Conan O’Brien, the beloved host of the late-night talk show, recently had an intriguing conversation with comedian Ben Stiller on his podcast, Conan O’Brien Needs A Friend. Among the many topics they touched upon, one surprising revelation stood out – Conan’s short-lived career as a drummer in a band.
During the conversation, Ben Stiller asked Conan if he had ever considered pursuing a career in music, to which Conan admitted that he was not a great drummer. He explained that he was a member of a band called Capital Punishment, but eventually decided to leave due to time constraints. Little did Conan know that his departure would lead to an unexpected turn of events – his band replaced him with a drum machine.
Although it may seem like a blow to Conan’s ego, he took the replacement in stride. Discussing the incident on his podcast, Conan humorously commented that people didn’t seem to mind the change, as the drum machine was more efficient in keeping time. Nonetheless, it was undoubtedly a defining moment for Conan, realizing that drumming wasn’t his forte.
The conversation then shifted gears, focusing on Ben Stiller‘s career and his transition into directing. Ben revealed that he always had a passion for directing and considered himself more of a director than an actor. After the release of the less-than-successful “Zoolander 2,” Ben made a conscious decision to step back from acting and focus on crafting and directing movies.
The turning point came when Ben was able to work on the project “Escape at Dannemora,” a limited series based on a real-life prison escape that took place in New York. Ben explained that he relished the opportunity to take his time and carefully craft the storytelling visually, something that he found to be a comfort area. He emphasized the importance of subjective storytelling and how he wanted to create something he would enjoy watching himself.
The conversation delved into the challenges of making the series feel authentic and real, considering it was based on a true story. Ben expressed his fascination with the events that unfolded during the prison escape, highlighting the intricate dynamics within the prison system. The more he researched the details and spoke to people involved, the more engrossed he became in the story.
As the interview came to a close, Conan playfully asked Ben if he had ever considered going to prison himself to truly capture the experience. While jokingly considering the idea, Ben acknowledged that immersing himself in the world of prisons could have potentially added another layer of authenticity to his work. However, he ultimately decided against it, much to the relief of his fans.
This lively and engaging conversation between Conan O’Brien and Ben Stiller showcased their shared experiences and passions within the entertainment industry. From Conan’s drumming misadventure to Ben’s transition into directing, the talk show episode provided a captivating glimpse into the lives of these talented celebrities. As fans of both Conan’s talk show and the charismatic Ben Stiller, it’s always a treat to witness these candid conversations unfold on Conan O’Brien Needs A Friend.
