Matt Damon (FULL EPISODE) | Conan O'Brien Needs A Friend

[music] Hi, my name is Matt Damon and I. feel good about being Conan O'Brien's. friend. >> I was encouraging you beforehand. Really. go after me. And you chose to be a kind. man. >> You're the most anodine answer. [laughter]. [music]. >> Hey there. Welcome to Conor O'Brien. Needs a Friend. Uh I just freaked out my. co-workers. >> You okay? >> I am now. Yeah. I uh was looking up at. the light that's above us.

>> Is that a bug? Is that a dead bug? >> I didn't even notice that. >> Okay. >> I was just looking up at the light and I. went into a little bit of a trance and. all of you were staring at me. >> and I think. >> I think I left my body. >> Well, you weren't just in a trance. You. were making the sound of like a dripping. faucet. >> Yeah. I was going. >> Yeah. Um I don't know what I was doing there. M. >> uh I've been working a lot lately and I. had a something I had to do last night. and so uh I'm not well rested and I I. feel a little high even though I've.

taken no substances. >> So um so just seconds ago I was staring. up at the light above us when you said. okay Conan do the intro and I was going. this doing this with my mouth. >> Yeah it's good. >> And I wasn't doing a bit I wasn't trying. to be funny. I was just looking up at. the light and making that noise. And. then I looked down and you were all. staring at me um as if I were some sort. of sideshow freak. >> Are you Are you okay? >> Are you okay? I'm not. I'm not. I think.

I'm. >> Are you really tired? Are you tired? >> Yeah. Yeah, a little bit. But you never. tell the audience you're tired. You've. always want people thinking. >> You just prefaced it that you were. tired. >> Yeah. You said you were tired cuz you. said you did something yesterday and you. slept late. So like you did that. There. is no audience. I just did what Peter. Sers does as Cluso and it's one of my. favorite things but I wasn't doing it on. purpose. >> He walks into an interrogation room and. he says, you know, cuz there's been a. kidnapping and he says, "I'm here, you. know, to just to investigate the. murder." And someone goes, "Murder." And.

he says, "Who said murder?" [laughter]. And they said, "You said murder." And he. said, "I don't say murder." Uh, and I've. always loved that. It's such a funny. thing. And I just did it for real. Uh, I. don't know what's going on with me. I'm. a little scrambled today, but that could. be fun. Maybe that's going to loosen uh. my brain a little bit. Um and various. creative juices will flow. Who can say? Oh, >> okay. >> I'm worried about you. Are you really? >> Yeah. Well, also you're wearing this. very cozy flannel. It almost looks like. you're in PJs and that you've kind of.

just woken up and you know, or you're. ready for bed and that we should tuck. you in or something. >> I don't wear flannel a true. >> I should wear flannel a little more. often. Uh, we're in the winter months. now, which in LA means it's not 72, it's. 71°. So sometimes flannel is necessary. [laughter]. >> I do. I mean, come on. That's something. I want to talk about. I want to see my. breath at night. >> I want it to be cold. You never go with. me on this, but I like to wear layers. And I was just on the East Coast. recently doing some work there, and I.

was wearing these sweaters, and I was I. was dressed like an adult. I was wearing. a peacacoat and uh I was walking around. in it and I had sweaters and I would. sometimes wear an overcoat and I'd look. like a gentleman. And then I come back. to LA and it's time to put on my hoof. fartarted t-shirt. >> Look, do I think this is a great opening. segment? No, I don't. I think we've lost. our weight. It started with It started. with me staring at a light going,

>> "We started at a deficit.". >> Yeah. And and um Yeah, exactly. which we. inherited from the Biden administration. [laughter] But to be fair, um, you can't blame me. Even though it's a. year into my podcast administration, [laughter] this is what I inherited when. I started this venture 5 years ago. Um, are you okay? What are you doing? >> You're doing now. You're touching the. sides of the mic and saying, "Okay, I. see.". >> Okay. You think that because I set such.

a low bar that now you're free to just. completely go. >> Can we just do Yeah. Yeah. Oh, he's. using the old shaving as a as a shaver. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> That's cool. >> No, no, no. I think we're showing such. disrespect for the people who. >> Am I distorted through this glass? >> Yes, you are. Yeah. It looks like a. Dolli sketch. Yeah. >> Look at us. We're bringing We're. bringing our agame today. >> Well, I respect our audience. They pay a. lot to listen to this podcast. Do they. pay a lot? >> No, they don't pay anything. [laughter].

>> Okay. Well, then what are we worried. about? >> You get [laughter] what you pay for. Listeners, >> you got exactly what you pay for. No, we're using They have precious life on. Once again, I ran into someone on the. street uh today here in Larchmont who. said that they were just listening to. the podcast. We are um borrowing chunks. of people's life that they will never. get back. Also, I think this might be. the last episode of the year, so it's. it's okay if our tanks are a little. empty.

>> No, it's not. We have to Now you've put. a whole new level of pressure on it. >> Go out with a bang. >> Don't blame me. You started this episode. making dripping noises. >> I wasn't clearly wasn't ready. And you. as the maestro behind this whole. operation should have said, "He's not. ready. Let's wait." [laughter]. >> Or maybe we could have had a huddle. Or. maybe you could have asked me, "Are you. okay off mic?". >> You said, "Are you okay on mic?" Who. does that? What kind of doctor are you? >> I thought it made good comments. For. some people, this is the last episode of. the year. For others, it's the first. EPISODE OF THE YEAR. >> WE CAN'T START this way.

>> Oh god. No. Can we do a better? >> Yeah, we can do better. I start to say. something funny. >> Well, can I just say I don't think of. the uh the New Year's as the new year. I. think of fall as the beginning of the. year. And I think No, that's because. you're still a child who gets a peanut. butter and jelly sandwich and puts on. your short pants and goes off to school. And I mean college is good though. Oh, let's start again cuz I think we can do. better. >> I Yeah. >> Are we starting again for real? Like. we're we're [laughter] ditching this? >> I don't even know what's real and what's. not anymore. >> This is just a weird I could count on.

we're in some sort of weird Bermuda. triangle. >> It could be cuz we were off for so long. We're having trouble finding our. footing. >> That could be it. >> But that wasn't the case yesterday. We. were We were hitting. >> Were we hitting? We were like. >> No, it was yesterday. >> I at least I felt okay. >> Yesterday was pretty good. >> We were hitting yesterday was actually. very good. >> Was it? Yeah. When do you have. standards? What are you doing? >> I don't have standards. That's the. problem is even I think this is bad and. my standards are really low. >> I think uh right now and this maybe this.

is [laughter] Yes, you do think. Oh my. god. This is a good thing for people to. hear that their heroes struggle as well. >> Twice twice have we ever ditched. >> a a take on something. We almost always. keep things. Yeah. >> Yeah. >> No, you don't want to mention that. I. don't I don't know. Whatever. >> What? What's this now? What are you. saying? [laughter]. No. I'm taking it. >> What are you doing? Why did you I was. getting I was pulling this whole thing. to This is awful. I woke up from my from.

my primordial slumber and started to. pull it back together again. And then. you mutter and reference something and. look at you and you make noises with. your mouth but no [laughter] words. Blaming us for this. >> Yeah. Yeah. You're the one who started. it. It trickles down. >> I'm back and I'm better than ever. >> Okay. Hey, welcome to Conan O'Brien. Needs a Friend. Uh the podcast that uh. delivers every single time with never a. false start, [laughter]. never a missed opportunity. Sona Mobsian.

has joined me. >> Yes. Hi, I'm here. >> Yeah, you are here. And uh and and Matt. Gorley, how are you? >> I'm I'm well, thank you. >> You look fantastic. >> So do you. Thank you. >> I'm doing the best I can. I'm wearing a. flannel shirt today. >> It's cozy. It's very nice. Bought it. just down the street. I'd say the name. of the store, but uh maybe that's. cheating. I don't know. Give them a free. plug. Farad, they make a really good. sweater. They have very good stuff and. I'm a regular customer. But that's not. the point. I'm here to talk about what I. think. >> is the topic on everyone's lips right. now, which is the holidays.

>> Because this is going to air when, Adam, >> late December, early January, >> January 5th for most people. >> That's still the holidays. Or is it? This is so confusing. It's not the. holidays. >> It's okay. >> Can we go back to the inept one? No, no, no. >> You said rap. >> Yeah. >> Oh my god. I thought I had saved it and. then I said, "Let's talk about the. holidays." Forgetting that this comes. out January 5th when everyone's in a. deep depression. [laughter].

>> And just the mere mention of holidays. makes you want to eat a gun. [laughter]. >> My My birthday is January 7th, by the. way. So trust me, happy birthday. read. year at your birthday. [laughter] I'm. excusing myself to try and end it all. >> Oh my god. Hey, it's almost the year and. anniversary of my house burning down. [laughter]. >> OH MY GOD. That's right. >> Oh my god. >> Let's make it worse. >> And your parents untimely passing and my. parents passing your anniversary. Oh my.

god. Did you know what? We got through. all of that and then the greatest. tragedy of all hit us. A very bad. OPENING SEGMENT. [laughter]. THAT'S WORSE. >> THAT was the worst than all of those. things. >> Oh man. >> And yet we're still here. >> Oh my god. >> And I love you, Sona. And I love you, Borley. And together we're [laughter]. going to make this year. This is This is. a great moment. >> Let's do it. >> Yeah. Okay. 2026. It can't get any.

worse. >> Yeah. My guest today is an actor you. know from such films as Goodwill. Hunting, The Martian, and The Born. Identity. Now you can see him in the new. Netflix movie, The Rip. What can I say? He's a superstar. >> He's an international megastar. He also. is a lovely gentleman. >> Matt Damon, welcome. >> Thank you so much for being here. And we. have a lot to talk about uh today. And I.

just I wanted to start with I have this. very I know I think I've brought this up. to you before but not on microphone. We. didn't monetize it. [laughter] Um. >> Jesus. >> those are the only conversations that. are worthwhile. >> I want to sell some ads. [laughter]. >> Are you going to talk about the new. Buick? What is this? >> Matt and I are very excited about the. new Buick. Um. >> Hyundai. >> No. Uh my brother took me to a bar uh. years ago and this was short. This isn't. too long. It might have been a year or.

two after Goodwill Hunting. >> Goodwill Hunting or, you know, maybe. early born. It was It was It was. >> No, it was before that. It was late. It. was in the '90s still. >> Okay. It was in the '90s. And my I'm in. town. >> Uh we're both. >> Wasn't it like Christmas night or. something? >> It was Christmas night. And my brother. said, "Hey, we could hang out with our. This is my brother Luke. We could hang. out with our parents or we could blow. this place and go All they did was, you. know, create us. we could go to this. really cool [laughter] cool bar I know. called the B-side and um the B-side.

lounge. And I said, "Yeah, yeah, you. know, screw the elderly." And so uh we. get we go over there and I walk into. this very cool establishment and um just. like a really cool place to hang bar and. you're sitting there and uh. >> because Ben and I had had the exact same. conversation. [laughter]. >> Get the out of here. >> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. >> Yeah. Yeah. Exactly. You guys were. escaping. And so I just see you sitting.

at the sitting there and I go over and. um you couldn't have been nicer. We're. chatting. I think we had briefly met. before but not really like talked. And. within. minutes you and I were talking about. Flenry O'Conor. That's what I remember. And I remember thinking, I don't know. that there are many movie stars that. would start talking to me about Flenry. Oconor. Do you know what I mean? I. thought it was very I was like this guy. is. >> There are a lot of people who read books. though. >> No, there aren't. [laughter] There. aren't. I test a lot of movie stars.

Most of them can't read. I [laughter]. >> can't read at all. >> Yeah. Yeah. Tom Hanks cannot read. >> He can type, but he can't read. >> He can type, but it's just it's like a. monkey at a typewriter. Yeah. And I also. um mean so many huge stars can't, you. know. Liam Niss can't tell time. [laughter] And I'll ask him, "Hey, Liam, what time is it?" and he shows me his. watch and says, "What do you think?". [laughter]. Uh, unbelievable. >> But I'm scared to answer because of the. way you [laughter].

>> You have a certain set of skills, but. not telling time. >> You don't have all the skills. [laughter]. >> You know, you're relaxing. >> We were, by the way, Ben and I were. extras in a movie called The Good Mother. that Liam Niss was uh was the star of in. the in the 80s and um we were still in. high school and and I think it still. exists in the movie. They were shooting. in Harvard Square and we went and we. were extras and we walked by Liam Niss. Wow. >> A very of like an adolescent or teenage, you know, Ben and Matt walked by a very. young Liam. >> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah.

>> That was that was as close as I ever got. to him. But yeah, I'm a big fan. >> It's uh he is a lovely man, too. There's. there's um what you just said reminds me. that you guys, you know, were good. friends long before you became famous. and you were working together and kind. of on a mission to make it in this. business and you had a I I've read. before that you had a bank account. together, >> a Bays account. You remember. [clears throat] Bays? >> Of course I do. >> We had a Bay Bank a shared Bays account.

that we would put money in that we had. made professionally. So if we got any. part like that extra work for instance. you get you know 50 bucks or 100 bucks. depending if it was a union job you get. 100 and that money would go into the our. shared account and that account we could. only use for auditions in New York where. you know we take the bus or or back. there they had you know the Panama. shuttle or whatever or the train. >> get down to New York you know walk in. you know which you know took however. long five hours to get down there you. know you you walk into the place. somewhere in Midtown and you know in.

three minutes they're like okay thanks. which is we we used to call it getting. okay thanks because you you go there and. beat your chest and pull your hair out. and so and they go okay thanks. [laughter]. >> and and you're done and then you go all. the way back to Boston. Um but but we. had this account we could use the money. for that or we could use the money for. >> uh video games at 101 which was the. arcade on Massav or you know when we got. older uh if we could find anyone to buy. us beer. >> [laughter]. >> So those were the three uses for the.

account. But the account very. responsible young men. >> but the uh you know talk about like. intentionality. The account the the code. to the account was River P because River. Phoenix was an actor that we really. admired. He was our age and he was. getting the kind of parts that we wanted. to play and so that was our secret code. to get into our shared bank account. I. don't know about you, but I think about. a lot and I have wistfully about early. experiences. before anybody knows who I am. And um.

you know I'm I'm headed to something to. audition and someone says, "Well, you. should have makeup cuz it might be a. camera test." So I went to a drugstore. and purchased [laughter] makeup at a. counter. And the woman said, "What is it. you're trying to do?" And I said, "They. said I need makeup." And then sitting in. my, this is out here in LA, sitting in. my 1977. beat up Isuzu Opal and putting it on. myself with a rear view mirror and then. going in and being terrible. >> But she told you lipstick and blush.

[laughter]. >> Yeah. They were like, "That Kabuki guy. was awful. [laughter]. >> Did you see Divine? >> You look like Marlon Brando in the. island [laughter] of Dr. Maro. What is up with that kid? [laughter]. Yeah, it was a taco commercial. Why? Why was. he doing Why was he [laughter]. >> um But I think about those things all. the time and I kind of It's funny. I.

have an affection for that whippers. snapper and and I don't know if you I. mean you and and Ben must have so many. memories of being an extra. >> and they're telling you um chew more. slowly or whatever. You're you have no. lines, >> get the away from the craft. service, [laughter] get away, you know, that's not that's not extras, you know, it's like it's it's it's it's you know, it can be demeaning work. Um, but we. were interested in it and we loved being. on sets and it was like we were thrilled. to be there and um and and yeah, I mean.

it was a lot of I mean you know the the. starting out in the business is I think. it's I think you know my nephew's an. actor they it's different now in the. sense that they they're they're allowed. to put themselves on tape now like we. never really sometimes you go in and get. put on tape but we didn't have control. over you know it was a different. auditioning was like you had to go show. up at the appointed time you walked into. the room and you had one shot at it and. and that was it. And and now you know. that younger actors are allowed to kind.

of v or all actors allowed to video. themselves and work on it until they can. get it get it to and say this is the. best representation of me for this part. which is a very different thing and and. uh you know there's a lot of humiliation. in the starting out as you know like. those those things. >> I find I'm continually humiliated now. Well, there's a lot of humili [laughter]. in general. It's a very Hey, it's a very. vulnerable thing to do. >> You know, >> I discovered earlier I was being. humiliated and then I kind of liked it. and then I turned it into a career. >> When I did The Rain Maker with Copala.

like 30 years ago, he did this amazing. thing every morning. Um, you know, when. a new actor would come, he would he. would go down to the base camp where. where everybody gets ready in the. morning and in the parking lot like. right in the you know where all the kind. of trailers are, he would gather all of. the actors and he would play theater. games, right? like sound for instance. And sound ball is this game you play in. kind of acting school where where I. throw a ball to you and I have to make a. noise like bloop or whatever. And when. you and it's an invisible ball obviously.

it's not a real ball. It's it's it's. [laughter] that and you have to it's an. airball and you catch it and you have to. make my sound bloop. And then you have. to make a new sound bleep and you throw. it to someone else and it is the dumbest. thing [laughter] in the world. But. Francis would do this with all the I'm. talking like Mickey Roor. I'm talking. about hardcore like very serious people. >> I'm picturing the cast of The Godfather. now. >> No, it was it was. >> James Conor. >> I know. I know. But it was John Void. It. was like these wonderful actors, right? And and and the idea was and Francis.

would do it and he would start and he. was this, you know, iconic. Of course, you know, we The Godfathers, the. Apocalypse Now, I mean, you know, the. conversation on and on and on all of. these brilliant movies. And the whole. point was to kind of level set everybody. at this is a place where you can be. completely foolish and vulnerable. Yeah. And I'm gonna do it too, right? And and. because that's a part of it. It's like. you really got to put yourself out there. if you're doing it right. And so there. are the requisite amount of humiliations.

that come that accompany that even as. you get successful like like you know if. you're doing a tough scene, >> you might have to break a lot of eggs to. get the omelette. You know what I mean? And and you have to do that in front of. everybody. I'm thinking about the list. of people. who you've directors that you've worked. with and it's an insane. It's Copala. Scorsesei. Um, help me out here. >> There's a lot. There's. >> Eastwood, Eastwood, Spielberg, Clint, uh, Chris Nolan. >> And, you know, the one I'm most.

interested in kind of is I mean, they're. all iconic directors and and amazing, >> but I don't have a sense of what. Eastwood would be like as a director. I've always heard it was like one take. or he's he's quick. >> Yeah. >> The f the very first day. So I the first. time I worked with him twice and the. first time was uh was um Invictus. So I. was playing a South African rugby. player. >> Y. >> and that's a really tough accent to do. So I spent six months. There's this. great dialect coach named Tim Monik.

Very famous in our world. Um and he's. wonderful and I've known him for a very. long time. And Tim would come. I was. living in Miami at the time. And he. would come and I had a little office. over the garage. And he would come and. from 9:00 to 5:00 Monday through Friday, we would work on this accent. Because. South Africans speak English, it's like. their tongue does the exact opposite. thing that ours did. Like if I say, "I'll be right back." If you say it and. you think about what your tongue's. doing, they say, "Ob.". >> Oh yeah. Okay. >> And you go, "What the just happened.

in my mouth?" Right. So it's very hard. >> This is why you're an actor and I am. not. [laughter]. But we took like, you know, it was a. long it was a lot of work and and and. and uh and and fun and and great and and. I showed up and and I'm I'm ready. It's. like my chance to work with, you know, one of my heroes. And. >> the very first take, um, you know, I I. did it and meanwhile, I've done this so. many thousands of times, I have, you. know, a number of different ways that. I'm thinking of maybe doing the scene. So he goes, "Cut, print, move on.".

>> [laughter]. >> And I go I go, "Hang on, hang on, hang. on, uh, boss, you know, I, uh, you want. to, you know, want to do another one?" I. mean, >> I wasn't even [laughter] that was like. that was the first one. Like, you want. to do it? And he goes, "Why? You want to. waste everybody's time?". >> Oh my god. And I went, "No, I guess. we're moving on.". >> And and it was one take. >> He was holding a gun. [laughter]. >> But no, no, but but but there was a. kindness in it, too. It wasn't He wasn't. He wasn't He was He's a lovely guy. And. and what was really interesting is the.

second movie I did with him, there was. this the kind of it it builds to a head. with this uh a scene with me and this. nine-year-old kid. And the nine-year-old. kid was a non-acctor. And and we had. done one take for everybody all through. Invictus. Morgan Freeman, you know, all. everybody gets one take. We must have done 40 takes with this. little boy because because he we were. trying to get this it was this kind of. huge moment in the film and and we were. trying to get this stuff out of him. >> and and Clint was right next to me in.

you know like we were right next to the. camera together just just working with. this boy and so it was like his and his. whole mentality was you your crew will. will will go to the ends of the earth. for you if as long as you're not taxing. them on every shot. Right. right? When. when we need to get in there, we get in. there. Um but you know, for the most. part, we can you know, professional. actors are going to show up with. something good and we we keep the keep. the momentum. [music].

I had a chat with Clint Eastwood once. briefly and I told him how much. Unforgiven meant to me and um great I. said it's one of the most European it's. an American movie that was a huge hit. box office hit and it's a very European. film and he just sort of asked me what. do you mean and I said um because it's. everyone's trying to do the right thing. and making it worse. which is very much.

life and that is not a a a kind of. classic American movie formula and that. movie is magical to me and uh. >> and he hit me. >> No, he's want [laughter] to hear a good. unforgiven story that you can cut out if. it's too boring for people. But I I. thought it was really interesting. There. was a scene in Invictus. I think I had. to give a speech or something to the to. the uh guys in the locker room or. something like that. And and we were. shooting it the following Tuesday or. whatever. And and I said to him, "Hey.

boss, you know that scene on Tuesday, do. you mind if I tinker with the dialogue? I've been working on it, but I I think I. I can figure out a kind of a better way. to say it." And and he goes, "Yeah, sure. Go ahead." And so I came back and. on Tuesday we shot the scene and we did. one take and and he printed it and moved. on. [laughter] Yeah. But he came up to. me. He said, "I uh I thought you were. going to going to change it and fix.". And I said, "Yeah, it's funny a funny. story." I go, "I I I wrote it and I. rewrote it all weekend. I wrote it. probably 27 drafts and then I got it.

perfect and I looked back and it was. exactly the same as I originally. [laughter] was." And he and he laughed. and he goes, "Yeah." He goes, "You know, that happened to me once." And I go, "Really?" He goes, "I had a script and I. loved it and I you know, I I I had it.". And he goes, "I I worked for five years. on this thing and he goes, I I it wasn't. getting better and I couldn't figure it. out. And he goes, "And then I went back. and to the original script that I had, I. pulled it out of the drawer and I read. it and I called the writer that day and. said, "I'm making your script exactly as. you wrote it." And I said, "No way. What. movie?" And he said, "Unforgiven.".

>> Oh, wow. >> Yeah. Well, it is. It's all there on the. page. I mean, I've looked at the script. It's all there on the page. And. >> but it's but it's sometimes we get in. that headsp space where we go, "Ah, I. bet I could, you know, would be you know. what I. But it was a great lesson in kind of. returning to what attracted it you to it. in the first place, right? >> Like the elemental asp. Um and so too much tinkering you can you. can kind of get away from that. Yes, you. can. Yeah. It's uh this is really.

stupid, but [laughter]. you're saying very well spoken, intelligent things. And then I come in. with but for years on the late night. talk show, people would have a good idea. and then they'd bring it down to the. floor and it would be different from. what they told me. And they would say, "Yeah, I started thinking about it." And. I would always say, "When you overthink, you start to stink." And [laughter] um. >> actually that's great. That's you know, I know of a Dr. Seuss. It's the same, [laughter].

but it's but couldn't I have I would do. it in that in like I I have a really. smart thing to say, but I I. intentionally I think said it in the. stupidest way possible, but then it. became a thing that the writers would. chant sometimes. >> They would chant it. >> No, I made that up. >> Imagine Quinn Eastwood saying that. [laughter]. >> That's actually great. [laughter]. >> It'd be nice to see. Um, I think about. uh one of your movies a lot. It's more. than one movie. It's a series, but Born.

Identity because I do a lot of. international travel for work and I'm. constantly going through airports now. where you don't even have to show. >> Are you thinking what I'm thinking? Listen, >> comparing yourself [laughter] to Jason. >> I get it a lot. People in airports. internationally say, "You're very Jason. Boresque." [laughter] And then they see. me run and they go, "Forget what I just. said." And then they put on their. glasses and look at my face and go. really [laughter] forget. No, what I've. noticed is that I'll go through airports. now and you don't even have to show your. passport. It's all your eye scan and I.

think Jason Bourne is now. [laughter]. >> Because a big thing with you with your. character was um a major fight throwdown. shootout in the streets of Paris and. then instantly you're in Cairo and. everyone's looking for you. He's a. ghost. Yeah, >> he's a ghost. And you've reappeared in. Cairo. And I'm thinking now it's just, >> you know, your iris. >> Yeah. When it was kind of a couple years. ago that that started where I I I came. back from somewhere and and I had the um.

you know, the whatever uh the global the. global uh global global entry, >> you know, and that was already pretty. easy. You go to the kiosk and you put. your passport in and it reads it and. takes a picture and goes, "Yeah, that's. you." Now it's like you don't even need. to pull your passport out. It's um it. is. And so yeah, he would be totally. screwed. Like the whole point was he. had, you know, six passports and they. all had different identities and he. could speak all those languages and. [laughter] he could just become one of. those guys. >> Now his safety deposit box has six eyes. [laughter]. >> Yeah, exactly.

>> Eyeballs you put on, contact lenses. No, I was uh and also I remembered I was. talking to I think we were interviewing. Emily Blunt once and she was talking to. us about a movie you guys made together. where she had to run in one scene. >> and you said it was her first scene. where she had to run and that you called. you you very kindly said um yeah Emily. um just me take a look uh look at. yourself running and here's how you want. to cuz you think you're running well but. there's a way when you think you're. running well on camera but then you look.

back at it. It can be tragically wrong, >> you know. And you know who told me that. was Fran Patente, who was my co-star in. Bourne, >> had starred in this great uh German. movie called Run Lola Run. [clears throat]. >> And she runs in that movie through the. whole movie. She's Lola [laughter]. >> and she's so badass for the whole. [laughter] movie. She's in these Doc. Martens and she's it's just an awesome. movie. Um, and we were on set of Bourne.

and I had to do a running scene and she. said Thomas, the guy who directed uh, Run Low the Run, she they they had been. a couple for a while and she said Thomas. told me before I started doing it to go. out and and he videotaped me running and. we looked at it because she said, "You. don't she, you know, the only running. that we see, you know, is, you know, we. see Usain Bolt, we see, you know, the. people who can really run and we go, that's I must look like that, Right. When you start to run, you're your ar. like you just look ridiculous.

>> Yes. Yes. >> And I thought I ran great [laughter] and. then I looked and I was like, "Oh my. god, >> it's Jerry Lewis. >> It really is like every like the bal. everything." And so [laughter] you start. to practice like, you know, high knees. and but you know the arms and it really. uh and so I I did say that to Emily I'm. sure because it because it really. >> No, she said you saved her. It was. great. Then did she uh she but it was. one of those things that um you know I.

just all of us in our mind if I'm. running hard which I don't do much. anymore but if for some reason I had to. run quickly in my mind I'm I'm I'm Matt. Damon or I'm Tom Cruz but I know I. really am, you know, one of the big uh. balloons that they have in front of a a. used car lot that's flopping around and. I shriek. too as I run, which isn't. helping, >> but he's figured it out early. I. remember there's that great scene in.

Born on the 4th of July where he runs. through the rain back, you know, before. he goes off to war and like Right. >> He must have figured it out in like the. 80s. He He was ahead of everybody. Yeah. Yeah. He probably has a Yeah. scientific. formula, aerodynamic flowchart. He runs. perfectly. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. [laughter]. Um, I wanted to talk to you because. about this, uh, current movie, um, The. RIP, uh, which is fascinating to me. First of all, I knew nothing about the. movie when I watched it. I watched it.

last night and one of the things that I. didn't realize is that, oh, you're in. this with I knew nothing, which is not. the way you usually experience a movie. these days, but someone arranged, oh, Conan can watch the movie. If you log. into this, you can watch it. So, I knew. absolutely nothing. I knew you were in. it and that's it. And it's a movie that. you uh have made with Ben. You and Ben. are in it together. And that was a. surprise to me. And I thought this is. interesting. This is such a loaded. situation for you guys now because in a.

very nice way, in a complimentary way, it's um you know, it's it's this dynamic. duo getting back together. But I don't. know if you feel the weight of that at. all when you guys work together. We did. the movie Air together a few years ago. that Ben directed and he's also he's you. were both in it together. um you know. and we we started this little studio. together um a few years ago and and. >> one of the one of the reasons that we. started it like I was watching that.

Beatles documentary the the Peter. Jackson one get back and um in at the. end of that documentary there's this. incredible scene when they when they. play on the roof right together and it's. just. >> there it's pure joy you see them you. know the cops show up and McCartney. turns around he's like what the you. know and they're and it's The most. joyful thing, they're all in their 20s. and then Peter Jackson put this Chiron. up and it said, "This is the last time. the Beatles played live together.". >> Yeah. Yeah. >> And I was watching it. My my youngest.

was, I think, 11 at the time. And and. she just goes, "Dad, why are you crying. >> and I tears were just pouring down my. face?" because it was like what a it. made me so sad that these guys who were. just you know this was it that that they. they didn't they couldn't get past. whatever it was that wouldn't allow them. to kind of keep. >> doing it together and and and I called. Ben and I was like man. >> cuz I think you know this was our dream.

and our lives from the time we were. teenagers and and and it was something. we did together and and we wanted to do. movies together and we we we wrote. Goodwill Hunting together and and and. starred in it together and you know all. of that. Um. and and and I think after that I think. we we were like oh well we should try to. you know make names for ourselves. individually, right? >> So I think we were a little allergic to. working together for a while. I mean, we.

were still very connected and and uh you. know, saw each other all the time, but. >> but after a success of that magnitude, you don't want to get locked in. Great, we'll do the movie. Is Ben in or okay, Ben, but where's Matt? You don't want to. get locked into that. >> Exactly. And we had done, you know, Kevin Smith's movie Dogma together right. after that. So, we were kind of like, all right, we should chill. And uh and. then suddenly a couple decades went by. and it was like. now we're in our 50s. We're we're. starting this company and it's kind of.

like I don't I don't care. It doesn't. have to be a thing. It doesn't have to. be a stop the presses. They're together. It's like we just like working together. >> Yeah. And also what's evident in the. movie is you guys have a connection. when when you have scenes together. there's a connection that you can't. manufacture. It's very clear that you. two really love I [snorts] don't know. you you're on the same wavelength. You're on the same you're clicked in and. um your two characters in this uh in.

this movie. Um there's a lot of tension. between you. There are times where you. just want to kill each other and then as. you go on many things are revealed and. you understand what their true dynamic. is. But I don't know. It was just it was. >> something you can't you couldn't have. figured that out with an acting coach if. you didn't know each other. I don't. think. >> it helps to have that kind of, you know, we also did, by the way, The Last Duel, another movie that we wrote with, you. know, so we we're trying we, you know, we're. >> um but yeah, no, I think that that. connection definitely uh uh obviously.

kind of loads every scene in a different. way. I think there's the thing that. happens. I was I know in my 20s, 30s, 40s, I was very intense all the time. thinking about every move. And as I've. gotten older, I am much more interested. in being with people that I really like, that I love, making things with them, and enjoying myself because I and it.

comes a little bit from a place of, oh, who cares, you know? I mean, >> um I I just want to do this. I don't. want to overthink it. I just want to be. with. >> I think you see that you start to see. the you know, you're you're in the. second half, right? And you. >> I plan to live to 150. I hope you do. I. hope [laughter] we both do. >> So, we're still in. >> I really don't want to live to 150. [laughter]. >> Well, if you could stay healthy, I don't. know. Might be might be great. >> I'll be in constant pain. But um but. yeah, you that that's literally you know.

we the whole point of this company is to. you know work with great people that we. really want to be with and you know and. every movie that we make through our. studio is you know even if Ben and I. aren't in it or he's directing and I'm. not in it or he you know you know we're. we're we're connected around the work. when and trying to facilitate whoever's. coming in and and and kind of. >> Do you guys give each other on set. or in a professional environment? Uh, do. you give each other a a teasing like. brotherly kind of relationship? >> Sure. Sometimes. >> You want another take? Cuz you might.

want another take. You know that kind of. thing. [laughter]. That's what I would do. >> I know you would. >> I would. That's what I would do. >> Yeah. I think you're going to want. another take. [laughter]. >> But we But look, the good thing is, you. know, I think it really helped with our. writing. Um, you know, 30 years ago, Jesus, 35 years ago when when we. started, um, you know, Ben said this. great thing, which was, "Judge me for. how good my good ideas are, not how bad. my bad ideas are.". >> And and it was it's a very profound.

thing for a 20-year-old to say. um. because he wanted the you know he he. recognized that we needed the freedom to. kind of barf out all those ideas you. know and so often as you know when. you're writing it's not you you write. down the bad idea because it's iterating. right that it's like you know it that. can build into a good idea right and so. >> um so he was basically giving both of us. the permission to just keep keep the. window as wide open as we could. >> and um.

>> um and Uh yeah, I mean that uh I forget. why I started that story, but [laughter]. I haven't had enough coffee. This coffee. is terrific, by the way. >> If you want more, we can get you some. Um they say whenever. >> someone writes their big great American. novel, uh and it's a big smash and. everyone thinks it's genius. They have. nine other ones in their drawer that. they wrote before that. And I'm a big. believer in you just have to do time. To. me, the process doesn't change. Like you.

could look at your career or Ben's and. say like, "Oh, you've clicked off. You. guys have clicked off every single box. that you would want to check, but still. when you show up, there's work to be. done and you have to be a little scared. And there are scenes where you think, I. didn't get this. I got to try it again.". Um, and time in the edit room and all of. that stuff. It's if they're paying you, it's work. >> Yeah. And it's and and and we want to we. want to love everything we work on from. now on, you know? It's kind of going.

back to your point and and yeah, it's. work. It's a hugely labor intensive. thing to do no matter what. You know, I. mean, it's it's um if you sign up for it. that that's that means that you're. you're willing to, >> you know, you can't phone it in. You get. nor would I want to, you know, take a. job for money that I was phoning like I. never did that. I never I always thought. whatever I was working on had a chance. to be great. >> Yeah. >> I was wrong most of the time. [laughter]. But but but it but I was working with. the intention of it being something.

really wonderful for. >> people don't the nice thing I have found. >> this very smart Simpsons writer George. Meyer told me this a long time ago early. in my career when things were not going. well he said people will remember you. for your good work. >> right. >> and he's absolutely right I think about. that all the time he said you're just. laying tile individually and it's going. to make a bigger mosaic which is what. you did with your life and um uh he was. right that the the work you made later.

on that didn't quite click with people, they what they do is they seek out all. these things you've made that are great. and then they almost rule the other ones. out. So in your mind you're saying, "Oh. man, so many times I've been wrong." And. that's not what anyone else would say. That's just what you would say. >> Yeah. Exactly. I was just it just made. me think of someone like show Otani. where they go like whatever his career. batting average ends up being if it's. 350 or whatever 320 people aren't going. to say well you know he he he missed.

680. >> Yeah. Exactly. [laughter] They're going. to go, you know what I mean? Like. >> I did go to the game and shout that at. him for the day. >> cuz even when the Red Sox are out of it, I still go to games and wear a Red Sox. hat. [laughter]. >> Good for you. By the way, I do the same. thing. I I I do do the same thing. >> I did have an experience once. [clears throat]. where Lauren Michael, sorry, I had an. exper [laughter]. I do that when I think my story is. really good. No. Uh Lauren Michaels years ago, this. is a very named droppy story, but he uh.

it was that iconic. It's 2004. >> and the Red Sox are playing the Yankees. and the Red Sox are way down and Lauren. invited me to a Yankee game and he said, "We're going to pick up a friend on the. way." and he didn't tell me who and I'm. sitting in the front of an SUV cuz he. wanted me to make friend room for the. friend and we pull up and leaning. against a street lamp is Jack Nicholson. and I'm I'm to this day if I ran into. Jack Nson I can't be cool about it but I. just was like just chill and he Jack.

Nson gets in the back and he just like. Jack you know Conan I'm up in front in. that awkward like and I lean through. [laughter] the there's a little slit of. headrest and I'm like hia Jack you know. hey Conan and And we go off to the game. and what I remember is sitting with him. and Lauren at this game and Lauren had. told me beforehand, don't wear a Red Sox. cap cuz Lauren had these amazing seats, right? >> And he pretty much put all this pressure. on me. So I went and I got a hat that. had like the Swiss flat [laughter] just. like a black cap. I had to get a neutral.

cap cuz I thought it's Lauren's seats, >> right? >> Jack's a big Yankee fan. If I'm wearing. a Red Sox cap next to them, this is. rude. It was just very hard thing to do. So I just wore a neutral cap. >> What happened to you, man? I know, I. know, [laughter]. I know, I know it's Jack Nicholson and I. I buckled. Um, so but I remembered him. Pedro Martinez was pitching and uh it's. a game that the Red Sox lost just before. they had this amazing comeback and ended. up winning the World Series and breaking. the curse and uh Jack Nicholson was.

taunting Pedro Martinez and he was. shouting at him cuz it was getting a. little later in the game and he went, "Arms getting heavy, Pedro. [laughter]. arms getting heavy and I'm like, "Fuck, that's good.". >> Oh [laughter] my god, >> that is so good. >> What a dick. >> It's Jack Nicholson. >> Arms get Yeah, it's baseball. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. And then uh I got a nice moment. with him on the when we got home and got. out of the car. He. >> he got out and I got out too to just say. I was really nice hanging with you,

Jack, tonight. And he went he's I guess. his son was a big fan of the show. I. think Jack knew nothing about what I was. doing, but he went uh he was like, "Uh, uh, son's crazy about you, Conan." He. [laughter] said, I said, "Nice to meet. you, J. Nice to meet you, too, Conan.". Son's crazy about you. It's Conan this, Conan that. [laughter] Driving me. crazy. >> That's great. >> I was so happy. I like got back in the. car. >> and I sat back with Lauren. I didn't get.

in the front seat this time. I'm like, I'm back here where Jack Nicholson's at. [laughter]. He'll forget true tomorrow. You know, I love to time travel. I love. to go back to the guy in the crappy used. car that I bought for literally a couple. hundred bucks at the airport from a. rental and put on counter makeup and. then think about the things I get to do. now or the things I've been able to do. or had the good fortune to to do. And I. just love time traveling back and forth.

to visit that guy and go, "Isn't this. crazy?" I mean, if you if you showed up. to the you who's a teenager and really. into acting and said, "This is what's. going to happen.". >> Yeah. >> What a delight. >> Well, and also to um to have kind of. feel like [snorts] you won the lottery, but your your your best friend won it, too. You know what I mean? So, for like. >> we've talked about that, Ben. uh Ben and. I um you know and also just the fact. that it's it didn't seem weird to us in.

the 1980s that we were 14 and 16 years. old and or 15 and 16 and going to New. York by ourselves um. >> right. >> you know to audition for things like. >> until we had kids I think that were that. age and we were like can you. believe that we would [laughter]. just go would you just let this kid go. to San Francisco for the day by. themselves [laughter] right? Just. >> right, >> you know, but it seemed totally.

normal to us. Um, you know, we didn't. have families that were in the business. You know, Boston, there's nobody in the. entertainment business up there. >> I'm telling you, my I think your parents. were not in the business. Um, my parent, my dad was a, you know, microbiologist, >> right? >> And my mom's a, you know, estate lawyer. Um, and I never saw anything. There was. a local show called Zoom. Yeah, of. course. >> And Zoom had kid actors in it and it was. made in Boston. And at the end they'd. say, you know, made at the studio in.

Boston. And I I just couldn't believe. someone was making something for. television that was in Boston. >> And so those Zoom kids were like the. Beatles to me. I just couldn't believe. >> But I didn't see anybody. I just didn't. see anyone. And then uh. >> Robert Urick made Spencer for Hire, which took place in Boston. >> That was a big deal. It was a huge deal. Yeah, we used to watch it every week. >> just, you know, it was, you know, and. then sometimes you'd go and you see. trucks and you were like, "Oh my god, I.

think they're shooting here [laughter]. for hire.". >> Well, I remember they shot an episode. and they used my high school. This is. long after I've left high school. I'm a. writer at Saturday Night Live at this. point and I'm in my early 20s and I'm at. Senate Live in this episode and we were. just hanging around the offices flipping. channels at night and there was Spencer. for hire and he's they shot it at my. high school and I became that dick who. sat there. I was like, "Wow, that's my. high school." And then Robert Urick's. running through the hallways and he. went, "You can't get from the science.

wing to the [laughter] gym using the. allevel stairs. What are they thinking? [laughter]. >> What an idiot. >> Uh but and I believe your mom was was. she into child psychology. Is that. right? >> She was a professor of early childhood. education. Yeah. >> My wife's mother uh who passed recently, lovely woman, Pam, she had done a lot of. work, I think, learning about kids and. development and uh also as a as a.

therapist. And so when I would talk to. her, sometimes I'd be reminded, oh no, I'm just telling her the problems with. my day. And then I realized that she's. has this incredible intelligence and. knowledge that she would apply to it. And she's I realized, oh, she's. psychoanalyst. [laughter]. >> Did you have that from your mom? >> Uh, no. I think in the sense that she. understood the stages of development of. child development and and gave my. brother and me a a um kind of everything.

we needed to to for our brains to. develop the way they were supposed to. develop. >> Oh, that's good. >> In the sense that, you know, I mean, back then her her big bugaboo was like. screens was was television. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> How much TV do you watch? What are you. watching? And now it's just the, you. know, completely just jumped the shark. with with screens and and and you know, the ubiquity of them and what that means. for kids and brain development and stuff. like that. And we're basically, you. know, this is, you know, a specieswide.

experiment at this point. >> Exactly. Yeah. Because there are these. natural things that have to happen for, you know, and it's like open-ended play. and things like that for kids that. really just help them figure out all the. strategies to kind of figure out the. world and. >> and boredom. Right. You need boredom. >> Boredom is was great. I mean, remember. how bored you'd be as a kid and then. you'd figure something out, you know, you'd you'd figure out a way to. entertain yourself or you go make. something up or you'd, you know, um. >> No, I would always say to my wife early. on, we got to leave plenty of room for. them to be bored. And she said, "Don't. you worry. [laughter].

>> Just tell more of your when I was a kid. stories. Tell your Nicholson story again." Um. [laughter]. >> kids, he's a big deal. Uh but no, I mean. that you're exactly right. That's. exactly right. You have to you have to. leave room for all of that and then um I. I do worry about it. I think it's a. scary thing. >> Yeah, me too. Because I didn't. >> when I walked through airports and I. just thought of this when I was in Hong. Kong just recently, everyone was on. their screen and sometimes people would.

just. >> click I mean and they're not even kids. anymore. everybody and you just. >> I just see for with with myself like I. how quickly I my I I'll allow my. attention to kind of get colonized by. these devices this where I'll just sit. there and disappear down a rabbit hole. and watch a bunch of and and then an. hour goes by and you go well wait a. minute like that like Chris Nolan very. famously doesn't have a smartphone and. and and [clears throat] I think he said. kind of publicly it's just. >> he he he he wants to preserve that time.

that you know the exact time we're. talking about where he can think about. things more deeply. >> Let your mind wander. >> Let your mind wander rather than just. instantly give it the, you know, the. dopamine hit of a of of, you know, >> Candy Crush or something. [laughter]. I mean, like, you know, >> that's what you're doing for. >> No, no, no. I play Bat Gaming on my. phone, though. I'm like, I've got a. quick game of Bat Gaming and it's. [laughter] like, what am I doing? You. know, >> they should do You should do one more B. movie where you're just [laughter] where.

you're just on your phone. Jason's on. his phone the whole time alone and. >> send it back to the CIA and everyone's. just on their phone [laughter]. and the back. >> they're not looking for him really. They're not looking for you. You're not. running from them. Nothing's getting. done. [laughter]. >> Exactly. >> Exactly. >> And and the tech the tech overlords are. making trillions of dollars. [laughter]. That's the movie. Yeah. Um you know, I. uh I really enjoyed the rip. I want to. make sure I I get it out there that. Steven Young's in this. You have a great.

cast. >> It's a great cast. Tayiana Taylor, Steven Young. I mean, it's Kyle. Chandler's in it. Uh there's just a. wonderful group of actors. >> There was one moment where when I was. watching it and I think I heard him. before I saw him, but I heard Kyle. Chandler's voice and he said something a. little like, you know, now what are we. doing here? And I just heard the coach, you know, [laughter] and I'm like, it's. coach, you know. Uh but again, he plays. someone completely different. >> cuz you're all really good actors. [laughter]. Uh Steven Yun I've done he's a friend. and we've done a lot of stuff together.

and uh he's a phenomenal actor. >> I just adore him. >> So do I. And he he actually just he went. from doing that to the Ben directed. another movie that's going to come out. next year that Steven's in. Uh he's in. that as well. He's just we we love him. Also, I want to point out the the story. here is a really interesting one because. and I'm not going to give anything away, but the RIP refers to money that I guess. has been seized. uh in in illegal activity. And you guys. there's so much great lingo in this.

movie. >> Yeah, it's all real cop lingo. It's all. based on uh you know Joe Carneahan wrote. it and directed it and and uh and it's. it's based on the experience of of. loosely based on the experience of this. kind of unit down in in Miami that. >> you know they go to uh you know they. have uh units that go looking for for. drugs and then they have units that go. looking for money for for drug money. basically and and and dogs literally. that sniff for drugs and dogs that sniff. for cash. That's that I didn't know when. I saw the movie that you you get to this. one house and the dog is sniffing and.

you know that there's cash inside. >> and I thought I've never heard of that. A dog that knows there's cash. >> Yeah. [laughter]. >> In there. You know, they'll soon have. one that can detect Bitcoin, you know. >> That server, [laughter]. >> but it was it spoke a little bit. It. just knows server. >> Um, [laughter]. wait. the dog speaks and it's looking. for Bitcoin. We're we're skipping past. the fact that the dog speaks. [laughter].

>> I think it's more impressive that it can. smell. >> Okay. >> You know, various uh various chips. Um. [laughter]. Matt's writing now. Don't do this. podcast again. >> No, [laughter] no, no. I'm just on the. thought experiment. >> Both are writing. >> I always like it that the least. impressive thing an animal does is. speak. And it's more like how did he. know which door to go in? Go the right. one. >> Wow. Well, he seems to know which door. to go in. He did speak. Um, one of the. things the film does is you have to try. and figure out who's playing what angle.

and uh, you know, who's who's right, who. isn't right, who's a good person, who's. a bad person, and I was calling it. I. was being that wise ass. It's like, all. right, this and I got it wrong. >> Yeah. You don't know who's who really. And it's these guys. They hit this. house. They think there's going to be, you know, $75,000 or $150,000 in the. house. and suddenly they find $20. million in the wall and they know that. that means it's cartel money which means. that they're probably going to come try. to get it. They know, you know, so it. suddenly becomes this kind of they're.

stuck in this house cuz they have to. count the money on site uh which is. which is a rule because to kind of. >> I didn't know that either. >> before they can bring it in. At least in. Miami, that's the. >> you have to count it all on the site. because it's too easy for someone if. it's a an amount of money like that, someone could take $600,000 and put it. in their pocket and that's just what the. count was. So, you have to count it. there. >> So, you have to count it together and. and make sure that everybody agrees what. the count is and then you go and you and. you deposit, you know, you drop it off. and they count it and it's got to match.

the number that you report and all of. that. So, so that's but meanwhile you. have these these cops who who are you. know their captain has just been killed. um you know before at the start of the. movie and so you you're kind of going. something's going on with these guys. Is. there corruption within this unit? >> Are these people corrupt? >> Yeah. Are these supposed heroes of the. movie corrupt? >> Are the heroes? Yeah. Can we trust the. heroes of the movie? Um and you don't. know. And that's kind of the fun of the. movie. >> And I do love the jargon. And afterwards. I was walking around the house say. someone jacked my rip and Liza was like.

shut up. [laughter]. I enjoyed it too but shut up. Um well uh. I really enjoyed it and uh I think I've. I've interviewed you a number of times. over the years but I love it when you. stop by and check in because I'm a I'm a. huge fan of you and your career and your. work and you're a very uh. >> you're a very nice, thoughtful, funny. guy. So, I love to hang with you. whenever you get I I'll come back next. time. You know, >> I'm not sure we have Yeah, exactly.

Look, I'm [laughter] sorry. Hey. Okay. Thanks. >> Well, yeah. Okay. >> Do you realize. >> I haven't heard that in a while? [laughter]. >> Matt, this was an audition to get on the. podcast. >> Did you know that? >> Yeah. I'm out of practice. [laughter]. >> Yeah. We'll let you know. We'll let you. know. >> Thank you so much. You do have my. contact information, right? >> That's [laughter] how big this podcast. has become is Matt has to come in and. audition. Um but uh yeah, thank you so. much for doing this. Yeah, I appreciate. it. >> Yeah. Yeah, appreciate it, guys. Thank. you.

[music]. >> I was sitting around the other day and. my buddy Matt Myra texted me a picture. that you might be interested in. If we. could throw it up on the. >> Sure. >> Oh my god, what is that? >> This is a sign that's posted outside one. of your former residences, the Cochran. Avenue apartment. Did you know about. this? >> I didn't. >> Where is this? >> It's in LA, right? Oh yes, I live this. apartment. >> Of course I do. This was a formative. part of my life. Um. >> when I was uh first getting started in.

LA, uh Greg Daniels and I, our first. place, he was my writing partner. He's. gone on to many great things. Um he and. I uh share an apartment in Brentwood. first. Then we realized we need to move. out of the west side and be with the. young people cuz both of us were just. desperate to meet anyone our age and. have social lives. So we both moved into. Hollywood and I found an apartment uh a.

friend of mine uh Cynthia Stevenson, actress, a very talented uh uh. incredible woman. She said, "Hey Conan, I'm leaving my apartment. Do you want to. take it over?" and it was on Cochran. Avenue. So I moved into it was a firstf. flooror apartment. This would have been. 1986 I think. I think I lived there. 868788. I didn't go out and shop for any. furniture. The only thing. >> says that in the.

>> Oh, it does. >> And for the listener, they can see this. on team podcast on Instagram as well as. our YouTube channel. And here's what the. sign says. Conan O'Brien, former Cochran. Avenue resident. There's a picture of. you as kind of like a bronze bust. >> Yeah. Conan Christopher O'Brien is an. Emmywinning writer, comedian, and host. who redefined late night television. From Saturday Night Live to The Simpsons. to his own groundbreaking shows, he has. brought laughter to millions. I'd like. to fact check on that. [laughter]. >> Hundreds. Hundreds. >> In 2025, he added another milestone,

hosting the Academy Awards. In the. 1980s, Conan lived right here on Cochran. Avenue, finishing his apartment with. street finds and surviving on ramen. noodles and tuna mixed with Miracle. Whip. >> Yes. Yes. God, it was a time of. struggle, ingenuity, and questionable. mayonnaise-based decisions. [laughter]. From these humble beginnings, this. street witnessed the rise of a comedy. icon. May this moment, parenthesis, a. poster affixed with [laughter] zip ties, inspire Cochran Avenue residents to.

chase their dreams, enhance their. originality, and one day upgrade to a. home with more than one bathroom. So, this is temporary. I didn't realize. [laughter] this. It's foam core poster. >> Oh, we have to. I mean, my god. Um, we've got to Wow, look at this. >> Dedicated February 27th, 2025 by the. Cochran Committee of Conan Connoisseurs. Actually, just one guy who lives on. Cochran Avenue, occasionally listens to. Conan's podcast, had some free time and. no real authority to put up a [laughter]. monument, but did it anyway.

>> Who is this guy? >> Uh, or a gal. >> Okay. >> You mean what? >> It says it says actually just one guy. >> Oh, sorry. I was trying to accuse you of. being sexist when actually you're just. guilty of paying attention. [laughter]. >> It could be a no. Oh. Um well, first of. all, I want to thank this guy uh because. that's really funny and um old me. I. always think of ghost me, the the60bound. Conan who lived at Cochran Avenue uh and.

furnished his apartment with all stuff I. found on Cochran Avenue. >> Oh god. I mean, it's just flea ridden. >> Uh, I mean, it's just like tables. People used to just put furniture out. >> I've done that. >> Yeah. I lamps, everything. And one of my. friends gave me a cutout. >> of the w the Miss America winner that he. had a life-siz cutout of her, you know, in a gown holding, you know, with her. sash. And. >> yeah, your friend gave it to you. You. bought it and it was your girlfriend. [laughter].

>> Yes. And yes. No. Shout out to Randy. Clumpert who gave it to [laughter] me. And I had it in my apartment along with. furniture I found and I thought. everything was just fine and lived off. of uh that diet of ramen noodles. >> Tuna mixed with miracle. Wait, did you. come up with this? It's an abomination. >> I I know. I think it was something that. happened back at Kernard. I think the. crime started in in Brooklyn, Massachusetts, and then I brought it. with me. >> That's listed with shellfish in the. Bible as an abomination. >> Yes. Yes. And so am I, by the way. Um,

and so yeah, I lived on Cochran and now. someone, this is the part of this. culture that I find endlessly fun is. someone made that and then put these all. these self-deprecating disclaimers at. the bottom. Uh, and it's really fun. I. just love that. And I love that someone. is memorializing my life on Cochran. Avenue back in the day. Yeah, I would. say 86 to 88. And then I left that. apartment to go to um I believe Saturday.

Night Live. >> Did Miss America come with you? >> She did. And I was married to her for a. while. [laughter]. >> I was married to a cardboard cutout. >> for 5 years and then she left me. [laughter]. >> Yeah. She said emotional cruelty. >> You left her out in the rain. >> Yeah. Yeah. I was crying. Um [laughter]. she was with Basos for a while. Anyway, >> yeah. He built a yacht for her made of. cardboard. [laughter]. >> Um, they sailed the seven seas until the.

boat fell apart. >> Recycled into some Amazon packaging. [laughter]. >> Yeah, she's now a packing tube. Anyway, [laughter]. >> that's really cute that a fan did that. for you. >> It is. That's really cool and cute. >> Shout out to that fan. That was a very. fun cool uh happening to create. >> I love that. So, you know what? Occasionally I I I pass that apartment. Not too long ago. I I pass that. apartment because when I'm driving from. my house to our studio, um I get off the.

10 and it depends on what exit I take. and I start cutting north to our. Hollywood Larchmont um you know. recording studio and uh sometimes I'll. find myself on Cochran and I always. pause and just look at that apartment. and go, "Oh yeah, that kid's that kid. did okay. >> Did all right." And then a policeman. always says, "Move it along. Nothing to. see here." He's a 1920s. >> He's got that little.

>> He's got the night stick. >> Yeah, the night stick. [laughter] All. right, move it along. Move it ALONG. THERE. NO MORE VISITING ghost of 1986. Move it. He always knows exactly what. I'm doing. [laughter]. >> That's just a trick of the mind. Move it. along. No more ghost you. Those days are. past. There's only now. There's no. future and there's no past. I'm like, "Wow, he's done a lot of work." Oh, no. It's a Buddhist mantra. >> He's the [laughter] ghost. All right. Well, anyway, uh, thank you, random fan. who occasionally listens, whoever you. are. That was a cool thing to do.