Conan O’Brien Needs A Friend Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook of The Rest Is History Podcast
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Oct 20, 2025 
Historians Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook bring humor to serious subjects, discussing their chemistry and storytelling styles. They delve into the quirks of historical figures, notably their obsession with facial hair, and share insights on their favorite heroes like Admiral Nelson and Abraham Lincoln. The pair explores the cyclical nature of history and reassures listeners that today’s crises are not unique. Their podcast's growth from humble beginnings to popularity is a testament to their engaging dynamic and compelling narratives.
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Conan's Fanboy Origin Story
- Conan describes discovering The Rest Is History and binge-listening hundreds of episodes, calling it the greatest podcast.
- He recounts being starstruck hearing Tom and Dominic in his home and compares them to celebrities he admired.
Humor Arises From History's Characters
- Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook argue humor naturally emerges from real historical characters and situations rather than being forced onto events.
- They say laughing at absurd historical behavior helps hold the seriousness of tragedy and makes history accessible.
History As Dark Comedy
- Tom frames history as a 'dark comedy' where people repeatedly overreach and fail to get what they want.
- He suggests that perspective lets us laugh to avoid despair when confronting historical tragedies.