Conan O'Brien sets Funko Pop record with 38 different dolls
"Conan, you are the most fun code person with 38 different Funko dolls. Stan Lee is 37 and Elvis is 30."
About this episode
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.
Key takeaways
- Conan O'Brien disclosed he receives zero financial compensation from Toy Story 5 Smarty Pants merchandise despite voicing the character in the film
- Disney/Pixar reportedly gave O'Brien an ultimatum to accept the Toy Story 5 role without merchandising rights or decline the part entirely
- O'Brien holds the record for most Funko Pop variations at 38 dolls, surpassing Stan Lee at 37 and Elvis Presley at 30
- The Smarty Pants merchandise line includes dozens of products from clothing and toys to books and even branded cheese
- O'Brien voices Smarty Pants, described as a first-tier tech toy and potty training device that runs on AA batteries
- The episode mixed promotional content for Toy Story 5 with satire about celebrity merchandising and Hollywood compensation practices
- O'Brien joked throughout about demanding his own merchandise box separate from other characters and claiming full creative credit for the film's success