Conan & Andy Richter Meet A Las Vegas Tap Dancer | Conan O'Brien Needs A Fan

Hey, Kenji. Welcome to Conan Needs a Fan. with special guest Andy Richter. >> Oh my gosh. How's it going, everybody? >> Good. How are you? >> Kenji. Good to see you. >> Uh, good to see you. Oh, this is real. surreal right now. I'm trying to start a. trying to get myself kind of on track. here. >> [laughter]. >> Okay. Well, listen, we're here to bring. you back to reality, Kenji. All I know. about you is that you are It says here. at the top of the page you are a Las. Vegas tap dancer. >> I am indeed. >> Okay. Now, let's discuss this. Uh, you.

get paid for this. You don't just run. around town tap dancing and then you. work at a sandwich shop. You are a. professional dancer. Yes, you were born. and raised in Los Angeles and you are. now tap dancing for a living in Vegas. Is that right? >> I actually bothered people enough that. they're actually paying for it now. >> [laughter]. >> So, I went all over LA just kind of. logged my board everywhere and just sort. of uh appeared at different weddings and. events and someone was like, you know. what? He can stay. [laughter] Right now. I'm in Los Vegas and uh it's been.

actually cooler lately, so I'm I'm able. to take my dog outside past 5:00 a.m. for once. >> That's nice. Now, uh I also have heard that you're a. former Riverdance. dancer. Is that correct? >> I am. I'm one of the uh a former lead. American tap dancer that battles the. Irish uh halfway through the show. And. uh sort of guess to sort of you know. take the piss out of him for a little. bit. >> the Irish. Get them. >> Trust me. >> [laughter]. >> You know. >> Wait. You know what? No one roots.

against the Irish more than I do. [laughter]. >> He's not kidding. >> need more they need more against them. You know what I mean? I feel like. >> Yeah, yeah. We've had We've had it way. too easy historically. Um. >> Absolutely. >> There's so much to talk about here. First of all, that Riverdance show I I. did a segment years ago. I think I was. in Chicago and I needed to learn some. sort of Irish step dancing. And um. that's the that Irish step dancing is. lethal. That's a hard That's hard stuff. to do to get leg extensions and get your.

foot way out there and I think I. it's well known among my fans that I. kicked a young girl ahead of me in the. head. >> he kicked a child. >> that too. >> Yeah, yeah. >> We're in similar company now. This is. great. I also [laughter] kicked a dancer. on stage by mistake. >> want to be clear here. I've often kicked. children when no one's around. >> yeah. >> [laughter]. >> But I did it on camera on stage. >> Right. >> Um so. and and tell me about being in a show. like Riverdance. That's got to be. insanely demanding.

>> It's it's a bit of a grind, especially. if you're doing the US tour, which is. six months on the road, about I would. say 40 states, eight shows a week, double shows on Saturday and Sunday, and you know, most of the time when you. have a day off, you're just in a bus. heading to the next destination. And so. during that whole process, during this. whole production run, you're just trying. to find ways to stay in shape, stay. sane, stay, you know, just moving.

forward with life since you're sort of. removed from everything back home. So, you know, just checking in with my. sister, checking in with my family, my. girlfriend just becomes. a bit of. its own separate sort of obligation. that's not natural that that you would. have being home. >> Listen, when I go on the road, Kenji, it's to get away from all that crap, okay? [laughter]. You know, I don't know what you're. doing, but if I was in a touring company. of Riverdance, I would be hitting the. booze pretty hard at night at the hotel.

and then just sort of half dancing a. little bit on stage, phoning it in. You must party pretty hard though if. you're on the road like that. >> Yeah, it can get a little fun, you know, especially if you're somewhere where. there's nothing really to do other than. the local pub. But. you know, in terms of professionalism, I've never seen. such amazing play and then followed with. such. stern work. So they get on stage and you. would never know there was a very, very.

beautiful birthday party the night. before cuz they're on there just looking. like princes and princesses you have no. idea that there's something going on. >> I is I'm just curious uh being a tap. dancer is Irish do you have like a leg. up on that's not meant to be a pun a leg. up on on doing Irish dance on doing the. step dancing cuz it is kind of like. they're both percussive kind of dances. >> Very similar but you know what the style. and vibe is different enough that even. something so much like a shuffle which.

is like a brush back with your foot. the way they approach it might be a. little differently there might be more. involved with just more of their leg. where we're sort of going from the knee. down a lot of our ankles are super loose. with every step that we pretty much. approach as tap dancers we're a lot. lighter on our feet um because of our. improvisational roots in that way so. when we're learning um Irish steps. in in your head you're like this makes. total sense and then you get up and do. it and you look like a fool and that's. been a much of my experience with the.

Irish company. >> So [laughter] how did you get into tap. dancing and I have a personal interest. in this because I had this idea when I. was a kid. and I was really interested in show. business and had no idea what I was. talking about and my only exposure to to. a lot of pop culture was watching um old. movies on you know channel 38 and. channel 56 in Boston and they would. mostly play like Yankee Doodle Dandy and. Fred Astaire films.

>> On the road with you know being in Bob. >> what I knew that's what I saw and I am. looking at this stuff in the 70s I'm. this you know weird kid with an orange. bowl haircut and I thought well if I. want to be in show business I need to. learn how to tap dance. and I went to my parents at night in our. living room and I said I need to tap. dance if I'm going to make it in this. business and they're like what business. [laughter]. what are you talking about. >> and put out that cigar. >> [laughter].

>> But God bless my parents they're like. well and they got me this uh very. serious uh. incredible uh teacher and I would go. down and I was the only. I was the only white kid. I would go I. would climb like seven you know flights. of stairs. It was over near the Berkeley. School of Music and this uh beautiful. gentleman Stanley Brown uh who had been. a protégé of Bill Bojangles Robinson. would teach this goofy kid dance steps. while all these incredibly beautiful. women.

black women were standing around you. know doing their jazz steps and stuff. like that and I'd be like out of the WAY. YOU LADIES. [laughter]. TRIPLE THREAT COMING THROUGH. >> Triple threat. >> Yeah so. >> The orange haircut. >> Yeah [laughter] yeah. >> Watch this. >> That's where I modeled the hair after. Conan's. I don't know if you can tell. right now. >> no you're you're killing it. You're. killing it. >> much better. >> Uh so what brought you into what brought. you into tap dancing? Because. something some people can dismiss tap. dancing as kind of a novelty goofy kind.

of dancing and I think well I don't know. Gregory Hines, the Nicholas Brothers. like some of the greatest dancers in the. world were just amazing tap dancers. >> Yes they were. Um I. it's an interesting thing with me. My. dad was um a stand-up comic and uh song. and dance man and so um back in the '70s. and '80s. that particular fraternity was small. being a black artist in Hollywood. So he. knew Gregory Hines pretty well. >> Oh wow. >> then.

that love sort of started there cuz they. would often hang out and um I don't. remember this but I I think that's where. the interest began. My mom quickly Mr. Myers right away that. I was a kid that should be kept busy at. all times. So uh. >> Yeah yeah. >> we just she just threw stuff at the wall. to see what stuck. You know what I mean? It's like all right basketball, track, swimming, I don't know painting we'll uh. tap dancing [laughter] all right. And uh. so then when we stuck my butt in the tap. class I had this this lady named.

Lynnfield. who was the last um from what I can tell. last original remaining. um Mouseketeer from the original Miss. Mickey Mouse Club. >> Oh, wow. >> And she ran this little academy called. its little studio called the Tap Academy. in Santa Monica. And she was just the nicest lady. I was. a very shy kid, so getting me to come. out of my shell was difficult and she. was beautiful. And um she was like 80. years old from the top right into her.

legs started and then it was like 20. And [laughter] even as a six-year-old. kid. you. you know. but you do what she says, but you're. still just like trying to figure that. out. And and that's just where it began. And Gregory Hines was just sort of my. Superman to sort of always aspire to be. like. Just got thought he was so cool. He was so um he wasn't always happy when. he danced, which I thought was really. important because for me it's it's such. a meditation that when. when I'm putting on my shoes, I'm not.

always in a good mood and it puts me in. a better mood, but it's it's something. that allows me to really get deep and. expressive and and introspective. And a. lot of people don't really think about. that when they think it's tap dancing. >> I think there was a there used to be a. school of thought that you just have to. be grinning like a madman the whole time. you're dancing. And you know you can see. it in some of those like old Lawrence. Welk shows where you know performers are. doing a routine and they just all look. like they've been hypnotized to be. uh it's like Stepford Wives to be. insanely happy while they dance in a way.

that doesn't feel human. >> It's off-putting in a lot of the in a. lot of times. >> With Dancing with the Stars, did you. guys was there ever a tap component not. not to. >> No. No, because that's not ballroom and. they're just Ballroom. You know, they're. very strict [clears throat and laughter]. about, you know, like the many, you. know, the like minutiae of the rules and. stuff. And I mean stuff that, you know, I'm doing their podcast now and stuff. that I'm still like be like I saw a heel.

lead and I'm still like I don't I know. you're leading with your heel, but I. don't really know what that means or why. that is, you know. >> Right. >> There's they're very specific about the. technicalities. And people love to learn. about the technicalities, too. >> Yeah, I didn't know I didn't realize. there was that much to it. I mean, whenever whenever you start to develop. an interest in anything, you find out. that it's vastly complicated. Well, not. everything, like doing a hula hoop or. whatever, bowling, no. But [laughter]. but no, I understand what you're saying. >> There's some mad bowlers out there right.

now. You think bowling's easy? >> Yeah. Watch this. Hey, that was easy. [laughter]. Um. Kenji, you're tall. How tall are you? >> 6 4. 6 5 with the hair. >> Okay, yeah, me too. I'm 6 4 and if I get. enough gel in there, I'm 6 5. Um it kind. of You can really mesmerize people if. you're tall and you have some moves. Uh. it you got that Tommy Tune thing going, right? Where you can flail your Well, this is my technique. I just flail my. limbs and I look like I'm trying to put. out a fire, but for you, do you find.

that it helps to be tall? >> Flailing the limbs is kind of where it. starts and then you just kind of hope. you're in time and then eventually. they'll sort of kind of congregate. But. uh usually the flailing limbs is kind of. what gets me in the room, >> Yep. >> but also puts me in the back of the room. because [laughter]. um you know, hitting people. So they. have people in front of me. The. dancers are usually a lot smaller than. me and my partners are usually smaller. >> My my attitude is it's their job to get. out of the way. It's not your job to not hit them. It's.

their job not to be hit. >> That poor girl was literally just She. was just sitting behind you. >> uh someone says they know her recently. or what's left of her. >> [laughter]. >> Um. yeah. She doesn't get out much. [laughter] She's got a big dent in her. head. Apologies to Sorry. Anyway, you now. dance in a show called The Party at. Super Frico at the Cosmopolitan, >> Ooh. >> which makes me mad cuz you stole my. title. Um what is The Party at Super.

Frico at the Cosmopolitan? What kind of. show is that? >> It's sort of like a really eccentric. supper club that's um you you're Imagine. like you're walking into this this. crazy, almost raunchy, circusy supper. club that's uh. run by this eccentric host. And. throughout the night, while you're. you're being served these really funky. Italian dishes, you have the. these really interesting acts coming. out. We have like a guy who creates. these amazing bubble formations. We have. a contortionist. There's me tap dancing.

There's. a a. a drag queen cow that comes on stage and. actually does squirt people with her. udders. There is [laughter]. >> Now is that someone in a Is that someone. in a costume? [laughter] Or is it an actual. >> asked me what I did before I got into. tap dancing, which. It's a so many costume and and they're. >> And the udders fire milk into the crowd. >> Yes. I'm assuming it's water, but.

>> know what I love? I love that they. beforehand they say there will be flash. photography. And also if you're So if you have any. kind of issue with strobe lights, also. if you're lactose intolerant, [laughter]. keep your mouth shut. >> Yeah, yeah. You will be doused with milk. from udders. >> Yeah, we tried soy. It didn't really. work and you know, it was a whole. process. >> [laughter]. >> I'm curious, what's life in Vegas like. when you're a performer? I mean, that's. got to be kind of That's That's like.

what is that like to live in Vegas? >> I never thought in a million years I'd. end up here. That's what someone in prison says. [laughter]. It's it's it's just like I'm kind of. flabbergasted by just my trajectory of. life and I always assumed I'd either be. in LA or New York. This this job ended up coming out of. nowhere from the Cosmopolitan six years. ago that brought me out here. And I just. fell in love with the city. The It's. it's the kind of show biz I grew up. hearing about.

that I always wanted to be part of where. it's like you could just be on a board. at a random nightclub dancing with the. live band that's there. Lo and behold, Ringo Starr is sitting there in the. audience and he's opening a new show. with at this particular casino. So he. like he loves you and now here you are. working at this particular casino. That's a real story from. a friend of mine that just booked a job. at the Caesars. So. that's happened to me. That's it's a.

it's a very. it's a very supportive artistic. community. It's also really small. So if. a reputation gets out that it's pretty. bad, it travels fast. If a reputation. gets out that you're great, it travels. fast. And I've not had to really worry. about a place to be seen on stage or a. place to perform or a place to even just. stretch my legs. since I've been out here. And it's it's. it's a lot more connected artistically. than I've even felt in Los Angeles, which is where I was born and raised.

>> When I was a kid, there was a show. starring Robert Urich called Vegas. And Robert Urich played a private. detective. who lived in Vegas. And all the shots. were of this really handsome Robert. Urich driving around in a cool. convertible. And he was always trying to. solve crimes that had happened in Las. Vegas. And at the time, I remembered. thinking that's the life. I want to be a private detective in Las. Vegas. [laughter]. And I want to drive around and be like. Robert Urich. So would you want to be a.

private detective with me in Las Vegas? >> [laughter]. >> Have I a million percent. I just got. back from the gym and Elvis Presley was. working out next to me. Do you have any. idea. how many of these stories we can get. into? >> which Elvis? That's the important thing. Is it young Elvis or is it 1976 Elvis. who's working out next to you and. >> What's the bloat level? >> Definitely 1976 [laughter] Elvis when. we're supposed to feel very sad. That's. the Elvis we saw. It was enlightening.

>> [laughter]. >> I do think that's the life for me is to. drive around and try and and not and. start to solve crimes and then just not. solve them. >> But no convertible. You couldn't be in a. convertible. >> convertible. No. You know what I'll do? I'll get a convertible, but then I'll. have a dermatologist build a section. over my part [laughter] of the car. that looks really ugly. >> Right. Right. >> But it's SPF 50. [laughter] So, uh, yeah. Um, you. describe yourself as a huge nerd. What. makes you a huge nerd besides, um, I. don't know, tap dancing?

>> [laughter]. >> Yeah. What do you mean it's not 1926? I, uh, well, I love comic books. I love. all things sci-fi, you know, Star Wars, everything. Just, um, and you know, just. to pass the time. >> Show us the ring. >> [laughter]. >> I'm a Green Lantern nerd. >> Wait, I'm sorry. Is that a real ring? A. real Green Lantern ring or is it I mean, is it like plastic or is it a real, uh, fine piece of jewelry? >> It's actual silver.

>> No, he means can you plug it into a. lantern and are you part [laughter] of. an interplanetary police force? >> Well, yeah. I thought that's what you. When he said [laughter] yeah. >> TELL YOU THAT HERE. >> SAID IT WAS a it was a real. >> under wraps. >> That's all about the ring. >> Yeah. [laughter]. I thought my question was pretty clear. I don't care that it's made of. silver. [laughter]. I didn't ask you for its. elemental components. [laughter] Andy. understands what I'm getting at. >> Right. Can you materialize a giant. kangaroo for us?

>> That's always green. >> Yes. >> [laughter]. >> Let's Let's do it after the after the. pod. We'll definitely I'll I'll show you. guys some stuff. It'll be good. >> right. All right. >> So, Green Lantern is your guy of all the. comic book heroes. I'm guessing you're a. Marvel person. So, or is he DC? I don't even know. Oh, don't get mad at me. Hey, you know what. you should do, Eduardo? Get mad at me if. I GET IT RIGHT. >> [laughter]. >> OH, I CAN'T BELIEVE THE 90-YEAR-OLD out. of touch weirdo [laughter] misidentified.

Green Lanterns. >> Well, well, I want to know what was it. about Green Lantern as opposed to The. Flash or Superman or any of the others. >> Yeah. >> I got to be real. You know, I watched. the cartoon. It was the black one, and I. I just latched on to him. He was He was. cool. Uh, >> Which Which cartoon are. >> we talking about? >> Justice League, Unlimited. >> I see. Okay. I just didn't know like. when was that? Is that is that from the. 90s, the 2000s? >> different Green Lanterns. You know, it's.

you're it's basically a police force. >> Yeah. >> And and the original one was I forget. his name. It was like. >> Jordan. >> Yeah, yeah, Hal Jordan. He was a test. pilot, but then since they've had Like. there's red alien Green Lanterns. >> But there's a black green green Lantern. >> There is. >> That's what the civil rights movement. was really about. >> Yes, yes. >> I remember that was part of Dr. King's. speech. >> Yeah. >> that got He edited it out just before he. got up there, but he saw a day when. there would be a black Green Lantern. >> Yeah. Did you watch Lanterns? I'm sure.

you did. >> did. >> Yeah, I'm sure you did. >> good. >> Are you living on the highway by any. chance? [laughter]. Cuz I've never heard this on a on a. guest Zoom before, [laughter] but. I think uh yeah, someone keeps driving. by on a really revved up motorcycle. >> I'm on Vegas Boulevard right now, and F1. [laughter]. is building things uh not too far from. me. So it's we're hearing a lot of stuff. happen. >> Oh my Do you have F1 races go like by. your house? >> It's not not by my house, but it's about.

three, four blocks away. So we can still. hear enough when they're. >> you should use your ring to build a. shield. >> A soundproof shield. >> soundproof shield that protects you from. the F1 racing by as you're doing uh. Conan and Andy Zoom. >> I tried, but there's this whole thing. with HOA with my apartment somehow. I don't know how it even works. >> That always foils the Green Lantern. Yes, you got something, Blay? >> I was just going to say I I think Kenji. might have a great question for you. >> Oh, I you Oh, you're trying to wrap this. UP? >> I DO. I [laughter] WASN'T WRAPPING IT.

UP. I WASN'T WRAPPING IT I WASN'T. WRAPPING IT UP. >> WHAT WERE YOU DOING BY saying he has a. question for me? You were kind of trying. to wrap it up. >> I wasn't wrapping it up. I It's just a. really great question. I wanted to. >> Oh, WE'RE GOING TO GET TO HIS QUESTION. >> I forgot. I thought. >> [laughter]. >> Green Lantern is DC. Everybody knows. it's DC. >> snap. >> Did you know it was DC? >> Uh, it would have taken me a second to. remember, but I would Yeah, yeah. But I. would have remembered like, oh yeah, it's with Superman as opposed to. Spider-Man. >> Yeah, it's like this pairs well with. fish. White.

>> Precisely. [laughter]. Precisely. >> yeah, I see. Oh, it's a red. That's you. should probably have the pork. Yeah. Um, I'm in a. system of asylum of my own making. Now something tells me you have a. question for me and that Blae has a. dinner date he's trying to get to. >> yeah. [laughter] Or just has to go to. the bathroom. >> Yeah. No, you have a question for me. What's the question? >> Well, you told me you took tap dance. before, so I want to know what lingers, what do you remember, and do we should. we do a tap class right now? I mean, Sona and Andy are here too. Should we.

learn something? I mean, you guys are. here. This is great. >> would require us to stand up, and I just. don't think that's happening. Um, >> And it's a carpeted floor. >> a carpeted floor. >> yeah. >> Um, so. >> I'm wearing heels. >> I do want to see Kenji tap. [clears throat] dance or something. >> you move, but people pay me not to. dance. [laughter]. I make a fortune every year not dancing. I don't remember a lot. I remember I. mean, I have certain steps that I. remember uh that I break out every now. and then. I just did this um 30 Rock,

the TV show had a reunion. Tina Fey. asked me to kick it off in so I went to. New York. What's that? >> I said humble brag. >> [laughter]. >> I can't tell you what happens in my life. and she asked me to go do this thing and. I'm backstage and they had a lot of. dance routines throughout the show, which were really amazing. And so I'm. backstage with all the dancers and I. always do the same thing when I'm around. dancers is I start breaking out whatever.

I have and it's just meaningless, you. know, buck and wing kind of stuff that I. 'm doing backstage, but it's how I. relate to dancers. It's not pretty, but. they all laugh. They think it's kind of. silly and funny. So that's what I was. doing, but you could probably do some. real moves for us. >> I can show you a buck and wing. >> Yeah. >> I want to see a buck and wing. >> It's buck and wing. >> Buck and wing. >> It's not buck and wing. >> Oh, look, he's got his. >> board all set up. >> I thought it WAS BUCKET WING.

>> HE'S GOT GREEN SHOES. >> HERE WE GO. >> whole life. But here, let me just dust a. little bit so I can don't have to crush. so much here. >> Oh, yeah, you've got a. >> Great arms. >> All right. All right. You need to start. dancing soon. >> All right, SO. >> KENJI. >> WOW.

>> OH, THAT'S COOL. >> WOW. YEAH. >> YEAH. >> YOU KNOW WHAT'S FUNNY? >> THAT WAS AWESOME. >> That was amazing, Kenji. That was You.

know what? And I'm just thinking right. now between you and the F1 racers, the people in your building must be. going insane. >> [laughter]. >> I just I was picturing it. >> being here. >> I was picturing an elderly neighbor that. keeps going, COME IN. [laughter]. I SAID IT'S NOT LOCKED. >> [laughter]. >> KENJI, THAT WAS INCREDIBLE. REALLY. That. was really great. >> Want to see the else? >> Sure. >> [laughter]. >> I'm always down. >> Yeah, yeah. >> Yeah. >> I'll show you why. >> And then we have to wrap it up. Show us.

one more thing and then we have to wrap. it up because Blake clearly has. somewhere to go. >> Sorry, Blake. Okay. So, this is actually one of my signatures. I. call them ankle breakers because. I'm able to sort of kind of suspend my. ankles a little bit longer than most. people. >> god. >> Oh, wow. Look at that. >> So, you'll take a step like. something really easy, just like a dig. INTO LIKE THIS. BUT THEN YOU CAN PICK THE ACCENT AND YOU. YOU PUT it on your ankle so you can kind. of go back and forth and keep it THERE. LIKE THIS.

>> OH MY. OH, THAT'S AMAZING. THAT WAS FANTASTIC. >> IT looks painful. >> I know. And also, Kenji, if I did that. move once, you'd hear a terrible snap [laughter]. and then just. gravy would come out of my skin at the.

ankle. Just a thick. >> That's what my doctor says is my future. >> A thick. [laughter]. gravy would come out. >> Do are other tap dancers are they blown. away by like are they like, oh my god, what are you doing? >> It's it's not a unique step, but I've. never seen it done like that. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> No, it starts to look like you're doing. something horribly wrong and then you. realize, oh, you're you mean to do this. and it's amazing. [laughter]. But there's that moment where you think, what's happened to Kenji? We need to. call 911.

Which I did when you It's still be there. very [laughter] soon. >> Well, actually that was kind of the. problem. I think something happened when. I was a kid and no one called 911 and so. now. >> [laughter]. >> And now you're a tap dancer. >> on that ankle. >> Hey Kenji, this was really you're. clearly very talented. You've got so. much charisma. Um I I'm just I'm very impressed by you. It's so cool to get a chance to talk to. you and man, you you cheered us up with. that dancing. It's absolutely fantastic. >> That's great. >> Uh this was an honor to meet you guys. I'm a fan of every single person here,

so thank you so much for having me. >> All right, so here's. >> look you up when I'm in Vegas because. I'd love to see you perform. >> Yeah. >> Andy's going to. >> Please please do. >> Yeah. >> And I'll look you up when I start my. detective agency. >> [laughter]. >> Got it. >> Yeah. >> Got it. Got it. Got it. >> right, take care, Kenji. Bye-bye. >> Bye-bye, Kenji.