Latest news with #ConanO'BrienNeedsAFriend
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Conan O'Brien says watching 'Hacks' tackle late night TV gives him PTSD: 'I'm kind of reliving it'
Hacks is bringing TV veteran Conan O'Brien back to the trenches of his late night era. In the latest episode of SiriusXM's Conan O'Brien Needs A Friend, the comedian and former late night host welcomed Hacks co-creator Paul W. Downs to chat about stand-up diva Deborah Vance's (Jean Smart) big return to the late night circuit on the latest season of the HBO hit. O'Brien admitted that he's experienced PTSD from watching the storyline unfold given his own history with late night. "The show delves into late night this year, which was fascinating for me because there are things that you cite in the show that I've lived through," O'Brien said. "And so I'll get a little bit of PTSD from watching it, but it's also really funny and apt. Like getting notes or, 'This is what we heard about,' you know, in the early days of my late night show research, and what are people saying and what do we need to try and adjust?" "It was all stuff that just felt impossible," he recounted of that period. "I'm kind of reliving it a little bit through your show, but you guys are doing a very good job of hitting a bunch of the nerves, which means you're getting it right." O'Brien made his late night debut with Late Night with Conan O'Brien in 1993, taking over David Letterman's post and holding it down until 2009. That led to his infamous and short-lived tenure on The Tonight Show, which was followed by the 2010 cult favorite Conan on TBS, which ran for 11 seasons up until 2021. Downs called writing a show about making a late night show "so stressful and hard," noting, "I didn't do five shows a week and have to do monologue jokes. And yet, viscerally, I felt the pressure of that."Naturally, O'Brien has been namedropped in the show. Jimmy Kimmel, playing a version of himself, confronts Smart's Deborah Vance in episode 5, "Clickable Face," after she poaches Kristen Bell to be a guest on her show. An angry Kimmel informs her that he's been entitled to "custody" of Bell since "Conan died." O'Brien told Downs that the scene "killed" him. "It's a very funny joke and nonsensical," he said. "What I loved about it is that it's said [and] no one questions it," he said, "It's just like . . . I get her after Conan died. And it's just like, that's understood. And I'm laughing because no one questions it." (Don't fret: co-creator Lucia Aniello has already assured that O'Brien is not dead in the Hacks universe, leaving the door open for a potential future cameo.) "We definitely want you on the show," Downs reiterated to O'Brien on the podcast, also sharing that Kimmel improvised the line in question. "I did not write that line." "Let me write that down," O'Brien quipped. "He will be repaid in kind." Watch the rest of Downs' conversation with O'Brien above. Read the original article on Entertainment Weekly
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Yahoo
6 Reasons You, A Regular Person, Might Want A Burner Phone
Burner phones aren't just for nefarious intentions, like you see on TV. They can actually be a handy tool for people who get distracted easily (because we all know how easy it is to turn off 'Focus' mode). Emmy-winning talk show host Conan O'Brien even uses one. He admitted on an April 2025 episode of his podcast 'Conan O'Brien Needs A Friend' that he has a flip phone for calling friends. 'You have the security of knowing, 'I can call these key people and find out what's going on,'' O'Brien said about his phone, per CNET. 'I really like not being tempted to look at the texts, not being tempted to look at the emails.' Even tech experts have been noticing a return to low-tech burner phones lately. 'What we now call a 'burner phone' used to just be a phone,' Steven Athwal, CEO and founder ofThe Big Phone Store, the fastest-growing U.K. refurbished tech retailer, told HuffPost. 'You had your Nokia 3310, sent a few texts, made a few calls, played Snake, and that was it. … It was the norm before smartphones.' Now, the phones are coming back in a big way. Rocky Cole, co-founder ofiVerify and former mobile security analyst at NSA, said, 'We're seeing more people turn to burner phones or secondary devices, especially for travel or when they want a little more privacy.' 'The shift away from landlines plays a small part, but it's really more about people realizing how much personal info lives on their main phone,' he added. 'Using a separate device can help limit exposure in certain situations.' Tech experts shared several reasons you might want to consider one for yourself, from the silly and fun to the serious and practical. It seems like everything requires a phone number for verification, discounts and more. Using a burner phone is an easy way to keep all the extra stuff off your main number, according to Cole, who says people might 'use a burner to avoid giving out their real number when signing up for apps or services.' Many people, including entrepreneurs or those who want help maintaining a work-life balance, may choose a burner phone for work. This helps separate business and personal life, according to Nizel Adams, CEO and principal engineer atNizel Corporation. 'Nowadays, it's more common for people to give out a virtual number than their real phone number,' he said. 'This helps separate co-workers and acquaintances from friends and family members and makes it so that people can be easily removed from your life if you ever need to change your virtual number due to stalking, harassment, stolen identity, etc.' Additionally, having another 'layer of insulation' between you and your employer helps keep employees from accidentally sharing private information or having company data leaked. At Athwal's store, he sees many customers cite mental health as 'the most common reason' for a burner phone. 'People are tired of being constantly plugged in,' he said. 'They want something more basic with no notifications, no doom scrolling, no endless feeds of videos and pictures.' 'There is something that feels very free about having a phone that only lets you call and text,' Athwal added. 'Some basic phones have simple cameras too, but that's about all they do … there's no constant noise.' A burner phone may also be 'helpful for staying focused by using a simpler phone just for calls or texts without all the distractions,' Cole said. With the rise of many 'vintage tech' options — old school digital cameras, record players, camcorders — it's no surprise that 'dumb phones' are making a comeback as well. 'We're seeing more and more people buying them again,' Athwal shared. 'Some really love the retro look, especially since styles from the early 2000s are becoming popular again: [the look of] 'Y2K.'' Since 2023, Gen Z has been filming videos on TikTok of their new flip phones, perCNN. This shows that the trend is only getting more popular. The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is legally allowed to seize your phone and other electronic devices to inspect them when crossing the border, although the organization stated that in fiscal year 2024,less than 0.01% of international travelers entering the U.S. had their electronic devices searched by CBP. Cole says people might want their main phone offline when traveling, 'especially in places where device searches might happen at the border.' He adds, 'For high-risk travel, a clean device can be a smart move, and that's part of why we rolled out a new solution recently at iVerify to help secure phones in those kinds of situations.' People may want to avoid other countries spying on them through their devices. 'I hear from people every day, whether they be administrative assistants, executives or a maintenance worker, that tell me they use burner phones when traveling to foreign destinations,' Adams said. 'In the information age countries and organizations that spy on people have been exposed,' he continued. 'This new awareness has led people traveling or living in those countries to resort to burner phones to avoid being spied upon. You access a cell tower in these countries and the government immediately has access to whatever data you're transmitting or even access to your phone.' More simply, some people are just worried about losing their phones. 'Some don't want to risk losing or damaging their main phone,' Athwal said. 'People use them to keep work and personal life separate, as a backup for weekends away or festivals.' Even though President Donald Trump has backed off on his China tariffs, bringing its 145% tariffs on Chinese imports down significantly, the U.S. economy is still struggling. And the astronomical price of groceries might have people second-guessing their decision to upgrade to the latest iPhone. With basic prepaid phones starting at just $29.99 atBest Buy andTarget, it's understandable that people would opt for this option. If you are using a burner phone for added security, there are a few things you should keep in mind before you start. 'Burner phones are a security measure to protect sensitive data and privacy, but they aren't the end-all, be-all,' Adams said. 'Remember, criminals use burner phones, and they get caught every day. Security itself is a wholesale solution that is incorporated into your entire lifestyle.' He recommends eventually trashing a burner phone, as they are meant to be temporary. 'Getting a new phone and changing all of your passwords (or deleting, then making entirely new accounts) every few months is expected once you start using burner phones for security purposes,' Adams recommended. 'This is usually coupled with not writing anything down as well.' If you are just using it as a work phone, Adams said you only need to do a factory reset to wipe it about once a year to keep your phone running optimally. And if you use it for traveling, just reset it and throw it away when you get home. Cole said, 'It's not just about buying a second phone. You have to think about how you use it. If you log into all your usual accounts, you're basically connecting it right back to your main identity.' If you want privacy, Cole recommends not using personal logins, getting a new SIM card, and avoiding linking it to your cloud services. 'And even with a burner, there's still a risk of tracking or compromise, so it's important to stay aware of the basics around mobile security,' he added. There are many options for a phone, from flip phones to smartphones. Athwal said, 'If you're thinking about getting [a burner phone], just check what features you need. Some come with WhatsApp or a basic web browser, and some don't. And make sure it works with your phone company and/or network.' He added, 'It's not about being secretive. For most people, it's just about life being less busy.' The Most Annyoing Thing Partners Do Right Before Bed That Is Ruining Relationships More And More People Are Switching To 'Dumbphones' — Here's Why The Tiny Tech Purchase That Made My Life 1,000 Times Easier
USA Today
06-05-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Christina Applegate gets emotional about MS battle: 'Worst thing I've ever gone through'
Christina Applegate gets emotional about MS battle: 'Worst thing I've ever gone through' Show Caption Hide Caption Christina Applegate wants to have 'shots with Cher' amid MS battle Christina Applegate has revealed what she would like to do 'with the days I have left,' and one of them is to do 'shots with Cher.' unbranded - Entertainment Christina Applegate is continuing to speak candidly about her battle with multiple sclerosis. The "Dead to Me" star, 53, became emotional discussing her health in an episode of "Conan O'Brien Needs A Friend" released May 5, which she said she was recording on a particularly bad day for her MS symptoms. "I don't really leave the house anymore," Applegate told O'Brien. "If people saw what my life is like on the daily, they wouldn't be able to do it, because I can sometimes not do it. It's really, really hard." She went on to add, "This is the worst thing I've ever had in my life. This is the worst thing I've ever gone through. I'm going to start crying." Applegate shared that "I haven't really been able to get out of my bed today" because "to go to the bathroom, it's like walking on needles and hot lava." She also told O'Brien that on days when her symptoms are worse than usual, she becomes afraid that "this is now my new normal." But while she says she never has a "good" day, she has days that aren't as bad. Christina Applegate says MS symptoms landed her in hospital over 30 times The Emmy winner was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 2021 and since then has spoken frequently about living with the disease, including on the podcast "MeSsy." She co-hosts the show with fellow actress Jamie-Lynn Sigler, who also has MS. What is MS? Christina Applegate on diagnosis, symptoms Multiple sclerosis is an autoimmune condition affecting the brain and spinal cord, in which the body's immune system "mistakenly attacks myelin cells," according to the Cleveland Clinic. There is no cure for MS, and symptoms can include fatigue, dizziness and loss of balance. On "Conan O'Brien Needs A Friend," Applegate expressed frustration with how often people ask her how she got multiple sclerosis, implying she did something "wrong" that led to the diagnosis. She also recalled that her first symptom was her toes beginning to feel numb in January 2021. After she started losing balance and experiencing "extraordinary" pain, Applegate said that actress Selma Blair, who also has multiple sclerosis, urged her to see a neurologist. Christina Applegate reveals death of her father: 'The first time I've really cried' In March, Applegate shared on an episode of "MeSsy" that she has been in the hospital "upwards of 30 times" since her 2021 diagnosis. "That is unimaginable, OK?" she said. "They've done every test known to man on me, put so much radiation into my body from CT scans to everything else."
San Francisco Chronicle
28-04-2025
- Entertainment
- San Francisco Chronicle
Ali Wong's boyfriend reveals how she helped him through devastating L.A. fires
Bill Hader recently revealed his girlfriend, Ali Wong, took him shopping this month after his home was deemed 'unlivable' following the Los Angeles fires in January. The 'Saturday Night Live' alum spoke about the San Francisco comic's kind gesture during an guest appearance on the podcast ' Conan O'Brien Needs A Friend ' on Sunday, April 27. 'It's a funny thing that Ali and I went today … to shop for clothes,' he said. 'It meant a lot to me. It's because I'm just wearing Uniqlo sweats, you know, and my kids are like, 'You're living in your pajamas.' I feel like they're very worried. And I told her about that and she was like, 'Let me take you to get some clothes.'' His home in the Palisades was one of the thousands affected by the deadly blaze at the start of the year. Hader recalled that he was filming a Volkswagen ID. Buzz commercial when the fires began and had to travel with a news crew to get to his home in the Palisades. 'We're shooting and I look up, I saw smoke and the guys go, 'Oh, don't worry, that's in the Palisades.' I go, 'I live in the Palisades,' and it was just dead silence,' he recalled. 'Then I was like, 'I got to go.'' Though his home survived the fire, it was severely damaged. 'It was like dust, you know, toxic stuff everywhere,' he said. 'It was no good. I was in total shock … I thought I was going to go up there and hopefully the house would be somewhat OK and I could get my passport and get out of there.' He added he was 'speechless' seeing the state of his home and community, and has had to lean on friends and loved ones, like the ' Beef ' actor, since. The Golden Globe-winning comedians have officially been a couple since 2023, though they briefly dated in late 2022. They made their red carpet debut together in February at the 77th Directors Guild of America Awards. Last month, Wong, a Pacific Heights native, brought Hader to the newly reopened Vietnamese restaurant Turtle Tower. She previously named the establishment as one of her favorites in the city and shouted out its signature chicken pho as one of the top four noodle soups of all time during an appearance on the talk show 'Hot Ones.' Loyal to her hometown, she thanked the Punch Line Comedy Club during her acceptance speech at the 82nd Golden Globe Awards in January and set and filmed part of her 2019 rom-com ' Always Be My Maybe ' in San Francisco.
CNN
28-04-2025
- Entertainment
- CNN
Bill Hader describes ‘shock' of LA wildfires and the sweet way girlfriend Ali Wong helped him in the aftermath
Bill Hader was in Malibu filming a Volkswagen commercial with his former 'SNL' co-stars Kristen Wiig and Fred Armisen when a devastating wildfire began ripping through the Pacific Palisades, the affluent West Los Angeles neighborhood perched atop a peak overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Hader opened up about seeing his community destroyed and his experience in the aftermath for the first time on a recent episode of Conan O'Brien's podcast, 'Conan O'Brien Needs A Friend.' With help from a news crew, as seen in a viral clip, Hader made his way to his home and was grateful to see it was still standing. However, he said, it was 'unlivable' and filled with 'toxic stuff everywhere.' 'There's just devastation all around,' he said. 'It was no good. I was just in total shock.' The once picturesque community was reduced to ash and rubble in January when multiple wildfires erupted in Los Angles. The Eaton Fire, which burned through Altadena on LA's East Side, and The Palisades Fire are considered the most destructive fires in LA history and killed 29 people. Hader said he has a 'great support system of friends,' including his girlfriend, comedian Ali Wong, who supported him in the aftermath. Wong, he said, helped him go clothes shopping after his kids noticed he was still wearing only sweatpants. 'It was very sweet. It meant a lot to me,' he said. 'My kids are like, 'You're living in your pajamas,' like, they're very worried. And I told her about that and she was like, 'Let me take you to get some clothes.'' The hardest part, he said, was knowing his kids lost so much and 'just seeing the devastation in that community and everything, I was speechless.' Hader has three daughters – Hannah, Harper and Hayley – who he shares with his ex-wife, director and screenwriter Maggie Carey. Hader said they have been 'resilient' throughout the ordeal. 'Everybody's like, are you there for your kids? And it's like, 'No, I'm getting more from them,'' he said. 'I'm so inspired by them and their ability to move and adapt and be positive.'
