Primary Topic
This episode of "Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend" features a humorous and insightful conversation with a retired circus clown who has transitioned into being a death doula.
Episode Summary
Main Takeaways
- Michael J. shares his journey from being a circus clown to becoming a death doula, highlighting the skills transfer between entertaining and comforting people.
- The role of a death doula is illuminated, focusing on their support for the dying and their families, educating them about the natural processes of dying.
- Conan's interaction with Michael provides humor infused with sensitivity on the topic of death, making it accessible and less taboo.
- The conversation challenges societal norms about death, advocating for more openness and acceptance in discussing it.
- The episode balances deep, meaningful topics with light-hearted, humorous moments, reflecting the essence of what makes Conan's podcast compelling.
Episode Chapters
1: Introduction and Sponsors
The episode kicks off with playful banter about McDonald's and other sponsors, setting a light-hearted tone. Conan O'Brien: "There's no wrong way to eat McDonald's fries, but we all think our way is the best way."
2: Michael J.'s Introduction
Conan introduces Michael J., a retired circus clown who is now a certified death doula, and they discuss his life and career transition. Michael J.: "I am a retired clown. Circus clown. Me, too."
3: Deep Dive into Death Doula Role
Michael explains the role and significance of a death doula in supporting individuals and families during the end-of-life process. Michael J.: "A death doula helps in the labor of death, similar to how a birth doula assists during childbirth."
4: Humorous Anecdotes and Philosophical Musings
Conan and Michael share humorous anecdotes and delve into philosophical discussions about death and society's handling of it. Conan O'Brien: "We have a culture that isolates us from death. We scrub it clean."
5: Conclusion and Credits
The episode wraps up with a light-hearted continuation of the theme, integrating humor with reflections on the topics discussed. Conan O'Brien: "All I want is a bottle of good pinot noir and a good pizza margarita, which is right down the street."
Actionable Advice
- Explore the role of humor in dealing with difficult topics like death to make them more approachable.
- Consider the benefits of services like death doulas for end-of-life support.
- Open conversations about death in your own circles to reduce its stigma.
- Reflect on how societal norms shape our views on death and consider more integrative approaches.
- Engage with content that balances humor with meaningful discussions to enrich understanding of complex topics.
About This Episode
Conan talks to retired clown Michael Jay from Kitty Hawk, NC about benevolent clowning, working as a death doula, and what kind of classic clown Conan would be.
People
Michael J., Conan O'Brien, Sona Mofsecian, Matt Gorley
Companies
Team Coco
Books
None
Guest Name(s):
Michael J.
Content Warnings:
None
Transcript
This episode is brought to you by McDonald's. Not sure you've heard of them up and coming little restaurant, but they're making it. They're the little engine that could. You know the moment of bliss when you spot your fries being scooped into the carton and suddenly time slows down. I have that all the time.
I love their fries. Oh, yes. Yes. McDonald's fries hit different when they're free. That's another thing I'll tell you.
And when they belong to your friends, there's no better feeling than thinking you're out of fries. And then you discover extra fries at the bottom of your bag or else. My son still hasn't finished his fries, and I'm done with mine. And he used to be weaker than me, so I could just take them. Yeah.
Now I can't. Cause he's stronger than me. Oh, yeah. There's no wrong way to eat McDonald's fries, but we all think our way is the best way. And I like stealing them from someone else.
That's my favorite way. Get your favorite McDonald's fries today. McDonald's. Check them out sometime. They're everywhere.
There's a lot to say when buying a new home or car. But only one thing to say that can help you protect them. Like a good neighbor state farm is there. Hear me? I did.
Sona Mofsecian
I heard you. And just like that, a state farm agent will be there to help you choose the coverage you need. You just say that, and they show up. They come jumping out of a shrub. Oh, cool.
No matter where you are in life, when you need the coverage options, your state farm agent is there to help on the phone or in person, like a good neighbor state farm is there.
Sona Mofsecian
Conan O'Brien needs a fan. Want to talk to Conan, visit teamco.com callconan. Okay, let's get started. Hi, Michael J. Welcome to Conan O'Brien.
Matt Gorley
Needs a fan. Hey, Michael J. How are you? I'm doing great. How are you?
Conan O'Brien
I'm doing terrific. Where are you in the world right. Now, Michael J. I am in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. Ah.
Famous spot where the Wright brothers first plane took flight, right? Kitty Hawk. Well, you know, I hate to start our interview off with a correction, Conan, but the history books tell us that the Wright brothers flew in Kitty Hawk. They actually flew in kill devil Hills, which is just south of Kitty Hawk. And the reason that Kitty Hawk gets the notoriety is that there's no telegraph office in kill devil Hills.
Michael Jay
So after they flew, they had to go up to Kitty Hawk, send the telegram, and then I think it's a pr thing? Because Kitty Hawk sounds much more aeronautical than kill devil Hills. Okay, let me tell you something, Michael J. You are dead to me now. Oh.
Conan O'Brien
You know, because I like this guy. You corrected me on. You corrected me on american history. I'm humiliated. Look, if I have to flame out that way, it's.
Michael Jay
I'm okay with it. No, that's. That's a. That's fair. You seem to really know your stuff.
Conan O'Brien
And now I know something, and you're right. No, I do know that the captions of the plane. Of the photograph of the plane flying, say, kill Devil Hill. So, yes, you are correct. You just upped me on that.
Michael Jay
I didn't know that. That's fantastic. Well, I panicked and I just tried to make. I don't think I've ever seen a photo that said, you made it up. I made it up.
You know what I think? I think after you've said it, it's written in and it's now. I mean, that's gospel. You know what, Michael J? You went in 30 seconds from being dead to me to being my best friend ever.
Sona Mofsecian
Aw. Because you paid me that compliment of saying that anything I hear is gospel. Tell us a little bit about yourself, Michael J. I like you. You've got great energy.
Conan O'Brien
I'm clicking with you right away. What do you do? What's your profession? Well, I am a retired clown. Circus clown.
Michael Jay
I am. Me, too.
Sona Mofsecian
Yeah, no wonder. Although I'm having trouble retiring. But, no, I very much. I'm with you, man. I feel the same.
Conan O'Brien
I feel your pain. So you've been a circus clown for how long? For 20 years now. So, started in 2004. Yeah.
That's amazing. And were you trained? Did you go to clown college? Did you. What was your background?
How did you get into clowning? I didn't. And I'm going to correct you again, Conan. There's no such thing as clown college. Like a sort of academic institution.
Michael Jay
Clown college that most people know of is really the Ringling Brothers training camp. It's like. Now I'm going to correct you. No, no, you're correct. It's called the Clown college.
But people. Wait a minute. Wait a minute. I'm totally fine with him correcting you, Michael J. That's fine to correct me, but it turns out I was.
Conan O'Brien
You just said I was correct. I was dating a girl once in another lifetime, long time ago. This is weeks ago. No, I'm kidding. Many, many years ago, I was dating this woman.
And after we dated, she was working at the time in a sports bar, and she was waiting tables, and we dated a little bit in Chicago. Then afterwards she said, I'm off. And I said, where are you going? And she said, I'm off to clown college. And she had never mentioned anything about that.
And then I told some of the other writers at SNL, and they started making lots of jokes about, before you went to bed with her, would you take off your really long shoes? Did she sometimes have to sweep up the spotlight around the apartment? So it was a mistake to mention that to a bunch of SNL writers. Anyway, the best thing to imagine the. Noises that might come out of a room are the.
Matt Gorley
Highly erotic. Guess what? You just aroused me. I'm going to say, hey, come on. Come on.
Conan O'Brien
Yeah. Wait a minute. I'm sorry. The idea of a clown doing it and making that noise, I think is one of my kinks. I wanna tell you something, Michael J.
You seem like you have a great sense of humor. You'd be good at clowning. What kind of clown were you? What was your Persona? So I like to practice what something I call benevolent clowning.
Michael Jay
So a lot of clowns are kind of, like, real mischievous and, like, are gonna, you know, like, stick it to you and, you know. Pennywise. Well, yeah, stick it to you. Yeah, pennywise. Pennywise.
Conan O'Brien
Not a nice clown. Malicious clown. Yeah. And so I tend to be sort of a, you know, a clown sort of from the heart. I like to find the idiocy, the, you know, the idiocy in a moment and sort of live in that we sit in the muck is a thing that clowns say a lot.
So I ascribe to that philosophy, which is there are. I mean, there are different comedic schools. Some comedians like to. I am the teller of truth. I'm above you telling you about the world.
I like to be in the mud, or the muck, as you guys call it. I like mostly the joke to be on me, but also sometimes I like it to be about Matt Gorley and Sonam obsession. I feel like I'm pulling them down into the mud with me and rubbing muck all over them. Huh. That's my thought.
Michael Jay
I remember who said it. I think it might have been Buster Keaton who said, the audience loves a slow thinker. And so I like to be a slow thinker that has just a big heart, because I look like. And for, you know, people listening, they won't be able to see me, but I look like if a panda bear and a human being merged into one, and, like, we got in a fly teleportation pod accident like a panda. So that's.
That's sort of the clowning that I sort of. I lead with that. I like your philosophy. I think it's very sweet. And so you've been a clown for a long time, and it sounds like you've been successful entertaining people.
Conan O'Brien
Is that pretty much the plan going forward, or is there something else you're working on? You know, that's interesting. A lot of beautiful boxes have been checked in my life, and I feel very extraordinarily lucky to have led the path that I have. And so I'm not sure I'm really on the lookout for something, whatever is next. And so recently, I became a certified death doula.
Michael Jay
Whoa. A death doula? Yeah. Are you familiar with that? Well, I'm conjuring what I think it might be, and I may have been around it.
Conan O'Brien
These are people that when someone's passing, when they're. Is a death doula there for the person who's dying or for the people who are grieving? Both. Both. The easiest way to describe it is, where's a birth doula?
Michael Jay
So, like midwives and birth doulas, a birth doula helps in the labor of birth. A death doula helps in the labor of death. Because there is a sequence of events that happens that, you know, for a person who's in the process of death and dying, and it's, you know, it's something where you can help them in their journey. You can help the families and their journey. You know, you're there to help educate your help.
Conan O'Brien
I have no idea how somebody prepares for that or how you can learn about that. I was around someone, and it's not a tragic story. It was someone who was very, very old, who was passing on. And, I mean, I think close to 100, if not 100. And they were passing on.
It was the first time I had been around a death doula, and I was really impressed with the explanations they were giving about what's happening and that this is a very natural process. Obviously, sometimes it's not a natural. Someone's, you know, a bank safe falls on them. That's not a natural process. But it's funny.
Yeah, it's funny when it, you know, it happens. Bank safe is made of natural materials. Exactly. Yeah. But in this scenario, I don't know, it blew my mind that this person was so helpful and just understood that this is what's happening.
And as you know, we have a culture that isolates us from death. We scrub it clean. We don't, people used to, when someone, people used to die all the time, and they would have the person in the casket in the house for three days before they buried them. You were present. Now it's all been taken care of and sanitized.
Michael Jay
You're correct again conan right on the spot. Cause it's something that we've gotten as a society. We've been very separated from funeral rites. We don't prepare the body anymore. We don't put them in a casket.
We're not close to them. Basically, once our loved one dies, they get handed off and then they come back to us either in an urn or in a casket, and then we put them in the ground. It's something, I think one of the biggest jobs of a death doula is just to get death back in the conversation. I think as a society, we tend to keep it at arm's length. We don't even want to say the word death.
In fact, that's a debate among death doulas is, should we be called death doulas or end of life doulas? And I think that's exactly the point, is that we need to take the power away from or the stigma attached to the word death. It's like they're contorting the words to say, I'm a life. Not anymore doula. Right.
Conan O'Brien
Wait, you're what? I'm a good times life over now, counselor. Yeah. Which is just so sad. Life the endy guy.
That's too harsh. That's too harsh. I like it. You're hired. I've got some bad news.
Sona Mofsecian
Oh, no. My bread is running out. Person helper. Yes. Heart ending.
Conan O'Brien
I very much am concerned. I want to do whatever's best for the people around me when my time comes. And I think that. What about when the time before your time comes? No, fuck that.
Screw all of you. What I want, Michael J. Is I want some sort of in a weekend at Bernie's kind of way. I want my body to be around for a couple of weeks, and I want to be brought to parties and stuff so that people really get the idea that, like, he's gone and it eases the transition for everyone else. And I get to party.
I get to party. No, you're dead. Well, still, I get to, like, you know. Yeah. Put the sunglasses on, take you to bars around Marchmont.
I forget weekend at Bernie's. Was his glasses on kind of sideways? Yes. Yeah, yeah. And then the thing about that, and I know that we were talking about a very serious topic, Michael J.
But I've taken us to weekend at Bernie's. Yes, and you're a deaf expert. I think I wanna get your opinion. The mistake they made in that movie is that when people die, they don't become floppy dummies. And this guy's dead for days, and he's just this floppy dummy.
So that the comedy works, when in reality, they should do a remake of weekend at Bernie's where the body decomposes in the natural way, but they try the same gag, rigor mortis and everything. Yes, right, right. Yeah. When does it get stinky? Well, let's not get into that.
Sona Mofsecian
Oh, okay. I mean, I don't wanna depress Michael J. My body will become very odorous very quickly. I plan to die eating a massive amount of onions and chili.
You know, it's incredible to have the flexibility to work in all sorts of places, whether it's taking video calls from the park or emailing large files while you're grocery shopping. So now this is good for you, is it? Because you're always doing whatever work you do for me from fun locations. But I like blaming it on not having reception. I know, but you can't do that here.
Working on the go seamlessly requires a strong network. Which is why you should check out T Mobile Sona. Then you got no excuses. They're America's largest and fastest 5g network. With T Mobile, you'll be covered in more places with the 5g speed you need for your life on the go.
Plus, they also cover more highway miles with 5g than anybody else. Check it out if you don't believe me. Hey, Blay, you've got t mobile, right? I do. I was actually just up in the woods in Idlewild.
Michael Jay
It was fantastic for the weekend. And my t mobile didn't miss it. My t mobile phone didn't miss it. You know, I wouldn't think you'd need a cell phone. Cause you speak so loudly into a microphone.
Conan O'Brien
Well, I had to look some stuff up. Just take it. Just take it down. I didn't know what brunch was. I can hear him when the restaurant's open for brunch.
Okay. So I used my t mobile coverage to check out. Terrific brunch. That's all right. Anyway, wherever you are, you know, take.
It from the loudspeaking. Blay, if you're on the go, you want to be in the know, you want to make the show. What? T mobile? That's the one for you.
You should have rhymed it with go. Anyway, find out more@tmobile.com. network today coverage not available in some areas fastest based on median overall combined 5g speeds, according to analysis by Ookla of speed test intelligence data Q 320 23. See 5g device coverage and access details@tmobile.com. dot with the Wells Fargo active cash credit card, you can earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases you want and purchases you need.
Sounds pretty good, huh? Doesn't it? Sona, I like that. Yeah, you like it? This means you can earn on what you want, like trying out the new workout class and 2% cash rewards.
And what you need, like a foam roller for your sore muscles. You're always asking about a foam roller. Yeah, I love to work out and. Use a foam roller. That's the beauty.
Sona Mofsecian
Foam it up. That's foam it up. That's the beauty of the activecash credit card. It's ready when you are with unlimited 2% cash rewards. The Wells Fargo active cash credit card, that's real life.
Ready? I don't know where they come up with these things. Terms apply. Learn more at Wells fargo.com activecash.
Conan O'Brien
You know me, son. I love to grill up some nice beef every now and then. I'm a grill master. Or sometimes the grill maestro. Depends on which country you're in.
Any hoots? No one's called you that. When I'm grilling stuff up, I need my Miller lite. I really do. And I like Miller Lite.
Cause they keep it simple. It's undebatable quality. It tastes as great as your barbecue. Yeah. It's the beer that strips away everything you don't need.
Holds on to what matters most. It's a light beer with the most taste, less filling, and only 96 calories. That's good. That's how I stay so lean, humble, brag since 1975. A perfect companion for grill masters across America.
So next time you're grilling up, grab your Miller lite, chomp, chomp, and then shlerp slurp on the Miller lite. Those sound effects really sold it with a Miller lite in hand. It really doesn't just taste great, it tastes like Miller time. Get mirrorlight delivered right to your door. Visit millerlight.com Conan or you can find it pretty much anywhere that sells beer.
And hey, celebrate responsibly. Miller Brewing Company Milwaukee, Wisconsin 96 calories per 12oz.
This show is sponsored by Better Help. We all sometimes have issues or things we need to talk about get off our chest. I have that all the time, don't you, Sona? I do. Yeah.
And we need people to talk to, and we carry around different stressors. We carry big stressors, we carry small stressors. I was raised in a culture where you're supposed to kind of bottle it up, and I've learned over time that that's not the best thing to do. If you do let things rattle around in there for a while without talking it out, it can affect your life very negatively. Well, therapy is a safe space where you can get things off your chest, figure out how to work through whatever is weighing you down.
If you're thinking of starting therapy, give betterhelp a try. It's entirely online. Betterhelp's designed to be convenient, flexible, and suited to your schedule. A lot of people have a barrier towards getting therapy because they think, well, I don't know. I've got to find the person, talk to them.
What if I. It's not a good match. Then it's awkward. None of that. You just fill out a brief questionnaire to get matched with a licensed therapist, and then you switch therapist anytime for no additional charge.
So get it off your chest with betterhelp. Visit betterhelp.com conant today to get 10% off your first month. That's better. Help. Help.com conan.
Sona Mofsecian
Now, I'm thinking about after you die, how I would want you to just still be here so we could still get paid for doing this podcast. But that's the weekend at Bernie's plot, which is. Yeah, and then you keep doing a Conan voice and jostling me. Well, no. Take all the past footage and just start playing it.
Conan O'Brien
Hey. Hey, Conan. How is your weekend?
Matt Gorley
Oh, gosh. Nevertheless, I'm Conan O'Brien. Nevertheless, I'm Conan O'Brien. Look, that's part of the comedy, is it? Can't be perfect.
Conan O'Brien
Well, bingo. Nevertheless. Another one. Bingo. I'm Conan O'Brien.
Matt Gorley
Hello, I'm Conan O'Brien. I keep giving, and everyone's taken, and. I do all the work around. Here's my chill choice, you guys. You know, work.
Sona Mofsecian
I'm the son. I lost it. Look, he lost. He is dead. What happened to him?
Conan O'Brien
There we go. This is embarrassing, but my headset cord got tangled around my chair with little wheels. And as I was talking to you, it was pulling my headset off, and I was getting pulled lower and lower, and I didn't know it was wrong. This is how you die. And that was a near death experience.
How about a near death doula? Someone who can talk with you the stages of near death? Because I think I almost bought it right there. Michael J. Well, it could be someone who comes and scares you almost to death and gives you different scenarios where you could almost die.
Michael Jay
I think that's a. Now, Michael J. Do you ever find, and maybe you haven't done it for that long, but I know this is a very serious topic, but will you ever use your clowning skills as a death doula? Would they ever come out where maybe people are really sad and you're like, oh, come on, everybody, don't be too sad.
Sona Mofsecian
Oh, God. Well, maybe if it's a family of clowns. Yeah. Oh, that's right. 75 of them step out of one hearse.
Michael Jay
I mean, look, that's going to be, you know, when that happens, I'll have won. I'm a big believer that the worlds collide. Humor, we need humor constantly. And that's my reaction to death. A lot is just go with jokes right away to the grieving family members, often at the accident scene, just to try and ease the pain.
Sona Mofsecian
Okay. You're the first responder sometimes even before the ambulance. Yeah. And they'll say, this guy could easily be saved if you just do some simple CPR. And I'm like, CPR?
Conan O'Brien
What's that stand for anyway? Cookies, pralines and rutabakers? Is that what it stands for? What's going on? Here he is.
Matt Gorley
It's weekend at Conan's. He is dead. Are you dead now? I am dead. I don't know.
Conan O'Brien
I don't know what's wrong. Michael J. You've taken us to go down the. Weekend at Conan's street. Two things.
Michael Jay
One is I feel like modern technology has to be able to give us a way to keep the bodies loose for at least a few months after death. Right. It has to be able to wear a caribbean shirt. Yeah. Right.
Conan O'Brien
And have, like, a group of, like. Bun raku puppeteers, like three or four come in like, you know, operate you. Yeah. Second thing is, my hope is that somehow modern technology and science gives us the ability to do what they did in weekend at Bernie's two, which is there was the sort of voodoo. Voodoo.
That's right. Do you remember this? Well, I never watched it. When the minute I heard there was. A weekend at Bernie's two, I tried to shoot myself.
To make part three, someone wrestled the gun away from me and I was saved. But no, but you stood in line. You stood in line. You stood in line. You stood in line for a ticket and that.
And to see weekend at Bernie's two. Did you? Is that true, Michael? J, you did? Absolutely.
Michael Jay
Absolutely. Did you see mannequin two on the move? No, I did not know there was. Why are you bringing mannequin into it? It seems like a similar idea.
Conan O'Brien
Sister Manikin, was there a mannequin two? Yeah, same people in it. I think it's just. No, not the main guy. I think it was just the guy who's the.
Matt Gorley
Like, is it? Wow, you're all over this one. Well, I didn't expect to be grilled, senator. Oh, excuse me. Then why did you introduce mannequin two if you did not have the facts at your fingertips?
Conan O'Brien
This committee finds you guilty. I accept. I just can't believe the first weekend at Bernie's is still something like, he had sex with a woman. Wait, the dead guy? Do you guys remember?
Sona Mofsecian
Yeah, the mop foss's wife or girlfriend. You remember this? Eduardo goes upstairs, and then they just hear, like, squealing and they're looking at each other like, is she gonna feel like he's dead? He's dead. Has she had sex with him?
Conan O'Brien
So necrophilia is a plot point. I want the listener. Yes. Can the listeners please tell me if this is true? Does a woman have sex with a dead body in weekend at Bernie's, which is a comedy.
She. Consult Google. I can confirm that she does. Yeah. If you were there for number two, then.
Michael Jay
No, that was in one. I think that was in one. The sex happened in one. The sex happened in the first one. I love that we got you off of your noble death, doula profession.
Conan O'Brien
Into the muck. Talk about the muck. We are in the swamp of idiocy right now. All right, Eduardo, what do you got to say? Yeah.
Eduardo
There's a parents guide. There's a sex and nudity parents guide for weekend at Bernie's. Because of the sex scene with his corpse? Yes. Wow.
Matt Gorley
So it's necrophilia for her, but not for him? Well, he's dead. I know. It's nothing for him. Well, it's like vitophilia.
It's sex with a live person. Yeah, right. But he is senseless, insensate. He has moved on. Senator, you're out of order.
Conan O'Brien
Okay, I don't know what happened here, but, boy, did they used to make. What happened to the good old movies? I know. Back in the eighties, they knew how. To make them water skis, too.
Matt Gorley
And he keeps hitting the buoys on the head river. Yeah. And at no point does his corpse start to swell or burble. At no point are there various emanations. Oh, I think.
Michael Jay
There are water skiing. And he got waterlogged. He never swelled. Okay, I don't understand. Michael J.
Conan O'Brien
I'm sorry. Michael J, can I just say, what have we done? Know how much I love this movie? What happens? I think we do in the second one.
And we'll get back to how you. No, we won't. No. How you comfort the dead and dying. We'll get back to that.
Matt Gorley
We're out of time. But weekend at Bernie's. No, no, we're making time for this. Weekend at Bernie's two. Does it take place like a day later?
Michael Jay
It's. I think it happens over the course of about a week. Right. And then voodoo allows him, the corpse, to be reanimated. And that happens much later, I think.
I'm not sure what the timeframe between weekend and Bernie's one and two is. But why did you call in to this show if you don't have the correct information on weekend at Bernie's one versus weekend at Bernie's two? Can you give us the plot synopsis of weekend and Bernie's two? Yeah, that's a long plot. That's okay.
Conan O'Brien
We've got time. I hope no one's dying in the next room. Michael J, help me. I'm scared. Shut up.
I'm on with Conan and we're talking about weekend at Bernie stew. It's a sequel. Please help me. Terrible movement. Good movie.
I didn't see it. I'll give you the short one. After witnessing the murder of their corrupt boss, Bernie Lomax, Larry Wilson and Richard Parker are blamed for Bernie's embezzlement and fired. Desperate to find the stolen $2 million and clear their names, the pair learns the fortune was hidden in the Virgin Islands and travels there in pursuit. Meanwhile, Bernie's corpse is partially revived in a voodoo ceremony by gangsters also looking for the money.
Well, it's good we know what Bernie does. He's revived is hilarious. I remember he sort of comes up and then he kind of just squats and does this, like, sort of half. It's hard to describe, but you just got to watch it. And the smirk on his face is still there.
Michael Jay
And he just walks and he's animated, so he doesn't have to have operators, you know, operating him this time. Like in one. Yeah, yeah, he walks around. Okay. Well, Michael Jackson, you have completely disqualified.
Matt Gorley
Yourself as, I don't know, you're hired. And, I mean, if I'm on my. Deathbed and Michael J. Is distracting me with weekend at Bernie's two, that's mission accomplished. I think.
Conan O'Brien
You know, I do think you should talk about this with the next person who's moving on to the next plane. Maybe this would be a great topic. Or maybe you screen it. Screen it for them. One and two.
Matt Gorley
You don't realize this is not a podcast episode. He's on as your death doula right now. Oh, right. Good a time as any is right now. All I want is a bottle of good pinot noir and a good pizza margarita, which is right down the street.
Conan O'Brien
And then I want to watch the Godfather. One and two. Then I want to watch weekend at Bernie's. One and two. There it is.
Then I want someone to find a cure for whatever I have, but still drink all the wine and eat the pizza. And then we're going to weekend at Bernie's. You. Yeah. No, no, I'm cured because of the cure they found.
Sona Mofsecian
Oh, no. You're dead. You died. You did. Yeah.
Conan O'Brien
You died. Never. It does can't happen. Never. Too big a star.
Slow, painful. Too big a star. America. America won't stand for it. They'll revive me using voodoo.
Conan O'Brien
Michael J, do you have a question for me before I go? Yeah. So, you know, a lot of my professional career has been as a clown. I feel like you are, if not, you know, clown, then certainly clown adjacent. But have you ever, for a, you know, you know, feet first all the way in to clowning?
Michael Jay
And if you have, or if you are interested in doing that, what would your clown name be? And what kind of clown are you? Clown curious. I am clown curious, yes. I am not only clown adjacent, I'm clown curious.
Conan O'Brien
I've often thought that I am a clown. That that is my natural state. My favorite audience is kids. I love to make kids laugh. And to me, that's the true test if you're a clown or not, is can you make kids laugh?
And I work real. I mean, if I had trouble with Sona's twins. Cause they are tough kids who come from a tough, broken home. They're really. They laugh at everything else, but anyway.
I got em eventually. All they do is laugh. I think I would not overdo it on the makeup. I don't think I need to. I think I'm clownish already.
I think I would slightly exaggerate what I have. And I think I'd be more of, like, the Chaplin Keaton School of clown. I think I would wear and I think I would do a lot of physical comedy, which at my age, is very dangerous and would quickly lead to my death. I think my name would just be Conan because, you know, that's the best. That is my clown name when you think about it.
Michael Jay
A great clown name. Yeah. I was thinking about this, and I was trying to think of something that is long and skinny and red, kind of like you. Okay. And I thought of twizzlers.
Conan O'Brien
Oh, twizzler. Twizzles. Twizzles. Twizzles is not bad. Twizzles the clown.
Or also because I feel like Coco. Would be like, that's a pitch down the middle of the plate, right? Yeah. I mean, it's too much, everyone. Yes, it's right there on the nose, but twizzles feels like a good.
Like, twizzles is pretty good. I'm also beef jerky. Jerk. Fucking jerk. Yeah, that's good.
Matt Gorley
You're getting closer. You're getting closer.
Conan O'Brien
Hey, kids. Happy birthday. Here's a fucking jerk. Hi, fire, kids. Hey, is that your face?
Did you get hit in the face? Cause it's got your shine box. Your mutt. Go get your shine box. Are these the kids?
Yeah, no, I'm the clown talking about you. Thought the kids were saying, get your shine box. Yeah, no, I'm. That's me as. Go screw.
That's me as the clown. Fuck you, jerk. Ay, ay. Kids. What a shitty party.
Enjoy the cake. No one lives long. Your parents don't love each other. Can you do anything? Clown balloon animals?
No. Screw you. No, not gonna happen. I'm gonna. I'm forming a union.
I want a union. I'm a shop steward. I'm not leaving until I get dollar 800 in cash. Hey, your mother's pretty easy on the eyes. Oh, no.
All right, Michael J. I'm a terrorist. Tony, your instincts are straight on, man. You're. Again, you are correct again, Michael J.
It was nice talking to you. And continue doing your good work. Thanks. And you, too. Thanks for having me.
I bow to you. Hey, take care. Take care. Conan O'Brien needs a friend. With Conan O'Brien, Sona Mofsecian and Matt Gorley.
Matt Gorley
Produced by me, Matt Gorley. Executive produced by Adam Sacks, Nick Liao, and Jeff Ross at Team Coco. And Colin Anderson and Cody Fisher at yearwolf. Theme song by the White Stripes. Incidental music by Jimmy Vivino.
Take it away, Jimmy.
Our supervising producer is Aaron Blair, and our associate talent producer is Jennifer. Samples. Engineering by Eduardo Perez. Additional production support by Mars Melnick. Talent booking by Paula Davis, Gina Bautista, and Britt Kahn.
You can rate and review this show on Apple Podcasts and you might find your review read on. A future episode got a question for Conan? Call the team Coco hotline at 669-587-2847 and leave a message. It, too, could be featured on a future episode. And if you haven't already, please subscribe to Conan O'Brien needs a friend wherever fine podcasts are downloaded.
This has been a team Coco production in association with Earwolf.
Your new beginning starts now. Doctor Horton has new construction homes available in Ellensburg and throughout the greater Seattle area. With spacious floor plans, flexible living spaces and smart home technology, you can enjoy more cozy moments and sweet memories in in your beautiful new home. With new home communities opening in Ellensburg and throughout the Seattle area, doctor Horton has the ideal home for you. Learn more@drhorton.com Dot Dr.
Horton, America's builder and equal housing opportunity builder streaming May. 23 only on BEt Miss Pat is back. I'm excited, and it's time for some grown family time. I am a man. Oh, you a man?
Conan O'Brien
That's right. Then take my clothes off. You ain't pay for none of that on your back. Dad. You can't ignore your mother forever.
I've tried. Would you like me to backhand you again? The Miss Pat show streaming May 23 on BEt plus. To sign up and learn more, visit BET Plus.