Stephen Wright's novel Harold combines humor, nostalgia, and contemplation to create a unique and compelling read for both children and adults.
Comedians like Conan O'Brien find joy and creativity in making unexpected connections and combining unrelated elements in their comedy.
Deep dives
Harold: A Funny and Touching Novel
Harold is a novel written by Stephen Wright that is both funny and touching. The story follows a young boy named Harold in the mid-60s, who daydreams during class and contemplates various aspects of life. The novel explores profound observations and thought-provoking questions, such as the concept of aging and what if people were like trees that kept growing taller as they got older. It is filled with whimsical and creative ideas, taking readers on a journey through Harold's imaginative mind. The book combines humor, nostalgia, and a touch of existentialism, making it a unique and compelling read for both children and adults.
Stephen Wright: A Master of Observational Comedy
Stephen Wright's comedy style is known for its distinctive voice and observational humor. He has a talent for noticing unusual details and presenting them in a dry and deadpan manner, which has endeared him to audiences for over 40 years. Wright's wit and wordplay have made him a beloved and influential figure in the comedy world. His ability to find humor in everyday situations and his knack for writing clever one-liners have earned him a dedicated following. His comedic genius is showcased not only in his stand-up performances but also in his writing, as seen in his novel Harold.
The Serendipitous Journey of Writing a Novel
Stephen Wright's novel Harold came to fruition through a serendipitous journey. It all began when an editor at Simon & Schuster stumbled upon a clip of Wright talking about writing a novel on Twitter, posting one sentence at a time. This sparked their interest, which led to a friendship and ultimately the publication of the novel. Harold is a delightful and thought-provoking book that brings together humor, nostalgia, and contemplation. Wright's ability to capture the essence of a young boy's mind and explore profound topics in a lighthearted way is what makes this novel so special.
Podcast Episode Summary
In this podcast episode, Conan O'Brien engages in a humorous and nostalgic conversation with his guest, discussing various topics. One key point they explore is the concept of comedians making unexpected connections, similar to the miswiring of the brain that wouldn't work in evolution. They highlight the joy and creativity that comes from combining unrelated elements in comedy. Another main idea discussed is Conan O'Brien's early success on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson. He describes the rarity of being invited back for a second appearance within a week and the transformative impact it had on his career, as going on the show instantly made him famous overnight.
Comedian and author Steven Wright feels anxious about being Conan O’Brien’s friend.
Steven sits down with Conan to talk about honing his trademark deadpan humor, debuting on Johnny Carson, and pouring everything he thinks about being alive into his new novel Harold. Plus, Conan tries to make Matt Gourley jealous with an in-person visit to an iconic James Bond filming location.
For Conan videos, tour dates and more visit TeamCoco.com.
Get access to all the podcasts you love, music channels and radio shows with the SiriusXM App! Get 3 months free using this show link: https://siriusxm.com/conan.
Get the Snipd podcast app
Unlock the knowledge in podcasts with the podcast player of the future.
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode
Save any moment
Hear something you like? Tap your headphones to save it with AI-generated key takeaways
Share & Export
Send highlights to Twitter, WhatsApp or export them to Notion, Readwise & more
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode