Ep 57. Ed Helms

The episode titled "Ed Helms" in the 2020 season of Conan features actor and comedian Ed Helms as the guest on the show. Known for his roles in The Office and The Hangover film franchise, Helms joins host Conan O'Brien to discuss his latest projects and share some humorous anecdotes.

The show starts off with the traditional monologue delivered by O'Brien which sets the tone for the episode, making some witty remarks and jokes about current events and pop culture. The conversation soon turns to the guest of the night - Ed Helms.

O'Brien and Helms begin the interview by discussing Helms' recent work as an executive producer on the NBC sitcom, Rutherford Falls. They delve into the challenges of producing a show during the pandemic, the inspiration behind the series, and the importance of representation in Hollywood.

The conversation then moves on to Helms' career trajectory, with O'Brien asking him about his early days as a correspondent on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart. Helms shares some hilarious behind-the-scenes stories, including a particularly memorable segment where he dressed up as a leprechaun to cover St. Patrick's Day celebrations in Ireland.

Helms also talks about his experience working on The Office, one of the most iconic sitcoms of all time. He reminisces about his time playing Andy Bernard, the bumbling salesman with an affinity for a capella music. Helms shares some fun facts about the show, including the fact that the cast had to learn to play their own instruments for the Season 5 episode "Employee Transfer."

In addition to his latest projects, Helms and O'Brien discuss some of his more off-beat passions. Helms reveals that he is an avid banjo player and has even released a bluegrass album called The Lonesome Trio with fellow musicians Ian Riggs and Jacob Tilove. They talk about the origins of his love for the instrument and his favorite bluegrass songs.

The conversation takes a slightly more serious tone as Helms discusses his involvement with the Bluegrass Situation, a non-profit organization that seeks to promote and preserve bluegrass music. Helms talks about his role as a co-founder of the organization and the importance of keeping traditional music alive in a rapidly changing world.

The show ends on a lighter note, with O'Brien and Helms playing a game of "Celebrity Survey." The game involves each of them guessing how a group of people responded to a survey question - in this case, "Which celebrity do you want as your next-door neighbor?" - and seeing who gets the most correct answers.

Overall, the "Ed Helms" episode of Conan is a fun and engaging conversation between two talented comedians. From discussing Helms' latest projects to his love of bluegrass music, there is something for everyone in this episode.