Conan Gave Me Permission to Be Silly
After winning the Myx VJ Search, someone told me “Don’t forget you’re smart.” Here’s how Conan O’Brien helped me believe that being silly and intelligent aren’t opposites.
“Don't forget that you're smart.”
Said someone I knew from college when I ran into him after winning the Myx VJ Search in 2009.
I wonder what made him think hosting a music channel was for dummies. Was it the Halloween specials we acted in? This song and dance number in Showtime (when most of us were definitely NOT performers lol)? Random music video sing-a-longs? All the silly things we were allowed to do on camera?
In the moment, I took it as a compliment. This was a diligent student, a go-getter who pursued opportunities to study abroad. He was well liked and respected.
But a part of me was confused.
Did this guy not know Conan O'Brien?
My sister, Patty, and I watched Conan O'Brien A LOT with her dad. We found it hilarious. We'd copy stints. We loved the goofy, over-the-top antics. The slapstick humor. He threw all dignity out the window. 🤣
Throw away the subtle and just take an obnoxious risk.
Sometimes it pays off.
Other times, it’s so bad we all end up laughing anyway.
Patty told me to watch Conan O'Brien: The Kennedy Center Mark Twain Prize for American Humor on Netflix. And I did.
I laughed and laughed and even cried a bit.
I didn't realize how big of an influence Conan had on my life and perspective.
He was living proof that someone who was outright silly, someone who laughed at shallow jokes, someone playful and odd, could also be a deep well of wisdom. After all, he graduated from Harvard and was president of the school's humor magazine.
Conan gave me license to be wacky.
He showed me silly can be smart.
Because of Conan, I know that someone who might act dumb for laughs can also be the smartest person in the room. And, perhaps more importantly, the most loved.
Behind the idiotic, there can be wit.
Thank you, Conan O’Brien, for showing me that serious doesn't equal smart.
(Thank goodness. Because kengkoy might be my superpower. 😆)
Writing this reminded me of my past life at Myx.🤪 Big thanks to whoever made this video. You reminded me of a time when I got to play around on camera.
Oh how time flies.🪁 This was 14-16 years ago!