David Remnick

Do you worry about the kind of unplanned disaster happening?

Give me an example in performance.

Do you do that too as a comedian?

To what degree are you, you know, you're not like you are at home or at dinner.

You're a heightened you.

You know what?

Thanks, Dad.

From what I understand, you also treated...

the death of your parents in some way, comedically, therapeutically, humanly.

I wonder if you could tell that story.

I'm speaking with Conan O'Brien and we'll continue in just a moment.

This is the New Yorker Radio Hour.

This is the New Yorker Radio Hour.

I'm David Remnick, and I've been speaking today with Conan O'Brien.

Since leaving late night TV in 2021, O'Brien has been busy.

His hit podcast, Conan O'Brien Needs a Friend, commands maybe even a bigger audience than he had on late night.

He launched spinoffs to the podcast, and then the travel series Conan O'Brien Must Go was on HBO Max.

Last year, he was even in a movie.

He played the therapist of Rose Byrne's tormented character in If I Had Legs, I'd Kick You.

Let's return to my conversation now with Conan O'Brien.