published: 3 June 2022

D’Arcy Carden joins writers Mike Sweeney and Jessie Gaskell to discuss her love for Late Night, meeting Conan before she famous, what it was like to finally appear on his show, and her role in the upcoming “A League of Their Own” series.

Transcribed - Published: 27 May 2022

Reggie Watts joins Mike Sweeney and Jessie Gaskell to discuss performing on the Legally Prohibited From Being Funny on Television Tour, why he felt so comfortable improvising his CONAN appearances, performing with Jimmy Vivino and the Basic Cable Band, and how James Corden told him the Late Late Show would be coming to an end.

Transcribed - Published: 20 May 2022

Actress, writer, and director Kimmy Gatewood (GLOW, Atypical) joins Mike Sweeney and Jessie Gaskell to discuss her many appearances in CONAN sketches, acting with George R.R. Martin, her hilarious interaction with Orlando Bloom behind the scenes of CONAN at Comic Con, and why she almost quit acting before GLOW. Plus Mike and Jessie discuss the recent live Conan O'Brien Needs a Friend taping, and why Jessie was a perfect fit for the Conan Without Borders specials.

Transcribed - Published: 13 May 2022

Jason Chillemi (the man who made all of our favorite Conan remotes possible) joins writers Mike Sweeney and Jessie Gaskell to discuss the classic Ice Cube and Kevin Hart remotes, the early days of CONAN in Los Angeles, what it was like filming Tom Cruise and Conan in London, and why he loved working on the Warner Bros lot.

Transcribed - Published: 6 May 2022

Head writer Matt O’Brien and show photographer Meghan Sinclair join Mike Sweeney and Jessie Gaskell to discuss their courtship at 30 Rock, the early days of CONAN on TBS, chasing Gary Busey with a blimp, and explaining to their kids why Dad is in a Batman porno sketch.

Transcribed - Published: 29 April 2022

Nikki Glaser joins writers Mike Sweeney and Jessie Gaskell to discuss her high school obsession with Late Night, fact-checking comments in the Conan subreddit, how Brian Stack helped her give the ultimate birthday present, and why her dad cried backstage at CONAN.

Transcribed - Published: 22 April 2022

Adam Pally joins writers Mike Sweeney and Jessie Gaskell to discuss his love for Conan, getting cut from Late Night bits, the generous genius of Brian Stack, and why Adam decided to wear progressively more insane costumes for his CONAN interviews. Got a question for Inside Conan? Call our voicemail: (323) 209-5303 and e-mail us at [email protected] .

Transcribed - Published: 15 April 2022

We’re joined by two Conan legends: longtime prop masters Bill Tull and John Rau join writers Mike Sweeney and Jessie Gaskell to discuss going to New Jersey to dig up animal bones, how some new shelves led to absolute mayhem at 30 Rock, the story behind the recurring Tull’s Tips segment, and John Rau’s great performance in Jessie’s Baby Yoda sketch.

Transcribed - Published: 8 April 2022

Will Forte joins writers Mike Sweeney and Jessie Gaskell to discuss playing TBS founder Ted Turner on CONAN, making his first ever talk show appearance on Late Night, and why he felt such a connection with Conan’s comedy from the very beginning.

Transcribed - Published: 1 April 2022

It’s the 100th episode of Inside Conan! To celebrate, Mike and Jessie are speaking with three Conan fan favorites - our friend Robert Smigel answers your listener questions, associate producer Jordan Schlansky explains one of his “various tasks,” and former president of Finland Tarja Halonen reminisces on Conan’s visit to Helsinki.

Transcribed - Published: 25 March 2022

Director Rodman Flender and Sona Movsesian join writers Mike Sweeney and Jessie Gaskell to discuss their favorite memories from the Legally Prohibited from Being Funny on Television Tour, why Rodman was so torn filming his "Conan O'Brien Can't Stop" documentary, their stressful Bonnaroo experience, and why you should always consult the tour manager's binder.

Transcribed - Published: 18 March 2022

Martial artist and stuntman Steven Ho joins writers Mike Sweeney and Jessie Gaskell to discuss almost breaking Conan’s leg with a wooden plank, the violent advice he received from Judd Apatow, coordinating stunts on the “Conan vs Andy: Dawn of #ComicCon” sketch, and why he was hesitant to appear on the Tonight Show with Conan.

Transcribed - Published: 11 March 2022

Writer Bill Carter (author of The War for Late Night) joins Mike Sweeney and Jessie Gaskell to discuss the significance of The Tonight Show for a generation of comedians, the behind-the-scenes drama surrounding Conan’s short-lived run at the show, the future of late night television, and why Bill decided to not publish an emotional 2010 interview with Conan.

Transcribed - Published: 4 March 2022

Ian Roberts (Uprights Citizen Brigade, Arrested Development) joins writers Mike Sweeney and Jessie Gaskell to discuss injuring himself during a Late Night sketch, working with the legendary Nipsey Russell, his daughter’s performance as a baby in a Conan bit, and the early days of the Uprights Citizen Brigade. Plus, Matthew Chauncey joins us to discuss writing the new Team Coco Audible Original series “Self Center.”

Transcribed - Published: 25 February 2022

Writer Kevin Dorff joins Mike Sweeney and Jessie Gaskell to discuss how a newspaper clipping inspired the fan-favorite Old Timey Baseball remote, the key to filming a great remote piece, why Bob Newhart was perfect for Conan’s running gag at the Emmy’s, and the inside story of Kevin’s appearance on The Mandalorian. Plus, we hear from Nell Del Giudice, the scene-stealing colonial wife from the Old Timey Baseball remote!

Transcribed - Published: 18 February 2022

Colin Quinn joins writers Mike Sweeney and Jessie Gaskell to discuss how a basketball game with Adam Sandler led to Colin’s early beef with Conan, the struggle of being spontaneous on television, and working at 30 Rock in the 1990’s.

Transcribed - Published: 11 February 2022

Legendary comedian Steven Wright joins writers Mike Sweeney and Jessie Gaskell to discuss Conan’s skills as an improv partner, giving one word answers on Late Night, the crazy coincidence that led to his big break on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson, and the freedom of couch appearances. Plus, Steven answers some listener questions!

Transcribed - Published: 4 February 2022

José Arroyo joins writers Mike Sweeney and Jessie Gaskell to discuss the origins of his Euro Guy character, the 2007 Writer’s Strike, following The Tonight Show to Los Angeles, and collaborating on a cartoon with Conan. Got a question for Inside Conan? Call our voicemail: (323) 209-5303 and e-mail us at [email protected]

Transcribed - Published: 28 January 2022

Vanessa Bayer joins writers Mike Sweeney and Jessie Gaskell to discuss her experience as a Late Night intern, the power of the 30 Rock security pass, getting salon advice from curly-haired Conan employees, and her appearance as an extra in a Late Night sketch. Got a question for Inside Conan? Call our voicemail: (323) 209-5303 and e-mail us at [email protected].

Transcribed - Published: 21 January 2022

Jack McBrayer joins writers Mike Sweeney and Jessie Gaskell to discuss the many ways he was killed/abused on Late Night, going on tour with Conan, getting vomited on by Triumph the Insult Comic Dog, and how his experience as a Late Night actor helped him land his role on 30 Rock. We’re also joined by Sona Movsesian to answer some listener questions and discuss the new season of Sona Fixes Your Life!

Transcribed - Published: 14 January 2022

Liza Powel O’Brien joins writers Mike Sweeney and Jessie Gaskell to discuss how she met her husband (a certain redheaded talk show host) on a Late Night remote. All it took to bring them together was a man with a chainsaw and Mike Sweeney as her wingman. Plus, Liza reveals her upcoming Team Coco podcast!

Transcribed - Published: 7 January 2022