Conan O’Brien Needs A Friend
Team Coco & Earwolf
After 25 years at the Late Night desk, Conan realized that the only people at his holiday party are the men and women who work for him. Over the years and despite thousands of interviews, Conan has never made a real and lasting friendship with any of his celebrity guests. So, he started a podcast to do just that. Deeper, unboundedly playful, and free from FCC regulations, Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend is a weekly opportunity for Conan to hang out with the people he enjoys most and perhaps find some real friendship along the way.
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Subscribe to SiriusXM Podcasts+ to listen to new episodes of Conan O'Brien Needs a Friend ad-free and a whole week early.
Start a free trial now on Apple Podcasts or by visiting siriusxm.com/podcastsplus.
Episodes
Mentioned books
19 snips
Dec 25, 2025 • 27min
Limp Paddle With Special Guest D’Arcy Carden
D'Arcy Carden, actor and comedic talent known for her vibrant roles on TV, joins Conan for a lively chat with Derek, a pinball enthusiast and commissioner from the San Francisco pinball league. Derek dives into the competitive pinball scene, sharing strategies and the importance of patience and finesse. He reveals intriguing stories about league culture, the challenges of cheating, and even the thrill of owning unique machines like Jim Henson's Labyrinth. The trio brainstorms what a Conan-themed pinball machine might look like—expect comedic animatronics and risqué imagery!
9 snips
Dec 22, 2025 • 1h 1min
James L. Brooks
James L. Brooks, an award-winning director known for classics like The Mary Tyler Moore Show, chats with Conan O'Brien. He reflects on his eclectic journey from a CBS usher to a television visionary. The conversation touches on the cultural impact of The Mary Tyler Moore Show and its perfect timing in history. Brooks also shares insights on writing authentic female characters, his transition back to directing with Ella McKay, and the lasting legacy of The Simpsons. Plus, a hilarious hygiene scandal lightens the mood!
17 snips
Dec 18, 2025 • 18min
It’s A Small World In Here
Anirudh, a lively caller from Bangalore, shares his colorful experiences of living in a bustling 15-person joint family. He recounts hilarious family dynamics, including mischief from his cousin Fatou. Anirudh also shares the story of a drunken email he wrote to Conan during a date with his girlfriend, Irene, which turned into a romantic connection. They discuss the cultural quirks of dating across continents and the delightful challenges presented by Irene's parents, sprinkled with Conan's humorous support and playful insights.
55 snips
Dec 15, 2025 • 1h 2min
Kumail Nanjiani Returns Again
Kumail Nanjiani, an actor and comedian known for his work on Silicon Valley and The Big Sick, shares his excitement about friendship with Conan. He discusses his new standup special, Night Thoughts, and the overlap of comedy's smart and silly aspects. Kumail reminisces about his Chicago roots and how personal experiences inspired his comedic material. They explore the modern landscape of promotion, amusing anecdotes about weed dealers, and the evolution of Kumail's stage persona, all while celebrating their deep friendship.
11 snips
Dec 11, 2025 • 23min
Cocoland
Conan chats with theme park designer Margaret about the eerie Haw Par Villa in Singapore, famous for its cautionary dioramas. They dive into the charm of theme parks as adult playgrounds and reminisce about amusing Disney experiences. Margaret proposes creative ride ideas for each host: Conan's endless coaster, Sona's gummy river, and Matt's retro dark ride. They even envision these rides colliding into a whimsical s'mores bonfire. Plus, there's a fun discussion about future meetups at Disneyland!
65 snips
Dec 8, 2025 • 1h 3min
Will Arnett Returns
Will Arnett, the talented Canadian-American actor known for his roles in Arrested Development and voice-over work, chats with Conan O’Brien about his new film, Is This Thing On?. They explore humor's role in coping with grief and how comedic bits can be healing. Will shares his journey preparing for stand-up, embracing vulnerability in dramatic roles, and the balancing act of living between two coasts. Their candid banter also touches on the enduring impact of Arrested Development and the joys of friendship amid life's ups and downs.
18 snips
Dec 4, 2025 • 18min
The House Dick
Conan chats with Tricia, a small-hotel proprietor from Santo Tomas, Batangas. She shares the ups and downs of running a 22-room hotel and nearby restaurant, emphasizing her struggles with attracting local customers. Conan humorously offers to help, imagining himself as a quirky house detective navigating hotel antics. Their playful conversation covers everything from hotel security to Tricia's artistic passions, all while exploring delicious Filipino cuisine like balut and dinuguan. It's a delightful blend of business insights and cultural banter!
56 snips
Dec 1, 2025 • 1h 2min
Matthew Rhys Returns Again
Welsh actor Matthew Rhys, known for his Emmy-winning role in The Americans, returns for a lively chat with Conan. They explore beer preferences for autumn, with Matthew declaring Guinness a favorite. He candidly discusses his imposter syndrome while preparing for his one-man show Playing Burton and the nuances of performing for Welsh audiences. Their playful banter includes anecdotes about Matthew's chemistry read with Keri Russell, which led to their marriage, and a debate on what 'A-list' really means in today's celebrity culture.
19 snips
Nov 27, 2025 • 22min
Classic Colonizer
In this entertaining chat, Conan connects with Arjun from Kerala, discussing his quest for love and his quirky attraction to straight men. They explore Kerala’s rich spice history and joke about Conan being a 'classic colonizer.' Arjun dreams of writing a screenplay while sharing nightlife tips from Bangalore's vibrant queer scene. Their improv moments lead to hilarious misunderstandings, especially around a potential wingman role for Conan. The conversation wraps up with laughter and hopes for a future meeting.
55 snips
Nov 24, 2025 • 1h 2min
Leanne Morgan
Leanne Morgan, a comedian and actress known for her Netflix special, joins Conan O’Brien to share her journey from small-town Tennessee to comedy stardom. She discusses the challenges of breaking into the Christian comedy scene and the bittersweet nature of finding her voice later in life. Leanne touches on the importance of authenticity in her storytelling, her collaboration with Chuck Lorre, and the impact of social media on her career. The conversation blends humor with insights about family life, aging, and the joys and struggles in comedy.
