The Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend Podcast is a weekly podcast hosted by American comedian and former talk show host Conan O’Brien. It is co-hosted by O’Brien’s assistant, Sona Movsesian, and producer, Matt Gourley. The podcast debuted in November 2018 and features O’Brien talking with comedians and actors in the industry, including Jeff Goldblum, Adam Sandler, Stephen Colbert, David Letterman, Will Ferrell, Kristen Bell, Bill Burr, Tom Hanks, and Tina Fey; along with personal friends, such as Lisa Kudrow and Timothy Olyphant; as well as people he admires, such as Barack Obama and Michelle Obama, Neil Young, and Robert Caro.
Hosts:
- Conan O’Brien is an American television host, comedian, writer, and producer. O’Brien is best known for having hosted late-night talk shows for almost 28 years,
- Sona Movsesian is an American executive assistant, author, and media personality. She has been the personal assistant of late-night talk show host Conan O’Brien since 2009, and has been featured in show segments, including as a guest in 2019
- Matt Gourley is an American actor, comedian, and podcaster best known for his work on the Superego and Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend podcasts and Drunk History.
Episodes to Watch:
- Episode 15: Jeff Goldblum: “Well, I feel, let me be, uh, truthful, and I feel, well, to the extent that we’re friends, I feel we have a deep connection, but I wish we’d spend more time together. I’m available for your friendship however time-consuming, or, uh, any-any aspect of it. We’ve been friends in the sense that we have, in the way that we have on these shows and seeing each other here and there. You’ve, of course, I’ve enrolled you in, I-I finagled you into being part of that show, that movie, little movie that I did and you were so sweet to do that and then, what else? Oh we did a, we did a, we were there at the voi-, at some voice over we were doing. It was one of your things, yes, yes, yes. So, and then, I think we- did I have a date with you, or just ran into you at the Soho House? That was lovely. And I’ve always said, yes, let’s- and we’ve exchanged information, but we’ve never availed ourselves of it. I’ve always said let’s come over to my house and let’s do many things. I do all, all manner of things, so I-I, I-I love being your friend however it does or doesn’t pan out. But I tell you again, I’m available for the deepest, closest, and most time-consuming kind of friendship.”
- Episode 107: JB Smoove: “As though Conan is taking advantage of me and he’s putting pressure on people to be his friend”
- Episode 194: Luke Wilson: “That, on the advice of my counsel, it’s best that I’ve agree to be clear about being Conan O’Brien’s friend”
Reviews:
- “…it turns out that Conan O’Brien’s perfect vehicle was podcasts all along. while the segments that bookend the interviews allow him to indulge his more gleefully dickish nature. These moments, which regularly spiral out into him railing against his assistant and producer, are some of the purest comedy that he has ever put his name to.” – Stuart Heritage
- “Robe Lowe was awesome. Gawd. The stories he have with Old Hollywood always has my ears. Laugh with the impressions and stay for the stories. Great episode.” – Imran A
- “The hit series is, unsurprisingly, a total pleasure, beginning with its premise…O’Brien’s self-effacing weirdness always encourages a sense of real intimacy.” – Emma Dibdin New York Times
- “Not just a simple interview style podcast, Conan and his co-host Sona are really creating comedy. He keeps it accessible, balances comedy and serious talk, and avoids droning on too much or focusing on the dry things we already know about.” – Stacey Orth Quill Inc
- “knows how to conduct an interview. By turns a grandiose caricature and a self-deprecating ball of insecurities, always with an unexpected jab or spiel on his tongue, he is as much a draw as his guests.” – Sam Gohra Vurbl
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