Conan O’Brien Needs A Friend Dan Levy
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Apr 20, 2026 
Dan Levy, actor/writer/director best known for co-creating and starring in Schitt’s Creek, chats about his new series Big Mistakes and the creative freedom of making Schitt’s Creek. He praises Catherine O’Hara’s influence, discusses costume-as-character work, casting choices, and how family and anxiety shape his storytelling. The conversation highlights career choices and mentorship in comedy.
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Catherine O'Hara's Transformative Workstyle
- Dan Levy recalls Catherine O'Hara as an irresistible performer who would rewrite scenes and send “gentlemen, some thoughts” emails that transformed scripts.
- He describes her hands-on rewrites and magnetic presence that made crews gasp when she arrived in costume.
Why Canadian Comedy Produces Heavyweights
- Dan Levy attributes Canadian comedy strength to self-awareness and close-knit pockets of talent, not a mystical national trait.
- He points to Toronto's Second City lineage and a culture of humility above the U.S. as fertile ground for smart, fast comics.
Schitt's Creek Grew Quietly Then Exploded
- Dan recounts early mixed reviews for Schitt's Creek, including a harsh New York Times review calling him "untalented."
- He notes the show had almost no audience while being made, which freed the team to make six seasons without outside pressure.