Key Takeaways

  • Ryan Reynolds and Conan O’Brien discuss the nature of comedy, drama, and their shared experiences in the entertainment industry.
  • The conversation delves into the challenges and rewards of acting, filmmaking, and the creative process, including the importance of collaboration and constraint.
  • Both hosts reflect on their personal lives, family dynamics, and the evolution of their careers, highlighting the impact of their upbringing on their work.
  • The episode touches upon the cultural impact of Canadian talent in Hollywood and the unique aspects of Canadian humor.
  • Reynolds shares insights into his approach to marketing, his work on ‘Deadpool,’ and his philosophy on interacting with fans.

Segments

Turkish Soap Operas and International TV (~00:05:00)
  • Key Takeaway: The discussion on Turkish soap operas leads to a broader conversation about the appeal and characteristics of international television dramas.
  • Summary: The hosts explore the dramatic nature and visual style of Turkish soap operas, drawing comparisons to Korean dramas and Conan’s own experiences acting in a Mexican telenovela.
Ryan Reynolds’ Armenian Acting Experience (~00:10:00)
  • Key Takeaway: Reynolds recounts his experience acting in an Armenian crime show, highlighting the challenges of portraying a character in a different language and cultural context.
  • Summary: Ryan Reynolds shares a humorous anecdote about his role as a crime boss in an Armenian production, detailing the makeup, wig, and the difficulty of delivering lines in Armenian.
Medical Drama and ‘The Pit’ (~00:15:00)
  • Key Takeaway: Reynolds mentions his involvement in a New Zealand medical drama, comparing it to ‘The Pit’ and the demanding nature of medical jargon.
  • Summary: Reynolds discusses his role in a New Zealand medical drama, noting the extensive medical jargon he had to learn and the challenges of performing with an unfamiliar accent.
Childhood Gullibility and Lies (~00:20:00)
  • Key Takeaway: The conversation shifts to childhood gullibility, with both Conan and Ryan sharing stories of believing outlandish lies from friends and siblings.
  • Summary: Conan recounts a story about a friend who lied about making out with Austin Peck from ‘Days of Our Lives,’ leading their friend group to watch the show. Ryan shares a similar experience with his brother Neil, who told him fantastical stories about scientific discoveries.
The Art of Improv and Comedy (~00:30:00)
  • Key Takeaway: Reynolds and Conan discuss the skills required for improvisation and how comedy and drama often stem from similar emotional depths.
  • Summary: They explore the nature of improvisation, with Conan suggesting Reynolds would be a formidable improviser. They agree that comedy and drama often rely on underlying tension and emotional resonance.
Filmmaking Philosophy and ‘Deadpool’ (~00:40:00)
  • Key Takeaway: Reynolds emphasizes the importance of creating a safe and collaborative environment on set, especially for actors with limited roles.
  • Summary: Reynolds explains his approach to filmmaking, focusing on making actors feel comfortable and encouraging them to deliver their best performances, even for small parts. He also touches on the challenges of getting ‘Deadpool’ made.
The ‘Deadpool’ Movie and Bob Iger (~00:50:00)
  • Key Takeaway: The discussion highlights the creative control and humor involved in making ‘Deadpool,’ including a specific anecdote about a line involving Mickey Mouse.
  • Summary: Reynolds shares a story about Disney CEO Bob Iger requesting the removal of a Mickey Mouse joke from ‘Deadpool,’ and how he fought to keep it, emphasizing the film’s R-rated nature.
Career Trajectory and Early Fame (~01:00:00)
  • Key Takeaway: Reynolds reflects on his career’s slow and steady progression, contrasting it with the pitfalls of overnight fame.
  • Summary: Reynolds discusses his career path, noting that he didn’t experience overnight fame and feels fortunate for the gradual build. He mentions his father’s passing and naming his daughter James after him.
Canadian Talent in Hollywood (~01:10:00)
  • Key Takeaway: The hosts acknowledge the significant contribution of Canadian talent to the comedy and acting landscape in Hollywood.
  • Summary: Conan points out the imbalance in cultural exports, with Canada sending many talented comedians and actors to the US, while the US has sent fewer in return. They mention Ryan Reynolds, Martin Short, and Lorne Michaels as examples.
Dan Aykroyd and ‘Ghostbusters’ (~01:15:00)
  • Key Takeaway: The conversation turns to Dan Aykroyd, praising his unique comedic delivery and his ability to convey information rapidly.
  • Summary: Reynolds expresses admiration for Dan Aykroyd’s rapid-fire delivery and his ability to make exposition entertaining, citing his work in ‘Ghostbusters’ and ‘Dragnet.’
John Candy and ‘Planes, Trains and Automobiles’ (~01:20:00)
  • Key Takeaway: John Candy is remembered for his heartfelt performances, particularly in ‘Planes, Trains and Automobiles,’ showcasing a blend of humor and vulnerability.
  • Summary: Reynolds and Conan discuss John Candy’s memorable performances, highlighting his ability to be both heartbreakingly funny and deeply vulnerable, particularly in ‘Planes, Trains and Automobiles.’
The Impact of ‘Green Lantern’ (~01:30:00)
  • Key Takeaway: Reynolds identifies ‘Green Lantern’ as a pivotal moment in his career that taught him valuable lessons about creativity and constraint.
  • Summary: Reynolds explains how the failure of ‘Green Lantern’ and the studio’s approach to fixing it with money rather than creativity taught him the importance of constraint and focusing on dialogue over special effects.
Portals in Movies and Character Connection (~01:35:00)
  • Key Takeaway: Reynolds expresses his disdain for the overuse of portals in movies, emphasizing the importance of genuine character connection over spectacle.
  • Summary: Reynolds voices his frustration with the common trope of portals in films, arguing that they often serve as a narrative crutch. He stresses that audiences connect with characters, not just special effects.
The ‘Deadpool & Wolverine’ Parody Scene (~01:40:00)
  • Key Takeaway: Reynolds shares that his goal in a specific scene in ‘Deadpool & Wolverine’ was to make Hugh Jackman laugh.
  • Summary: Reynolds reveals that a particular scene in ‘Deadpool & Wolverine’ was designed to elicit a laugh from Hugh Jackman, even if it meant some physical discomfort for himself.
The Power of Collective Effervescence (~01:50:00)
  • Key Takeaway: The hosts discuss the magic of working with people and the importance of a live audience in creating a shared experience.
  • Summary: Conan and Reynolds talk about the joy of collective effervescence and how working with people, whether on a film set or with a live audience, creates a special kind of magic.
Avoiding ‘Punching Down’ in Comedy (~01:55:00)
  • Key Takeaway: Reynolds emphasizes his commitment to not ‘punching down’ in his comedy, sharing a past regret that taught him a valuable lesson.
  • Summary: Reynolds discusses his aversion to ‘punching down’ in comedy, recounting a past incident where he deeply regretted making a joke at someone’s expense and the lesson he learned from it.
Apologies and Personal Growth (~02:00:00)
  • Key Takeaway: The conversation touches on the difficulty of apologizing and the importance of learning from mistakes, especially in the context of parenting.
  • Summary: Both hosts reflect on the challenges of apologizing and the lessons learned from past missteps. Reynolds shares an anecdote about a well-intentioned but misguided apology involving alcohol.
Concluding Thoughts and Admiration (~02:10:00)
  • Key Takeaway: Conan expresses his deep admiration for Ryan Reynolds, highlighting his kindness, integrity, and comedic talent.
  • Summary: As the episode wraps up, Conan expresses his genuine admiration for Ryan Reynolds, calling him an idol and praising his character, integrity, and ability to make people happy. Reynolds reciprocates the sentiment, appreciating Conan’s own qualities.