Conan O’Brien Needs A Friend

Play It Again, Yassir

November 6, 2025

Key Takeaways Copied to clipboard!

  • The guest, Yassir, who is originally from Casablanca, Morocco, has never watched the iconic film *Casablanca*, leading to comedic frustration from Conan O'Brien. 
  • Yassir, currently living in Nantes, France, works as a project manager and describes himself as shy, seeking advice from Conan on how to be more assertive in making friends. 
  • Moroccan McDonald's offers unique menu items not found in the US, such as red, smaller, thicker potatoes and fried goat cheese McNuggets (McFromage de Chèvre). 

Segments

Guest Location and Origin
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(00:01:47)
  • Key Takeaway: Yassir is currently calling from Nantes, France, but is originally from Casablanca, Morocco.
  • Summary: Yassir is calling from Nantes, France, located in the southwest of the country. He states he was born three hours from Casablanca but lived there for most of his life after age 18. Conan immediately questions him about the city’s namesake film.
Casablanca Film Ignorance
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(00:02:13)
  • Key Takeaway: Yassir has never watched the iconic film Casablanca, despite being from the city.
  • Summary: Conan expresses shock that Yassir has never seen the noir classic Casablanca. Yassir confirms he knows of the movie but has never watched its hour and 40 minutes runtime. Conan jokingly plans to force Yassir to watch it while dressed in character.
Conan’s Appearance in Casablanca
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(00:03:34)
  • Key Takeaway: Conan’s height is 195 centimeters (6'4"), and his red hair would make him stand out in Casablanca.
  • Summary: Yassir suggests Conan would stand out in Casablanca due to his height and red hair, noting a lack of redheads there. Conan’s height is confirmed by an assistant’s app to be 195 centimeters. Yassir also relays that someone from Marrakesh once told him Conan resembles a camel.
Yassir’s Profession and Hobbies
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(00:04:48)
  • Key Takeaway: Yassir works as a project manager, primarily ensuring experienced colleagues complete their assigned tasks and updating files.
  • Summary: Yassir works as a project manager for a consultancy, where his main role involves checking on experienced people to see if they finished their work and updating a file. For fun, he goes to the beach near his home in Nantes to swim and read books. He admits to being shy and usually attends social events alone.
Role-Playing Friendship Advice
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(00:07:13)
  • Key Takeaway: Conan attempts to role-play approaching someone in a bar setting, referencing Casablanca’s Rick’s Café Américain, to help Yassir with making friends.
  • Summary: Yassir asks Conan for help approaching people to make friends in social settings like bars or concerts. Conan initiates a role-playing scenario set in ‘Rick’s Joint’ during the time of the movie, complete with a piano player named Sam. Conan’s initial attempt to approach Yassir in character is too aggressive, causing Yassir to retreat.
Ashley Furniture Sponsorship Segment
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(00:09:19)
  • Key Takeaway: Ashley provided comfortable furniture, including Tallora chairs, for the Conan O’Brien Needs A Friend live show in LA.
  • Summary: The conversation briefly pivots to the importance of comfortable furniture during podcast recordings, referencing Conan’s agony on uncomfortable chairs. Ashley sponsored the Live from LA event, allowing Sona to select the onstage furniture. Sona chose Tallora chairs and love seats, which provided comfort throughout the show.
Rental Family Movie Promotion
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(00:10:40)
  • Key Takeaway: Rental Family, starring Brendan Fraser, is critically acclaimed as a feel-good movie and a love letter to Japan.
  • Summary: Searchlight Pictures promotes the film Rental Family, which features Brendan Fraser and is directed by Hikari. Critics praise it as one of the year’s best films, balancing poignancy and humor. Conan shares a personal anecdote about renting a family while shooting in Japan to work through father issues.
LinkedIn Ads Promotion
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(00:11:52)
  • Key Takeaway: LinkedIn Ads offers the biggest B2B Return on Ad Spend (ROAS) by reaching its network of over 1 billion professionals.
  • Summary: LinkedIn Ads is promoted as the solution for B2B marketing to reach the right professionals, including 130 million decision-makers. The platform boasts the largest B2B ROAS among online ad networks. New advertisers can receive a free $250 credit for their next campaign after spending $250 on their first one.
Role-Play Revisited: McDonald’s
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(00:13:05)
  • Key Takeaway: The second role-play attempt shifts the setting to a Moroccan McDonald’s to discuss local food specialties.
  • Summary: The role-play restarts with Yassir approaching Conan, who is now pretending to be a tourist in Casablanca. The focus quickly shifts to Moroccan food specialties, specifically couscous and McDonald’s offerings. Yassir recommends the Big Mac with fries and a Diet Coke as his go-to fast food order.
Moroccan McDonald’s Specialties
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(00:17:20)
  • Key Takeaway: Moroccan McDonald’s features unique items like small, red, thick potatoes and fried goat cheese nuggets called ‘Fromage de Chèvre’.
  • Summary: Yassir details Moroccan McDonald’s menu items, noting they serve small, thick, red potatoes instead of standard fries. They also offer breaded and fried goat cheese nuggets, which are called ‘Fromage de Chèvre’ on the French menus. Conan expresses excitement about these cultural food differences.
Final Advice and Farewell
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(00:19:28)
  • Key Takeaway: Conan advises Yassir to be more assertive to overcome shyness, while Yassir encourages Conan to watch Casablanca.
  • Summary: Conan concludes that Yassir might need help being more assertive to break social barriers and make friends. Conan strongly implores Yassir to watch the movie Casablanca despite its potential lack of resemblance to the real city. The episode ends with Conan expressing affection for Yassir’s good vibe and urging him to rehydrate.