Dan Levy (FULL EPISODE) | Conan O'Brien Needs A Friend

Hi, my name is Dan Levy and I'm feeling. thrilled, titilated, excited, stimulated. [laughter]. >> Jesus to be Conan O'Brien's friend. >> I think you're thinking of a different. Conan O'Brien. >> I'm [laughter] just feeling really good. right now. >> Hey everybody, welcome to Conan O'Brien. needs a friend and I sit here quite. proudly with my good friend Sona. Obsessian. Hey Sona. >> Hey. Hi. and uh of course David Hopping.

>> Hello. >> And um you know, we were chatting just. before the podcast started uh about. different things that we were excited. about. And then David, you were. electrified because you said and you had. a huge smile on your face. You said they. just renewed Grey's Anatomy. >> I know. >> For what season? >> 23. And. >> okay, this show started I think shortly. after the end of the Civil War. Um, whole casts have aged out and died. >> There's only three originals left.

>> I know, but what how could this show. still be going? And I I don't mean to be. ignorant or And I'm so happy that people. love Grey's Anatomy, but I was unaware. that it was still. >> It's still kicking and I'm still. watching. I started it at uh Warner. Brothers when Sona gave me permission to. watch TV. I watched the first 14. seasons. >> Wait a minute. Hold on a second. Wait a. minute. Hold on a second. Sona was my. assistant. >> Yeah. And then you were supposed to help. her and she gave you permission to. watch. >> I'll never forget it. Sona cuz I was so.

at Warner Brothers Sona was on the. second floor with you. >> This is for the TBS show. Yeah. >> Yeah. I was up on the third floor. So. anytime you needed something, Sona would. call me and one day she called and she. was like, "Hey, you know, if you're up. there waiting for me to tell you to do. something, like feel free to watch. Netflix." And I said, "Great." And I. watched 14 seasons of Grey's Anatomy. >> You are You are a cancer. >> What [laughter] the I'm You are a. cancer that turns everyone into an. indolent clown. You to you instructed.

him and he didn't just watch one show or. half a show. He watched 14 seasons. >> This is your work environment that you. are the boss. You set the tone. >> It comes from the top. >> Yes, it does. >> I don't think so. I think that there is. a the tone I set. I'm a very hard. worker. I'm very intense. And then you. come along and everyone around me. >> Are you being serious? You say uh I. understand you work hard, but you're not. see you're not a serious person. Like I. walked Excuse me.

>> I'm very serious. >> I walked I walked into the Oscar. rehearsal and you asked everybody there. if they all smelled garlic. [laughter]. You said that to a room full of people. I've never met before. Hey, he's like, "Hey, what's that smell? Is that. garlic?" And you looked over at me and. you're like, "Oh, hey." with all the. seat fillers. >> They love my riffs about you. Um anyway, you let's get back to you and how you've. failed me. So, you got him to watch. So, you watched 14 seasons of Grey's. Anatomy. Well, guess what? You have like.

35 more seasons to go. >> Incredible. >> Well, how do you think this show will. end? There's a theory that when Grey's. Anatomy does end, humanity will end. Oh, [laughter]. >> I thought maybe you were going to have a. real theory there for a No, there's a. theory that it's it it's been around as. long as Earth has been orbiting the Sun. >> I know you think the Sun orbits the. Earth, but that's not the case. Um, it's. insane how long it's been going for. >> I know. Isn't it incredible? I mean, as. long as Meredith Gay is on our TV, what.

else could we want? >> Which one is Meredith Gray? >> Ellen Pompeo. >> Okay. Um, and they're still doctors. Has. the show morphed into now they live in a. treehouse or something? A lot of shows. that have been on that long morph and. now they live on a dude ranch and. they're not doctors. Has that happened? >> Oh, no. the amount of like just natural. disasters and awful things that happen. in that hospital. >> What What kind of stuff happens? >> Like there's a whole really intense. shooter episode. There's a plane crash. episode. >> Wait, a plane crashes into the hospital? >> Not into the hospital. All the doctors. are on a plane and the plane crashes. >> Well, what are the odds of that? >> I know.

>> Mhm. >> There's a ferry episode where they like. all start to drown. >> What? All of them are on a ferry. So, the doctors from the hospital all said, "Let's take a ferry." And then it's the. first ferry that's gone under. That's an. early one. >> Okay. Yeah. All right. >> Well, the important thing is it seems to. bring people a lot of joy. I'm trying to. make this a positive thing and I know I. came across a little bit when I started. out as like, how could Grey's Anatomy. still be going? That's a terrible. attitude for anyone to have. >> No, I said the same thing. I also. watched it when it first came out and.

they lost me when they blew up Kyle. Chandler. That's when I was like, I'm. out. I can't do this. >> with a bomb. >> What? And and. >> they blew him up with a bomb. >> Okay, but give me the context. When you. said blow up, I assumed it was some kind. of explosive. Don't just say there was a. bomb. How would they blow him up? They. blow HIM UP WITH A BOMB. >> How did Kyle Chandler blow up? >> There was an explosive in a person that. they found during surgery. And. >> why was the person Why would a person. have a bomb in their body and then check.

themselves into the hospital? Answer. that. >> David, do you remember? >> I don't remember. >> No, he needed the person needed surgery. You just have to You have to go. >> The person needed surgery. The person. needed surgery. >> and the person didn't know that 3 years. earlier he had swallowed a caramel. covered bomb [laughter]. that was stuck in his rectum. How I'm. just explain this to me. >> So they're doing the surgery and then. the girl feels something and and then. they're like, "Oh my god, it's a bomb. You have to stay still." So she just had. to stay there with her finger on the. bomb so it wouldn't go off. And then. they called the bomb squad. And then the.

bomb squad got everybody safe and then. while he's walking away with the bomb in. his hand all like quietly. >> Who's he? >> Kyle Chandler. >> Well, he's on the bomb squad. >> Yes. >> Oh, I thought he was a doctor and they. handed him. >> No, he's a he's on the bomb squad. >> Okay. >> And he's We're like, "Oh my god, everyone's clear. He's walking away.". And then as he's walking away, it just. explodes. >> Do they cut to shoes that are empty but. they're smoking? [laughter]. It's not a cartoon. >> I wish it was a cartoon. And guess what?

It sounds like a cartoon. So, someone. checked in for surgery, had a bomb in. them that they didn't know they had. Yes. >> They call in the bomb squad. And who's. in the bomb squad? Kyle Chandler, the. coach from Friday Night Lights. >> And he says, "I'm an expert on bombs.". Well, I think I'll take this with me. home. I'll just [laughter] go jogging. home now. >> Who walks away with a bomb? You know, I'm sorry. I I don't mean to neg on um. on this wonderful show that people. really like. >> Oh, there's a great musical episode, too. >> No, there isn't. There's no way there's.

a. >> around a table doing surgery while. singing How to Save a Life by the Frey. >> Okay. And they find a bomb. [laughter]. >> I feel something hard. Oh my god, it's a. bomb. We better get called Chandler. Oh no, he. blew up. [laughter]. >> I just sneezed cuz I'm allergic to bad. plots. How do they break a story on that. show? How does the writer room say, "I've got it. There's a bomb in THIS. PATIENT." WHY? DON'T WORRY ABOUT IT. [laughter]. >> Don't know. >> Okay, listen to all you fans of um.

what's it called again? >> Grey's [laughter] Anatomy. >> Grey's Anatomy season 77. >> Yeah. >> Uh first uh remember the first season? That was a good one. When President. Hoover stopped by [laughter]. >> and he said, "I think there's a. depression coming and by the way, I. think I have a bomb in my colon. [laughter]. All right. Uh, well, guess what? My. guest today, and this is no, don't. there's no transition here. >> No. >> My guest today is an Emmy award-winning. actor, director, and writer. A real.

writer who starred as David Rose in the. hilarious series Shitz Creek. Now you. can see him in the new Netflix show Big. Mistakes. Very, very happy this. gentleman is with us today. Dan Levy, welcome. I got to say one thing up front. It's. not what we're going to talk about. initially, but I uh. >> I David, my assistant here, hi. >> Um he [laughter] he uh he downloaded we.

were sent a few of your episodes of your. new show uh Big Mistakes and. >> we watched a couple of them yesterday. and I was immediately every time we. finished one I go like [laughter]. another one. >> Yeah. I'd be like next. I mean, my my. job is I maybe watched the first one, right? And then uh Yeah. I was like, "Next, Nick next next." [laughter] And I. was like, "The hamster with the cocaine. pellet." I just in the office when we. were done. >> No, I just wanted more. >> That's what we're hoping for, so that's. a good sign. >> No, you are. Yes. You want me to be a. rat and addicted to cocaine. Um.

>> all of the above. >> It's uh it's really funny and we will. talk about that in a bit. But I'm so. happy cuz I'm a massive Shitz Creek fan. as we all are. And then when I heard. that you were up to something, another. series, I was disappointed. >> Very excited. [laughter]. >> Prepared to be disappointed. Yeah. Yeah. I love how your mind works cuz that's. how my mind works. So I was. disappointed. >> That's right. [laughter]. >> Certain that you would die. Wait, what? No. >> Oh my god. [laughter].

>> Expecting the worst. >> Expecting the worst. >> Sure. >> Um. >> and it delivered across the board. >> Oh my god. What a tragedy and what a. travesty. Uh, no. I'm I'm so glad that. you are back uh making more uh. ridiculous fun and you're so good at it. and just thrilled to have you here. >> I saw you recently, not to bring the. room down, but I saw you very recently. at a very sad. >> event that was also uplifting, which was. Katherine O'Hara's um you know, the. gathering for for Katherine. That's.

right. And I want to offer my. condolences to you because. >> we all lost this amazing person in. Catherine and but you had this. >> relationship that's probably gone on. your whole life with Katherine. I mean, you made this incredible role for her. and Shitz Creek, but all of us that. that's one of just one of those losses. that. >> I still can't quite get into my head. And the crazy thing about it is that I'm. still like, you know, I go on Instagram. and her face is there and Moira's clips.

from the show are all over the place. And it's. >> and I every time I see her, even though. I wrote the thing, I stop and I watch. And I'm watching [clears throat] not for. anything that I did, right? But but I'm. watching because she is impossible not. to watch. >> and she's impossible not to love and. she's imp it's impossible not to laugh. >> with her. >> in anything she does and it's it is like. an unimaginable loss. >> Yeah. Yeah. No,

>> she was just you could irreplaceable. talent and an irreplaceable person. >> really. Uh, I may have mentioned this, but at the SNL 50th, um, it's it felt totally arbitrary to. me, unless they were just had an Irish. section, but I showed up [laughter] and. they gave me my seat and I sit down and. then there's an empty seat next to me. and then who's who's assigned there? But. it's Katherine O'Hara and I had the time. of my life with her. >> She's the greatest company. >> Yes, she was.

>> She's the greatest seatmate. She's the. greatest dinner companion. Yeah, >> she was the greatest conversationalist. She was endlessly curious and humble and. deeply deeply funny. >> Also, she has this had this way of. instantly, again, I don't know if this. is cuz I'm part of that um sick Irish. tribe, but but she had this way of. immediately becoming like an older. sister to me. So I'm sitting next to her.

and we're going back and forth and. bullshitting in between sketches and. then finally at the end of the show Paul. McCartney comes out. It's like a. surprise but he comes out to sing like. the end of Abby Road and I just next to. Katherine went. and she said what? And I said this guy's. never good [laughter]. and Catherine like punched me. SHE'S. LIKE, "OH, SHUT UP." YOU KNOW, I'M LIKE, "I [laughter] DON'T I don't I know her,

but I didn't know her well enough to get. punched by her." But yes, I did. >> That's also a stunning Katherine O'Hara. impersonation. >> She had a very sort of Oh, there was a. there was a throatiness to her that was. so gruff at times and yet she played. like Lola Heatherton and Moira Rose and. had this like unbelievable elegance and. yet sometimes COULD JUST BE LIKE, >> "OH GOD.". >> SUDDENLY, YEAH. Suddenly lose her words. She also knew when something was not. funny. >> Yes. >> Hence your Paul McCartney joke. >> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. [laughter].

>> I just wanted to BE. >> SHE KNEW WHEN TO BRING IT BACK to. reality. [laughter]. >> I wanted to be the one person who ever. said that when Paul McCartney came out. I just wanted I thought there's no one's. ever done it. I'm going to do it. >> I'm sure that was the reaction you were. looking for. >> Yeah, exactly. >> I'm going on a limb with this Paul. McCartney joke and see how it reacts. >> I wanted to I wanted to get punched by. Katherine Hera and my dream came true. Um, but this segus nicely into something. that that has always puzzled me. And at. the event for Katherine, the uh former.

uh Prime Minister Trudeau was there. >> That's right. >> And um he at one point I find myself. talking to him after the ceremony and I. just said why why are Canadians what is. it? Is it in the water? What is it. about? And I know it's a question I. thought you asked him why he was there. [laughter]. >> Yeah. and also and again I don't know if. that would fly with I don't know maybe. >> I did so when I saw him go h. [clears throat and laughter] and someone. next to me said what's the problem and I. said he's never good um no I I um I.

asked him what is it about so many of my. comedy heroes I grew up watching your. dad Joe Flareity Katherine O'Hara I mean. uh Marty Short the whole crew I I. watched them on SCTV and I was a. religious devote of how smart and funny. and great. >> What a brilliant show that was. >> Well, I also try to I try to get younger. people to understand. there's so much uh smart cutting edge.

stuff that can come from any angle at. you now. It just didn't exist then. And. SNL was great and monolithic, but SCTV. shows up shortly afterwards and it is. more like the internet comedy of today. It was maybe 50 years this felt like it. was 50 years ahead of its time and I. just fell in love with it and I I was. and then you know working in comedy I've. just every time I work with Canadians. and they're so fast and funny and I'm.

wondering you're growing up was it in. Toron where did you grow upon Toronto. and. >> can you explain what this whole thing. is? Well, >> I mean, my my dad and Catherine had have. this philosophy that it's actually not. an instinct. It's not a categorically. Canadian thing. It's just. >> Canadians who have succeeded have just. like there's a lot of Canadian. enthusiasm around them. >> Okay. >> Um, but statistically speaking, I mean,

I think there are a lot of very. successful, specifically Canadian. comedians. >> I believe that statistically it's off. the charts. meaning I'm not satisfied. with the explanation that no there are. funny people in every country and. somehow Canadians just support no there. I've worked with way too many all the. the kids in the hall guys Mike meers are. just the it's an endless list and it's. also pockets of very funny Canadians. that have found each other at these. points in their lives and I you know. going one of my big like genie wishes.

would be to go back and watch some of. those early second city. >> nights Um, right. >> You know, John Candy, Andrea Martin, Katherine O'Hara, my dad, Marty, uh, and. then, you know, Gilda, >> and I mean, then you get into the God. Spell of It all, which I would have. killed to have seen. >> Oh, that's the show we all want to go. back and hang out at because. >> it it was uh it's like every important. scient.

That's how it it felt. this one. production of God Spell, everybody was. in it. I mean, everybody. And um. >> if. >> it has like legendary status. I The very. first movie I ever made was with Tina. Fay and I was so nervous and at a break. she came over and she was like, I want. to talk about God Spellbell in Toronto. >> and [laughter] instantly I was set at. ease. Um, so it's it's it's yes, there. are funny Canadians, but there's also. like these pockets of unbelievably.

brilliant Canadian funny minds that have. somehow found their way into the. international sort of zeitgeist. Um, I. think it's because we live above. America, >> which is inherently sort of a very. prideful. freedom. And you know, >> you'll you'll have freedom if it kills. you. >> [laughter]. >> we're firing a freedom bomb at you. >> It's like what? We can't relate. You.

know, we don't have that kind of. >> hubris. So, as as a place that is sort. of wanting to be very different than. America, but knowing that it is not. quite as powerful. Yeah. >> There is an inherent sort of. self-awareness. >> Yes. >> That is in the water. And I believe. self-awareness is what makes the people. funny. >> Yes. It's a lack of self-awareness is. the most boring people you meet are. completely unaware of how boring they. are. >> Yes. Yes. [laughter]. >> Canadians are very aware of how boring.

they are. >> and that's what makes it funny. [laughter]. >> Do you know what I mean? >> Yes. That's it. I believe that. >> we know what's going on [laughter] and. we can talk about it. >> God, I love being Canadian. [laughter]. >> It's sounding pretty good right now. >> I want to be Canadian. >> I'm clutching that passport. [laughter]. My wife and I got invited, I'm sure, to. that lake area where everyone has their. little cottages. Yeah. And Mskokas and. sitting on a dock and watching a boat.

pull up and you know, Catherine jumped. out of the boat with her husband Bo. And. your dad's there and people like the. cast of SCTV is jumping out of a boat to. sit with me on a [laughter] dock while. Marty pours us drinks. And I left my. body. >> I left my body. >> Drinking probably a rum and ting. >> Yes, rub and ting. [laughter]. And and and of course it it's I remember. it was like 2:00 in the afternoon and. Marty's like, "Time for rum and tea.". [laughter]. >> And I noticed he shouts ABOUT. EVERYTHING. COME IN, my boy. Ramening.

And then a boat pulls up. All my heroes. are on one boat. They all get out. We're. sitting on the dock. I leave my body and. I'm looking at myself thinking, "That. guy's hot." No. [laughter]. God, the sun has done wonders. [laughter]. That's what happens every time I leave. my body. I'm like, "Check [laughter] out. that ass." Wait, are you looking at your. own ass? Your ass isn't good. Well,

still. No, [laughter] I but I was I was. I just couldn't believe it. I just. couldn't I couldn't believe the whole. thing. And then um you know what what's. lovely about this whole story is that I. know that you growing up were very. conscious of I not wanting to. be part of your dad's light and make. your own thing and do it your way which. is in some ways harder I think.

>> if you. >> Yeah. You cuz you talk about. >> when you were a kid. >> Yeah. I I I don't know where I read. this, but you were a kid and if pe if. your if if people were paying attention. to your dad, you didn't want to be part. of that. Yeah. Is that true? >> I would like walk 10 steps ahead or 10. steps behind. I really didn't like. >> Well, I was like really insecure as a. kid, too. And I think having a parent. who is like well known and particularly. in in Canada that. alumni are just like.

>> kind of royalty. >> Yeah. They're like 10 Wayne Gretzkies. walking around. Yeah. [laughter] Yeah. That's exactly it. And people would come. up and and the attention was just so. kind of uh awkward and and so yeah, I. never really paid attention to it. And. then I went got I got into the theater. program in high school and would never. ask my dad for any help and really. wanted to do it on my own. Um, I just think when you when you grow up. under somebody who is so good at what. they do, a lot of the trial and error of.

being a child of somebody who is good at. what they do is trying to discover. whether you are also good at the thing. that you're excited about. >> And if you happen to be excited about. the thing that your parent does, it. makes it even harder. >> Yeah. >> Because you're constantly in comparison. I remember taking a a Second City class, uh, improv class in Toronto in front of. a 5 foot by six foot photo of my dad in. costume.

>> I It was like [laughter] um. >> Bobby Bitman. >> Who's Bobby Bitman? >> Bobby Bitman. Okay. A giant Bobby. Bitman. >> A GIANT LIKE HOW ARE YOU IN A THING. [laughter] with the red suit and the. thing and people were like gosh, you. look a lot like Eugene Levy. >> And I thought I can't take these classes. anymore. I can't do this because also. failing at improv in front of a photo of. your father [laughter] who didn't fail. at improv is worse than never having. done it. It's worse than failing at a.

thousand things. So I I just I never. really when when I I got a job at MTV, I. didn't tell them who my dad I just. didn't want anything to do with him, >> right? because I revered him so much, but also because I wanted to trial and. error my own skills without the constant. comparison of. >> is it as good as. >> Bobby. Um, and slowly but surely I built. a name for myself in Canada, very. unbeknownst to the to the audience that.

I was my father's son. And and then when. shits happened, I felt like I felt. confident enough in my own point of. view, in what I was bringing to the. table to ask him to collaborate. And I I just had to get to that place by. myself. >> Yeah. Yeah. I think it's almost like you. had to do like a a walkabout or a desert. sojourn where you figure these things. out. And um it's interesting because.

>> but also being Canadian, you don't want. the leg up. >> Yeah. >> You want the torture of doing it. completely on your own, but also when. you do it on your own, >> there there is a greater satisfaction in. the success. Shitz Creek. Initially the. reviews were. >> were mixed and. and. you were taking some heat for like oh is. this you know is. >> I believe the New York Times called me. untalented.

>> Yeah. What the [laughter] Well, and the yeah, in the review in the. review of season one. And the problem. with doing press around something when. these articles are coming out is you. then have to swallow the fact that the. new everybody is reading the New York. Times. >> Yes. >> Reading like I don't know if it was the. word was untalented, but that was the. takeaway that I took from it. Was not. kind. >> Yeah. Um, and then you kind of had to go. and be like,

uh, [laughter] I'm really EXCITED ABOUT. THE SHOW THAT I'm making. Anyway, cut to. six years later, they wrote a glowing. review of our final. >> episode and you sometimes just have to. keep working. >> Yes. >> To prove yourself. And I'm fine with. that. >> Yeah. I I mean, this is funny because. you mentioned this with the in in. Kennedy, you don't want a leg up. You. almost want the punishment. I realized. that I had kind of a self-hating thing. that was very comfortable with the.

punishment early on. >> Sure. >> And then when things turned around, by. the time they turned around, I felt much. more confident because. >> I felt like I hadn't been floating along. on a lot of hot air certainly. Uh and it. it can feel. >> beneficial, you know, to to to walk through that in. the beginning. >> Absolutely. I also feel very lucky about. the fact that nobody really watched. Shitz Creek until it was done. [laughter]. >> So, we were able to just make the show.

we wanted. How rare is that? >> To make six seasons of a TV show with. absolutely no expectations from an. audience. Nobody cared. >> We were hustling till the end. And then. it wasn't until I had finished writing. the last episode of our sixth season, the series finale, that people started. to pay attention. So, we had this. wonderful kind of window where due to, you know, luck and circumstance, we were. able to stay on the air for six amazing.

seasons, but nobody cared. But also, so. >> I cared. I [laughter] cared. >> But also, what's nice is. >> now they're done and we are a culture. now. I think there's upsides and. downsides to the modern uh streaming. world we live in. A big upside is shows. that I love like an Arrested Development. or Shitz Creek. They're there for me at. all times, >> right? >> And you can go through and you you can.

page through them like having a classic. novel around the house. >> Sure. >> It's really lovely. And I remembered. thinking this before she passed. I. remember thinking it was such a nice. um thing for Catherine to have that role. uh during that last decade of her life. where she was playing someone who was. beloved cuz people love the character. and they're really getting to see yet. another way that she's really funny and.

she was very proud of it and I think. people were always coming up to her. saying we love you on Shitz Creek. It. was such a nice thing for her that you. you made happen. >> She made it happen. I just made sure. that I was prepared. >> Okay. >> That's really what it came down to. Like. >> so much of Moira Rose was Catherine. >> Yeah. as as is every character. She I. mean, you know, [snorts]. uh Seth Rogan was talking about this. recently about, you know, how the.

amazing thing about Katherine is they. would she would email them the night. before being like, "Gentlemen, some thoughts about the scenes we're. shooting tomorrow, and it would be a. full toptail rewrite." [laughter]. >> And as soon as he said it, it was like, I I got those I got those emails. the. gentle gentleman. Um, [laughter] it. always started with gentlemen, some. thoughts and then it was an unbelievable. rewrite of the scene and that is what. the amazing all the great Catherine.

roles were when she found collaborators. that wanted to give her that platform. >> Yeah. you know, because she had so much. to offer and she was so her the way that. she thinks is so on another level. >> that as a writer, you can't get into her. head. So, all you can really do is set. the table, wait for the email, gentlemen, with some [laughter]. thoughts, >> read the scene and say, "Fuck yeah." You. know, and like just be prepared, you.

know? She told me how she wanted to look. on the show. My job was to make sure. that in a wardrobe fitting, we had. everything that would excite her. >> Well, this this I have to break in. because you just brought up a topic that. came to my mind, which is the wardrobe. >> uh for the show was, you know, a star of. the show as well. >> Sure. And um it always reminded me a. little bit of Gilligan's Island where. the premise was these these people get. together for a three-hour tour, a storm.

hits, they're washed up on an island. Um. and every time you see the howls, they're wearing these absurd different. outfits, [laughter]. and they just said yes, they brought a. trunk of their clothes with them. Yeah. [clears throat]. >> On a three-hour tour, [laughter] and it. was an trunk that was like out of. Hogwarts. It was infinite. There's. Belgian armor in there. [laughter]. >> There's Shakespearean garb. Every single. thing you would ever need. And I. remembered having that thought about. Shitz Creek, which is they had money and. then [laughter]. >> lost it but got to keep every piece of.

clothing and somehow store it in a. >> motel, very small motel, >> often booked up. So. >> in our mind, all of their clothes. [laughter]. were stored in the upstairs above the. lobby of the motel. But also, I love. >> that's how we rationalize it. >> But I love that [laughter] I love that. >> you do seem to me like someone who does. his homework. I'm sure you were doing. all of the character work and figuring. out down to the smallest detail. Well, what.

>> to that point, those clothes did so much. of the character work for us. Yeah. >> All I had to do was make sure the racks. looked good and they [laughter] they. were nuts and that we had, you know, huge skyhigh heels and like knee high. boots and mini skirts made out of latex. And at at some point there were some I I. would source these these designer pieces. that sometimes required us to contact. the designer to find out how to put them. on. [laughter]. There's a dress that Catherine wears.

You enter through the arm. [laughter]. >> No joke. >> There's a very classic scene where Moira. Rose is being photographed in a field. >> by a character we called Sebastian Rain, who was played by Francois. >> Arno, who is now of heated rivalry fame. >> Oh, yeah. >> And she is in a latex. >> dress that had to be tied with a shirt. underneath. And we couldn't figure out. how to tie the latex because putting a.

tie around latex is like rubber rubbing. against rubber. >> So at one point there were like four. people around Catherine like one with a. foot on her back, one trying to tie. [laughter] the latex. I'm like swirling. around her being like, "Can you breathe? Are you feeling good? Is everything. okay?". >> Misting her. >> And that was when Catherine was like at. her most excited. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> When the costumes were so insane that it. took five people to put them on and then. boots that were laced up that 10 minutes. and then we'd walk onto.

kind of gasps from the crew. >> because they never knew what she was. going to show up wearing and looking. like depending on the wigs as well. And. it was the joy of seeing Catherine. excited. There is no greater joy for me. >> But also I mean you got to wear great. stuff there. I wore a lot of drop crotch. pants and [laughter]. they were all really comfortable. actually. So that's all you can ask for. I mean wearing double face cashmere in.

the dead of summer in Toronto outside. [laughter]. was tough but I won't complain about it. >> We all pay our dues. >> That's exactly it. the uh well that I. mean I always heard that Sarah Jessica. Parker owned like her deal when she was. making Sex in the City was she gets to. own all the dresses and that they're in. a massive warehouse somewhere and she. owns them all and they're and I'm. thinking I hope you had that deal with. Creek. [laughter]. >> Are you crazy? >> DO you understand how little that show.

cost? We had to sell every piece of. clothing. >> to pay off the debts that the show had. even in our sixth season. >> Wow. >> We got no cash. It was like slim. pickings from the very beginning and. then incremental sort of. >> I think it's like a standard 15%. whatever it is that your budget can. increase. But you know 15% on like a. pile of shells and a feather is not. [laughter]. giving you much. So we had to sell it.

all. I kept four looks. I kept four of. Catherine's looks, four of Annie's. looks, and four of my looks. Unfortunately, my dad's suits we can. just buy in a store, [laughter]. but so I have some. The retrospective. [laughter] will be small, but I do have. some of the. >> So, the museum is going to be like a. little nook in a mall. >> Yeah. Yeah, exactly. It'll be a corner. [laughter]. >> Yeah. >> Here they are. The four outfits. >> That's right. Moths got to them, but. it's fine. and they were kept in my. parents' basement in Toronto [laughter].

where they still are in a in a. [clears throat]. plastic bin. So, we'll see. Um, so, so. how the show ends and I know. [clears throat] that people are probably. all saying to you as they do in this. business or really any business once you. have a success, hey, what's the next. thing? >> That's right. >> And um, >> I have never known what the next thing. is. uh and go into like a weird slob.

>> I did say to my my wonderful team of. people, I will I cannot hear the word. momentum. ever again. >> Right. >> I don't It means nothing to me. Momentum. I feel like is is a word that forces. people to make bad decisions. >> Wow, that's good. >> I just And yet this is a an industry. that's like, "You're hot. You're hot. YOU'RE HOT. UH WHAT ABOUT THIS?" AND. someone says yes and you do it and. suddenly it's you're spread too thin. We.

see it all the time. >> I I I don't know. I feel like I've been. lucky enough. >> to really care about the quality of the. work because to me if what I'm putting. out there isn't good. Then why am I. doing it. >> right? >> You know what I mean? I worked at a. bakery and a video store. I can go back. if I have to. Oh, the video store. Wow. [laughter]. You can trim that, right? >> No, we can't. I worked on a. >> put on a loop. [laughter]. >> It's not fun.

>> Yeah. >> And there's no I mean, you know, to work. on things you don't care about, it's. just not fun. So, I would rather take. the time and risk the lack of momentum, >> right? >> And put something out that continues to. like excite people than take every. opportunity and not be maybe even the. best fit for the opportunity that. crosses my path. It's a really. interesting point you make about. momentum because that is a thing. You. got to strike while the iron is hot. You. know, you just had a hit movie. You've. got to write a book instantly. Yeah.

>> And no. >> Did I sell Tostitos chips? Absolutely. [laughter]. >> Do you regret it? No, you do not. >> Absolutely not. >> I was making a Canadian TV show. Okay. Even at the end, we weren't making like. >> Yeah, >> it's different. [laughter]. So, when Tostitos I love a Tostitos. chip. You know what? Anyway, >> can I just say one other thing? It's a. good chip. >> It [laughter] is. >> It's a good chip. >> Preparing yourself for eventually. becoming. >> I'm thinking I'm just putting it out. there. But if Dan wants to do something. with me and [laughter] like again the.

like the the the humble side of myself. is like don't make it seem like you. didn't take the you know the ads. I took. the ads. I enjoyed them. I was able to. make them my own. >> Yes. Well, to me, the great revenge is. if you can make one of those things. funny and in your voice. That's it. >> Then it becomes something you would have. made anyway. >> Exactly. >> Uh which is always the dream. Um but I'm. just curious, you're in this period then. where you need to think, you need some. time and time goes by and you've worked.

on other things, but then this idea. comes along. Uh and did you have this. idea this show idea? >> This show idea. >> Well, in between that show, I made a. very small movie called Good Grief. uh. for Netflix which was exactly what they. wanted me to make after the success of. Shitz Creek. A small film on the. rumination of grief [laughter]. just examining the the the small. [laughter] ins and outs of how a group. of friends deal with grief. >> You want laughs, we [laughter] got.

laughs. >> And I was so aware of it at the time. when I when I pitched it, too. And you. know, you're you're looking at very kind. executives being like, um, oh, and then. and then and that's it. Okay, great. [laughter] And they made the movie and I. was so happy because it got me through. such a hard time in my life and I'm so. proud of the film. But yes, now we are. back to comedy. >> Yeah. >> And I'm again, but I do think if you. have curiosity, you have to I think. that's why the second album from an. artist is always kind of the.

experimental one. Yeah. Because when. they have success in one area, like a. record, you'll listen to an unbelievable. record. >> like Jagged Little Pill for example, >> and then you have supposed former. infatuation junkie, which is like. similar but very different. But I think. you need the freedom to play in another. area to show yourself that you have the. ability to do other things because the. industry can make you feel like, oh, you're that guy. >> Yeah. Yeah. So that's what you do and.

you'll do that. And I did. I got like. really a lot of scripts where I was. asked to play a essentially a. worse written David Rose. >> Yeah. [laughter]. >> And I was like, I did that. >> better than this. >> So. >> I don't want to do that again. I want to. tell a small story about friends who are. dealing with grief and then I'll get. back to the comedy. But I have to know. what else is out there in order to feel.

confident enough to come back into the. space that gave me everything I have now. and be excited to come back to it. >> Right. Well, I mean, as I said earlier, uh David and I were watching a couple of. the episodes and really enjoying it. It's really funny. And the first thing I. noticed before the show even began is. that this is something that you worked. on with Rachel Senate. >> Yes. And um and I thought immediately. like, well, love Dan, love Rachel, very. much looking forward to this. And then.

didn't disappoint, you know, it was. really funny. >> I'm really happy with it. >> And you know what's interesting is right. away it's revealed that your character. is a pastor like in the first frame and. it and and it's it almost so felt like. you throwing down a gauntlet like no, this is not David. [laughter] This is. it. >> It's not David. Couldn't be farther from. David Rose. And in one, it was so smart. cuz in this one fell swoop, you're like, "Oh, he this is No, >> by by making him a pastor, you're a. completely different person.".

>> That's right. Um, it was, you know, I I. it wasn't even a conscious thing. I. think it was just curiosity. I wanted to. do something different. I never get the. opportunity to be part of a crime thing. I, you know, >> it's just not, I guess, what people see. me as. So part of what was exciting to. write the show and when I thought about. like well you know when you commit to TV. it's a long it can potentially be a long. jour exciting journey but a long journey. you better like what you're writing. otherwise you're in trouble and the idea.

of finding a way through both comedy and. crime felt really exciting to me because. it's so far from my comfort zone. >> The idea of being blackmailed into. organized crime is a a horrible phobia. that I have. I don't know specific you. know what it is I've. >> ever heard of in my life. >> Generally speaking I hate being trapped. in things. >> Yeah. >> So the concept of being blackmailed into. organized crime you are stuck. [laughter]. >> You're not get the chances of you. getting out of that [clears throat] way. and it's not it's not good. And if.

you're me in that situation, >> you're done. Byebye. So that felt. exciting. And I I brought the idea to. Rachel. She loved it. We worked on it. for, you know, eight months and. wrote the pilot in a night and it it was. just it was it's great. It was so fun to. act. It was so fun to write. >> I have to talk about your your sister is. played by Taylor Ortega. >> Yeah. >> And she's really funny and I was not as.

familiar with her. I didn't know Taylor. and I'm watching her with you in this. show. Um, and it feels like a real. brother sister thing. Yeah. >> Uh, it feels very real. And one of the. things I think works so well is you are. >> um, you are so good when your character. is in peril and desperate. You're so. funny doing not even quiet desperation. [laughter]. Uh, but um, you you play that so well.

And what you've put yourself into, consciously or not, is a situation where. you are always in terrible peril. That's. right. From maybe five minutes, 5. minutes into the show, you're in peril. and then the the show just keeps turning. the crank. >> So, you keep getting funnier and funnier. and funnier as you're in more and more. peril. And of course, you have this. sister Taylor who's very different from. you. um and uh you know more assertive.

and and um but also she's really funny. in these situations and and the fact. that you two still bicker when your. lives are at risk [laughter]. >> made me really happy. So. >> that to me was the was what is the show? >> Yeah. >> It's like you know playing with the. audience in terms of saying okay what if. this were you. >> and your sibling? You wouldn't change. the dynamic just because of the. circumstance. You would be bickering in. the back of a truck.

>> Yeah. Well, this is you're you're. pointing out one of the situations and I. don't think I'm giving away too much. It's just a little thing that I that. gives you a sense of. >> the show is you guys are are in the back. of a truck. You're in great peril. And. then you see an opportunity to flee. So, you start to run. She starts yelling at. you that it's not a good idea. you start. stop start yelling back at her that it. is a good idea and you two are fighting. about whether or not you should flee. while the bad guy comes back. [laughter]. And I thought the the fact that sibling.

sibling [clears throat] bitterness and. bickering overrides the uh instinct to. live [laughter]. >> that made me really happy. >> That's the joy of the [laughter] show. These are two people that will, if. they're forced to get into a common. grave, will be arguing with each other. about [laughter] who should get shot. second as opposed to first. >> Yeah. Uh, >> and I feel like, okay, you've got a lot. of runway with that idea. >> Oh, it's it that's always like the.

greatest realization when you're like. deep into a season and you're like, "Oh, we're just getting started." You know, like that's the fun. And in Finding. Taylor again, it's like I had this with. Annie in in shits. >> Yeah. Finding somebody who has done the. work, found the job, and is ready to go. and showing them to the world. That's a. thrill. >> Yeah. >> One of the many thrills of this show, you know, working with Lorie Metaf. >> One of the.

>> Oh, who's, by the way, >> unbelievable. >> She's your mom and she is um even when. she's doing the subtlest thing. Yeah. >> She's absolutely hilarious. Uh, and you. know, the insufferable mom is a. character that's been played a million. times and then Lori Metaf does it and. you're it's a whole new thing. >> It is. And she's so good and it was I. mean I've been a fan of hers for you. know like it it goes back and back and. back. Um, but yeah, you know, Taylor is.

I'm so excited for people to see her. I'm so excited for her to get what she's. worked so hard for. You know, I think. that's it's there's something thrilling. about introducing somebody to an. audience because so often now it's like. you can't greenlight a show unless. it's a stacked cast. >> Yeah. >> So to continue to tell stories with. relatively upand cominging actors is for. me is thrilling. I include Lorie Metaf. as a relatively up and coming [laughter].

>> actor. You know, this was the pro. project where I finally bought. >> this is her breakout. She's so. >> she's arrived. I'm so excited for her. >> Um, you've talked a bunch uh in the in. the past or in interviews about anxiety, being feeling insecure when you're. growing up. And this is a topic that. fascinates me because. >> like it or not, I think we probably have. to accept that that's an essential. ingredient sometimes to the mixture. >> Sure. >> Uh, and I can't explain why that would.

be the case. Um, and I feel like I'm. legitimizing that kind of anxiety or. those kinds of mental issues. But at the. same time, I also think um that was a. big part of my situation coming along. And. >> I if I had to do it again and didn't. have that, I'm not sure. >> it would be here. >> It's the there are certain ingredients, albeit painful ingredients that are. necessary to. >> in my case to the storytelling. >> Yeah. So much of what I write about is.

how families interact with each other. under difficult circumstances. And if. you come from a Yi family, >> I think this show in particular. celebrates Yelli families. I think of. people who don't come from Yelli. families will probably watch this in in. shock and horror. >> Yeah. Um, but if you come from a Yi. family, it is a celebration of the fact. that anxiety and nerves manifest in very. loud aggression between [clears throat].

people. [snorts] And if I didn't. experience that and inherit it, I. wouldn't be here today. Right? >> So, as hard as it is, >> there does come a point. I think age is. a big part of it, too. Like, I'm now 42. I don't care as much as I did when I was. 20. When I was 20, everything was. consequential. >> Yeah. >> And so when everything is consequential. and you are an anxious person, you will. worry about [clears throat] everything. because.

you're so unaware of how little it. matters in the end. So now I think I get. to look back on my own experiences and. kind of the experiences I've had with my. family and all of that kind of stuff and. and celebrate it. >> Yeah. instead of continue to wear it. I'm I'm. a less anxious person than I am now. And. I I do actually think at the core of the. show, it's an it's an examination of. what we inherit, what that kind of. ancestral.

trauma that kind of trickles down from, in this case like matriarch to Lori to. the kids, the, you know, the f very. first scene of the show, Nona is dying and she's a yeller. And. then you instantly see that this yelling. streak has just found its way through. three generations of this family. [laughter]. >> And all we try to do as a generation. below is push back against what we're.

inheriting. >> Yeah. >> And sometimes you can do it and. sometimes you can't. You just have to. let it happen. But it's fun to be able. to like write about the minutia of. anxiety and how it affects people. I. think it's endlessly entertaining. >> So when you're making the show, is the. show made in Canada? It made it in New. Jersey. Okay. So, um, where do you live? And I need an address. [laughter]. >> I'm Well, I I have been in LA. >> and relocated to New York City to make.

the show. >> That's so cool. >> And we shot in New Jersey and it was. very exciting to be back on the East. Coast. >> Seasons is home. When you think of going. home, is that Toronto? Is it LA now? >> It's LA. >> LA. Yeah. Okay. That's it's because I. think that um I'm always fascinated by. that because home used to be Boston for. me, but it's not anymore because I've. been gone too long. >> And I think the more that the hometown. changes, the less you can relate to it.

>> Like I was just in I just came from. Toronto yesterday night and I look. around and it's it's just not the place. that I grew up in. So when you look. around and the place doesn't reflect the. memories that you have, all you have are. the memories, it becomes less and less. about the actual place. So my life now. is in Los Angeles. Most of my friends. are in Los Angeles. And um that is home. The hometown is is a is a memory at this. point. Yeah.

>> Even though my parents are still in my. family house. >> Oh, in Toronto right now. >> Same house all these years. >> Yeah. By the way, your mom's really. funny. >> She is very funny. She's. >> arguably funnier than my dad. >> Yes. [laughter] Yeah. Who, by the way, >> and he'll admit that. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. I mean, I've tell your dad all the. time, I've never found him amusing. [laughter]. >> That's right. >> His eyebrows go up. >> Uhhuh. No, he is such a lovely man. And. >> yeah, >> I I met all these people for the first.

time when I did a Aspen. They asked me, "Would you come out to do the Aspen. Comedy Festival?" And this is just when. my show had kind of clicked in and it. was starting to gel. And. >> I remember being like younger and. thinking that was the coolest thing. >> The Aspen. >> and he got to meet you. >> Oh, wow. Okay. [laughter]. Well, >> you got that wrong. But but it was I. remember they said, "Con, will you we. want someone to, you know, uh interview. all the SCTV greats?" And I thought, "This is a make a like I must be dying.

and no one told me." [laughter] But I. went and, you know, talked to everybody. and interviewed them and got did my. preparation and we did the thing and. when it was over, your dad said, "Hey. everybody, um, everyone was starting to. disperse." And your dad, like a camp. counselor, said, "Hey everybody." Um, I. think Conan put a lot of work into this. and did a really nice job and I think we. should, you know, give him a round of. appl like incredibly nice man to do. that. >> That's so nice. >> You know, like he was taking care of me, >> right? >> He was he saw like, oh, wait a minute.

this guy, let's before we all go, let's. make sure we do this. >> And that always that touched me a lot at. the moment. >> He's a very sweet man. >> Yeah, >> he's a very well like soft, well-intentioned, sweet person. I did. not inherit his goodness. [laughter]. >> He says that here in your genuinely kind. [laughter]. >> like he just it is I can't just I can't. explain it. and the number of people.

that come up and are just like, "Your. dad is so nice." And I'm like, "I know, >> but I can't help you. >> You are [laughter]. also something.". >> Well, the show is uh Big Mistakes. It's. really funny and um I'm very happy for. you. >> Thank you. >> Um and please come back anytime. And. also, you're part of this. I get I say. this a lot, but I get very excited when. I meet and get to hang out with even. briefly younger talent that's part of.

this whole ecosystem. And the fact that. is, you know, because we've had Rachel. here. Oh, yeah. And having you here and. >> I'm just always very pleased when I get. to be around this whole what I consider. to be a childlike generation that's. doing really good work. It makes me. happy. Like I get to. >> think that compliments simply the youth. factor cuz I don't think I'm young at. all. Guess what? I am now. >> I am at a I'm at a vintage now where. I'll meet a I'll meet what I think is a. kid and say, "I think this kid's really.

coming along and I want to help this. kid." And someone will tell me they're. 55. [laughter]. >> That's their third hip. >> That's right. [laughter]. >> I'm so glad I invest in facials. You. know what I mean? It's good to keep. >> Whatever you're doing, keep doing. >> That's right. Anyway, I appreciate that. Thank you. >> This was uh this was great. Thank you so. much for doing me, everybody. Appreciate. it. Thank you. >> All right, we got to get to the bottom. of something. Uh, recently on a podcast. episode, it came to my attention uh. because I Blle was was babbling and.

blurting. And Blle, you mentioned that. your mom does your taxes. It was then. revealed to us that well, she doesn't do. your taxes. She calls another tax. service. >> She uses Turboax. >> She uses Turboax to take care of your. taxes. >> Fantastic. >> For you. That's right. Um, >> she demands to do it. By the way, I just. want to make that clear. I'm not asking. her to do it. She gets upset when I even. toss the idea out of me. >> Understood. Okay.

>> And that's not what we're going to go. after here. What I want to investigate. is you brought up at a certain point. that. >> you um you write off your various I'm. going to call them trinkets, duads. What. do you call them? Memorabilia, arcana. >> This style feels this it feels. reductive. They're they're objects of uh. power that I love to I buy. >> What are we talking about? >> So So listen listen I'm a collector. I. like stuff. I I'm a collector of of. great items and and things like things.

I'm going to give you a great example. >> Channeling Jordan, a collector of great. items. >> I just I I want. >> swords like battle swords. >> Okay. Yes. Like I I bought a really cool. Batman statue. Um. >> statue of Batman. >> That's right. A Batman statue done by in. the style like Sergio Eric. you know, the Mad T the Mad Magazine guy. >> Yeah. >> Um. >> I think it's Aragonus, I believe. >> Aragonus. That's right. I have a number. of swords. Um you know, flamethrower. I. just got an axe. But not just weapons,

but also not just weapons. You also have. like stuff relating to uh various things. you're into. Whether. >> I have a dinosaur egg, a bronosaurus. egg, >> a real one. >> That's right. >> Okay. And uh you know, meteorites. I. have several like three or four. meteorites. I have a cool uh it's. actually 70 million years old. It's a. whale vertebrae. It's a giant. It's kind. of like the size of two. >> So, I should have said coffee. I. shouldn't have said memorabilia. You. collect [laughter]. >> and you have a lot of Um, and you. write it off because you said you.

managed to mention it on the podcast and. whenever for the podcast, >> how did we use it? >> Because it's it's the basis of comedy. bits like this today. It's a comedy. thing. A. >> long list are right. You just had a. listed 20 things. and and also like so for instance summer. s'mores. I brought my I bought a big. broadsword at the Renfair which was your. idea. >> Here's my point. I don't say wouldn't it. be cool if someone here had a broadsword. and you said I happen to have one and. you brought it in and then you were able.

to write it off. you go out and buy. stuff and then you insert it into the. podcast so that you can then write it. off. And that's why I brought in uh Mr. David Melmed who is our uh attorney. who's helped us many times in the past. >> I sense fraud. I don't know about fraud. >> See, there we go. >> But but but. in terms of what the IRS may be looking. at, we're talking about section 162 of.

the. >> Jesus. Internal Revenue Code 16. What is. section 162? >> Ordinary and necessary expenses can be. deductible. Now I guess the question is. are those ordinary and egg? >> Are they necary? It says and necessary. is comedy necessary to this podcast. >> Wait a minute. Wait a minute. It's not. comedy. A brontosaurus egg is not comedy. until you forced it upon the podcast. Um, you you barrel your way into the.

podcast and say, "Look what I got. I got. a Bosaurus." And we're all like, "What. the are you talking about, buddy?". >> Let's let Melman fish. Melman, what's. the rest of the law? >> Let me finish when you don't like the. way I'm going. Go ahead. [laughter] I. like the way you're going. >> In connection with the podcast. >> Yes. Okay. >> All right. So, let's take your. bronosaurus egg for example, right? >> Let's. >> Let's get past the ordinary and. necessary. If you didn't bring it into. the podcast, >> would someone bring it up or is this. something that you're doing to get a. ride off?

>> And and I'm not going to put you on I'm. just a protor. It's like if I don't. bring it in. >> Well, okay. But. >> you mentioned [laughter] it. We all this. is becoming an insane who's on first. routine. Um, >> no. I wouldn't have said, you know what. this podcast needs is a broad sword or. what it needs is a bronosaurus egg. I. would never bring up any of those. things. And they're not comedy in and of. themselves. You are buying this stuff. because you love it and then you're.

saying, "I got to get this stuff onto. Conan's podcast." Um, and then you're. claiming that it was a necessary part of. your job. >> Sure. >> That to me feels all backwards. It could. Well, so I'm going to go a little deeper. on this. >> Let's let the law decide. >> I'm going to go a little deeper. So, there's really two sides to this, right? There's talent, right? and company. expenses. So, if he's bringing this on. as onair talent using the mic, that's. one thing. If you are, for example, using this as a company expense or an.

expense that the company would deduct, that could eat into the uh net revenue. of the podcast. >> So, can I ask a question? >> Yes. >> Um, in terms of company expenses, so. you're saying if I were to use the sword. to defend Conan off Mike, that's a. company expense. You know, it would have. to be in connection with the podcast. itself. >> That's what I'm saying. Like, he comes. in to do the podcast and I'm using I'm. defending him physically from attackers. >> I'm seeing why you're not a lawyer. Now, it's now.

>> I'm just as a question. Socratic method. All right. You know what I'm saying? >> Yeah, I do. So, so the act itself is not. deductible, right? But, but the but. Right. So, you coming in with your. sword. >> Yes. >> But us sort of cleaning up that mess. could be deductible. >> So, I'm just saying like that [laughter]. mess. But I'm saying like, okay, there's. two things. There's talent, right? There's talent. >> Okay. To make Conan safe, >> I didn't fall asleep. I just got super. sad. >> When we were when we were in Altadena, when we recorded Summers and I brought. in my sword part, we did a bit where we.

could hear wild animals that were crazy. screaming in the distance, right? Yeah. >> So, could I argue to the IRS? I'm there. to defend Conan. You think that people don't write stuff. off in crazy ways? I'm I'm just bob and. weaving in. >> Yeah. No. Oh, hold on a second. I don't. treat the IRS that way. Um uh but I. guess you like to bob and weave and try. and trick Uncle Sam out of his rightful. due. >> Uh I Johnny Law's got his scratch. He. doesn't need my couple bucks. >> Okay, you got to settle down. I'm going.

to take you off mic for a little bit. I. wish I had a button that silence play. and I would use it so routinely. I might. just put put a bunch of books on top of. it. >> Stop talking. I'll stop talking. [laughter]. I want to a silence play button right. here and then I'm going to build. permanent structures on top of it. [laughter] Um I think that uh I'm I'm. not comfortable with this. interpretation. I do think we all need. to pay our fair share. And um I think. that those things you're buying, they.

bring you pleasure. They bring you joy. I haven't unreleased the button yet. This is the button. And when I touch it, you. >> I have I have a question too when you're. done. >> Okay. um you'll have the floor after me. and then and then anyone else who wants. but anyway I guess my issue is these are. his hobbies and then through the grace. of some god we don't understand who. works in mysterious ways he has access. to this podcast. >> and he's bullied his way up to a mic and. now he's inserting himself into the show.

and saying hey you know what I was. thinking about this morning I was. thinking about um the Scarlet Witches. uh cape. That's what I was thinking. about. I'm like the Scarlet Witch. Yeah, she's a Marvel heroine. I was thinking. about her cape and I bought one. Let's. have fun talking about that. It all. feels manipulative. It feels um. sinister. >> Uh and it feels like it is um. >> I don't know. It doesn't feel like it's. in the spirit of the law.

>> It's a bit overreaching. >> Yes. Yes. Overreaching. And then. [clears throat] let me Hold on. We'll. get to you Bl eventually. I don't know. what month, but we'll get there. Uh, Sona, what do you want to say? >> I wanted to say all of these things are. what make Bl. >> I know. Yeah. >> So, and you've mined a lot of that from. him, who he is. You've talked about his. watches a lot. You've talked about the. fact that he has a giant wall-sized. print out of his face in his apartment. >> Yeah. We don't need to say, we don't. need to give him more ammunition. >> Is Blaur.

eggs. >> But listen, but listen. I can see his. watches. I can see these things. And I. Blade doesn't need to work at making. himself seem more ridiculous or. [laughter]. manchildy. He doesn't need to work at. it. It's all This is my problem. sometimes with play is that he should. just trust in his natural nerdiness and. his natural Peter Pan syndrome, you. know. No, [laughter] this is all the. stuff that you have. It's natural. And I. can see that you wear a different ironic.

watch every day that never costs more. than $3 and often doesn't have hands on. it so you can't tell time cuz you've got. nowhere [laughter] to be. I can see all. this myself. I don't need help. >> But when you come in and your plan is. today I'm going to dominate the podcast. with my brontosaurus egg that I just. bought. [laughter]. >> Then I then I smell a rat. I smell a. rat. >> Can I speak? >> Yeah. Okay. I I here's what I want to. say. I think it is to Sona's point. We.

do uh there is a lot we come up with a. lot of uh bits on the spot on this. podcast and yes I have a lot of cool. stuff. All right. No, you don't. No, I. got. >> You don't have a lot of cool stuff. Fine. FINE. FINE. FINE. BUT MY POINT. being I have this stuff anyway. I think. it I think it's a I what I want to say. is I I don't go into. >> You have it anyway. >> You should have said that. No, listen. You may want to re. freeze. Freeze.

>> You may want to revise that. Go ahead. You don't If you had it anyway, you. probably couldn't deduct it. >> But so I'm giving you a chance to But. what I'm saying is like this. What I'm. saying is, >> do you want to fix what you just said? >> I'll I'll say this. I'm not going to fix. it because it's honest. I have a sword. Okay. [laughter] Right. I have a sword. and I'm going to the Renfair. All right. And I'm at the Renfair and I'm like, "Oh. man, I should get a sword." and bring it. in because it could be a good comedy. bit. So, I buy another sword and that's.

what I'm writing off because it's for a. comedy bit. I'm not writing off the one. I already have. I'm like, I'm taking. things from my life and heightening them. to use a comedy joke. >> But why why do you think this show needs. so much help with comedy? >> I don't think it needs help. Why do you. think this show is just is is a is is. bereft of all entertainment unless you. go out and buy a feathered helmet and. bring it in to [laughter] save us to. save no think of a thing that's. >> what I bought. I just bought some.

underwear made of caramel at a rent. fair. >> I would buy that. That's projection. I. do not do that. As a producer, I like to. give my host a buffet of choices from. which he can from which he can pick and. choose. Maybe he's going to maybe I'm. offering mac and cheese. Maybe and when. we when we're saying what we what should. we do for a segment and Sona says, "Oh, uh uh this happened to me." Hopping is. like, "This happened to me." I say, "Hey, I just bought a sword at the rent. fair. What do you think about this?". Sometimes you you you choose from my.

bucket. Sometimes you choose from. others. And if you choose from my. bucket, then you know I it's all my I'm. learn what I do is I live FOR THIS. PODCAST. I write off stuff. I I live you. and you you realize you're you're just. uh. >> I know I live my life in service of this. podcast and that means buying. like you talked about you talked about. going to Disneyland with your kids. >> Yeah. Can I write you write those. tickets off? >> All right. I'm going to use my wife's. favorite phrase which is there's a lot.

to unpack here. Um [laughter] that's for. you Liza. Stop saying it. And um we are. going to continue this in another. episode because this is vital vital to. the American interest.