Conan O’Brien, the beloved host of the talk show “Conan O’Brien Needs A Fan,” recently had a hilarious and insightful conversation with Joy, a zookeeper, about her job taking care of animals. The transcript of the interview reveals some interesting facts about the connection between humans and animals, specifically tortoises.
Joy, who has a master’s degree in biological sciences, explained how zookeeping is a highly competitive field. Despite the glamorous image people may have of zookeepers, Joy revealed that a lot of their job involves scrubbing animal waste. Surprisingly, she also shared an unfortunate encounter at a zoo in Ohio, where a parent told their child that if they didn’t study hard, they would end up like a zookeeper. Conan, always the quick-witted comedian, jokingly suggested that Joy should visit those parents and criticize their jobs while they change diapers.
Moving on to tortoises, Conan confessed that he has never been able to connect with them emotionally. As he described it, animals with shells, including shrimp and other mollusks, just don’t resonate with him. Joy, however, enthusiastically shared her experience taking care of a 76-year-old tortoise named Bubba, who weighs a whopping 567 pounds. Though Conan doubted the wisdom of a tortoise that has been around for 76 years, Joy assured him that these creatures are charismatic in their own unique way.
According to Joy, when you walk into the tortoises’ yard and call their names, they actually respond and walk over to you. They enjoy scratches on their necks and shells, and their presence brings joy to everyone, especially during the Christmas season.
While Conan couldn’t fully comprehend Joy‘s enthusiasm for tortoises, their conversation took an unexpected turn. Conan shared a personal insecurity, jokingly comparing himself to a tortoise due to his sarcastic exterior. This unexpected vulnerability added a deeper layer to their discussion about tortoises and their unique personalities.
Apart from tortoises, Joy also talked about her experiences working with penguins and flamingos. She revealed that the penguins she takes care of are not the sophisticated ones seen in cartoons but rather warm-climate species found in America. Joy also mentioned the sassy personalities of penguins, describing them as a combination of cats and high school girls, always gossiping and occasionally bickering with each other.
When it came to flamingos, Joy mentioned the height difference between herself and these elegant birds. She shared her goal to name every single bird in her flock, as they were initially numbered. But she also admitted that she keeps a quotebook at work for all the amusing questions she receives, suggesting that even children sometimes ask questions that leave her baffled.
Overall, Conan’s conversation with Joy gave viewers a delightful and comedic insight into the world of a zookeeper. It shed light on the fascinating personalities and behaviors of tortoises, penguins, and flamingos. With Conan’s humor and Joy‘s enthusiasm, this segment of “Conan O’Brien Needs A Fan” was both entertaining and educational for viewers of all ages.
