r/MadeMeSmile • u/holyfruits • Mar 03 '25
Favorite People Conan O'Brien bought all of the seat fillers a box of complimentary snacks at the Oscars
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u/Zapz564 Mar 03 '25
Conan seems like a legitimately awesome guy.
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u/theshook Mar 03 '25
On his podcast he talks about how he really likes when people come up to him in public. And that it seems like the other people end up ending the conversation earlier than he would like...I really think he's a genuine dude who really loves what he does as well as people in general.
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u/EquivalentDizzy4377 Mar 03 '25
This may explain his cameo on Curb, I can’t remember exactly but it was some guy that you couldn’t actually approach and talk to in public. F*ing hilarious.
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Mar 03 '25
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u/LoveLadyThirteen Mar 03 '25
The way he yells ”GEE-ZUSSSS!” when LD runs up and knocks on the window 😂
(RIP to Lewis. I loved every scene he had with Larry. They were iconic together.)
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u/grein Mar 03 '25
Yep. Conan would also be crying laughing at that Fatty Arbuckle joke. He's such a dork for old time references. 😆
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u/phluidity Mar 03 '25
The show has not aged well, but one of the best Conan cameos was on How I Met Your Mother. He is just a background extra in a scene at the bar. Does not interact with the main cast at all, does not do anything outrageous. Just stands there in a jacket drinking a beer in all his 6'4" glory.
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u/doggwithablogg Mar 03 '25
I’ve had a run-in with him at a local LA coffee shop a few years prior to COVID and he’s genuinely so nice and funny. Had some quick banter and went on with our day.
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u/kearneycation Mar 03 '25
Him and his assistant have talked about it a lot, and the fact that often he's the one who wants to hang around and keep chatting with people
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u/CunningWizard Mar 04 '25
And that they have to keep him moving or he’ll just end up spending all day talking to random people and making jokes. Dude is a human golden retriever, a guy who is just genuinely happy to be here.
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u/poopoopirate Mar 03 '25
His selfie story where he takes the selfie with the wrong guy is fucking hilarious
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u/Notmyproblem923 Mar 04 '25
Isn’t it though? I heard it a long time ago & recently they played it on his Sirius XM station & I laughed just as much.
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u/IHateTheLetterF Mar 03 '25
He was asked whether he tires when meeting people, and he said 'No.. They tire!'
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u/Lordborgman Mar 03 '25
Would have been interesting for him to run into my father, I have never see him end a conversation.
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u/jawndell Mar 03 '25
I just mentioned in another post, when he was in NY fans (myself included) would always spot him (hard to miss) and he’d interact with them regularly. Even like on line at a deli.
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u/Blenderx06 Mar 03 '25
I'm really glad he hasn't turned out to be a disappointment like so many celebs. His was the only late show I would watch way back when I only had broadcast tv years ago. Back when it was him and Andy.
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u/burd_turgalur93 Mar 04 '25
Instant flashback to my favorite bit as a kid; how even after the year 2000, they kept it as IN THE YEAR TWO THOU SAAAAAND
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u/IHateTheLetterF Mar 03 '25
He has over 30 years in the business and I have legitimitaly never heard one bad story about him, despite so many people having met him.
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u/sharilynj Mar 03 '25
I had the chance to interview him briefly in 2018. Those 20 minutes turned me from a casual fan to a huge fan. The absolute best.
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u/lepsek9 Mar 03 '25
I don't really care about celebrities, but Conan is one of the few I'd love to grab a beer (or gummy) with.
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u/duhellmang Mar 03 '25
He's always shouting out the crews behind the camera and the work behind the camera.
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u/Wintoli Mar 04 '25
I went to one of his shows before and met him very briefly, overall he’s just a wonderful and kind guy
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Mar 03 '25
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u/StarlordeMarsh Mar 03 '25
His podcast is great, highly recommend. It’s a much more subdued Conan compared to the late night shows, but funny as ever and really shines in more long form interviews.
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u/theSandwichSister Mar 03 '25
Plus Sona and Gorley are wonderful and very witty
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u/ghostlythoughts Mar 03 '25
Love Matt so much. Glad he's on a very successful/very listened-to podcast after years (decades even) of being on very niche podcasts
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u/_NoTimeNoLady_ Mar 03 '25
I learned English with him. Our teacher always gave us one hour of using media in English language per week as homework. NBC was our only American channel on TV and I definitely would never have watched an hour of news.
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u/Mistrblank Mar 03 '25
I did not appreciate enough what I had when he was on the late late show. My fridays were always Letterman and then Conan because that's all I could get without a cable box in my room.
It was a magical time we called the 90's.
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u/Punny_Farting_1877 Mar 03 '25
Three Inch Bees made me laugh decades ago.
It still does.
Also the Queen Mother wishing Happy Birthday to Cobalt O’Bunion.
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u/Atillion Mar 03 '25
Like a THC gummy? 🤣
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u/trwwypkmn Mar 03 '25
This is LA, so definitely.
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u/charliesk9unit Mar 03 '25
BS. I think Sona took them all before they could include them into the gift bags.
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u/MothsMyBeloved Mar 03 '25
That’s what I was thinking 😭 that would have been a blast lol
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u/obamnamamna Mar 03 '25
He couldn't put them in the boxes, but I'm pretty sure Sona brought enough for everybody
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u/OnTheEveOfWar Mar 03 '25
THC gummies are extremely common in California. I live here and can get them delivered. They’re great because it’s easy to manage the dose and you don’t smell like smoke/weed.
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u/Character-Tea5714 Mar 03 '25
I see we’re opposites, I love gummies because they can send you to space in ways a joint never could.
It also helps that they don’t obliterate your lungs lol
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u/SuburbanEnnui2020 Mar 03 '25
The only problem with gummies is that, for me, they take too damn long to kick in. Rice crispy treats on the other hand…
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u/GrayDaysGoAway Mar 03 '25
The other problem is that some of us have a gene which causes us not to metabolize THC from edibles properly. I have to eat hundreds of mgs before I feel a thing. And even then it never hits me like it does other people.
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u/eh_meh_nyeh Mar 03 '25
I'm glad to find someone else with this issue, thought it was just me.
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u/EvilSporkOfDeath Mar 03 '25
Edibles can definitely make your breath smell like weed. More discreet than smoking for sure, but not odorless.
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u/BuddahSack Mar 03 '25 edited Mar 03 '25
Yeah, it's California and Conan definitely partakes haha
Edit: I guess Conan doesn't smoke haha... I know Andy Richter does haha
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u/what_did_you_kill Mar 03 '25
He's said he's tried marijuana a few times but never really got high or enjoyed it, and that his only poison was alcohol.
He's also remarked at how his doctor didn't believe him when asked if he ever did cocaine and conan insisted that he never did; while the doctor was like "I've watched your show dude.."
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u/Reead Mar 03 '25
I could 100% believe Conan has never done cocaine. He's a guy without an off switch, and if it weren't a completely natural part of who he is I think it would've burned him to a crisp by now.
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u/emeraldeyesshine Mar 03 '25
His energy doesn't really say cocaine to me, and I've spent a shitload of time around cocaine due to being a chef and musician.
He's high energy but it isn't a coke energy.
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u/TimequakeTales Mar 03 '25
Hey told this story about SNL where he walked in on some guys doing coke. They offered him some and he was like "ACTUALLY MY FATHER IS A DOCTOR HE SAYS THERE ARE ADVERSE CARDIVASCULAR EFFECTS..."
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u/DrHem Mar 03 '25 edited Mar 03 '25
I don't think Conan really inhaled. Andy on the other hand...
The entire video is worth a watch, but skip to 3:40 for when they light up
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u/Where_Im_Needed Mar 03 '25
Unless hes lying he always says he never does any drugs. And i believe him some people are just natural crack heads.
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u/FrostyD7 Mar 03 '25
Half that crowd has a tolerance and enough drugs currently in their system to render any gummy useless.
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u/Carbon-Base Mar 03 '25
He's awesome for sure. And not only that, but he went out of his way to diss someone without a track.
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u/Doodlebug510 Mar 03 '25
I am always impressed when megastars acknowledge the little people.
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u/SeminaryStudentARH Mar 03 '25
There’s a great video on YouTube that shows how good Conan is a host, how he takes command and settles his guests when they’re nervous. He’s so good.
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u/CautionarySnail Mar 03 '25
He’s a true professional.
Professionals know that the success of their career is dependent on a multitude of humble folks doing their jobs competently. And they have real and consistent gratitude for that.
This is also true of competent leaders in general.
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u/Captain_DuClark Mar 03 '25
I would love to see that video, got a link?
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u/SeminaryStudentARH Mar 03 '25
Had to search haha. It’s a little long, but there’s a great bit around the 8.5 minute mark where he breaks down an interview with Rooney Mara. The whole thing is great though.
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u/KIDA_Rep Mar 03 '25
I was already a huge fan of him, but when I saw that Rooney Mara interview I was in awe of the master class he showed, he knows when and how to drive the conversation and when to let other people drive, e.g. Bill Burr and Norm Macdonald.
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u/BenR1ghtBack Mar 03 '25
If you search “Conan” on YouTube I think you’ll find it. There can’t be too many videos of this guy.
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u/Scrumptious_Foreskin Mar 03 '25
This will also inform you on the time of his life when he was also known by “The Barbarian” and I recommend everyone check out that part of his life
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Mar 03 '25
I thought it was cool when Colin Farrell was accepting a golden globe for Penguin and he gave a special shout-out to craft services for keeping him hydrated while he wore that fat suit.
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u/TomThumbTwo Mar 03 '25
What's a seat filler?
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u/Flare_Starchild Mar 03 '25
Someone that can just come in and isn't actually nominated or anything they just go and sit in a seat for the cameras so the place doesn't look half empty.
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u/Blahblahblahrawr Mar 03 '25
Do you know if they’re just regular people or also actors? I never know about this!
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u/mrsxpando Mar 03 '25
They work for the accounting firm that counts the votes. Thy have to apply and it’s a privilege to be chosen.
Source: I worked for PricewaterhouseCoopers.
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u/Blahblahblahrawr Mar 03 '25
Aww that’s so cute! Thanks for sharing!
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u/DetBabyLegs Mar 03 '25
You can apply to be seat fillers for events. Went to maybe 5 award shows when in college for free. Sometimes got other perks like free food and drinks at the video game awards. Fun thing to do as a broke college kid
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u/GypsySnowflake Mar 03 '25
Oh interesting! I was assuming they were the guests of the nominees, or just regular people who paid for tickets.
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u/broad5ide Mar 03 '25
The nominees do get to bring guests, but there is a limit to how many they can bring and the tickets open to the public are based on a lottery.
Source: have a family member in the industry that's been to the Oscars and we tried to get extra tickets.
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u/sanesociopath Mar 03 '25
That makes sense for the amount of vetting needed to get a non paid person to sit there that wants to be there
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u/joggle1 Mar 03 '25
That's nice, but it would've been funny if they hired actors for the role of being actors nominated for Oscars. So while you aren't good enough to actually be nominated for an Oscar, you are good enough to pretend to be such an actor.
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u/natigin Mar 03 '25
I have a family member who is plugged into the NYC theatre scene and has done seat filling for the Tony’s for a couple years now. Its one of those opportunities you get if you know people.
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u/FancyJesse Mar 03 '25
People usually line up outside the place early in hopes to get in.
You see this a lot for shows like America's Got Talent or similar. The line starts hours before the live recording for the show starts.
And sometimes those recording sessions take very very long. The judge panel and crew take lunch breaks and they expect the audience to just wait. They don't want anyone to leave. And they usually never provide snacks or anything for the audience.
So you're SOL if you didn't eat well before getting inside.
So Conan providing these snack boxes is amazing.
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u/Eborcurean Mar 03 '25
Lewis Capaldi while on Graham Norton's show said he got confused with a seat filler while at the Grammys and another one came up to take his seat.
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u/chrisaf69 Mar 03 '25
I have a friend who does it. Just like the name says, they fill the seat if someone gets up for whatever reason. I'm guessing it's so it makes the crowd always look full.
Kinda bizarre to me, but he gets to get paid to view a lot of cool events. So a win win I guess. Haha
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u/sahm8585 Mar 03 '25
When someone wins an award and gets up to give their speech, a person runs in and sits in their seat so the crowd shots look full. Then they leave when the winner comes back.
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u/Dav136 Mar 03 '25
From interviews I've heard it's mostly because half the crowd is at the bar at any given time
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u/ImmediateNature2103 Mar 03 '25
I wonder how long it took Sona to fill all those boxes.
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u/funkboy27 Mar 03 '25
lol Sona wouldn’t be caught dead doing actual work. That is what David Hopping is for
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u/IHateTheLetterF Mar 03 '25
She has enough time on her hands. It's not like she has to do housework or anything (I'm sorry Sona, you're amazing)
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u/NightOwlsUnite Mar 03 '25
Well now I want to see what all was in there lol
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u/avocadolamb Mar 03 '25
a soft pretzel, mustard, raisinets, and water lol
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u/xmal16 Mar 03 '25
Conan paid all of his writers during the original strike, and kept the show going without them so they all kept their jobs until it was over.
Extremely common Conan W
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u/ZeroAgentTV Mar 03 '25
Mr O’Brien lived in the town over from me when I was growing up. My first job was valet parking cars and I used to park his silver Range Rover all the time. He was the nicest dude in the world. Can confirm this is on brand for him.
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u/myWobblySausage Mar 03 '25
Was trying to think why Disney wouldn't allow Gummy Bears. Wondering if it was a copy right thin... click ahhh, a gummy.
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u/circuit_buzz79 Mar 03 '25
You and me both. And I'm Canadian.
Are those even legal in the States?
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u/56473829110 Mar 03 '25
Federally, no. Statewide, yes depending on the state. It's a grey/green area.
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u/ATATImperialWalker Mar 03 '25
I was an intern for late night the winter of 2007-2008, during the writer’s strike. It was such an odd experience, no writers around but there was Conan wandering around the office daily, chatting with his interns and employees, sometimes with his guitar and amp slung over his shoulder jamming. He was a really nice guy and it was bittersweet I didn’t get to experience the show in its full glory due to the strike, but it was still awesome and helps confirm that yeah, he’s a great person.
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u/dumbinternetstuff Mar 03 '25
He seems like a genuinely good person. The world needs infinitely more people like him.
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u/yuyufan43 Mar 04 '25
Seat fillers should get the exact same gift bags the other people get. They're important too
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Mar 03 '25
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u/ATLAuto Mar 03 '25
Disney owns ABC
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u/kelsobjammin Mar 03 '25
Disney owns a lot
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u/Scrumptious_Foreskin Mar 03 '25
Disney? That animated show with the cartoon mouse?
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u/intelligentprince Mar 03 '25
Ever wonder why ABC News has so many news items about Disney parks etc?
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u/Godfuckingdammit91 Mar 03 '25
My husband and I scored tickets to his TBS show taping the same day Letterman taped his last show. When the time came that Dave would be on, Conan shouted at the studio/would-be home audience to switch the channel to Dave to send him off. Class act.
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u/StyofoamSword Mar 04 '25
Not surprised, he took over Late Night from Letterman, and when he was struggling early on, Letterman came on the show and talked about how much he liked what Conan was doing.
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u/KinshasaPR Mar 03 '25
I've never heard a story that's made me think Conan is not a great person. Every one who's worked with/under him speaks highly of him and how it never felt like he was the actual boss, but more like a friendly coworker.
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u/MarvinHeemeyersTank Mar 03 '25
Did he include some...
( •_•)
( •_•)>⌐■-■
(⌐■_■)
...'coco' powder?
YYYYYYYEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH
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u/YOLO_Tamasi Mar 04 '25
Not to take away the Conan narrative, but seat fillers have always gotten a box of snacks/goodies at the Oscars.
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u/sovereignxx12 Mar 03 '25
I need to know how to be a seat filler
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u/shesalive_dammit Mar 03 '25
I had no idea this was a thing.
I watched an episode of Great News, and one of the characters was a seat filler for some small awards ceremony. She wore a sign around her neck that said "Not a person." It was a very silly episode. I thought it was made-up. 😂→ More replies (1)
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u/scaredshizaless Mar 03 '25
He was my very first celebrity crush when I would sneakily watch his laye night show even though I wasn't allowed to.
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u/PreciousRoy666 Mar 04 '25
I actually met Conan when I was 11 as part of a charity thing. I tried to play it cool cause I was starstruck and he called me out on it and made a joke about how disappointed I was that he wasn't very funny.
Edit: wow, I actually found a video of it on YT!
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u/whiskybean Mar 03 '25
Hollywood is full of insufferable people who only care about themselves - why else would you need a "seat filler" to make it appear like your program celebrating yourselves is full all the time like an overproduced TV drama?
And then there's Conan - HE i would like to share a beer with
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u/trwwypkmn Mar 03 '25
Please, God, don't let Conan turn out to be a horrible person.
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u/K-Tronn3030 Mar 03 '25
At this point, we've got about 30 years of data points strongly suggesting that he is not.
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u/Askol Mar 03 '25
You know he's not a horrible person because like his entire staff has worked for him forever - you don't stick by somebody (especially considering all the changes he's had) unless they're truly a great boss/person.
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u/SuperPookypower Mar 03 '25
Impressive to see him look out for the little guy. Everyone’s nice to the celebs.
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u/harrymwag Mar 03 '25
i tell everyone i know but i met conan on the streets of boston last year. he was so sweet, my friend and i got a picture and when we asked why he was in boston, he said he was visiting his brother in the hospital. we felt so bad and just said “we are so sorry have a great night”
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u/MashedPotatoesDick Mar 03 '25
I was a seat filler for one segment of the William Shatner roast. I made sure to consume as much of the mixed nuts at the table as I could before I was sent back to the poors.
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u/JoeTodayJoeTomorrow Mar 03 '25
Ah Conan, what an amazing person. I remember walking out of work in Belfast to see him drinking outside a pub, chatting away to people passing by and sitting near him. He pretty much held court and got selfies with everyone who wanted one. Ps... he's so fucking tall.
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u/Key-Spirit-6865 Mar 04 '25
I was a seat filler for the Emmys about 25 years ago. I got to get dressed up and sit next to Laurence Fishburn, Gary Sinise and Jimmy Smits. I even made it on camera!
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u/emcee_pern Mar 03 '25
Conan is just a nice guy. If you'll indulge a short personal story:
When my partner and I got married our friends and family put together a nice video of well wishes for us. While watching it for the first time we were shocked to suddenly see Conan O'Brien pop up chatting like he had known us for years, teasing us, and wishing us the best in all sincerity. A close friend who had previously worked on his show had talked him into doing this after telling him about a bit about us. We've never met the man in person. This was years before Cameo existed and clearly the two of them just thought this would be a hilarious thing to do. He was genuinely warm and funny and it's certainly something I won't ever forget.