In a recent episode of “Conan O’Brien Needs A Friend,” the famed comedian Conan O’Brien, known for his Boston roots, hosted fellow Brookline native Ayo Edebiri.
They discussed a range of topics, including Edebiri’s recent honor of having April 10 declared Ayo Edebiri Day in Boston by Mayor Michelle Wu.
This prompted O’Brien to humorously lament his own lack of recognition in the form of a designated day, jokingly stating, “Excuse me, has there been a Conan O’Brien [Day] in Boston? Quick answer: No! I never had a day! Never.”
Edebiri was taken aback by this revelation, expressing disbelief that O’Brien, who boasts numerous accolades including hosting the Oscars and receiving the Mark Twain Prize for humor, had not been similarly honored.
The Emmy-winning actress shared that her unexpected recognition as a distinguished Bostonian was a surprise, as she initially believed her visit to Boston Latin School would involve a simple meeting with a small group of improv students.
However, plans shifted when she found herself speaking in front of the entire school, and to her surprise, Mayor Wu appeared to present her with the honorary day.
Edebiri noted that had she known about the public acknowledgment, she would have opted out due to her anxiety around such attention.
Reflecting on the day, she recounted, “I thought I was going to just talk to the improv kids and then I ended up talking to the mayor. And then the mayor was like, ‘I have a surprise for you.’”
While O’Brien is still awaiting his honorary day in Boston, he fondly reminisced about having one declared in San Francisco back in 2007.
To commemorate this occasion, he participated in a lookalike contest, long before it became a trendy social media phenomenon.
During the podcast, the conversation shifted to a shared love for Dunkin’, a Boston staple.
O’Brien reminded Edebiri of her previous statement that “Dunkin’ Donuts tastes better in Boston.”
In a lighthearted exchange, Edebiri questioned how O’Brien was aware of her thoughts on Dunkin’, jokingly asking if that detail made it into his research for the podcast.
Edebiri opened up further about her college experience, revealing a pivotal moment when she chose to switch her major from teaching to playwriting while at NYU.
She recounted the decision being made during a family breakfast at an IHOP in Randolph, explaining, “We were straight up in an IHOP in Randolph, because I also was like, we can’t do this on home turf, we have to go to Randolph.”
Edebiri remembered being quiet during the car ride to the restaurant, prompting her parents to inquire about her demeanor.
She then found herself in tears apologizing for her sudden change of major, fearing their reaction.
Unexpectedly, her parents remained unfazed, continuing their breakfast with her father requesting “Extra hash browns!” indicating their supportive nature.
O’Brien shared his own college story, recalling a similar moment when he informed his parents of his desire to pursue comedy after graduating from Harvard.
He expressed that his decision was met with a lack of recognition from his family, who seemed unaware of his aspirations amidst their busy lives, saying, “Which one are you again?”
As the podcast concluded, the two Boston natives celebrated their shared hometown, highlighting both their unique experiences and the remarkable achievements they have accomplished.
This lively discussion not only entertained but also brought forth sincere moments reflecting on their journeys from Boston to the broader stage of entertainment.
image source from：bostonglobe
