Daily Comedy News with Johnny Mac - a daily briefing on comedians, and the comedy industry Conan O’Brien on the Reiner Murders, Colbert’s Future, PLUS New Specials from Taylor Tomlinson and Pete Holmes
Feb 24, 2026
14:50
Conan O’Brien discusses with the New Yorker Radio Hour the murders of Rob and Michelle Reiner, reflecting on seeing them at his party the day they were killed, and notes Nick Reiner’s not-guilty plea in LA Superior Court with an April 29 court date; Nick Reiner faces two murder counts with an enhancement that could bring the death penalty or life without parole and is held without bail at Twin Towers.
Conan also comments on Stephen Colbert being angry about the situation around his show, the impact on staff, and broader issues of voices being silenced, while noting he’s enjoyed opportunities after leaving late night.
Colbert is scheduled to be live after tonight’s State of the Union.
The episode highlights new specials: Taylor Tomlinson’s fourth Netflix hour “Prodigal Daughter,” filmed at Fountain Street Church in Grand Rapids and covering topics including coming out as bisexual, faith, religious trauma, sexuality, and fear of death; and Pete Holmes’ “Silly, Silly, Fun Boy” premiering on the 800 Pound Gorilla YouTube channel, plus mention of Matt Rife and Paul Elia’s “Low Key” special.
Brian Posehn tells Northern Public Radio he’s always been an alternative comic and comments on today’s comedy climate as a ‘revenge of the jocks.’
Jim Jefferies explains his political positioning between Australia and the U.S., criticizes religion in politics, says most people are moderates, and says he’s glad he isn’t hosting a topical show in 2026, preferring to do a multicam sitcom.
Jenny Zigrino discusses fundraising for her new special “After Birth,” the financial pressures of algorithms and social media, how her 2017 Comedy Central special paid $20,000, how she used GoFundMe for a later special that Comedy Central released in 2023, and how platforms like Facebook can pay comedians but require constant posting; she says Netflix won’t look at you without 500,000+ followers. J
im Breuer criticizes American Airlines, saying he was removed from a paid first-class seat on a Honolulu-to-Phoenix flight to accommodate a commuting pilot, calling it theft; reports say he received a $400 refund and a $500 voucher and his request to speak to someone went unanswered. J
ohnny notes a surprise bonus episode with Mike Chisholm from the Letterman Podcast, updates on the Comedy Survivor Facebook group after a mini controversy and Jim Gaffigan being voted out, lists remaining comedians, reads a listener email comparing his voice to Maynard James Keenan, and shares press comments from Joel McHale and Dennis Leary, including Leary’s interest in doing a musical and McHale’s joke about Netflix airing only ‘Animal Control’ and not Leary’s show.
00:26 Conan on Reiner Tragedy
01:25 Late Night Pressure Talk
02:26 Tonight’s Specials Lineup
04:10 Jim Jefferies Politics Split
05:26 Jenny Zigrino Algorithm Grind
06:53 Jim Breuer Airline Caper
09:58 Bonus Episode and Survivor
11:41 Listener Voice Comparison
13:35 Leary and McHale Press Bits
Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/daily-comedy-news-with-johnny-mac-a-daily-briefing-on-comedians-and-the-comedy-industry--4522158/support.
Daily Comedy News is the number one comedy news podcast, delivering daily coverage of standup comedy, late night television, comedy specials, tours, and the business of comedy.
COMEDY SURVIVOR in the facebook group.
Contact John at John@thesharkdeck dot com
For Uninterrupted Listening, use the Apple Podcast App and click the banner that says Uninterrupted Listening. $4.99/month
John's Substack about media is free.
This is the animal sanctuary mentioned in the February 10 episode.
Conan also comments on Stephen Colbert being angry about the situation around his show, the impact on staff, and broader issues of voices being silenced, while noting he’s enjoyed opportunities after leaving late night.
Colbert is scheduled to be live after tonight’s State of the Union.
The episode highlights new specials: Taylor Tomlinson’s fourth Netflix hour “Prodigal Daughter,” filmed at Fountain Street Church in Grand Rapids and covering topics including coming out as bisexual, faith, religious trauma, sexuality, and fear of death; and Pete Holmes’ “Silly, Silly, Fun Boy” premiering on the 800 Pound Gorilla YouTube channel, plus mention of Matt Rife and Paul Elia’s “Low Key” special.
Brian Posehn tells Northern Public Radio he’s always been an alternative comic and comments on today’s comedy climate as a ‘revenge of the jocks.’
Jim Jefferies explains his political positioning between Australia and the U.S., criticizes religion in politics, says most people are moderates, and says he’s glad he isn’t hosting a topical show in 2026, preferring to do a multicam sitcom.
Jenny Zigrino discusses fundraising for her new special “After Birth,” the financial pressures of algorithms and social media, how her 2017 Comedy Central special paid $20,000, how she used GoFundMe for a later special that Comedy Central released in 2023, and how platforms like Facebook can pay comedians but require constant posting; she says Netflix won’t look at you without 500,000+ followers. J
im Breuer criticizes American Airlines, saying he was removed from a paid first-class seat on a Honolulu-to-Phoenix flight to accommodate a commuting pilot, calling it theft; reports say he received a $400 refund and a $500 voucher and his request to speak to someone went unanswered. J
ohnny notes a surprise bonus episode with Mike Chisholm from the Letterman Podcast, updates on the Comedy Survivor Facebook group after a mini controversy and Jim Gaffigan being voted out, lists remaining comedians, reads a listener email comparing his voice to Maynard James Keenan, and shares press comments from Joel McHale and Dennis Leary, including Leary’s interest in doing a musical and McHale’s joke about Netflix airing only ‘Animal Control’ and not Leary’s show.
00:26 Conan on Reiner Tragedy
01:25 Late Night Pressure Talk
02:26 Tonight’s Specials Lineup
04:10 Jim Jefferies Politics Split
05:26 Jenny Zigrino Algorithm Grind
06:53 Jim Breuer Airline Caper
09:58 Bonus Episode and Survivor
11:41 Listener Voice Comparison
13:35 Leary and McHale Press Bits
Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/daily-comedy-news-with-johnny-mac-a-daily-briefing-on-comedians-and-the-comedy-industry--4522158/support.
Daily Comedy News is the number one comedy news podcast, delivering daily coverage of standup comedy, late night television, comedy specials, tours, and the business of comedy.
COMEDY SURVIVOR in the facebook group.
Contact John at John@thesharkdeck dot com
For Uninterrupted Listening, use the Apple Podcast App and click the banner that says Uninterrupted Listening. $4.99/month
John's Substack about media is free.
This is the animal sanctuary mentioned in the February 10 episode.