Conan O'Brien Needs A Friend
Episode overview

Eric Andre Returns Again

Conan O'Brien Needs A Friend · 4 Egleze moments
Eric Andre Returns Again
Episode summary

Comedian Eric Andre joined Conan O'Brien for a characteristically chaotic conversation that careened from World Cup soccer predictions to mental health confessions to bizarre historical crimes. The episode opened with O'Brien attempting to discuss the 2026 World Cup being hosted across North America, though admitting none of the hosts know much about soccer. The conversation quickly derailed into Andre's habit of carrying custom plexiglass separators for every car model when taking Ubers, his recent trip to Morocco for undisclosed business, and a lengthy tangent about William S. Burroughs killing his wife in 1951 and claiming it was a William Tell game. Andre opened up about recently starting SSRIs after years of resistance, fearing medication would diminish his comedy, while crediting Andy Richter for encouraging treatment. He discussed anxiety, obsessive thoughts, and depression that he'd previously self-managed through repression. The pair bonded over their shared experience as comedians hesitant to seek mental health support. Andre recounted a 2020 on-set injury when John Cena threw him through an unsandbbagged shelf during a stunt for The Eric Andre Show, resulting in a concussion. He also confessed to Photoshopping fake injury reports about Knicks players during the Finals and texting them to his Knicks-fan friends, acknowledging he was losing friendships over the prank. The episode promoted Andre's new Netflix film Little Brother with John Cena and his recent album Film Scores for Films That Don't Exist, though the hosts spent minimal time on either project, instead embracing the conversational chaos that defines their chemistry.

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4 moments from this episode

Source-linked · editorially selected
01
Comedy

Andre Confesses to Photoshopping Fake Injuries to Torment Knicks Fan Friends

During the 2025 NBA Finals with the Knicks competing, Andre admitted to creating fake TMZ articles announcing injuries to key Knicks players and sending them to his Knicks-fan friends early in the morning. He described escalating the prank as his friends grew more upset, acknowledging he was actively damaging friendships for his own amusement during a high-stakes playoff run.

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02
Entertainment

Andre Details John Cena Stunt Gone Wrong Causing Concussion on Set

Andre recounted a 2020 incident on The Eric Andre Show where wrestler John Cena threw him through a shelf as planned, but the unsandbbagged metal-framed prop tipped over and struck him, causing a concussion. Andre had shaved all his body hair for the season, which he said prevented him from sensing the shelf falling. He required a hospital visit and CAT scan following the injury.

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03
Health, Longevity & Biohacking

Eric Andre Admits to SSRIs After Years Avoiding Medication for Comedy

Andre opened up about starting SSRIs late in life after years of resistance, believing medication would diminish his comedic ability. He discussed anxiety, obsessive compulsive thought loops, and depression, crediting Andy Richter for encouraging him to seek help. Both Andre and O'Brien shared fears that antidepressants would fundamentally alter their personalities and creative output, a common concern among comedians.

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04
Crime & Justice

Eric Andre Reveals William S. Burroughs Used Apple Defense After Killing Wife

During a tangential conversation about beatnik culture, Andre and O'Brien discussed how legendary author William S. Burroughs claimed he was playing a William Tell game when he shot and killed his wife in 1951 Mexico City. Burroughs was convicted but served only 13 days in jail before being released on bail, eventually receiving a two-year suspended sentence after being convicted in absentia. The hosts used the story to darkly joke about how lightly the crime was treated.

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