Conan O’Brien Needs A Friend Thomas Middleditch and Ben Schwartz
6 snips
Mar 11, 2019 
Join Ben Schwartz, renowned for his role in Parks and Recreation, and improv partner Thomas Middleditch as they chat with Conan. They dive into the wild world of improv, sharing hilarious anecdotes from performing at iconic venues like Carnegie Hall. The trio explores the challenges of maintaining authenticity as celebrities in live performances while indulging in witticism about aging in comedy. With a playful take on social cues and the impact of enthusiastic audiences, this conversation is packed with laughs and insights about the unpredictable joy of improv.
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Conan's Early Improv
- Conan O'Brien started improv in LA in 1985 at the Groundlings, taking Cynthia Segetti's class.
- He met Lisa Kudrow there, and they performed in the basement of the Scientology center.
Scripted vs. Improv
- Conan O'Brien prefers scripted sketches over pure improv in his shows.
- He prioritizes reflecting the writers' original ideas and making the material presentable for television.
Improv vs. Stand-Up
- Unlike Conan O'Brien, Ben Schwartz finds stand-up terrifying but enjoys improv.
- Schwartz feels more comfortable improvising with a familiar partner, like Thomas Middleditch.