Podcasts > Conan O’Brien Needs A Friend > Zach Woods

Zach Woods

By Team Coco & Earwolf

Embark on a comedic journey with Conan O'Brien, Sona Movsesian, and special guest Zach Woods in this episode of "Conan O’Brien Needs A Friend." Dive into the heart of humor as Conan delves into a candid and chuckle-packed conversation with the multitalented Woods. Together, they travel down memory lane, uncovering the roots of Woods' comedy at an offbeat venue and exploring his creative milestones from "The Office" to his newest series featuring stop motion puppets—a topic that ignites Conan's admiration for Woods' distinctive comedic flair.

The episode seamlessly transitions into a whimsical discussion about the lighter side of shoplifting and public shame, showcasing Sona's mischievous past acquisitions and Conan’s connections to archaic punishment practices. Laughter ensues as they ponder the ironies of historical crime and punishment, accompanied by Woods' pointed humor. As Conan playfully boast about his supposed pugilistic prowess, challenging anyone in the studio to a bout of strength, the camaraderie and jests between Conan and Sona make for a lively squabble over who could claim victory in a duel of might—or lack thereof. Join the banter and bask in the oddities of their lively exchanges for a podcast that weaves together comedy, nostalgia, and a touch of the absurd.

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Zach Woods

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Zach Woods

1-Page Summary

Conan interviewing actor and comedian Zach Woods

Conan O’Brien talks with Zach Woods about various topics including Woods' new series "In The Know." The interview includes a mix of admiration, shared experiences, and career support. Woods comments on Conan’s influence on his career, while Conan shares his enthusiasm for Woods' work, including his performances on "The Office" and "Silicon Valley." They also reflect on the absurdity of casting decisions and Woods’ nascent comedy career, which began in a former strip club that housed the Upright Citizens Brigade. Woods' new series with stop motion puppets is discussed, with Conan praising its unique approach and humor.

Stories and comedy bits about shoplifting and shame

The group of Conan O’Brien, his assistant Sona Movsesian, and Zach Woods discuss larceny and related shame with a humorous touch. Sona reveals her childhood thrill of shoplifting, making the conversation a bit personal. Conan connects this behavior to historical public shaming methods, drawing a line to punishments during the Salem witch trials. Woods injects a note of irony about how hangings for theft became a prime opportunity for spectators to commit pickpocketing. The conversation turns to whether stores should shame shoplifters instead of involving the police, leading to an examination of the effectiveness of public humiliation as a deterrent.

Jokes and arguments about who could win in a physical fight

Conan, with a display of mock bravado, claims he could defeat everyone in the studio, jokingly referring to an innate rage inside him. He likens himself to a whirlwind, confident of his victory despite acknowledging a peer named Blay as a worthy opponent. The conversation becomes a humorous debate on Conan's combat skills, with Sona contending she could best him due to his lack of coordination. An arm wrestling match is humorously considered to gauge strength, yet ends in laughter without a decisive winner, highlighting the fun and friendly camaraderie among the group.

1-Page Summary

Additional Materials

Clarifications

  • The Upright Citizens Brigade (UCB) is an improvisational and sketch comedy group that originated in Chicago in 1990. It was founded by Amy Poehler, Matt Walsh, Matt Besser, and Ian Roberts, among others. The group later moved to New York City, where they established their own theater, The Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre, known for its influential comedy performances and improv training programs.
  • Historical public shaming methods were practices used to humiliate individuals in front of the community for their perceived wrongdoings. These methods often involved public displays of punishment or ridicule, aiming to deter others from committing similar acts. Examples include the use of stocks, pillories, scarlet letters, and public whippings as forms of public humiliation and punishment. Public shaming was intended to enforce social norms and maintain order through the fear of public disgrace.
  • The Salem witch trials were a series of hearings and prosecutions in colonial Massachusetts in the late 17th century. Accusations of witchcraft led to the trials of over 200 people, resulting in executions and deaths. The events were marked by mass hysteria, false accusations, and a lack of due process. The trials serve as a cautionary tale about the dangers of religious extremism and the consequences of unchecked fear and suspicion.
  • Public humiliation as a deterrent involves using shame or embarrassment as a way to discourage individuals from engaging in certain behaviors, such as shoplifting. The idea is that the fear of being publicly humiliated can act as a deterrent, preventing people from committing crimes due to the potential social consequences. However, the effectiveness of public humiliation as a deterrent is debated, as it may not always lead to long-term behavior change and can have negative psychological effects on individuals. The discussion in the text explores the concept in the context of shoplifting and whether it is a more effective approach compared to involving law enforcement.

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Zach Woods

Conan interviewing actor and comedian Zach Woods

Extensive discussion of Woods' new comedy series In The Know

Zach Woods discusses a range of topics with Conan O'Brien, including his new show "In The Know," past acting opportunities, and cultural observations.

Zach Woods shares a humorous anecdote that he doesn’t think he’s ever had a girlfriend who hasn’t had a crush on Conan O’Brien. Their conversation begins with musings on being tall and gangly and self-consciousness about physical appearance, before getting deeper as Zach mentions an acting class he attended where a scene from "Frankenstein" led to a discussion on existence and parallels with parenting. Conan, emphasizing the power of reading, mentions he read the original "Frankenstein" novel, finding it impactful and distinct from the film adaptations.

Conan candidly expresses his attraction to Woods, reminiscing about first seeing him on "The Office" and bonding with his son over Zach’s character on "Silicon Valley." Woods is visibly pleased by the praise and fondly recollects earlier in his career when he was cast for a bit on Conan's show. Although his scenes—including one as a leprechaun with Marfan syndrome—were cut, he still appreciates the paycheck. Conan acknowledges his show's role in supporting New York comedians like Woods, remembering how they used to cast Amy Poehler weekly before her SNL days.

The two share a reflective moment on "praying mantis men" in comedy, leading to a light-hearted exchange on Conan's support for strong white men, with Conan sarcastically remarking on white men needing a break. Woods expresses sincere gratitude for Conan's support in his career, providing platforms and praise without expecting anything in return. Conan humorously responds, saying he often supports funny people in the hope they will cast him in their projects one day.

The interview shifts to cultural commentary as Woods recounts a story highlighting the different attitudes towards self-promotion in LA and the UK. He also delves into his past dream of being a jazz musician, which was derailed by braces affecting his embouchure. After unsuccessful attempts to continue playing the trumpet despite assistance from Dr. Chops, a jazz dentist, he pivoted to comedy, which led him to classes at the Upright Citizens Brigade, humorously located in a ...

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Conan interviewing actor and comedian Zach Woods

Additional Materials

Clarifications

  • Embouchure is the technique of using facial muscles, lips, and tongue when playing wind instruments. It involves shaping the lips to the mouthpiece for woodwind or brass instruments. Proper embouchure allows musicians to produce clear tones without strain, crucial for playing wind instruments effectively.
  • The Upright Citizens Brigade (UCB) is an improvisational and sketch comedy group that originated in Chicago before expanding to New York City. The UCB Theatre in New York was famously located in a former strip club, adding a quirky and unconventional element to its history and setting. The group has been influential in the comedy scene, known for nurturing talent and providing a platform for emerging comedians. The juxtaposition of a comedy theater in a former strip club location adds an interesting layer of contrast and intrigue to the UCB's identity.
  • Performative progressivism refers to the act of publicly expressing support for social justice causes or progr ...

Counterarguments

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Zach Woods

Stories and comedy bits about shoplifting and shame

Conan O'Brien and guests Sona Movsesian and Zach Woods share light-hearted stories and comedy bits addressing the theme of shoplifting and the accompanying feeling of shame, linking it to historical punishments for crime.

Sona talks about shoplifting for the thrill as a child

Sona Movsesian, in a candid moment, confesses that as a child, she used to shoplift, driven by the excitement of it. She recounted an instance of stealing a sticker book worth 45 cents from Sanrio, even though she could afford it, suggesting the thrill wasn't about the item's value but the act itself. She also humorously described the daring act of stealing scrunchies and hair accessories and then boldly wearing them as she walked past the store's customer service representatives.

Conan O'Brien draws a parallel between modern-day shoplifting punishments and historic public shaming practices, such as those in Salem, Massachusetts during the witch trials. He elaborates that public humiliation, like putting people in stocks, was historically considered a deterrent for bad behavior.

Zach Woods brings up an ironic historical note about shoplifting becoming a hanging offense in 19th-century London, and how public hangings for such crimes ironically became hotspots for pickpockets, thus exacerbating the issue they aimed t ...

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Stories and comedy bits about shoplifting and shame

Additional Materials

Clarifications

  • Linking shoplifting to historical punishments for crime involves drawing parallels between the consequences of shoplifting today and the public shaming and severe punishments that were common in history for various offenses. This comparison highlights how societies have used public humiliation and harsh penalties as deterrents for criminal behavior, including petty theft like shoplifting. By referencing historical practices like public shaming in Salem witch trials or making shoplifting a hanging offense in 19th-century London, the discussion explores the evolution of societal attitudes towards crime and punishment over time.
  • During the Salem witch trials in the late 17th century, individuals accused of witchcraft faced public shaming through various means like being paraded through town, subjected to verbal abuse, and having their reputations tarnished. Public humiliation was used as a tool to punish and ostracize those suspected of practicing witchcraft, often leading to severe social consequences and even physical harm. The fear and hysteria surrounding witchcraft accusations in Salem resulted in a climate where public shaming played a significant role in the community's response to alleged supernatural activities.
  • In the 19th century, shoplifting in London was considered a serious crime. The punishment for this offense was escalated to hanging, which means that individuals caught stealing from shops could face execution by hanging as a consequence of their actions. This severe penalty was intended to deter people from committing theft and to uphold the law through strict enforcement measures. The implementation of such harsh punishments reflects the historical attitudes towards theft and the measures taken by authorities to combat criminal activities during that time.
  • Public hangings for shoplifting crimes becoming hotspots for pickpockets occurred because large crowds would gather at these events, creating chaotic and distracted environments where pickpockets could easily operate. The focus on the execution and the presence of a dense crowd provided cover for pickpockets to target unsuspecting individuals. This unintended consequence of public hangings highlights how such punishments could inadvertently facilitate additional criminal activities in the surrounding area. The combination of a crowded, emotionally charged setting and the diversion of attention towards the main event created opportunities for pickpockets to exploit the situation.
  • Public humiliation has been historically used as a form of punishment to deter individuals from engaging in undesirable behavior by subjecting them to shame and emb ...

Counterarguments

  • While Sona Movsesian's stories of shoplifting as a child are presented in a light-hearted manner, it's important to recognize that shoplifting is a crime and can have serious consequences for individuals and businesses, regardless of the value of the stolen items.
  • Comparing shoplifting punishments to the Salem witch trials might be seen as trivializing the severity and historical context of the witch trials, which involved serious human rights abuses and fatal consequences.
  • The irony of public hangings for shoplifting becoming hotspots for pickpockets in 19th-century London could be further examined to understand the effectiveness of capital punishment as a deterrent for crime.
  • Public humiliation as a deterrent for bad behavior, such as displaying shoplifters' pictures, raises ethical questi ...

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Zach Woods

Jokes and arguments about who could win in a physical fight

The conversation turns playful as Conan O'Brien, Sona Movsesian, and Matt Gourley humorously debate Conan's ability to win in a hypothetical fight against his colleagues.

Conan claims he could defeat everyone in the studio

Conan confidently asserts that he could take down anyone in the studio due to his inner rage. He likens himself to a "whirly gig" or "red tornado," boasting that he'd emerge victorious even if attacked by everyone at once. He goes on to joke that he'd beat his colleagues with just his feet and refers to an individual named Blay, the only person he considers a physical challenge due to his workout routine. Sona agrees Conan could win but portrays him as the best cheater rather than the best fighter, suggesting he'd resort to deceptive tactics.

Conan continues the jest by claiming he'd be undefeatable when angry and expresses a comedic desire for the group to engage him in battle. He imagines defending himself against a mass attack and humorously envisages winning a real fight by using distraction tactics such as pointing out memorabilia before striking.

Sona counters by arguing she could easily win against Conan, citing his lack of coordination and predicting he'd be too busy making jokes to fight properly. The arm wrestling proposal is put forth as a means to test their strength, though Conan questions its validity, humorously picturing an unrealistic street fight scenario.

The group debates who would win and te ...

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Jokes and arguments about who could win in a physical fight

Additional Materials

Clarifications

  • Conan O'Brien's joking references and exaggerated claims about his fighting abilities are part of a playful banter and comedic style often seen in his interactions with colleagues. He uses humor to entertain and engage his audience, often exaggerating his skills for comedic effect. These exaggerated c ...

Counterarguments

  • Conan's confidence in his ability to defeat everyone might be misplaced, as physical confrontations are unpredictable and depend on various factors such as skill, strength, and experience.
  • Claiming to beat colleagues with just his feet could be seen as overconfidence, as it underestimates the capabilities of others and the complexity of physical combat.
  • Portraying Conan as the best cheater rather than the best fighter might imply a lack of fair play, which is not a commendable trait in any competition.
  • Being undefeatable when angry is a common trope, but in reality, anger can often lead to recklessness and mistakes in a fight.
  • Sona's argument that Conan would be too focused on making jokes to fight properly might not hold up, as humor can also be a way to defuse tension and distract opponents.
  • The debate about who would win in a physical fight is purely speculative and doesn't necessarily reflect anyone's true combat abilities.
  • Using an arm wrestling competition as a proxy for fighting aptitude is not a comprehensive measure of one's overall combat skills, which involve much more than arm strength.
  • Conan's lack of knowledge about arm wrestling techn ...

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