How Steven Wright Writes Joke | Conan O'Brien Needs A Friend

Поделиться
HTML-код
  • Опубликовано: 23 ноя 2024

Комментарии • 434

  • @erbaldwin1
    @erbaldwin1 Год назад +527

    I have never heard or seen Steven Wright laugh out loud before.
    What a gift.

    • @DevinGates
      @DevinGates Год назад +47

      You owe it to yourself to look up his appearances on Craig Ferguson. They absolutely killed each other on stage.

    • @parsoumash
      @parsoumash Год назад +19

      @@DevinGates I was gonna say the same. 😆
      In one of those videos, Steven also called Craig “funny and weird” .. that means something lol

    • @FixtaFernback
      @FixtaFernback Год назад +14

      @@parsoumash if Steven Wright called me "funny and weird" I would be able to die happy.

    • @parsoumash
      @parsoumash Год назад +20

      @@FixtaFernback Believe it or not, I met him once after a show a long time ago and he was nice enough to let us take a photo with him. For the photos, there was a wall behind us. So, after the photo was taken we looked at it and we both looked serious,
      so I said “this looks like a double mug shot”. He laughed and said that’s funny. I will never forget that. If only he said I’m funny and weird!

    • @justinklenk
      @justinklenk Год назад +7

      ​@@parsoumash
      Bro, you are enshrined in greatness. Would love to see that pic, what a story. You can now die happy. [Digital bow]

  • @chefjeff1366
    @chefjeff1366 Год назад +336

    Steven Wright is undoubtedly a master of his craft and pillar of comedy. One of my favourite jokes of his: "I almost had a psychic girlfriend - but she left me before we met". Love seeing him and Conan make each other laugh 😂

    • @Whitesquall123
      @Whitesquall123 Год назад +19

      "I used to work at the place where they made fire hydrants. I quit because you couldnt park anywhere near the place."

    • @rockerfella8122
      @rockerfella8122 Год назад +10

      I'm not afraid of heights - I'm afraid of widths

    • @nmills78
      @nmills78 Год назад +5

      I drew a map of the United States. It was actual size.
      Or
      They say you should never microwave metal. They're right. I'm missing half my kitchen wall.

    • @jeremyc9593
      @jeremyc9593 Год назад +11

      "Sponges grow in the ocean. That just kills me. I wonder how much deeper the ocean would be if that didn't happen."

    • @spacenerd9499
      @spacenerd9499 Год назад +1

      🤣🤣

  • @countstoneula
    @countstoneula Год назад +84

    I love how Conan makes the bad scientist joke at 5:50 and when Sona laughs he immediately feeds off of that and rolls right into a bit for 30 seconds. Hearing and seeing Steven Wright laugh is also a rare treat, his dead pan is so incredible when he is performing.

    • @joyofsox
      @joyofsox Год назад +6

      Wright almost did a spit-take.

    • @richard_parr
      @richard_parr 10 месяцев назад +5

      I love how excited Conan gets when he starts riffing and people around him are laughing.

  • @SpaceForceCommander
    @SpaceForceCommander Год назад +524

    The jokes Wright themselves.

  • @BLAB-it5un
    @BLAB-it5un Год назад +11

    This is one of the best examples of the genius and intelligence that is Steven Wright. His command of language but also of all forms of art is astounding. And it is clear to anyone who writes and creates what this talent, vision and spontaneous creativity is that separates the good or even great comic from a true artist. Wright is on a whole different plane.

  • @petew5399
    @petew5399 Год назад +106

    Steven is a peripheral visionary

    • @chalkbunt81
      @chalkbunt81 Год назад +14

      He sees into the future, but way off, to the side.

    • @bmyra
      @bmyra Год назад +3

      LMAO. Epic.

    • @damonhines8187
      @damonhines8187 Год назад +5

      Nailed it, mate! A tad bent, but no-one's gonna see it.

    • @elichilton7031
      @elichilton7031 Год назад +2

      Comedy Gold!

    • @roberte.6892
      @roberte.6892 4 месяца назад

      where is that from? a tv show, right?

  • @nathanlaurange805
    @nathanlaurange805 Год назад +95

    Steven Wright is a icon in comedy. And its so amazing to hear him breakdown comedy. Such a unique voice, Thank you Conan and crew and thank you Steven

    • @KairuHakubi
      @KairuHakubi Год назад

      it makes sense too, I've known creativity to work that way. the brain is ready to do something clever, but it's stalled because there's nothing stimulating it. so you look around for something, anything to perk it up, and once it clicks on something.. it's like rain forming around a dust particle

  • @stevej.7926
    @stevej.7926 Год назад +65

    This sea captain look drew me right in

    • @spangalang
      @spangalang Год назад +1

      Money! 🤌🤌🤌🤌

  • @sjz1925
    @sjz1925 Год назад +37

    5:50 - and out of nowhere, completely in the moment and giving weight to everything they've been talking about, an absolutely brilliant bit is born ("My dad's a terrible scientist")

    • @lisvender
      @lisvender 9 месяцев назад +3

      Man, if I made Steven Wright laugh at a joke like that, I'd consider my life complete.

  • @JDee4761
    @JDee4761 Год назад +9

    Steven Wright and Gary Larson are two artists I’m so happy exist in this world!

  • @mannyg9059
    @mannyg9059 Год назад +10

    Abstract comedy is my favorite genre, Mr. Wright is one of the best at it. ""If you travel at the speed of light and you turn on a light switch, what will happen?." for example. Brilliant.
    .

    • @jmpsthrufyre
      @jmpsthrufyre 9 месяцев назад

      If in a car, the headlights would work, but would only project light forward as you slow down.

    • @strats991
      @strats991 2 месяца назад +1

      The actual joke is something far more akin to this; "I went to a job interview and said 'Sorry to interrupt but let me ask you something. If you drove you car at the speed of light and you turned you lights on.... would they do anything?' The guy said 'I don't know' so I said 'Well, for get it, then. I don't wanna work for ya."

  • @Kaznil46
    @Kaznil46 Год назад +11

    I really feel it fitting that Conan was a great friend of James Lipton and loved having him on the show, and now Conan has practically revived the "inside the actors studio" feel of these long form interviews, but with his own Conan twist.

  • @charlockprime
    @charlockprime Год назад +47

    In all of the years that I've been watching and enjoying Steven's comedy, I don't think I've ever heard him really laugh. What an excellent interview!

  • @Dulcimerist
    @Dulcimerist Год назад +18

    Nice to see Steven Wright has become a sea captain in his spare time. He's multitalented!

  • @masterxyr
    @masterxyr Год назад +1

    Steven is like a master watchmaker in how his jokes have so much detail and depth and layering that they just keep on giving like echoes.
    Brilliant comedian and one of my favourites

  • @MrBenthie
    @MrBenthie Год назад +15

    This episode is such a gem. How awesome to listen to Steven laugh out loud that openly.

  • @cierrablue
    @cierrablue Год назад +49

    Note to self: This is an episode I can't miss.

  • @CaptainTedStryker
    @CaptainTedStryker Год назад +21

    Conan, what does it feel like to make Steven laugh? Pretty damn good, I'd say! You can tell these guys have a mutual love and respect, great stuff.

  • @We_Reddit
    @We_Reddit Год назад +50

    You can tell that Steve is impressed by how quickly and naturally Conan comes up with stuff. I've never heard him laugh out loud that much. The closest to it I've witnessed is when he does stand up and he's about to crack up at his own joke, and he puts his hand on his face to cover it, and he starts rubbing his face with his hand slowly, pretending he's out of wits with something 😂

  • @PackJLM
    @PackJLM Год назад +2

    I'm just so happy Steven Wright is still alive! He's like my favorite Comedian Deadbeat Dad. Where have you been, Steven???

  • @noneyobizniz8991
    @noneyobizniz8991 Год назад +7

    I once once watched a Stephen Wright routine on RUclips. It was 45 minutes in that I realized it was a still image

  • @jamesthenabignumber
    @jamesthenabignumber Год назад +14

    On the connection between comedy and music, I learned that Robin Williams was a great admirer of Keith Jarrett, the jazz pianists. Both men possessed unparalleled improvisational abilities in their fields.

  • @sen.garyhart4239
    @sen.garyhart4239 Год назад +5

    That is the first time I've heard him being serious. It was hard to take him serious, I was on edge waiting for the joke the whole time. S.W. is a god amongst men.

  • @patreekotime4578
    @patreekotime4578 Год назад +12

    I love that connection between comedy and art. The space between things is called "negative space" and I feel like in Steven Wrights humor, and in folks like Mitch Hedberg, its often the negative space around the words that is funny, not the words themselves... its that unsaid thing. Like that connection between "French" and "the Renaissance"... thats the negative space of the joke that allows us to instantly see something else. Its also the "weight" Conan was talking about... maybe another analogy would be like Dark Matter... we cant directly observe Dark Matter, but we think that there must be something there because we can observe the effects of its weight. Its really cool.

  • @drivethru6155
    @drivethru6155 Год назад +5

    One of the best of all time. I would love to see him live one day, I can only dream how good his sets are in person as opposed to clips on RUclips.

  • @ross302ci
    @ross302ci Год назад +13

    I cannot imagine how good it must feel to make a legend like Steven Wright crack up like that.

  • @EattheApple666
    @EattheApple666 Год назад +36

    I remember the first time seeing Steven standup. He blew us away. He was\is so funny and yes there is something not wired so beautifully in Steven's head.

    • @bltmiy
      @bltmiy Год назад +1

      shout out to Conan and the team coco channel! Congrats 🙂🤨! And to Billie Ellish nice singer ..

    • @JNMKlover
      @JNMKlover Год назад

      Easily the 80s for me. Richard Pryor was hilarious, but the blue stuff was hard to process as a young person.

  • @Sheachlo
    @Sheachlo Год назад +5

    Steven Wright is a comedy treasure and im happy to see him make an appearance again. Havent seen him since Craig Ferguson quit the Late Late show

  • @GetOffTheLawn
    @GetOffTheLawn Год назад +4

    Saw him at Smith College in MA back in like 1990ish. Very funny guy.

  • @SpiderLuke
    @SpiderLuke Год назад +2

    That’s actually how I come up with things. I see or hear a word and it just evolves.

  • @rm1856
    @rm1856 Год назад +2

    Wright is one of my all time favorites. Brilliant…

  • @icebox_Intruder
    @icebox_Intruder 7 месяцев назад

    MORE of this! You guys need to do a segment or show like this clip: Comedians talking to comedians about comedy. Specifically, the craft of comedy: writing jokes, performing, etc. I love hearing how differently they all approach comedy. I'd pay to see that show.
    Also, LOVE Steven.

  • @mnchls
    @mnchls Год назад +6

    was absolutely not expecting to see this on my feed today. only five seconds in, i know this is gonna be a real treat.

  • @nstern1999
    @nstern1999 Год назад

    I think the undercutrent of the comedy 'process' they decribe is an umbilical to the stoned or tripping mind. The fluid juxtapositioning of words and images is a comefy algorithm. And Stevens is acute and energized and reaches everyone.
    So special.

  • @TRDOffRoad2020
    @TRDOffRoad2020 Год назад +1

    Steven one line jokes and his voice tone makes them makes him one of a kind.

  • @h00liganismo1
    @h00liganismo1 Год назад +6

    We see two masters at work here, Conan’s improvisational genius contrasted perfectly with Wright’s exacting verbal associations. Fascinating interplay

  • @525Lines
    @525Lines Год назад +16

    I put instant coffee in the microwave and almost went back in time.

    • @ArmenChakmakian
      @ArmenChakmakian 9 месяцев назад +1

      I’m smoking a tobacco pipe and choked on the smoke laughing, reading this lol😂

  • @FomorViceroy
    @FomorViceroy 4 месяца назад

    I first became aware of Steven Wright just from his various guest appearances in sitcoms. But I never seemed out his stand up comedy. What a brilliantly funny man. A true original.

  • @SignatureStampsFan
    @SignatureStampsFan Год назад

    I grew up listening to Steven Wright. I remember when Mitch Hedberg released his Strategic Grill Locations album thinking, Mitch is hilarious and in that same vein as Steven. What a gift to share this interview with us. Steven is a living legend.

  • @peterintoronto6472
    @peterintoronto6472 Год назад +4

    "what's another word for thesaurus?"

  • @cdawg_sf
    @cdawg_sf Год назад +5

    The podcast format has given conans hair the room to explore its creative side

  • @tommyrq180
    @tommyrq180 Год назад +8

    He says all of comedy is noticing. Well, sure, but we all notice things. To make comedy it has to go through a bizarre, off-camber interpretive lens that is human-specific. With Wright, I’m constantly astonished about how he put the joke parts together. Conan captures this idea near the end of this clip. What a phenomenally weird, unique, bizarre associative ability-then you combine that mind with that voice. Unicorn. 🦄 😊

    • @tipi5586
      @tipi5586 Год назад

      Yea, its observation, plus his unique ability to combine ideas. You're just left wondering: how did he write that?

  • @CalHarding01
    @CalHarding01 6 месяцев назад

    I really admire Conan’s point about making connections, and I agree with him. My favourite kind of comedy is in the style of Wright where it’s almost a kind of linguistic pareidolia where you point out a pattern or connection that may be apparent, but isn’t actually causally connected. The “surprise” that that evokes, for me, lay at the heart of all the best comedy.

  • @nope9698
    @nope9698 Год назад +4

    “I remember when the candle factory burned down. Everyone stood around singing happy birthday.”

  • @RosablueHandMade
    @RosablueHandMade Год назад +1

    The funniest of episodes. And hearing the laconic Wright crease and burst out loud was properly joyful. Well played, all!!!

  • @daviday87
    @daviday87 Год назад +2

    Conan: "My dad's a scientist..."
    Steven: (Genuinely) "Wow..."
    Conan: "Not a good one."
    Conan's ability to read the room & find these types of jokes as a host is unrivaled.

  • @escapetheratrace4798
    @escapetheratrace4798 Год назад +1

    Please make more of these with older comics, Steven Wright is one of my favorite joke writers, this was such a pleasure to watch.

  • @WholeLifeBoogie
    @WholeLifeBoogie Год назад

    Steven wright with Conan is such a funny joy to watch and listen to, I hope he’s back often or becomes part of your crew!
    Love his comedy and the connection you both hav w your great comedy too! Thanks for having him on!

  • @Phobero
    @Phobero Год назад +2

    Yes to the mis-wiring thing, thank you!
    That's what I love about my favourite comedians - Norm, Hedberg, Steven Wright himself...
    I think they just see (saw) reality in a different (and not necessarily wrong) way.

  • @nickb442
    @nickb442 Год назад +1

    The hardest I've laughed in a long time was during this interview. Brought the absolute best out of Conan. Amazing listen.

  • @TheBiscuitFactory
    @TheBiscuitFactory Год назад +22

    The day that Steven found his skill, comedy took the Wright turn.

  • @MeltonECartes
    @MeltonECartes Год назад

    I've always said this about the practice of drawing, that the very activity forces one to expand and appreciate their powers of observation and perspective. So, when someone cites seeing someone's point-of-view or their perspective in terms of life experiences, that has a real meaning. Which is why everyone should draw, and everyone can. You don't have to be a master from the beginning. It's the process and practice...

  • @kareneverett125
    @kareneverett125 3 месяца назад

    GREAT INTERVIEW - STEVEN WRIGHT MY ALL TIME FAVE COMEDIAN !!!! ❤❤❤❤❤

  • @adamlytle2615
    @adamlytle2615 Год назад +1

    This whole podcast was a delight, top to bottom.

  • @plaws0
    @plaws0 Год назад +18

    I LOVE these comedy dissection pieces. I love Seinfeld's coffee-car thing for the same reason. ENDLESSLY fascinating. Thanks, Conan!

  • @conandoobrien8605
    @conandoobrien8605 Год назад

    Watching steven's comedy is pure treasure. Boston does have a hero. I always now and then watch steven late night appearanceson Craig and conan.

  • @justinklenk
    @justinklenk Год назад +1

    Great clip, i loved (love) the direct way that Steven goes into his explanations... Just as perfectly/equally descriptive as it occurs to him in his mind, that's the way it should always be done, imho... Just good to see/listen to.

  • @kimtillett8037
    @kimtillett8037 10 месяцев назад

    Steven is brilliant with his jokes. He was born to be the best comedian ever!

  • @WillStephensArt
    @WillStephensArt Год назад

    I didn’t know ANYONE else knew Steve Wright one of my favorite comedians love the one liners

  • @zotw-101
    @zotw-101 2 месяца назад

    I’m so glad I bought his book. It’s fantastic, and just going back to read a bit here and there is just as satisfying.

  • @tr1co0
    @tr1co0 Год назад +1

    Seeing Steven break and laugh is so magical. I would love it if he did a new comedy special where he wasn't in character and showed that side of himself more.

    • @chmod1777
      @chmod1777 Год назад +2

      Seeing him crack up is great :)

  • @lonesomelenny7606
    @lonesomelenny7606 8 месяцев назад

    Always enjoyed Steven Wright. His dry delivery and approach to comedy stand alone.

  • @teacherofteachers1239
    @teacherofteachers1239 Год назад

    From decades ago in high school until this morning I never imagined that was Steven Wright's real voice. I thought it was part of his comedy persona. I am suddenly reminded of Leonard Cohen's funny song lyric: "I was born like this / I had no choice / I was born with the gift of a golden voice."

  • @JKiler1
    @JKiler1 Год назад

    All communication is relating to each other. We're buried in our heads, knowing how we feel, but not sure about anyone else. To relate to someone; guess what moves them, you have to look for clues. That's what artists do - look for clues to what will move others and put those thoughts into a medium. Music, painting, sculpture, books, comedy, it's all the same.

  • @MickeyMullin
    @MickeyMullin Год назад +1

    That was #!$%ing beautiful! I can use that. It's like permission to let your mind wander.

  • @TheArtisticFlavor
    @TheArtisticFlavor Год назад +8

    This clip was brilliant. Seeing Steven Wright crackup, and I was also cracking up because Conan hit that out of the park. So great.

  • @jimdukeproject
    @jimdukeproject 10 месяцев назад

    Conan has a good explanation of connecting two things that usually aren’t known together. Norm McDonald was a master at that. He’s take you to a place you didn’t think he was going.

  • @joansmith69
    @joansmith69 Год назад +1

    My dream guest for this pod! It finally happened!!

  • @acerjuglans383
    @acerjuglans383 Год назад +2

    That Conan O'brien should have a TV show. He's a funny mug.

  • @GomerBarnFloyd
    @GomerBarnFloyd Год назад +1

    I had no idea Steven Wright still walks among us. Wow. What a pleasant surprise.

  • @camelotgeorge33
    @camelotgeorge33 Год назад +2

    The scientist riff is so good

  • @BannedWidth
    @BannedWidth 10 месяцев назад +1

    “I like to read music while listening to books on tape”

  • @Trebor78
    @Trebor78 Год назад +2

    One of my favorite episodes ever. Steven Wright’s laugh is infectious and so genuine. I laughed along with them, the entire episode.

  • @markread7333
    @markread7333 Год назад

    Comedy is, at its essence, the unexpected ending. So Conan is exactly right; it’s an unexpected conclusion that tickles your brain when the answer isn’t logical or expected.

  • @masterchinese28
    @masterchinese28 Год назад +13

    Steven Wright's album was the first comedy album that I bought as a teenager. The fact that his jokes still ring true today are testament to his genius.

  • @jessedampolo
    @jessedampolo Год назад

    I’d love to hear Jonathan Richman on the show some time. When I was first watching Conan as a kid he used to be a bit of a regular, I loved seeing him and Conan go back and forth

  • @liammcooper
    @liammcooper Год назад

    absolutely fantastic, wish more interviewers would ask comics these questions

  • @Unibabble
    @Unibabble Год назад

    This was great - so funny and also thought provoking t the same time. Comedian's brains make connections between things that aren't supposed to go together; that makes a lot of sense.

  • @cynthiamason4069
    @cynthiamason4069 Год назад +1

    The lovely and talented Mr. Stephen Wright needs to do some voice work. Can you imagine what crazy cool animated characters could come alive with his iconic voice?

  • @roberttemple2521
    @roberttemple2521 Год назад

    Two of my favorite comics ever, just brilliant minds. It is so interesting to hear how Wright writes, how things come to him. I have loved the power of puns since I figured them out as a child. I guess I am like Wright in some ways, the radar is subconsciously scanning. I'm always "on", as some woman said to me in a bar once, ages ago. I tend to think homophonically, perhaps something that O'Brien's dad might think needed treatment. I think one of the biggest hurdles in writing jokes is being able to recall the initial synapse that comes to mind. Those synapses are fleeting, they can disappear like trying to recall a dream upon waking up. I used to keep a dream journal, decades ago. I found that I could recall dreams much better if I had the notebook by my bed, ready for any new entries. It became sort of a chore that I didn't like, but I kept it up for a few weeks, at least. So, I wonder if Wright and O'Brien keep a notepad or a recorder handy to record any jokes that may appear. If they did, that might impinge the joke making process that often comes spontaneously. Wright touched on that a bit with his, "gotta make a joke, gotta make a joke..." line.

  • @penguinjammer8522
    @penguinjammer8522 Год назад

    I lost count of how many times I listened to I Have A Pony when I was a kid, but the tape eventually wore out. It was one of the first CDs I ever bought once it came out on that too. Just an all time great of comedy!

  • @bryansans2564
    @bryansans2564 Год назад

    I've been waiting to hear A gutlaugh from Steven for awhile now. Respect CoCo

  • @GoTeamScotch
    @GoTeamScotch Год назад +1

    Steven Wright is in my top 3 comedians of all time.

  • @connorlarkinbass
    @connorlarkinbass Год назад +5

    It must feel so good to make Steven Wright laugh that hard. Well done Conan!

  • @milesconnell9113
    @milesconnell9113 5 месяцев назад

    I think the amazing thing that good comedians/comedy do is point out , sometimes absurd things that when “normal” people hear them said, make complete sense.

  • @hellyan35867
    @hellyan35867 Год назад +6

    SW repeating Conan's funny bits while hysterically laughing is making my week!

  • @acerjuglans383
    @acerjuglans383 Год назад

    Conan makes Steven Wright laugh.
    That's awesome.

  • @sneddsnedd
    @sneddsnedd 10 месяцев назад

    Steven Wright and Werner both have two of the best voices of all time

  • @sen.garyhart4239
    @sen.garyhart4239 Год назад +2

    The scene where Steven Wright gets punched in the face in "Canadian Bacon" is the funniest scene in movie history.

  • @mike91mdk45
    @mike91mdk45 Год назад +1

    "Joe Egan and Gerry Rafferty were a duo known as stealers wheel when they recorded this dillon-esque pop bubblegum favorite from april of 1974. That reached up to number five as k billy's super sounds of the seventies continues."

  • @jopo7996
    @jopo7996 Год назад +5

    I find this so interesting, because I work at a fire hydrant factory

  • @stevewhite791
    @stevewhite791 Год назад

    Great interview, Steven Wright I love your brand of comedy.

  • @RockNRollJeezus
    @RockNRollJeezus Год назад +1

    WOW YOU MADE HIM LAUGH! Ive never seen him laugh before and i lost it lmao That was hilarious!!

  • @bobhunt5820
    @bobhunt5820 11 месяцев назад

    A fountain of wisdom from two big gift givers. A clinic if you will.😊

  • @dogperday
    @dogperday Год назад

    Steven is the best of all time.

  • @dudekazoo
    @dudekazoo Год назад +1

    I love that you could hear Wright doing a bit of a spit take at "He's a terrible scientist".

  • @dylanmmc
    @dylanmmc Год назад

    I loved Steven in his role as “guy on the couch” in Half Baked.

  • @lordofentropy
    @lordofentropy Год назад

    "Ever forget to take your seatbelt off and try to get up? I did that once on a plane. So, I'm walking through the airport, the wings are knocking people over." Still the first joke that I really remember from Stephen Wright when I was a kid. I'm sure I got the wording or details a little wrong, but that's the gist of it. With the deadpan delivery it was literally laugh out loud and sides hurting funny to me.

  • @brianmcguire5175
    @brianmcguire5175 6 месяцев назад

    When conan tried explaining his use of a type writer for documenting his jokes, he didnt mention but i feel he would have like to have explained how a type writer doesnt allow post eeiting like a computer does. This factor would mean that whatever you type must be considerate and deliberate. On a vomputer you can type as the mind flows and then edit after quickly. The type writer outs more stock into any interation as it hard copies your ideas thus envouraging a sharper mind for writing and not a more casual flow of consciousnce

  • @jimdukeproject
    @jimdukeproject 10 месяцев назад

    Steven Wright is the only well-known comedian I ever saw live. Hilarious.