Conan O’Brien, who once traveled to Ireland on Late Night and became the first late-night host to film his show in Cuba since the 1950s, has now taken his show to Armenia to explore the ancestral roots of one of his longtime staff members.
His personal assistant, Sona Movsesian, is part of Los Angeles’s Armenian community but she’s never had the chance to go, so O’Brien decided to take her there and discover the culture—at least once he’s mastered some of the language. And even if you haven’t watched any of O’Brien’s other remote shoots, you can imagine how that went.
At one point he manages to buy Armenian viagra at a market.
And when he and Movsesian discover that the sheepherders aren’t dressed in traditional garb, they put it on themselves and use Bachelor gossip to keep them in place.
During the trip O’Brien also manages to book an appearance on an Armenian soap opera, visit a matchmaker, and get in plenty of shopping along the way. He often plays the bumbling idiot and tries to make himself the butt of the jokes (instead of Armenia) as Movsesian and the locals explain Armenian culture, which is full of his signature schtick and absurdity.
And what sort of trip would it be if O’Brien didn’t try and make his dance moves a thing?
This is an Armenian dance called “Where did I park again?” #ConanArmenia pic.twitter.com/8mCKDcfF02
— Conan O'Brien (@ConanOBrien) November 18, 2015
Two beautiful Armenian women enjoying their lunch. #ConanArmenia pic.twitter.com/27PZoi53tH
— Conan O'Brien (@ConanOBrien) November 18, 2015
The show even takes a serious tone as Movsesian visits the Armenian Genocide Memorial, where she chokes up talking about the family members her grandparents lost during a tragic time in history.
You can watch more of O’Brien’s adventures in Armenia on Team Coco’s website.
Thanks to @SonaMov and everyone who made #ConanArmenia happen. pic.twitter.com/AZ6xzR3bXX
— Conan O'Brien (@ConanOBrien) November 18, 2015
Screengrab via Team Coco