Conan O’Brien Needs A Friend cover image

Conan O’Brien Needs A Friend

Susie Essman

Jun 24, 2024
Conan O'Brien chats with comedian and actress Susie Essman about her role on Curb Your Enthusiasm, being a female comic in the 80s, and the cultural similarities between the Irish and the Jews. They also share funny stories, including Conan's trip to the Vatican to meet the Pope.
01:04:08

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Susie Essman broke comedy norms by being herself on stage, defying societal expectations.
  • Female comedians faced challenges to conform to gender stereotypes in the 80s stand-up scene.

Deep dives

Facing Challenges and Finding Purpose

In a period of darkness and uncertainty, the speaker found her calling in stand-up comedy, driven by a deep need for self-expression and clarity. Despite the daunting environment for female comedians in the '80s, limited by societal expectations of women's behavior, she pushed forward, breaking norms by showcasing her authentic self on stage. Her journey involved eclectic improvisation, discovering punchlines in the heat of live performances, and resisting conformity to scripted materials. The fear and exhilaration of spontaneity fueled her creativity, shaping her unique style and contributing to her success.

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