It turns out that Goggins and O’Brien’s friendship can be traced back to a conversation they had in Bangkok over a year ago. O’Brien had been shooting for his travel show and coincidentally bumped into Mike White, the creator of “The White Lotus”, in a restaurant. As they chatted, O’Brien expressed his desire to be a part of the next season of the hit show, which was set to be filmed in Thailand.
In a moment of jest, White mentioned that there was a lot of sex work in Thailand. O’Brien, always up for a challenge, playfully responded that he could even play the part of a male gigolo or engage in something depraved. This lighthearted conversation set the foundation for a friendship between O’Brien and Goggins.
Goggins went on to praise O’Brien’s physique and credited it to his time spent at the gym during the shooting of “The White Lotus”. Apparently, whenever the cast wasn’t working, they could be found in the gym. O’Brien’s dedication to fitness was remarkable and clearly paid off.
Goggins also shared an interesting anecdote about his first experience in Bangkok. He had arrived with his mother and stayed at a small hotel called Watpo. Little did they know that a coup had taken place overnight, and they were caught in the midst of it. Goggins humorously shared how he initially mistook a phone call about the coup as a call for him, but it turned out to be a hotel employee informing them about the situation. Eventually, they ventured outside and witnessed a peaceful coup, with tanks and guns, seemingly defying the traditional perception of such events.
The conversation veered towards O’Brien’s traveling experiences and his love for immersing himself in different cultures. Goggins mentioned how O’Brien’s affinity for drinking the local beverage was a natural way to connect with people and understand their worldview. Goggins also shared his own experiences of enjoying local drinks, such as the Armenian oie and Finnish cor kinova, during his travels.
Overall, the episode showcased the camaraderie and warmth shared between Conan O’Brien and Walton Goggins. From their playful banter to their appreciation for different cultures, it was a delightful conversation that highlighted the charm and wit of both individuals. It’s evident that O’Brien’s talk show continues to bring engaging and entertaining moments for viewers to enjoy.
