Conan Season 2013 Episode 16 Occupy CONAN: When Outsourcing Goes Too Far
- January 31, 2013
In this episode of Conan, titled "Occupy CONAN: When Outsourcing Goes Too Far", viewers are treated to a hilarious take on the controversial Occupy Wall Street movement. Using his signature brand of satirical humor, Conan O'Brien takes on the issue of job outsourcing in a series of hilarious skits and interviews.
The episode begins with an interview featuring comedian and writer Jim Gaffigan, who shares his thoughts on everything from growing up in Indiana to the absurdity of time travel films. Gaffigan and O'Brien share a great rapport, with their witty banter helping to set the stage for the episode's central theme.
Following the interview, the show transitions into a series of skits that poke fun at the ways in which job outsourcing has impacted various aspects of American life. For example, in one skit, O'Brien plays a fictional tech CEO who introduces a virtual personal assistant app that is designed to handle all of life's mundane tasks. The catch? The app is powered by underpaid contract workers from overseas.
In another skit, O'Brien appears as a fast food worker who has been replaced by a robotic counterpart. The sketch plays on the fears of many Americans who worry that their jobs are at risk due to advances in automation and artificial intelligence.
Throughout the episode, O'Brien's team of writers and producers cleverly weave in references to the Occupy Wall Street movement. At one point, they stage a fake "Occupy CONAN" protest outside the studio, complete with picket signs and bullhorns. The skit is both entertaining and topical, managing to poke fun at the Occupy movement without making light of the concerns driving it.
Another highlight of the episode is an interview with economist and author Robert Reich. Reich, who served as Secretary of Labor under President Bill Clinton, shares his insights on the impact of globalization and income inequality on the American workforce. His comments provide a serious counterbalance to the more lighthearted skits featured on the show.
Overall, "Occupy CONAN: When Outsourcing Goes Too Far" is a must-watch episode for fans of the show and anyone interested in the ways in which technology and globalization are changing the American workforce. With its sharp writing, lively skits, and thoughtful interviews, it manages to be both entertaining and informative in equal measure.