Conan O’Brien Needs A Friend Adam McKay
Apr 5, 2021
Adam McKay, an Academy Award-winning writer and director known for hits like The Big Short and Succession, chats excitedly with Conan O'Brien. They share nostalgic stories about birthdays and UCB pranks, alongside the challenges of adapting complex narratives into film. Adam also discusses his podcast, Death at the Wing, focusing on the untold stories of basketball players. Their humorous banter covers everything from breakfast customs to the quirks of microwaves, resulting in a delightful mix of comedy and thoughtful conversation.
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The Big Short Audition
- Adam McKay repeatedly called Conan O'Brien back for auditions for The Big Short, even though Brad Pitt had already been chosen.
- McKay admits this became a "sadistic power trip" due to O'Brien's eagerness.
The Taint Sketch
- Conan O'Brien recalls hosting Saturday Night Live and encountering one of Adam McKay's unused sketches.
- The sketch involved a doctor removing a patient's taint, a concept O'Brien found amusing and readily performed.
Scrub-A-Dub Trouble
- McKay and Will Ferrell pitched the "Scrub-A-Dub" sketch to O'Brien's late-night show without Lorne Michaels' approval.
- This led to reprimands, disrupting their perceived "comedy heaven."
