Conan O'Brien Needs a Friend
Michael Jackson & Eddie Murphy presented awards to each other on Arsenio Hall's show
Episode Summary
AI-generated · Apr 2026AI-generated summary — may contain inaccuracies. Not a substitute for the full episode or professional advice.
Conan O'Brien reminisces about a unique moment he orchestrated during his time hosting the MTV Awards, involving an unexpected on-screen interaction between two global superstars: Michael Jackson and Eddie Murphy. He details how a logistical challenge turned into an unforgettable television segment.
O'Brien explains that during one of the three years he hosted the MTV Awards, Michael Jackson was unable to attend to receive his honor. To resolve this, O'Brien made a deal for Jackson to be presented with his award on O'Brien's own show the following week.
To elevate the segment beyond a simple award presentation, O'Brien decided to invite Eddie Murphy, who was also receiving a film award around the same time. His ingenious idea was for "Michael and Eddie can each give the other an award," creating a truly unique and memorable televised exchange.
The segment unfolded as planned, with Michael Jackson praising Eddie Murphy as "the best comedian in the history of" and presenting him with an award. Eddie Murphy reciprocated the gesture, saying, "Yeah, oh, Mike, so this one's for you," before handing Jackson his award. O'Brien describes the entire interaction as "the best segment ever."
Listeners will gain an insider's perspective on how iconic, unscripted television moments can be created, showcasing O'Brien's creativity in navigating celebrity schedules and transforming a simple award presentation into a captivating, one-of-a-kind event featuring two legendary figures.
👤 Who Should Listen
- Fans of Conan O'Brien's career anecdotes and humor.
- Individuals interested in behind-the-scenes stories of iconic celebrity interactions.
- Listeners curious about the history of television and award show production.
- Anyone who enjoys insights into how memorable pop culture moments are created.
- People intrigued by unique pairings of superstar talent on screen.
🔑 Key Takeaways
- 1.Conan O'Brien hosted the MTV Awards for three years during his career.
- 2.Michael Jackson was unable to attend the MTV Awards one year, leading to a plan for him to receive his award on Conan's show instead.
- 3.Conan O'Brien conceived the idea to invite Eddie Murphy to the show so that both superstars could present each other with awards.
- 4.During the segment, Michael Jackson declared Eddie Murphy "the best comedian in the history of" before giving him an award.
- 5.Eddie Murphy reciprocated, presenting Michael Jackson with his award, adding, "Yeah, oh, Mike, so this one's for you."
- 6.Conan O'Brien considered this unique, star-studded award exchange to be "the best segment ever."
- 7.The mere presence of Michael Jackson walking out to join Conan and Eddie Murphy heightened the excitement of the live television moment.
⏱ Timeline Breakdown
💬 Notable Quotes
“"Let's see if Eddie will come and Michael and Eddie can kiss each other's ass, you know."”
“"Michael and Eddie can each give the other an award."”
“"Michael said Eddie is the best comedian in the history of, you know, and Michael gave him. And Eddie is like, 'Yeah, oh, Mike, so this one's for you.'"”
“"it was the best segment ever."”
More from this guest
Arsenio Hall
Listen to Full Episode
📬 Get weekly summaries like this one
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime. By subscribing you agree to our Privacy Policy.
Continue Exploring
