Conan O’Brien recently had a hilarious episode on his talk show, Conan, where he discussed giving speeches and shared an interesting story about the Oscars. The episode featured actor and comedian Adrien Brody, who gave a notoriously long acceptance speech at the Oscars.
During their conversation, O’Brien mentioned that Brody’s speech lasted so long that he resisted the urge to make a joke about it. O’Brien highlighted the importance of knowing when to end a speech, as it can make or break the comedic timing. He emphasized that getting a laugh from the audience is fantastic, but dragging a speech for too long can ruin the momentum. This was a relatable moment for many, as we’ve all witnessed someone overstaying their welcome on stage.
O’Brien also discussed his new book, which focuses on writing funny speeches for various occasions. The book includes advice on giving speeches at weddings, bar mitzvahs, graduations, and other events that you might not want to attend in the first place. To O’Brien’s delight, the forward of his book was written by the legendary Carol Burnett, whom he has had the privilege of working with multiple times.
One important piece of advice O’Brien shared was the significance of introducing oneself at the beginning of a speech. He emphasized the need to establish a connection with the audience by stating who you are and your relationship to the person the event is about. O’Brien humorously mentioned that he often starts his own speeches by saying, “I was this person’s lover,” even though it might not be true. This attention-grabbing opening line never fails to engage the audience.
The conversation with Adrien Brody prompted memories of how many people lack the basic courtesy of introducing themselves during speeches. They expect the audience to magically know who they are and dive straight into talking about the person being celebrated. O’Brien stressed the importance of making that initial connection with the audience so that they are invested in the rest of the speech.
O’Brien also discussed the current trend of individuals reading speeches from their phones, even during solemn occasions such as funerals. Both O’Brien and Brody expressed their disdain for this practice, reflecting that it can be off-putting and disrespectful. They believe it is essential to have bullet points or note cards as a guide but to leave room for spontaneity and adapt the speech based on the present situation.
Throughout the episode, O’Brien and Brody emphasized the importance of being in the moment and making a genuine connection with the audience. They reminded viewers that people can sense when something real is happening, and incorporating authenticity into a speech can work wonders.
Conan O’Brien‘s energetic and insightful conversation about speeches, coupled with the entertaining anecdotes from Adrien Brody, made for an engaging and humorous episode of Conan. O’Brien’s book, “How to Write a Funny Speech for a Wedding, Bar Mitzvah, Graduation, and Every Other Event You Didn’t Want to Go to in the First Place,” with a forward written by Carol Burnett, offers helpful advice to those looking to add humor and charm to their speeches. Whether you’re a fan of the talk show or interested in honing your speech-giving skills, this episode of Conan is a must-watch.
