There are simpler ways to get argan oil than flying to Morocco with Conan O'Brien. But for Sona Movsesian, the journey was worth every camel ride and sand-filled moment. In the latest season of Conan O'Brien Must Go, Movsesian joins the late-night legend on a trip to Morocco that's equal parts travelogue and comedy gold. And yes, she came home with what she jokingly calls "gallons" of the precious oil.
"I gave a lot of it away because so many people were like, 'You're going to go for actual argan oil from Morocco?'" Movsesian tells ShowtimeSpot. "I think I got one suitcase that was just oil, so if it exploded in the plane, it would have been the worst thing. But I got so much of it, and then I just gave it away to a lot of people. But I still have a lot. I use so much of it, so I'm actually moving through it pretty quickly."
She's already thinking about a return trip. "I feel like I have to go to Conan and say, 'I think I need to go to Morocco again,' just for more oil," she laughs.
Back to Their Old Dynamic
Movsesian spent 12 years as O'Brien's assistant, traveling with him to Cuba, Armenia, South Korea, and Mexico City. But Morocco marks the first time she's joined him on this kind of adventure without being officially responsible for him. "There were so many times where I still kind of wanted to take care of him, make sure he was being fed, make sure he was comfortable," she says. But as soon as they're on the road together, they "revert right back" to their familiar rhythm.
"We're incredibly childish," Movsesian admits. "He brings out the immaturity in me, which says a lot because I'm already very immature, but he heightens that immaturity." That playful bickering is exactly what makes their on-screen partnership so magnetic. Movsesian isn't trying to match O'Brien joke for joke. "I will never be as funny as Conan and... I don't ever want to be," she says. Instead, she relies on what she calls her "Conan net" — the luxury of knowing that whatever ridiculous thing she says, O'Brien will somehow make it funnier.
Behind the Scenes of the Morocco Episode
The episode features the pair riding camels across the Sahara, getting buried in sand, and O'Brien wandering off mid-conversation while Movsesian tries to explain the finer points of Heated Rivalry. It's a chaotic, hilarious adventure that showcases their unique chemistry. Movsesian also reveals that the trip felt like no time had passed since her last outing with O'Brien, even though she's now a mother of two and has stepped back from her assistant role.
In addition to the Morocco episode, Movsesian opens up about her new book, The World's Worst Mom, the follow-up to her bestseller The World's Worst Assistant. She also discusses navigating a level of recognition she never expected, and how her life has changed since becoming a mother. For fans of Conan O'Brien Must Go, this season's Morocco episode is a must-watch, and Movsesian's interview offers a delightful behind-the-scenes look at the making of the show.
If you're looking for more comedy, check out The Paper's second season, which finally hits its stride. And for a different kind of laugh, Timothy Olyphant's undead comedy deserves a second look.
