As it turns out, Gladwell’s admiration for O’Brien was centered around a unique aspect of his appearance – his flamboyant hair. Gladwell referred to O’Brien as the “king of the flamboyant Hair Club,” mentioning how his own distinctive hairstyle was influenced by O’Brien’s iconic look. However, Gladwell also expressed disappointment when he noticed that O’Brien’s hair was not as extravagant as usual during their meeting.
O’Brien explained the reason behind this change, attributing it to the weather. He revealed that his hair is highly susceptible to changes in humidity, with moisture in the air giving his hair its signature volume and bounce. On drier days, his hair tends to collapse onto his head, much to his dismay. O’Brien clarified that he could have artificially enhanced his hair for their meeting but chose not to, wanting to be genuine in front of his admired guest.
Despite the minor letdown, Gladwell assured O’Brien that his feelings of disappointment were only moderate. The conversation then shifted to other topics, with Gladwell discussing his latest book, “Revenge of the Tipping Point,” and sharing insights into his experiences as a parent. Gladwell humorously remarked that being a parent had freed him from the pressure of originality, as every observation he had about his children had already been made by countless other parents throughout history.
With their light-hearted banter and candid discussion, Malcolm Gladwell and Conan O’Brien showcased their chemistry and shared moments of both admiration and humor during the episode. Fans of the talk show and Gladwell’s work were treated to an entertaining and engaging conversation between two acclaimed personalities.
In summary, during his appearance on “Conan O’Brien Needs A Friend,” Malcolm Gladwell playfully dubbed O’Brien the “king of the flamboyant Hair Club,” expressing his admiration for O’Brien’s distinctive hairstyle. While O’Brien admitted that his hair’s appearance was highly dependent on the weather, both he and Gladwell engaged in a lively and amusing conversation that touched upon various topics, including parenthood and Gladwell’s latest book. Their entertaining interaction further exhibited the dynamic and enjoyable nature of the talk show, leaving viewers entertained and wanting more.
