Episode summary
Conan O'Brien and his podcast team devoted an entire episode to examining the extensive merchandise line for his character Smarty Pants from the recently released Toy Story 5. O'Brien voices the potty training tech toy, which he describes as a first-tier technology toy with a number one and number two button. The centerpiece revelation came when O'Brien disclosed that despite the massive merchandising push, he receives no financial participation in any Smarty Pants products. He recounted how Disney/Pixar effectively gave him a take-it-or-leave-it ultimatum when he attempted to negotiate merchandising rights. The episode showcased dozens of products including multiple Funko Pop variants, apparel ranging from hoodies to baseball shirts, mystery box toys, sticker books, Golden Books, wallets featuring the character, and even Smarty Pants-branded cheese. Staff member David Cruz revealed that O'Brien holds the record for most Funko Pop dolls of any individual at 38, surpassing Stan Lee and Elvis Presley. Throughout the episode, O'Brien oscillated between self-deprecating humor about playing a toilet training device and joking grandiosity about the character's importance, at one point claiming he did all the animation and that the nation is gripped by Smarty Pants Mania. The episode functioned partly as tongue-in-cheek promotion for the film while exposing the realities of talent compensation in major studio productions. O'Brien jokingly encouraged fans to send him money directly if they believed he deserved merchandising revenue, highlighting the absurdity of the situation.
