The Big Red Goofball

By: Connor Lenahan

Last night at the Hollywood Bowl there was a special night of music and performance designed around The Simpsons. If you know me in the slightest, you know I am in love with The Simpsons. Getting to catch some of the clips on YouTube today was a real treat. The video above features Conan O’Brien singing “The Monorail Song” from his most famous episode “Marge vs. the Monorail.” The song, originally done by the legend Phil Hartman, is a comedy classic. Seeing Conan do it was a real treat.

I sat and thought about the big red goofball that is O’Brien after watching and singing along with him. I thought about his career trajectory. Writer for The Simpsons, stand-up comic, late-night television host – he’s been amazing at it all. Without ever fully realizing it, Conan has been one of the funniest men I’ve ever watched in my entire life.

I sit and think about him and I have a realization. I would love to become him. I would love to get to do with my life what he’s been able to do with his – save for getting knocked from my job by Jay Leno.

I tend to go back and watch Conan’s commencement address from Dartmouth in 2011. It’s not just hilarious, which it truly is, but inspiring as well. Few speeches have ever stuck with me as much as the one below has. Do not be afraid of the run time of the speech, it is more than worth it. You’ll laugh for a while, then be deeply moved, and finally laugh again.

I wanna be the next big red goofball. Here’s why: