Conan O’Brien Needs A Friend Staff Review With Todd Levin
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Mar 5, 2026 
Todd Levin, comedy writer known for character-driven Late Night bits like Minty the Candy Cane. He talks about joining Conan's writing staff, shaping comedy in alternative rooms versus clubs, making cute things monstrous, and the joy of needlessly ambitious, over-the-top sketches.
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Dad's Records Sparked A Comedy Career
- Todd Levin traced his comedy origin to listening to his dad's Bob Newhart and other comedy records as a child, which shaped his comedic ear.
- He moved to New York, joined the alternative comedy scene at rooms like Rafifi and Luna Lounge, and transitioned from reading bits to being spontaneous on stage.
From Page To Spontaneity In Alternative Rooms
- Todd describes starting in New York's alternative rooms where scripted, page-dependent bits gave way to looser, spontaneous performances.
- He credited venues like Rafifi and Luna Lounge for letting him experiment before doing clubs to get festivals or TV.
Almost Turned Down His First TV Writing Job
- Levin says Late Night with Conan O'Brien was his first TV writing job and he almost declined it thinking he should start smaller.
- He had a VH1 performing gig that week but chose Conan after a call from Sweeney.