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This article was originally published on November 8, 2019.
Weve republished it to coincide with Conan OBriens new travel series for Max,Conan OBrien Must Go.
After Trump was elected, he became an unfortunate, inescapable fixture in late night.
OBrien, like his peers, still made jokes about the president.
And as fans of OBrien know, he absolutely shines in hisremote segments.
The cast of characters who joined OBrien also became perfect comedic partners for the traveling host.
By the end of 2015, OBrien visited two countries for the show, Cuba and Armenia.
Though they are all worth watching, here is the official ranking of each special:
13.
The episode begins with an insane 3-D reenactment of OBriens flight with Obama.
Theresan old rule in show business, OBrien says in response.
When Hugh Jackman tells you to do something, you do it.
Does your wife mind that you put in the part where she craps her pants?
Just leave that part out.
The hosts mission was to provide positivity and optimism in an effort to combat the efforts of division.
Of course, OBrien is at his best when roaming the streets, speaking with pedestrians.
One man tries sticking his middle finger in the box instead.
OBrien clearly has more fun when hes not confined to the studio setting.
OBrien saw the absurdity and booked a flight.
The host promised to use his late-night clout to properly negotiate the deal for Trump.
They reject the offer and OBrien settles for a sheet of ice.
The beauty of this episode is that it exposes us to a rarely discussed country and their culture.
(It doesnt go well.)
Japan (2018)
There can only be one Conan.
When he meets his new family he asks them to laugh at his jokes.
His new child asks his new wife, What if I dont understand his jokes?
The new wife tells her, You dont need to.
She blindfolds him and puts a censored piece in his mouth.
Im hoping this is not what I think it is.
Maybe a chess piece?
No, thats a bishops hat.
TheConancrew tracks down particularly interesting folks, the first being a man who makes custom fantasy coffins.
One of the best bits is when OBrien visits the Havana Club Rum Museum.
She sings and he interrupts with his own lyrics: Im going to live with Gretel.
Im going to move in with Gretel.
Ill do the laundry.
She will let me have free rum.
Ill change my name to Hansel.
So well be Hansel and Gretel.
Then we will drink rum.
Ill become an alcoholic.
Now I have no idea what the president has against the people of Haiti, OBrien said.
But if the president doesnt like them, they must be lovely people.
He encounters Haitians who want to know who he is and why he is there.
In his best Creole, OBrien explains that he and his crew were angry about what Trump said.
She then laughs and hugs the host.
OBrien suggests, Maybe Americans need to help Haiti put things back.
We dont need the help of the U.S., she tells him.
Theyre going to come here and take our stuff.
OBrien says the girl should be the next president of Haiti.
She says she wants to be president of the United States.
One of the best parts of the episode is OBriens attempt to learn Korean with his teacher Jin Shil.
I dont like you, she says.
This is the greatest thing to ever happen to me, he tells her.
Oh my gosh, youre weird, she says.
She then calls him twisted.
The episode also covers the tensions between North Korea and South Korea.
They put on afauxepisode ofConanright on the border using a steadfast, nonresponsive guard as their audience.
And of course, no trip is complete without OBrien making an appearance on a soap opera.
The one he appears on is called One More Happy Ending.
Italy (2018)
Jordan Schlansky fans rejoice: This one is made for you.
Its almost a full hour of OBrien and his best foe touring Italy.
OBrien gives viewers a chance to see Italy through Schlanskys cold, dead eyes.
One of the ongoing highlights of the trip is OBriens nonsense Italian greetings directed at the locals.
Schlansky confronts OBrien in this exchange:
OBrien:Agnolotti!
Then OBrien brings out the fart noises, and Schlansky starts laughing and calls OBrien a toddler.
This is easily a topConan Without Bordersepisode.
The trip was a response to Jared Kushners attempt at the time to make an Israeli-Palestinian peace plan.OBriens mission?
To try and make some people laugh and in the process alienate everyone.
OBrien speaks with Palestinian refugees and visits patients at an Israeli hospital on the Syrian border.
He tells one of the surgeons: I honestly, sincerely think youre doing beautiful work here.
The only thing I question about you are these medical Crocs.
That, I think, is the only thing that separates you from a godlike status.
The surgeon says, We are only human; we all make mistakes.
He also speaks with pro-Palestinian activists at the wall.
He continues: I honestly dont know what the answer is.
The episode centers around OBrien helping Movsesian connect with her heritage.
This trip is not all about what you want, OBrien tells his reluctant assistant.
She tears up when mentioning her grandparents losing everyone they knew and loved as children.
She then tells OBrien shed like to come back with friends and family.
you might come, too, she tells him.
Yeah, I guess.
