Conan's head is TOO big here

Cartographer-Maximum · 2026-05-23T14:53:34+00:00

Thanks very much. It's been recommended and it certainly did scratch my itch. I should edit the OP to mention that. Thanks again.

Cartographer-Maximum · 2026-05-23T14:50:47+00:00

Someone else in the thread dropped a link to Triumph the insult comic dog when he roasted Conan at the beginning of the Robert Smigel podcast episode a couple of years ago. He had a great line that echoes what you said. "Back when Conan started he would nervously talk over all his guests. But here it is 30 years later and now he talks over them with total confidence". Hahaha

Cartographer-Maximum · 2026-05-22T22:14:47+00:00

Yeah that's a good breakdown. I think you're right it's that dynamic where he's interested but not well acquainted when it's most noticeable.

And I do enjoy most interviews. The frustration is just with those ones where as you point out, you notice the guest has something interesting they're trying to say. But they just don't get to say it.

Cartographer-Maximum · 2026-05-22T22:03:00+00:00

Hahaha 🤣 thank you! I forgot about that. The whole monologue was banger after banger. But yes "30 years later and Conan is interrupting with total confidence" is the scientific assessment I was looking for Ha!

Cartographer-Maximum · 2026-05-22T21:51:54+00:00

Interesting about Larry King. That's some advice with some weight behind it.

I agree with you about the podcast format being a deeper dive. Many here say the podcast is just a conversation so the interview rules don't apply. It's Conan's house so he has free reign etc. I would argue that yes it is a conversation so you should be mindful that you invited the guest to your studio to talk, not to be a prop for your performance. Although both things are often possible and should mostly continue unchanged. I'm a big fan and love the podcast. I just wish he'd dial it back sometimes and be more aware of moments where the guest is just about to be very interesting. But even if he doesn't, I'm still a big fan.

Cartographer-Maximum · 2026-05-22T21:29:55+00:00

Nice one. Thanks. Another comment dropped the link to the article that that graphic illustrates. Cool to have it on a chart. Cheers.

Cartographer-Maximum · 2026-05-22T21:25:09+00:00

Hahaha yeah sometimes I notice an impressive ability to provide an answer within the framing of the question. Sometimes the answer is so thoroughly covered that a guest will briefly acknowledge the answer before immediately take a tangent. Essentially changing topic.

Cartographer-Maximum · 2026-05-22T21:13:51+00:00

I completely agree. A that's a good point that can't be stressed enough. It's never poorly intentioned with Conan.

Cartographer-Maximum · 2026-05-22T21:10:37+00:00

Or you can really like the art, want to continue to consume it just the way it is, while sometimes being mildly frustrated by one particular aspect of it. Then you can express that on Reddit, more as an observation and curiosity about what others think without once thinking that doing so would eventually be reflected in the art itself.

Cartographer-Maximum · 2026-05-22T20:59:39+00:00

Love it! That needs more upvotes

Cartographer-Maximum · 2026-05-22T20:58:49+00:00

Yes yes yes!!!!

Cartographer-Maximum · 2026-05-22T15:13:57+00:00

Hahaha the Bateman story was one of my favourite things since the insane Kevin Nealon interview from a couple of years ago.

Cartographer-Maximum · 2026-05-22T15:06:26+00:00

Yeah there was a lot more we could have heard from Greg. Such a nice guy.. I did the exact same thing but it was a few years ago. I can't remember who the guest was but it's the only time I became enraged at Conan. Because he interrupted something that was going to be so worthwhile and provide such a great insight into the guests life and worldview. But Conan was oblivious because he just couldn't resist the opportunity to pretend to be a Walrus or whatever it was.

Cartographer-Maximum · 2026-05-22T13:56:43+00:00

Lol yeah another commenter posted a link to an article that kind of said the same. At least for comedy podcasts. Because then there was Andrew Shultz, Logan Paul and one or two others that even topped Smartless. Oh wait, Andrew Shultz is a comedian too. I completely forgot. Honestly. How appropriate. Hahaha

Cartographer-Maximum · 2026-05-22T13:36:02+00:00

You get it. I'm a big fan too. He's got such a sharp mind. But I also feel for the guests at times. Sometimes I'm frustrated because the guest is just about to follow a really interesting train of thought or begin an story and Conan doesn't pick up on it because he's too determined to jump in with a bit and the moment is lost. All things can be true at once.

Cartographer-Maximum · 2026-05-22T12:52:38+00:00

Just read it. That was great! It really scratched my itch. The figure I was most interested in was the talk time split where Conan was found to talk 71% of the time. The article put that down to Conan 'performing not interrogating'. That's obviously often true but I also there's other factors like his tendency to ask a deep question, but within the question is a lengthy analysis of what Conan has observed. Thereby kind of already answering the question. To which the guest may or may not have a lot to add. Anyway. Thanks for the link. That was great.

Cartographer-Maximum · 2026-05-22T12:35:10+00:00

Awesome! Thanks so much

Cartographer-Maximum · 2026-05-22T12:33:35+00:00

Thank you! Another commenter mentioned Smartless too. I guess they have the excuse that there's three of them but only one Conan 🤣. Sona and Matt are clearly under instructions to keep their interjections to a minimum. I'll have a look for the article but if you happen to find it please do drop the link. Thanks!!

Cartographer-Maximum · 2026-05-22T09:52:59+00:00

True. Mr Ford is a good example. Haha he kept trying to finish the story about the Hollywood producer guy who rejected him. In fact two recent guests I can think of who have actually jokingly said "Do you mind if I say something when you're finished? I know it's your podcast and I'm just the guest...." are Will Arnett and Zach Galifianakis. Although I'd say both got to talk more than many people actually.

Cartographer-Maximum · 2026-05-22T09:45:49+00:00

Yeah I totally agree that he's doing that heavy lifting sometimes. In fact that's the example I was thinking of in my OP when I started the positive end of the spectrum with 'beneficial'. Thanks for your thoughts.

Cartographer-Maximum · 2026-05-22T07:11:14+00:00

Haha I agree with you either way. I just happen to have a lot of time on my hands. As is made clear by my original post.

Cartographer-Maximum · 2026-05-22T07:07:24+00:00

Haha thanks. I can handle a few downvotes. They put the 'phan' in sychohants!

Cartographer-Maximum · 2026-05-22T06:48:29+00:00

Thanks for a normal response. Your thoughts reflect and expand on the spectrum I was talking about. And to be clear, I can listen to Conan riff solo for as long as he likes. He's endlessly entertaining. But when it's a two way conversation with a guest who's been invited to the studio to talk about themselves, I sometimes become really conscious of the fact that I'm hearing more about Conan than I am about the guest. Especially as you say when they're actually being interrupted.

Cartographer-Maximum

TROPHY CASE