B.J. Novak’s First On-Camera Job Was On “Punk’D” | Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend

[@ariloveshouse]

I really hope team coco uploads the focus group sketch Conan is talking about. It's the second time it's been mentioned on the podcast and I think it was mentioned on Inside Conan as well

[@no127]

Doubt it. It's from 'The tonight show'. I think it is on the very first episode. I had seen it years ago on dailymotion. Not sure if it is still on there though.

[@Eggnoge]

If you're still chasing that segment, i just searched for "focus group sketch Conan" and the top link is a daily motion upload of the full segment. Hope that helps :)

[@ferdinandd7884]

@@Eggnoge thank you so much!

[@rickyd-lux9067]

Steve Carell played the drama. Michael Scott played the comedy.

[@BlueAmerican26]

It's crazy how I remember the punk'd that BJ is describing so vividly.

[@mariarahelvarnhagen2729]

How Many Saxaphones Have You Got ?

[@mariarahelvarnhagen2729]

Last Functional Components Emission Of The Execretur

[@mariarahelvarnhagen2729]

Zhang Ostentatiousness

[@mariarahelvarnhagen2729]

#MyGoodMan'sZhangPalinas

[@mariarahelvarnhagen2729]

His Pentagon Is Round

[@Daniel_Ilyich]

It would be great if we could watch the podcasts. Listening on the various platforms is great, but being able to see everyone's expressions, etc. is much more enjoyable.

[@christinah864]

That would then almost be a talk show. We should call it Conan.

[@chadwickerman]

Maybe they could get a couch and Andy could sit on it and laugh off camera and Jimmy and the band could play music every now and then. Perhaps they could have a few dozen people sit in seats and watch too. It would be the best podcast ever!

[@Daniel_Ilyich]

@@chadwickerman Not a bad idea!

[@jaymars12000]

@@chadwickerman there’s this drummer named Max I think would work well with Conan

[@jaumssi93]

Time to Spotify

[@Kilb-ill]

He's just a temp and hasn't made any sale yet!

[@Vip3rC4in0022]

I think that's such an accurate way of describing why Steve Carell was so good as Michael Scott.

[@harveyfarquard2327]

I was in an episode of Punk'd but one of the later seasons. By that point all the celebs were in on it, basically expecting to get Punk'd. The producers told us to play everything 100% straight so the prank wouldn't get blown. if the celeb catches on it's like flushing tens of thousands of dollars down the toilet. Pretty high stress gig, but a huge thrill.

[@louisrios5546]

It's interesting how much BJ loves pranks considering how some comedy people hate them, including Office writer Michael Schur. He's said on podcasts that they're the worst form of comedy.

[@Mokkari77]

Pranksters would definitely directly go to the Bad Place.

[@masterxyr]

well, it's still just his opinion despite the use of absolutisms..

[@lickitysplit3575]

I used to think the same until Eric Andre and then he totally warped my mind forever

[@lickitysplit3575]

Watch the way Eric Andre pretends to drag around a person in a suitcase in public on the sidewalks of Manhattan as she's screaming, the actress that's also a contortionist, so much so that people hear her and confront Eric, him not breaking character whatsoever, and clearly improvising in the moment under extreme pressure still being funny. You can't help but laugh it gets so dark, and it's technically a prank. You even see a guy who looks creepy carrying a big, big suitcase looking concerned at Eric as he's confronted by people.... It's like, his pranks literally catch people possibly doing crimes because Eric is making it look like he's doing crimes.... Truly warped but brilliant

[@tikitiktok7777]

Oh wow...I remember meeting BJ Novak on the movie set of GalaxyQuest☄in 1999. We had short parts in the movie, but they mostly edited out 1 minute of my time in the movie. Novak had a memorable scene with the late Alan Rickman where Novak's character died in Alan Rickman's arms after being shot by an alien. Congratulations on your successful acting career🎬 Now that I'm done with my Military career...thinking I might take a second chance in acting again!✌🤪🍭"I'm a thespian!" 🎬

[@fightclub6291]

Once you know how to do it (have done it). Does it go away and need polish (like bowling would be) or is more like riding a bike and you “never forget?”

[@evenflowsteven]

Is this Barry?

[@tikitiktok7777]

@@fightclub6291 I speak for myself...probably need a few classes to polish my narcissist personality.🤣 It's been 22 years...yikes! My biggest surprise to see in entertainment is Jimmy Kimmel on TV almost everyday, we worked together 2yrs at 106.7FM KROQ during the late 90's...he's an awesome funny dude in a suit now.😉 And now that Conan O'Brien retired, I'm forced to watch Fallon and Kimmel.🤷‍♂️ 🌟"BRING BACK TEAM COCO!" 🎬

[@kf8346]

Bj is one of only three characters that survived the film inglorious basterds, and the other two are the hero and the villain. I don’t know how he did it.

[@mtarkes]

Everyone loves a good Bj.

[@user-Natsu2001]

My favourite BJ Novak movie is The Amazing Spider-Man 2 and The Smurfs

[@desioye7782]

Where is this clip with Conan and the focus group?

[@Kitty8791]

Look at replies to the top comment.

[@kerch-e]

The " tellin' tales out of school " line will always make me think of Norm Macdonald. I miss that dude.

[@AdamPreset]

I saw BJ Novak’s film, Vengeance, last week, and it was stellar. He wrote, directed, and acted. Super talented and I’m glad he gets these opportunities. Aston Kutcher had a role and was very compelling also. The protagonist is a podcaster … and here’s BJ Novak on the world’s best podcast!

[@siddshrestha]

the temp guy who started fire

[@Renaissance464]

Ryan started the fire!!!

[@ashleyjohnson9485]

FIRE GUY!!!!!!

[@theendistheend123]

HEY, thats the CEO of wuphf!!!

[@thejandjchannel5016]

Bj Novak is super talented and to me an under rated talent

[@wades2132]

I actually remember him specifically in an ep of Punk’d. He was a guy set up on a blind date with Mya, who was pretty famous as a singer 20 years ago. He was a fan who won a date in a contest. He brings her to his house and is creepy as hell to her. He has a shrine to her that he shows her, and at some point he proposes. It was funny, but it also felt faker than most. I was like, no way is she just going to go to some rando’s house, AND the stay there as he gets weirder and creepier.

[@EmpyreanLightASMR]

I've seen that focus group bit, that was hilarious

[@ronch182]

Conan: "I love roughhousing" And cut to everytime Conan has punched Aaron Bleyaert on camera.

[@Jusvidz]

fire guy!

[@brianmorton9419]

I was SHOCKED that at no point in that “pranking the focus group” anecdote did Conan give any indication that he was hurt

[@johnfarmakis8518]

That’s gold. Write it from the prospective of comedy. But perform it as drama.

[@MISNM0]

BJ Novak was (to my mind) one of the best guests on here ever. He really engaged and you can tell he respects Conan and The Team. (I know some names but just it this way for the ones I don't.)

[@selfdiscardedkingofruin7291]

Don't want to tell Tales out of school is a nice reference to Norm

[@bettyrivers5503]

I would love to see a wrestling scene between Ryan and Dwight! LOL

[@joelewis2717]

Hey Ryan, do you want to help me prank Andy? Not now but ask me again when i was 12

[@jissanhuq3792]

Lol could be Micael Schur messing with him

[@redmorgan1038]

Is it just me or is conan melting more every take???

[@SIBIRIAKcom]

Who remembers Conan in How I met Your Mother???😉

[@WVBigfoot]

We NEED the focus group sketch.

[@Kitty8791]

Look at replies to the top comment.

[@neaituppi7306]

The prank they did on Hillary Duff with B.J was the best prank ever I have seen, not just on that show. And it was because of him.

[@SB-xt5jk]

Good interview and I hate to nitpick but BJ talks over Conan throughout the podcast. He’s a smart and funny guy but this detracts.

[@user-Natsu2001]

Ryan is my favourite character in The Office and in 2020 I binged watched The Office during quarantine

[@ASJC27]

Ryan started the fire! It was always burning since the world’s been turning.

[@MichaelScott-xp4ue]

Do not let this distract from the fact that ...... RYAN STARTED THE FIRE

[@j00ktau]

"you've been X'ed punk!"

[@Goatchild90]

I still vaguely remember seeing BJ Novak on Punk'D actually lol

[@MrAdamloring1985]

He pranked Hillary Duff, as a driving instructor

[@aumarigan]

4:14 Damn, now I remember him on this episode of Punk'd.

[@Alice-ui9oy]

Where was Gourley in this one?

[@hiraya5296]

where was matt gourley?

[@dmikulec]

Pulling pranks is a power trip.

[@RyanCoomer]

at a buffet, i personally sneak corndogs into the buffet so others can enjoy them. I hide 6 corndogs in my jacket pockets. it then, is a joy for me to see other patrons of the establishment eat my corndogs thinking they were part of the buffet.

[@xploration1437]

Too much acid you have taken.

[@tiyas5378]

That's... bizarre and wonderful

[@robk.6591]

Legend!

[@sunsetmind5794]

How to get Conan back to old form: 1. grow hair back to old form 2. Realize completely that whole Leno thing was total bullshit-your funniest was never for that broad an audience, your ego clashed with your spirit-who needs to be the biggest, be the funniest, which is what is still in there, the deeply silly. 3. Start from the beginning again: do your version of Tom Green’s old KZbin talk show. 4. Get Andy Richter back.

[@PiCheZvara]

Novak is smart, but man he is irritating. Constantly interrupting Conan. I mean dude, let the guy get his own thoughts in there for a minute, they're also there for us the viewer and it's his show. Incredibly weird guy. I am convinced he is a virgin.

[@MaineOffGrid.]

What a strange KZbin evening I have had. The algorithm brought up the David Letterman episode from the 90’s where Letterman sent members of his audience to Conan’s show at NBC. It’s doubtful anyone at Team Coco will see this but if there is footage of that Conan episode from Conan’s side of it that would be epic to post that with a link to the Letterman episode

[@LageYouTube]

I got that one recommended to me too

[@poeleabois]

Punk'd bought the concept from Québec (the original show was Surprise Sur Prise)

[@TransoceanicOutreach]

Why would anyone call their child 'BJ'???

[@fabiadutra8711]

IF YOU'RE GONNA FILM IT, MAKE THE VIDEO AVAILABLE THEN!!!!!!!

[@jjmah7]

Punk’d was good but Ashton Kutcher was the worst part of it

[@darrencarter4131]

Is there a way to watch these? Ironically, I don't like listening to podcasts, only watching.

[@gorkmusic]

Why film it if you're not gonna upload the whole episode? Please we wants it all!

[@Yash-ck1uo]

how can i watch his podcasts with video? i find audio only everywhere on spotify and all. thanks

[@robertaBooey69]

I only know him from punkd is he famous from something else?

[@mmko7263]

Is the focus group video on KZbin?

[@summyv7058]

I just saw him on the bow wow episode of punk’d!

[@ABlueberryMuffin]

Upload the full intervirw please

[@NoelBenavente]

STEAAAAAAAAAAAAAK! WHERE'S MY STEAAAAAAAAACK?!

[@xploration1437]

Conebone69

[@LaRose-Sauvage]

I agree @daniel we need full pods in video on KZbin!

[@cfrend]

Conan really needs to try rolling at at BJJ gym.

[@myrineae]

Conan, your "tsk" noises...

[@zacharyvelli8194]

Bj Novak must love Nathan fielder

[@jissanhuq3792]

I bet he’s incredibly jealous of what Nathan does both in ego and execution

[@dfghdfghuytiu8207]

Conan focus group

[@ajtorres8352]

I remember him on punk'd!

[@thebigcheese5114]

Fire Guy

[@grimdrum2396]

My parents would tell us to "stop that rough housing".

[@starxhilmie]

BJ stands for what ? i couldn't think otherwise

[@eliminator173]

Bon Jovi

[@jfuentes9188]

Ben & Jerry

[@chestermcgillicuddy4368]

Likely (and hopefully) Novak doesn't read this. His character actor was one of my favorites! And then Inglorious Basterds, brilliant!

[@jfuentes9188]

Why wouldn't you want him to read a compliment?

[@jissanhuq3792]

@@jfuentes9188 lol this reads exactly like the the time Michael compliments Pam and says don’t tell her i said that

[@mariarahelvarnhagen2729]

Got Any ?

[@mariarahelvarnhagen2729]

Get Em From Gaspar Noe ?

[@mariarahelvarnhagen2729]

Where'd He Get Em ?

[@jootai]

broadcast the entire thing ffs

[@namhum3584]

I like J ,, but ,, ok,, leve z ,, guy,,, go u too

[@johnarnold6623]

Soma is like a Walmart version if Robin Quivers. I love the way BJ totally ignores her

[@namhum3584]

From the head with Brian ,, to ,,,you

[@namhum3584]

Don't don't do ,, where I was born,,,,

[@namhum3584]

English ,,,per say ,, ,,,please,,,,,???

[@danielrichardson6054]

Bj Novak is horrible on camera. I can’t tolerate him in Inglorious Bastards

[@kevgar57]

It’s Inglorious Basterds. Lighten up. This was a great podcast with BJ Novak and we deal in positivity here at team coco. I do, however, respect your opinion.

[@kevgar57]

He’s fantastic in The Founder.

[@hkflick]

She laughs far too much.

[@xploration1437]

Ashton Kutcher is not an icon, lol.

[@DoctorFurioso]

Gosh. I was sure someone out there thinks he's an icon. But Google literally didn't find a single result for "ashton kutcher is an icon".

[@tiyas5378]

He was trying to be nice

[@Jfray252]

Considering icon mean having great influence or significance in the industry, he was the most paid actor during a time, played and produced many successful show and his net worth is estimated to 200 million yes he is a icon in the industry. You don’t need to be a good actor for being a icon, he was just more popular in the 20s era than he is now

[@DoctorFurioso]

@@Jfray252 With respect, being an icon means you're **synonymous** with your industry. Sidney Poitier is an icon. Marilyn Monroe is an icon. Heck, Conan O'Brien is an icon. But as much as he seems like a nice enough person and as much as I like a lot of his work, Ashton Kutcher is, at best, a B lister.

[@eliminator173]

@@DoctorFurioso lol Ashton is not a B lister wtf are you talking about.

[@fartparticles]

Is B.J. coked out?