How Steven Wright Writes Joke | Conan O'Brien Needs A Friend

Steven Wright discusses his process for writing jokes.
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ABOUT CONAN O’BRIEN NEEDS A FRIEND
Deeper, unboundedly playful, and free from FCC regulations, Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend is a weekly opportunity for Conan to hang out with the people he enjoys most and perhaps find some real friendship along the way. Watch highlights of Conan, Sona Movsesian and Matt Gourley chatting with celebrities and meeting fans, along with special segments like “Review the Reviewers” and “Big Dick History.”
ABOUT TEAM COCO
Team Coco is the KZbin home for all things Conan O’Brien and the Team Coco Podcast Network. Team Coco features over 25 years of comedy sketches, celebrity interviews and stand-up comedy sets from CONAN on TBS and Late Night with Conan O’Brien, as well as exclusive videos from podcasts like Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend,
Literally! with Rob Lowe, Why Won’t You Date Me? with Nicole Byer, The Three Questions with Andy Richter, May I Elaborate? with JB Smoove and Scam Goddess with Laci Mosley.
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[@erbaldwin1]

I have never heard or seen Steven Wright laugh out loud before. What a gift.

[@DevinGates]

You owe it to yourself to look up his appearances on Craig Ferguson. They absolutely killed each other on stage.

[@parsoumash]

@@DevinGates I was gonna say the same. 😆 In one of those videos, Steven also called Craig “funny and weird” .. that means something lol

[@FixtaFernback]

@@parsoumash if Steven Wright called me "funny and weird" I would be able to die happy.

[@parsoumash]

@@FixtaFernback Believe it or not, I met him once after a show a long time ago and he was nice enough to let us take a photo with him. For the photos, there was a wall behind us. So, after the photo was taken we looked at it and we both looked serious, so I said “this looks like a double mug shot”. He laughed and said that’s funny. I will never forget that. If only he said I’m funny and weird!

[@justinklenk]

​@@parsoumash Bro, you are enshrined in greatness. Would love to see that pic, what a story. You can now die happy. [Digital bow]

[@chefjeff1366]

Steven Wright is undoubtedly a master of his craft and pillar of comedy. One of my favourite jokes of his: "I almost had a psychic girlfriend - but she left me before we met". Love seeing him and Conan make each other laugh 😂

[@Whitesquall123]

"I used to work at the place where they made fire hydrants. I quit because you couldnt park anywhere near the place."

[@rockerfella8122]

I'm not afraid of heights - I'm afraid of widths

[@nmills78]

I drew a map of the United States. It was actual size. Or They say you should never microwave metal. They're right. I'm missing half my kitchen wall.

[@jeremyc9593]

"Sponges grow in the ocean. That just kills me. I wonder how much deeper the ocean would be if that didn't happen."

[@spacenerd9499]

🤣🤣

[@countstoneula]

I love how Conan makes the bad scientist joke at 5:50 and when Sona laughs he immediately feeds off of that and rolls right into a bit for 30 seconds. Hearing and seeing Steven Wright laugh is also a rare treat, his dead pan is so incredible when he is performing.

[@joyofsox]

Wright almost did a spit-take.

[@richard_parr]

I love how excited Conan gets when he starts riffing and people around him are laughing.

[@SpaceForceCommander]

The jokes Wright themselves.

[@fattiger2000]

Hahahahahahahaha...I don't get it

[@bajaborracho9139]

Touche😂

[@patreekotime4578]

Steven if you dont want them to.

[@cynthiamason4069]

Well done☆☆☆☆☆☆☆

[@ImmortalAbsenon]

This comment deserves more likes

[@petew5399]

Steven is a peripheral visionary

[@chalkbunt81]

He sees into the future, but way off, to the side.

[@bmyra]

LMAO. Epic.

[@damonhines8187]

Nailed it, mate! A tad bent, but no-one's gonna see it.

[@elichilton7031]

Comedy Gold!

[@stevej.7926]

This sea captain look drew me right in

[@spangalang]

Money! 🤌🤌🤌🤌

[@nathanlaurange805]

Steven Wright is a icon in comedy. And its so amazing to hear him breakdown comedy. Such a unique voice, Thank you Conan and crew and thank you Steven

[@KairuHakubi]

it makes sense too, I've known creativity to work that way. the brain is ready to do something clever, but it's stalled because there's nothing stimulating it. so you look around for something, anything to perk it up, and once it clicks on something.. it's like rain forming around a dust particle

[@sjz1925]

5:50 - and out of nowhere, completely in the moment and giving weight to everything they've been talking about, an absolutely brilliant bit is born ("My dad's a terrible scientist")

[@lisvender]

Man, if I made Steven Wright laugh at a joke like that, I'd consider my life complete.

[@We_Reddit]

You can tell that Steve is impressed by how quickly and naturally Conan comes up with stuff. I've never heard him laugh out loud that much. The closest to it I've witnessed is when he does stand up and he's about to crack up at his own joke, and he puts his hand on his face to cover it, and he starts rubbing his face with his hand slowly, pretending he's out of wits with something 😂

[@Kaznil46]

I really feel it fitting that Conan was a great friend of James Lipton and loved having him on the show, and now Conan has practically revived the "inside the actors studio" feel of these long form interviews, but with his own Conan twist.

[@JDee4761]

Steven Wright and Gary Larson are two artists I’m so happy exist in this world!

[@mannyg9059]

Abstract comedy is my favorite genre, Mr. Wright is one of the best at it. ""If you travel at the speed of light and you turn on a light switch, what will happen?." for example. Brilliant. .

[@jmpsthrufyre]

If in a car, the headlights would work, but would only project light forward as you slow down.

[@BLAB-it5un]

This is one of the best examples of the genius and intelligence that is Steven Wright. His command of language but also of all forms of art is astounding. And it is clear to anyone who writes and creates what this talent, vision and spontaneous creativity is that separates the good or even great comic from a true artist. Wright is on a whole different plane.

[@cierrablue]

Note to self: This is an episode I can't miss.

[@Dulcimerist]

Nice to see Steven Wright has become a sea captain in his spare time. He's multitalented!

[@charlockprime]

In all of the years that I've been watching and enjoying Steven's comedy, I don't think I've ever heard him really laugh. What an excellent interview!

[@noneyobizniz8991]

I once once watched a Stephen Wright routine on KZbin. It was 45 minutes in that I realized it was a still image

[@525Lines]

I put instant coffee in the microwave and almost went back in time.

[@ArmenChakmakian]

I’m smoking a tobacco pipe and choked on the smoke laughing, reading this lol😂

[@ross302ci]

I cannot imagine how good it must feel to make a legend like Steven Wright crack up like that.

[@CaptainTedStryker]

Conan, what does it feel like to make Steven laugh? Pretty damn good, I'd say! You can tell these guys have a mutual love and respect, great stuff.

[@MrBenthie]

This episode is such a gem. How awesome to listen to Steven laugh out loud that openly.

[@cdawg_sf]

The podcast format has given conans hair the room to explore its creative side

[@patreekotime4578]

I love that connection between comedy and art. The space between things is called "negative space" and I feel like in Steven Wrights humor, and in folks like Mitch Hedberg, its often the negative space around the words that is funny, not the words themselves... its that unsaid thing. Like that connection between "French" and "the Renaissance"... thats the negative space of the joke that allows us to instantly see something else. Its also the "weight" Conan was talking about... maybe another analogy would be like Dark Matter... we cant directly observe Dark Matter, but we think that there must be something there because we can observe the effects of its weight. Its really cool.

[@masterxyr]

Steven is like a master watchmaker in how his jokes have so much detail and depth and layering that they just keep on giving like echoes. Brilliant comedian and one of my favourites

[@sen.garyhart4239]

That is the first time I've heard him being serious. It was hard to take him serious, I was on edge waiting for the joke the whole time. S.W. is a god amongst men.

[@daviday87]

Conan: "My dad's a scientist..." Steven: (Genuinely) "Wow..." Conan: "Not a good one." Conan's ability to read the room & find these types of jokes as a host is unrivaled.

[@EattheApple666]

I remember the first time seeing Steven standup. He blew us away. He was\is so funny and yes there is something not wired so beautifully in Steven's head.

[@bltmiy]

shout out to Conan and the team coco channel! Congrats 🙂🤨! And to Billie Ellish nice singer ..

[@JNMKlover]

Easily the 80s for me. Richard Pryor was hilarious, but the blue stuff was hard to process as a young person.

[@GetOffTheLawn]

Saw him at Smith College in MA back in like 1990ish. Very funny guy.

[@TheBiscuitFactory]

The day that Steven found his skill, comedy took the Wright turn.

[@mnchls]

was absolutely not expecting to see this on my feed today. only five seconds in, i know this is gonna be a real treat.

[@peterintoronto6472]

"what's another word for thesaurus?"

[@drivethru6155]

One of the best of all time. I would love to see him live one day, I can only dream how good his sets are in person as opposed to clips on KZbin.

[@jamesthenabignumber]

On the connection between comedy and music, I learned that Robin Williams was a great admirer of Keith Jarrett, the jazz pianists. Both men possessed unparalleled improvisational abilities in their fields.

[@WholeLifeBoogie]

Steven wright with Conan is such a funny joy to watch and listen to, I hope he’s back often or becomes part of your crew! Love his comedy and the connection you both hav w your great comedy too! Thanks for having him on!

[@acerjuglans383]

That Conan O'brien should have a TV show. He's a funny mug.

[@icebox_Intruder]

MORE of this! You guys need to do a segment or show like this clip: Comedians talking to comedians about comedy. Specifically, the craft of comedy: writing jokes, performing, etc. I love hearing how differently they all approach comedy. I'd pay to see that show. Also, LOVE Steven.

[@Sheachlo]

Steven Wright is a comedy treasure and im happy to see him make an appearance again. Havent seen him since Craig Ferguson quit the Late Late show

[@justinklenk]

Great clip, i loved (love) the direct way that Steven goes into his explanations... Just as perfectly/equally descriptive as it occurs to him in his mind, that's the way it should always be done, imho... Just good to see/listen to.

[@rm1856]

Wright is one of my all time favorites. Brilliant…

[@RosablueHandMade]

The funniest of episodes. And hearing the laconic Wright crease and burst out loud was properly joyful. Well played, all!!!

[@nickb442]

The hardest I've laughed in a long time was during this interview. Brought the absolute best out of Conan. Amazing listen.

[@SignatureStampsFan]

I grew up listening to Steven Wright. I remember when Mitch Hedberg released his Strategic Grill Locations album thinking, Mitch is hilarious and in that same vein as Steven. What a gift to share this interview with us. Steven is a living legend.

[@TRDOffRoad2020]

Steven one line jokes and his voice tone makes them makes him one of a kind.

[@nstern1999]

I think the undercutrent of the comedy 'process' they decribe is an umbilical to the stoned or tripping mind. The fluid juxtapositioning of words and images is a comefy algorithm. And Stevens is acute and energized and reaches everyone. So special.

[@SpiderLuke]

That’s actually how I come up with things. I see or hear a word and it just evolves.

[@escapetheratrace4798]

Please make more of these with older comics, Steven Wright is one of my favorite joke writers, this was such a pleasure to watch.

[@tommyrq180]

He says all of comedy is noticing. Well, sure, but we all notice things. To make comedy it has to go through a bizarre, off-camber interpretive lens that is human-specific. With Wright, I’m constantly astonished about how he put the joke parts together. Conan captures this idea near the end of this clip. What a phenomenally weird, unique, bizarre associative ability-then you combine that mind with that voice. Unicorn. 🦄 😊

[@tipi5586]

Yea, its observation, plus his unique ability to combine ideas. You're just left wondering: how did he write that?

[@FreeWifi1984]

This has been one of the best videos on writing jokes. I’ve seen over 100 videos, read couple shitty books and have read multiple articles. This one I believe is on the top 10 of that list. It’s really an individual discovery but with the same miswiring of synapses. It takes being different to make difference.

[@PackJLM]

I'm just so happy Steven Wright is still alive! He's like my favorite Comedian Deadbeat Dad. Where have you been, Steven???

[@camelotgeorge33]

The scientist riff is so good

[@TheArtisticFlavor]

This clip was brilliant. Seeing Steven Wright crackup, and I was also cracking up because Conan hit that out of the park. So great.

[@joansmith69]

My dream guest for this pod! It finally happened!!

[@adamlytle2615]

This whole podcast was a delight, top to bottom.

[@bryansans2564]

I've been waiting to hear A gutlaugh from Steven for awhile now. Respect CoCo

[@Trebor78]

One of my favorite episodes ever. Steven Wright’s laugh is infectious and so genuine. I laughed along with them, the entire episode.

[@hellyan35867]

SW repeating Conan's funny bits while hysterically laughing is making my week!

[@CalHarding01]

I really admire Conan’s point about making connections, and I agree with him. My favourite kind of comedy is in the style of Wright where it’s almost a kind of linguistic pareidolia where you point out a pattern or connection that may be apparent, but isn’t actually causally connected. The “surprise” that that evokes, for me, lay at the heart of all the best comedy.

[@conandoobrien8605]

Watching steven's comedy is pure treasure. Boston does have a hero. I always now and then watch steven late night appearanceson Craig and conan.

[@plaws0]

I LOVE these comedy dissection pieces. I love Seinfeld's coffee-car thing for the same reason. ENDLESSLY fascinating. Thanks, Conan!

[@Unibabble]

This was great - so funny and also thought provoking t the same time. Comedian's brains make connections between things that aren't supposed to go together; that makes a lot of sense.

[@connorlarkinbass]

It must feel so good to make Steven Wright laugh that hard. Well done Conan!

[@roberttemple2521]

Two of my favorite comics ever, just brilliant minds. It is so interesting to hear how Wright writes, how things come to him. I have loved the power of puns since I figured them out as a child. I guess I am like Wright in some ways, the radar is subconsciously scanning. I'm always "on", as some woman said to me in a bar once, ages ago. I tend to think homophonically, perhaps something that O'Brien's dad might think needed treatment. I think one of the biggest hurdles in writing jokes is being able to recall the initial synapse that comes to mind. Those synapses are fleeting, they can disappear like trying to recall a dream upon waking up. I used to keep a dream journal, decades ago. I found that I could recall dreams much better if I had the notebook by my bed, ready for any new entries. It became sort of a chore that I didn't like, but I kept it up for a few weeks, at least. So, I wonder if Wright and O'Brien keep a notepad or a recorder handy to record any jokes that may appear. If they did, that might impinge the joke making process that often comes spontaneously. Wright touched on that a bit with his, "gotta make a joke, gotta make a joke..." line.

[@GomerBarnFloyd]

I had no idea Steven Wright still walks among us. Wow. What a pleasant surprise.

[@liammcooper]

absolutely fantastic, wish more interviewers would ask comics these questions

[@penguinjammer8522]

I lost count of how many times I listened to I Have A Pony when I was a kid, but the tape eventually wore out. It was one of the first CDs I ever bought once it came out on that too. Just an all time great of comedy!

[@acerjuglans383]

Conan makes Steven Wright laugh. That's awesome.

[@sen.garyhart4239]

The scene where Steven Wright gets punched in the face in "Canadian Bacon" is the funniest scene in movie history.

[@milesconnell9113]

I think the amazing thing that good comedians/comedy do is point out , sometimes absurd things that when “normal” people hear them said, make complete sense.

[@michaelrafales2782]

Two absolute geniuses!!!

[@RockNRollJeezus]

WOW YOU MADE HIM LAUGH! Ive never seen him laugh before and i lost it lmao That was hilarious!!

[@tomfull6637]

This was lovely to watch. ❤️🙏🏻 Thank you for that! K Rgds Anders Sweden

[@lonesomelenny7606]

Always enjoyed Steven Wright. His dry delivery and approach to comedy stand alone.

[@tr1co0]

Seeing Steven break and laugh is so magical. I would love it if he did a new comedy special where he wasn't in character and showed that side of himself more.

[@chmod1777]

Seeing him crack up is great :)

[@kimtillett8037]

Steven is brilliant with his jokes. He was born to be the best comedian ever!

[@johndutchman]

Lovely. Truly lovely.

[@MeltonECartes]

I've always said this about the practice of drawing, that the very activity forces one to expand and appreciate their powers of observation and perspective. So, when someone cites seeing someone's point-of-view or their perspective in terms of life experiences, that has a real meaning. Which is why everyone should draw, and everyone can. You don't have to be a master from the beginning. It's the process and practice...

[@ellademore1506]

His jokes are the best 😂

[@garykikiillus4005]

This is so brilliant

[@stevewhite791]

Great interview, Steven Wright I love your brand of comedy.

[@mike91mdk45]

"Joe Egan and Gerry Rafferty were a duo known as stealers wheel when they recorded this dillon-esque pop bubblegum favorite from april of 1974. That reached up to number five as k billy's super sounds of the seventies continues."

[@WillStephensArt]

I didn’t know ANYONE else knew Steve Wright one of my favorite comedians love the one liners

[@Phobero]

Yes to the mis-wiring thing, thank you! That's what I love about my favourite comedians - Norm, Hedberg, Steven Wright himself... I think they just see (saw) reality in a different (and not necessarily wrong) way.

[@teacherofteachers1239]

From decades ago in high school until this morning I never imagined that was Steven Wright's real voice. I thought it was part of his comedy persona. I am suddenly reminded of Leonard Cohen's funny song lyric: "I was born like this / I had no choice / I was born with the gift of a golden voice."

[@jaimhaas5170]

Steven used to look so goofy with his electric shock hairdo but now he's the local fishermen down by the dock. Love him.

[@nope9698]

“I remember when the candle factory burned down. Everyone stood around singing happy birthday.”

[@RayAFlanagan]

This is an amazing conversation.

[@jaywinner328]

Conan's inability to accept any positivity is astounding. Conan: My dad's a scientist Steven: Wow Conan: (oh no, approval, must immediately lampoon this whole idea) He's not a good one.

[@jopo7996]

I find this so interesting, because I work at a fire hydrant factory

[@bobhunt5820]

A fountain of wisdom from two big gift givers. A clinic if you will.😊

[@cynthiamason4069]

The lovely and talented Mr. Stephen Wright needs to do some voice work. Can you imagine what crazy cool animated characters could come alive with his iconic voice?

[@robotclark]

I love Steven Wright.

[@hobbitninja]

Love his voice

[@GoTeamScotch]

Steven Wright is in my top 3 comedians of all time.

[@dudekazoo]

I love that you could hear Wright doing a bit of a spit take at "He's a terrible scientist".

[@masterchinese28]

Steven Wright's album was the first comedy album that I bought as a teenager. The fact that his jokes still ring true today are testament to his genius.

[@TheeLeTonzy]

What album?

[@masterchinese28]

@@TheeLeTonzy I Have a Pony

[@WeekendUpdate7]

One of the greats

[@ashleyantone9578]

He sounds like Dermont Malroney!!!

[@jessedampolo]

I’d love to hear Jonathan Richman on the show some time. When I was first watching Conan as a kid he used to be a bit of a regular, I loved seeing him and Conan go back and forth

[@jimdukeproject]

Conan has a good explanation of connecting two things that usually aren’t known together. Norm McDonald was a master at that. He’s take you to a place you didn’t think he was going.

[@JKiler1]

All communication is relating to each other. We're buried in our heads, knowing how we feel, but not sure about anyone else. To relate to someone; guess what moves them, you have to look for clues. That's what artists do - look for clues to what will move others and put those thoughts into a medium. Music, painting, sculpture, books, comedy, it's all the same.