Conan O’Brien Needs A Friend
Team Coco & Earwolf
After 25 years at the Late Night desk, Conan realized that the only people at his holiday party are the men and women who work for him. Over the years and despite thousands of interviews, Conan has never made a real and lasting friendship with any of his celebrity guests. So, he started a podcast to do just that. Deeper, unboundedly playful, and free from FCC regulations, Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend is a weekly opportunity for Conan to hang out with the people he enjoys most and perhaps find some real friendship along the way.
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Subscribe to SiriusXM Podcasts+ to listen to new episodes of Conan O'Brien Needs a Friend ad-free and a whole week early.
Start a free trial now on Apple Podcasts or by visiting siriusxm.com/podcastsplus.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Mar 26, 2026 • 20min
Interrupto!
Mike from Ontario, a conservation authority worker and former polar bear monitor who trains birds of prey including a bald eagle named Babe. He recounts Arctic patrols and polar bear safety tactics. A live owl named Interrupto makes a surprise appearance. They discuss car-hawking, training raptors to clear nuisance birds, and gripping field stories from long Arctic deployments.
80 snips
Mar 23, 2026 • 1h 3min
Ken Burns
Ken Burns, legendary documentary filmmaker known for sprawling, image-driven history series, joins for a wide-ranging conversation. He discusses his new The American Revolution series and how past conflicts echo today. They explore founding figures as flawed humans, the role of luck and foreign aid, and why studying history can foster cautious optimism.
14 snips
Mar 19, 2026 • 25min
Staff Review With Laurie Kilmartin
Laurie Kilmartin, stand-up comedian and TV writer known for sharp bits and awards-show scripts. She talks about her path from college swimmer to performing nightly standup. She explains writing for others versus writing for herself. She shares how Oscars material is prepared and how touring hones stage instincts.
56 snips
Mar 16, 2026 • 1h 3min
Lisa Kudrow Returns Again
Lisa Kudrow, actress and comedian known for Phoebe Buffay and The Comeback, returns to chat with Conan. They revisit their 40-year improv friendship and recall early improv roots. Lisa talks about reviving The Comeback, why Valerie Cherish’s optimism lands, and remembering colleague Robert Michael Morris. Warm, funny, and nostalgic banter throughout.
13 snips
Mar 12, 2026 • 30min
Staff Review With Skyler Higley
Skyler Higley, staff writer and comedian who wrote for Conan and contributed to ClickHole and The Onion, shares her comedic origin story. She talks about getting hired during the pandemic and crafting eye-catching headlines. She recalls writing a standout Oscars joke and describes life in a lively writers' room.
30 snips
Mar 9, 2026 • 56min
Wanda Sykes Returns
Wanda Sykes, Emmy-winning comedian and actress known for sharp stand-up and TV work, returns to talk career milestones and her shift into drama with the film Undercard. She recalls working at the NSA, being tricked into auditioning for Curb Your Enthusiasm, finding her authentic stage voice, and family life with her French wife. Short, funny stories and behind-the-scenes casting tales keep the conversation lively.
8 snips
Mar 5, 2026 • 28min
Staff Review With Todd Levin
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.
82 snips
Mar 2, 2026 • 1h 2min
Johnny Knoxville
Johnny Knoxville, actor-producer known for co-creating Jackass and hosting Fear Factor, shares stories from his stunt-filled career. He recounts moving into stunt journalism, choosing creative control over SNL, and turning chaotic TV bits into films. Conversation covers the toll of injuries, newfound empathy from Fear Factor, and wild ideas for a new Jackass movie.
33 snips
Feb 26, 2026 • 27min
Staff Review With Brian Kiley
Brian Kiley, stand-up comedian and longtime Conan writer known for monologue and awards-show material. They reminisce about meeting in childhood and reuniting at Late Night. Short stories include writing for the White House Correspondents Dinner and the Oscars. They trade room-only jokes, rehearsal tales with Bob Newhart, and behind-the-scenes rhythms of writers' room life.
82 snips
Feb 23, 2026 • 1h 5min
Denis Leary
Denis Leary, comedian and actor known for sharp stand-up and TV work, drops by to trade Worcester war stories and family ancestry jokes. He revisits launching Emerson’s comedy workshop and the influences that shaped him. He also talks about shooting his series Going Dutch in Ireland and working with family on set.
