Werner Herzog Explains His Fascination With Insanity | Conan O'Brien Needs A Friend

Werner Herzog discusses the theme of insanity spanning throughout his career, from moving a ship over a mountain in Peru, to meeting a man studying penguins who hadn’t spoken to a human in 24 years.
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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
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[@kstepko]

I love that he gives the disclaimer not to misdirect penguins, as if we might actually have the opportunity to act on that.

[@abo7628]

I just cancelled my flights and now stuck for my birthday treat

[@jkap34]

​@@abo7628sucks to suck, don't it?

[@NGCS-ej4lz]

Penguins are pretty ruthless, many are evil, wouldn't be surprised if the smart ones eventually "just had enough of it all".

[@larzkruber822]

@@NGCS-ej4lz the things i know about Penguins are so fxxxed up that i could not describe it on youtube without getting immediately banned

[@RobertSaxy]

Maybe this is your ship, now get over that mountain

[@elizabethspitzer5343]

The restraint that Conan showed by not yelling “Bears!!” In a Werner Herzog voice was impressive. Also, Werner Herzog saying Honey Boo Boo was the best thing I’ve ever heard

[@pandorafox3944]

What a fascinating human being. Thanks Conan.

[@InglouriousBradsterd]

I love when Conan can make it through an interview without cracking a joke

[@ctrainbeats]

I thought about this and knowing that Conan loved journalism but got into comedy, the jokes are usually front and center. In these more serious episodes it feels like he gets to be Conan the Journalist which is pretty cool. I wonder if he enjoys it more

[@Boppsta712]

Must have went the Jim Carrey route and took a bunch of mushrooms. Dude wised up real quick somehow to handle this interview so well

[@KATZFEY]

@@Boppsta712lmao he’s just a professional

[@SteveBluescemi]

He was struggling to hold it in when Werner brought up the madness of penguins

[@RicardoZambrana]

You can clearly tell Herzog is an idol for Conan in things that are crazy beyond the funny... Because that's what Herzog is... you hear about him and you know what he's done and you laugh at the insanity, but then you reach a point where it all becomes madness and confusion and a sort of deep, thought-provoking state of mind that you cannot make fun of. It's too real, you connect with it too much. I can only imagine Conan interviewing George Orwell, knowing how easy it would be to laugh at the madness of the totalitarian regimes in his work... but also knowing that it's a very real thing in this world and people's lives are truly affected by it, but there's also an incredible beauty in the way he shows it and tells it... so yeah, Conan knows the essence of his subject and their work enough to know when it's okay to throw a silly joke and when to really dig deep into their minds.

[@TabethaAurochs]

"Although metaphor for what, I cannot explain. [...] It has carried me that I am just myself, and essentially myself in many situations." - Werner Herzog The simple act of editing this quote was literally awesome for me.

[@redhed1713]

He has one of he best voices in cinema. 🙂

[@jimmyfaherty8588]

His voice is unmistakable. It’s awesome. In more ways than one

[@obswild]

An elderly, drug-abusing friend of mine once asked for a Herzog recommendation, wanting to show one of his films to a woman he'd wooed. Having not seen all of Herzog's films, but a good majority, I told him to show her "The Enigma of Kaspar Hauser." It had, I felt, a few recognizable genre elements to latch onto. Another friend interjected. "I think you shouldn't do this at all." A while later Shout Factory released their wonderful Blu-Ray book set, which gave me my first introduction to Stroszek. I knew as soon as it finished that I'd erred in my recommendation. It should have been Stroszek. It was too late. My friend got back together with his wife.

[@nak3dxsnake]

The moving ship scene inspired the same thing for Dethklok in Metalocalypse. So epic.

[@Synthetic-Rabbit]

I love Dethklok but I would say that movie (and his other works) inspired a lot of other things. It was a massive achievement and a great example of perseverance.

[@TheBrendanzn]

Conan needs two podcasts - one for all the comedy and shenanigans with Sona and Matt and other light-hearted guests, and another for interviews like this where he can be serious, and use his sizeable but often hidden intellectual gifts to go back and forth with guests like Werner. This one is already in the Top 20 US podcasts by listenership, he could easily crack the Top 5 or 10 with a video based podcast featuring these high-profile guests.

[@playedout148]

Could be charlie rose type thing

[@Fergus316]

No, it is the mixture of the serious and the comic that best imitates real life. He should have one podcast that does both and draws both audiences to itself.

[@Gr8Layks]

@@playedout148 Charlie Rose is a babbling, attention-love ass. His interview skills are below average, at best. Conan is much, much more adept at bringing out the best in interesting people.

[@FulcrumMW]

He is such an interesting guy. Gotta check out this full interview

[@LycanLink]

Wait, has this channel not been uploading full interviews this whole time? Legitimate question. D:

[@FulcrumMW]

@@LycanLink Well I just meant on Spotify, I like to listen to the interviews in full. I do think there are bits and pieces missing though that don't make it to the KZbin uploads, but for the most part it's the bulk of the interview.

[@vaahtobileet]

@@LycanLink No, these are just clips. This episode is an hour and four minutes long, for example. That's with intro and outro bits included, though, not just the interview. Also, they didn't begin with filming all the interviews in the first place, so they're not on KZbin.

[@masterninjahh]

@@LycanLink no, they want you to stare at a wall and listen to it even though they film the whole thing. not sure why they're so rude to the fans that like watching podcasts, everyone has a full video podcast but conan

[@jrkinnard1]

I still think about that penguin marching to his doom. Honestly, it's one of the most haunting images I've seen on film.

[@BlueHooloovoo]

God, I love Werner Herzog's voice. He's such a fascinating person to watch being interviewed.

[@Stingray000]

Usually when someone is speaking my mind is all over the place. I can't pay attention. Listening to this man I heard every word and wanted to hear more.

[@NickScott86]

I just saw Fitzcarraldo, Burden of Dreams, and My Best Fiend a few weeks ago. It made Paul F Tompkins' impression even funnier for me.

[@fringedad6848]

Just listened to this amazing podcast. Thank you ❤

[@perriponders289]

I want to watch Arnold Schwarzenneger and Werner Herzog do an interview just to hear the accents.

[@perriponders289]

@@radbarij It would be very cool also their personalities, Arnold is very energetic, funny, Werner is so much more serious and dramatic.

[@pjamdragon1]

Both in the Hanz and Franz movie 🤞🏼Arnold saying “weiner schnitzel” and Werner saying “here comes honey boo boo”

[@israel8624]

Such a great director!!

[@YouriCarma]

Every time I saw Werner Herzog in a movie he brought a lot of intensity to it which I found to be quite intriguing.

[@deanospimoniful]

He is one of the most fascinating people in ther world.

[@GPS379]

Just beautiful

[@timothy4664]

The Klaus Kinski stories are amazing

[@jackhackett80]

Yea I could listen to those for hours he was something else lol

[@jackhackett80]

I almost want to subscribe to whatever service so I can see this whole thing. Was very excited when I saw he was gonna be on. He must have stories for days.

[@healingmomentum]

So fantastic.

[@Brouhaha1977]

I think he just gave us the plot of Happy Feet 3.

[@jazminratzlaff5357]

One of my fave Conan podcast episodes is with Werner, hands down. Love his metaphors and when he talked about the penguins. 🐧 🎧🎙️👑💎⚜️🏆 👂🏻 😌😍🥰😘

[@docskate4312]

This man sends in a different frequency. It's not only his voice or accent. You just don't want to interfere or crossexamine.

[@FMFvideos]

One look at this guy and you know he'll do anything to survive.

[@ctrainbeats]

dude I knew there wasn't going to be any youtube on the podcast before this one, that dude would not stop interrupting lol - i loved listening to this guy however!

[@JJJameson.]

Conan is so serious about this he even dressed as Larry King

[@fientists]

Werner Herzog is a man of Truth -- I see that when he says he isn't driven by his will, rather a very deep and clear Vision.

[@deeemm979]

I can always tell when it is Werner voice acting in an animated show. It's subtle like Morgan Freeman's voice but you can tell if you listen closely.

[@prodevus]

Yeah, subtle like a brick

[@alexandercampbell7903]

Speaking of insanity; why was Matt so quiet? It was like he was not even there. Also, Matt missed a huge opportunity for not revealing that he is Friends with Paul F. Tompkins who is famous for his Werner Herzog impression (which Werner has heard in being interviewed.)

[@lachauntiswashington231]

Very good 👍 👏 👌 😀

[@neuvocastezero1838]

Werner Herzog expresses his interest in madness, while in another video expressing his intense disdain for domesticated farm poultry because of their intellectual inferiority. Seriously though, this guy has created a compelling body of work

[@brainsmoothy]

i'm so stupidly luckly to have seen Herzog speak at the opening of My Best Fiend in NY in...1999 I think. He didn't say much, as he spoke before the film. But. Someone is out there looking for the obscure to shoot and edit. The irreplaceable isn't replaceable, but someone different could be powerful.

[@keeponrollin7922]

What a fantastic explanation abt the mask,jts only posing..brilliant

[@dengueberries]

I always wondered about that penguin. For how long did they monitor it? Because obviously Penguins can last for months without food, so how do they know the penguin went into the abyss, or whether it turned, or even turned back, after 1-3 months?

[@JammastaJ23]

"Madness reigns"

[@Emulous79]

I said about "German iron will" before even watching this video. It's a phrase also used in Lovecraft's The Temple. Maybe the penguin was a natural loner, or had suicidal tendencies. Maybe it wanted to die alone. Who can get under the skin of animals, or even other people, or even ourselves? Do you know yourself? Is it all a chemical error in our heads? It's just the loneliest planet ever.

[@jeffreyoldham55]

I believe that Herzog's opposition to Conan's use of the term "Iron Will" was that he wished to distance himself from the Leni Riefenstahl film.

[@brushfirestudiosBD]

OG fans know that this episode was coming.

[@caloyssk1]

beast guest thanks sirs fascinated with uncertainty ✔

[@treborretsnom6186]

There was talk of misdirecting penguins.

[@jocal9125]

Madness my old friend....

[@shwnsll5947]

Conan "Larry" O'Brien "King" carrying the torch of fascinating interviews.

[@justtwobrotherspokemon]

Ive only seen one movie of his jack reacher and i know hes celebrated but i csnt really figure out why. Still here for the interview though conan is awesome enough to make it interesting

[@MatthewTEllery]

Might have to watch his other films, hey?

[@Yungbeck]

I'm a penguin walking into the abyss.

[@MoonDoon]

At 2:08 Werner says "White Whale" and it's worth watching the whole thing just for that.

[@gabe246]

I have a fascination with conan giving me a billion dollars

[@lancefromohio]

Hey @Team Coco can we get that clip of Werner's view on Pro-wrestling and Honey Boo Boo.

[@TD-sw3kv]

If I ever met Warner herzog: "But.. Don't you think the penguin might be running into the abyss because you and a camera crew is standing there?"

[@kevingibson2519]

Herzog could read the phone book and it would be fascinating.

[@TheMJ5779]

Like Conan’s character

[@culwin]

I think anyone who's lived around animals knows that animals can go insane or some level of this. Usually it's due to some kind of trauma, but could also just because they get old and their mental faculties deteriorate.

[@roberthieber1]

I’ve only seen Grizzly Man by him. Any other suggestions?

[@MerrillHartman]

Ich habe Werner am bestens.

[@Losrandir]

It was the Klaus Kinski penguin

[@ytubeanon]

DON'T ACTUALLY MISGUIDE A PENGUIN!

[@triple_alpha]

👍👌💪

[@saidtoshimaru1832]

This guy pointed his main actor with a shotgun during a shoot. In the middle of the jungle.

[@JamisonCrane]

I thought they held pistols to each other, weird

[@FrogeFella]

At who? Klaus Kinski? Because that guy was a dangerous lunatic

[@saidtoshimaru1832]

@@FrogeFella I didn't say he was wrong for doing it.

[@FrogeFella]

true lol@@saidtoshimaru1832

[@bastobasto4866]

@@saidtoshimaru1832 do remember that herzog is a known bullshitter lol - don't take everything he says without questionning it!

[@momanmirul]

interesting how this episode has a clip uploaded immediately and the unlistenable episode with that hawkish narcissistic ambassador seems to be buried

[@kingdomcome1980]

Sounds like Schwarzenegger but tuned down.

[@ThatsOnYoutube]

This podcast desperately needed a break from humor and the deceitful light of positive thinking!

[@robertbruce2128]

Not sure why he’s anti-psychotherapy. Maybe he means strict psychoanalysis?

[@MonkeyspankO]

fyi, "iron will" is a problematic term, especially for a german of his age. just saying

[@FreeFree-ur4zq]

It's bizarre listening to this conversation between a narcissist who spent his life behind a desk and an insane man who has challenged the world. Conan has absolutely no idea what he's talking about. He's a comedy writer. Why isn't he content with his understanding?

[@shephusted2714]

will to power is going to be coco 24 campaign slogan #political platform #scab writer machination madness #35mm #non organic insanity

[@titusgore757]

Is this the voice, from boondocks....narrating the obama obama episode...

[@michaeljacksin9367]

u mad bro

[@dbzwarrer]

A mask will crack. So true

[@thedreamisstilldead]

I was getting worried as Conan pursued this metaphor of the "iron will" with his German guest.... For a moment, Conan was attributing Herzog's victories to a triumph of the will?

[@rockinresurrection6542]

The term "will" as a negative one has actually a way older history in Germany -> Schoppenhauer

[@dbp192000]

yikes. Can't figure out if Sona is falling asleep, thinking about something else entirely, or if she is going mad

[@vaahtobileet]

Strange comment. She and Matt are just listening. I don't know what she should be doing instead of sitting there with a neutral expression if she has nothing to add.

[@JeffsGoldblum]

i like him, i listened to his autobiography, but let‘s be real: he never moved a ship over a mountain, indigenous peoples did.

[@LycanLink]

Gosh, this guy puts me to sleep, and I do not mean that as a compliment. I can't stay focused on any part of this interview for longer than thirty seconds, no exaggeration.

[@luminousdragon]

I can understand being put to sleep by the sound of his voice, but Werner Herzog is an incredibly fascinating person, with an incredible life and body of work.

[@daniels.2720]

So ?...It's your A.D.D. - not his...

[@TheRubberStudiosASMR]

Kind of like David Lynch

[@jaredbarber5823]

Perhaps those penguins were just older 'Judge Dredd' style retiree's, and take 'The Long Walk', to 'bring law to the lawless' on the cursed earth, and 'die with their boots on'....er, I mean, '....flippers'. 🦾🐧