John C. McGinley's Secret To Memorizing Lines: Juggling | CONAN on TBS

(Original Airdate: 12/18/2014) John busts out an Edgar Allan Poe poem to show how juggling helps him commit lines to memory.
Subscribe to watch more Team Coco videos / @teamcoco
Watch move video on Team Coco teamcoco.com/video
FOLLOW TEAM COCO ON SOCIAL
Team Coco on Facebook / teamcoco
Team Coco on Twitter / teamcoco
Team Coco on Instagram / teamcoco
ABOUT CONAN ON TBS
Airing weeknights since 2010, CONAN on TBS is home to topical monologues, remote segments, celebrity interviews, musical performances and stand-up from the top comedians in the world. Watch highlights, outtakes and behind the scenes footage of Conan palling around with sidekick Andy Richter, tormenting Associate Producer Jordan Schlansky and playing the latest video games on Clueless Gamer.
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.
Team Coco
/ teamcoco

[@thelonewolf8333]

I would love to see him get a big role just like Brian Cranston did with Breaking Bad. John deserves it, loved him in Scrubs

[@ekLuca]

This! Comedy actors are so underrated! Drama is easy, make me laugh!

[@ktoliman]

Id like to see John and Brian in the same movie or show. I don't know what type of movie, but it'll either be extremely intense, or off the rails hilarious, or both.

[@shagggadoo]

Have you not seen Stan against Evil? It's Breaking Bad x1000 McGinley's magnum opus

[@natalieparker9159]

I agree. He's great at comedy and drama.

[@67steinip]

You should see him in Dean Koontz's Intensity his acting is Insanely intense!

[@davismccardle1]

Conan always strives to make his guests look good. That's why he's so universally beloved.

[@suicidebxmber1234]

This ain't true; I remember the way he treated Bart Simpson. He didn't even let him dance!

[@ricdavid]

Re-he-heeeally great actor. Almost all the best scenes in Scrubs are Dr. Cox ones.

[@Jose-pz6fs]

He’s amazing in “are we done yet “

[@suicidebxmber1234]

Yeah, I liked the whole cast, from Ted to J.D. and I enjoyed all their quirks, but when I saw Cox I knew something great was coming; the way he delivered his lines was just brilliant.

[@olds97lss]

Him and the janitor really made the show great.

[@machewpapee8654]

kelllyyy rippa!!!

[@That_Idiot_Bass_Player]

Great comment Marsha

[@carlokane2547]

As a young doctor I drew so much solace from JD in scrubs. I felt his pain and celebrated his wins as my own. As an Emergency physician of 20 years I now feel every inch of Dr Perry’s pain. I try to memorize every speech John McGinley has made on that show. An amazing actor who, in what some see as a comedic role on scrubs, speaks to the heart of every Emergency physician out there.

[@cabronicusmaximuschingonic1062]

The man is truly an actor. His love for the craft is so strong, that it show in his dedication.

[@ItsNateOClock]

John C McGinley is the definition of an actor. And you can tell he loves his craft. Dr. Cox is the most memorable mentor of any tv show in recent memory. He killed it every time. John made Scrubs what it was.

[@mahatmaandi2347]

I would love to see John McGinley more often in movies and TV shows. He just awesome!

[@RyanDenzerKing]

He is awesome! He's been in quite a bit of stuff (you can see him in minor roles in a ton of famous 80s movies), but IIRC he limits his projects because he has a child with special needs and doesn't like to do a lot of traveling.

[@vic5015]

@@RyanDenzerKing well, if true, that's as good a reason as any and better than most.

[@themoneypromethod465]

His appearance in an episode of Frasier was pretty darn good

[@Trainer319]

He had a great run in Burn Notice.

[@Pr0nStYle]

well they are looking for a more John C. McGinley type

[@zozoartstudio4727]

I feel like he’s this under utilized actor that can absolutely kill huge roles

[@thelonewolf8333]

He’s just like Brian Cranston. Hopefully a huge role comes his way. Truly deserves his shot at the top

[@kaner12341]

Seriously. He's been good in everything he's ever done

[@alphazoo2]

It's like when I auditioned for the show "Conan". "You're good, but there's this guy Leno who wants the part."

[@jeanaerowley7150]

Scrubs is one of the MOST underrated TV shows in history! Almost…actually maybe ALL…of the episodes made me laugh hysterically and two minutes later I was sobbing. They seriously captured lightning in a bottle.

[@TOMMYDiG1TAL]

Facts!!!

[@TPRM1]

I’m a doctor, and it’s the only medical show I can watch. They absolutely nail the emotional moments.

[@Tom_Van_Zandt]

No.

[@Jaymzzz1349]

i think it was a pretty big show when it was on tv but goddamn i love it all these years later. still VERY good and always gets you laughing, even during a sad episode. Lavern passing was brutal but still managed to get laughs in the episode. Dr Cox losing those patients still managed to have moments as well. always so good

[@chewy739]

Never seen it put some perfectly.

[@theintunity]

I've always wanted to see that guy on the same couch as Hugh Jackman.

[@quackerzdb]

I hear that he has a present for him

[@rellimnahtan]

HuuuhoooohUUUUUUUUUUUUge mistake!

[@canedpeanutshels]

Darth Revan is the best

[@b33jal]

Underrated comment

[@juancamera5440]

Juggling while reciting ANYTHING to memorize it is the most Dr Cox move ever.

[@samuraijacques952]

One of the more brilliant character actors of our time

[@eddie421]

There are other kinds of actors?

[@a.demifemiflapo5795]

@@eddie421 Method actors and just regular actors 😂🤷‍♂️

[@didi012578]

And a boring guest.

[@RNDMID]

Dude, the little pause, the timing of the catch, and the head and the eye movement were perfect Dr. Cox. His mannerisms are so cool.

[@jaredbarber5823]

Love the respectful, honest handshake and comment "Your the best", John gives Conan at the end of his talented presentation.

[@oldnite3414]

Lol the way he paused at the end just to catch the ball before finishing the poem is a nice touch. Just shows you his confidence

[@Jake-d8d]

The episode of Scrubs with the organ transplants that goes wrong is some of the greatest acting I've ever seen onscreen. I'm always astonished that he doesn't get more leading roles.

[@slchance8839]

i agree. i dont even watch the show. But i've seen his clips for that eipside on KZbin many times. I think it is superb acting.

[@n9nf8ces]

That was heart breaking. That one and the episode where his brother-in-law died were the most touching, in my opinion.

[@margaretpeabody243]

There's no doubt in my mind that he could do this on a treadmill.

[@Samlol23_drrich]

Blindfolded?

[@mastermill79]

Rewatching Scrubs right now. Dr. Cox is the father we all wish we had.

[@Churro_Flaminguez]

I feel like a show with only John and Ned Flynn (Janitor) improvising the entire time could be amazing

[@kakathi4776]

Neil Flynn is his name

[@plusultra12001]

I loved John in “Are We Done Yet?” and “Set It Off”. Hope he gets more roles in the future

[@chaddowers845]

That juggling trick to help memorise lines is just genius 🤓

[@evandercaldwell9993]

Wow, that's so funny that John had to audition for a "John McGinley-type"!! That's some good Scrubs trivia 😂

[@kingadamus8820]

This dude is such a good actor I think he's incredibly underrated.

[@IPlayOneOnT.V.]

So, now we know that John McGinley is not only the "John-McGinley" type, he's also the "Bobo-the-Clown" type.

[@lennchadful]

Dr. Cox is one of my favorite characters of all time

[@Stonedead1991]

He is a good guy, his stories about making the Platoon are priceless

[@EikottXD]

Where can I find these priceless stories?

[@Stonedead1991]

@@EikottXD He did a podcast with Kevin Pollak years ago where he talks about his career and life. It's amazing and you can find it on youtube

[@EikottXD]

@@Stonedead1991 Thanks!

[@christinakonstantinou3187]

@@EikottXD Check out the Platoon documentary on KZbin, it is called Brothers in Arms. They gathered the entire old gang (like Charlie Sheen, Johnny Depp, Willem Dafoe) and they talked about their training in the jungle and the shooting of the film. As a fan of Platoon, this was gold.

[@EikottXD]

@@christinakonstantinou3187 Will do 🤘🏻

[@ALUC1DDREAM]

He was fantastic as Dr Cox but if you haven't seen Intensity, please do. You won't regret it.

[@quincybryant5231]

Great movie. He's just a damn good actor. I liked him in Set It Off. The first big role I can remember him in.

[@slchance8839]

I first remember him as "Bunny" on Platoon. ("I got a baaad feeling i'm gonna die on this one, Sarge." Sgt Barnes: "E'body gotta die sometime.") He didnt have that much screen time, but what he did with it was unforgettable to me.

[@dunningkruger3774]

Bunny was played by Kevin Dillion, JCM played Sergeant Red O'neill.

[@marisarae766]

If confidence and competence was a person, it’s him. So talented.

[@BigfootSasquatch]

What a humble man

[@TheFamousLoser]

The rhythm of his juggling even matched his cadence.

[@mikelastname9444]

He's been in a ton of stuff including a lot of popular TV shows and big movies, but everybody still knows him as Doctor Cox.

[@jettison27]

I've barely seen him in anything else! Recommendations?

[@machewpapee8654]

he was on The Rock.. i was watching for the nth time and then i saw him

[@erakattack]

He was in Office Space and Platoon. He also had a quick bit in Seven as well I think

[@erakattack]

oh and hilarious bits in Wagons East and Wild Hogs, IIRC

[@woozertoo]

@@erakattack SWAT team leader.

[@ccuwaniii6510]

0:42 it always intrigued me how McGinley/Dr.Cox wears his watch. Very military like and practical.

[@dynoob]

how is it practical

[@nonenone2669]

I thought the juggling poem was gonna be a silly let-down, but damn it had a nice punch to it.

[@huplim]

Dr Cox! ❤️ him!

[@KingHenryVR4]

I like him on the short lived IFC show Stan Against Evil

[@ninjanerdstudent6937]

This reminds me of when they made House audition for the part of House.

[@braginbad]

He still has crazy eyes 😀

[@willychimp]

Back in 2014 when 360p was the jam

[@tonysoprano4587]

I always liked him in the movie Nothing to Lose. He's a great actor!

[@jannarae8082]

The lighting guy was sick that day

[@MonkeyChessify]

"Do something with the lights" Proceeds to not change the lights at all 😂

[@phen0mejon99]

Dr. Cox is in my top 5 favorite characters of all time

[@willienelsongonzalez4609]

…. and that ladies and gentlemen, is why John C McGinley is such a sterling actor!

[@Locomamonk]

I love this man... I loved him as Cox, in Office Space and as a really tough bad guy in On Deadly Ground with Steven Seagal... I WANT MORE

[@keliahx445]

Scrubs was litterally the best medical show EVER

[@AristotleFullThrottle]

Love that guy.

[@AkumaAPN]

thank you, team coco, for uploading the 360p version of this clip. I've been starved for low quality content lately.

[@foreign-king9171]

dr cox was my fave of the scrubs cast, his sarcasm was unmatched. he was the first bad ass doctor i ever seen, and reminded me of people who i looked upto, now who has passed away in real life. i wish john c mcginley best of luck for allowing me to have some great memories growing up and able to remember them by seeing his face. the man could steal the rooms attention correcting and insulting you. tough love seems outlawed in this day and age.

[@timmcat]

On top of being obviously talented, apparently he's just a genuinely classy guy. He's in my Top Three famous people I'd like to meet.

[@fefiforum]

Who r the other 2?

[@catalystdrums123]

Team Coco couldn't dig up a version with more pixels than this?

[@SrHirokumata]

his character, Dr Cox, its the type of person i need in my life... just like Dorian did...

[@AndThenShwarmaAfter]

dude was absolutely perfect for like simply 5 min in Office Space...this is how great of a performer he is. HIGHLY underrated/underused: fok you, hollywood!

[@a.demifemiflapo5795]

He was greeeaaatt in Intensity as this serial killer.

[@MrCubswin1]

1 of my favorite actors. He can do any role sorry to see the movie business has squandered his talent.

[@elsupernico]

In all my years watching comedy shows, I've never found a character so complicated like Dr. Cox. The way to "vomit" one hundred sarcastic thoughts in two seconds that somehow make sense is amazing.

[@niuderdrastico]

Congratulations for this video

[@dominicrheaume2294]

This guy is just so underrated.

[@Tripp393]

I’ve seen this guy in so many movies and shows my whole life, and I’ve never known his real name.

[@5634TY]

“Do something with the lights please..” The Lighting Crew: “Yea, no..”

[@whatsuphotdog]

gotta love John

[@lcusatis]

He is amazing.

[@boornish]

thank you conan for this hd upload..

[@TheCJD89]

Such an awesome guy!

[@genjimccorkle5518]

I’m definitely a mcginley fan after that juggle.

[@vanekirk]

I love the Dr. Cox role.

[@pontiacGXPfan]

I first saw McGinley in Platoon and then Point Break. He was such a consummate prick in those movies and I still remember those roles years after

[@jediknightjairinaiki560]

I love Mr. McGinley in "Nothing to Lose".

[@VanillaBear9915]

He is THE man. I will always love him and his Dr. Cox character.

[@Tiffany-bd1eb]

Every time I see "original airdate" in the video description, for a split second I worry that the guest passed away.

[@ammagnolia]

Dude this guy was AMAZING on The Belko Experiment His small parts in Se7en and Office Space were amazing. Super intense. But then there's Identity, where he plays an anxious, nerdy father. He's soooooo good.

[@toddstreet1734]

It's not just the lines, it's the delivery

True talent dear sir, god bless you.

[@georgewashington9173]

I love his spineless character in Platoon. lol

[@kaner12341]

Reading lines, acting out verbs and juggling at the same time. Legend.

[@LycanLink]

I like that Conan almost forgot the S sound in "Dr. Cox" at the start of this video. 🤭

[@HiPocket303]

great character actor

[@kingofrivia1248]

Honestly….i would like to see him in something big he deserves it, but there are worse things than being remembered as Dr Cox. It was a great performance in an incredible show. (it had it flaws, but it was awesome). And thats a legacy most people will never reach. Idk why i felt like writing this but its the comments pretending like he doesnt get enough work. I would lov eto see him more, but he already created a legacy.

[@Christ-in-Damary-n-Dave]

"And that's how I get the big, big, bucks!" -J.C.

[@snowman22ism]

One of my favorite actors... Love this guy man...

[@andrewhay3317]

Subtle self hypnotism, absolute genius!

[@Casomyro1983]

For me he will always be Cox.

[@irarukmana-xd7pk]

"I got a bad feeling." John C. McGinley, Platoon.

[@WartGeel]

Doctor Cox is really one of the great characters in a sitcom ever.

[@amandajoslin-kk5zc]

I fell in love with him watching Scrubs. This man made that series for me.

[@jasonbart8541]

He has some good stories about the making of Platoon, the documentary. Hilarious imitation of Oliver Stone.!

[@ninjanerdstudent6937]

“So what would you say ya do here?” Conan should have made ‘Bob’ ask that to Jordan.

[@CoverBydAn]

He is so serious, and nice! Love him!!

[@n9nf8ces]

Loved him as California in Se7en. "Dicks! You better get in here!"

[@blackguypancakes7516]

John is the goat. Consummate professional insanely talented. ❤

[@tedz24]

2022 and 360p is the best we can do?

[@farwestoutlaw]

I love that guy. He's also great in Se7en

[@n9nf8ces]

Loved him as California. "Dicks! You better get in here!"

[@AcesPlace22]

Criminally underrated

[@gilpinsteven]

I didn't think it was possible to love John C. McGinley more, but clearly I was wrong.

[@tinaboudreau7986]

Its 2023 and I'm only onto the 3rd episode of Scrubs... it's hilarious! Why didn't I watch this back when?! Loving it, and John's character is the best

[@BlindPeatch]

Boss.

[@anamericancookinspain6738]

What an amazing memorization technique, loved this.

[@wellman8998]

Dr cox is still my favourite character

[@chadwindham2979]

i celebrate this guy's entire catalog

[@Sabinsandinsky]

this man is amazing