Review: The World's Worst Assistant

The World's Worst Assistant by Sona Movsesian
My rating: 4 of 5 stars



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Going into this, one might wonder, why does this Indian looking guy, sounding guy care about a book, written by the assistant of a semi-retired talk show host, who is, by the viewership at least, not even at the top of the list. That’s because the host is Conan O’Brien, and the assistant is his wing man/ work sibling Sona Movsesian (Sorry Andy). 

Now, like most viewers of my pedigree, I came to know of Conan’s particular brand of entertainment through…YouTube, ding, ding. Even back then, what set him apart from his contemporaries was how earnest and organic entertainer, especially when it comes to off the cuff bits and his engaging interaction with fans and strangers. And let’s face it, no one can work a crowd with little or no prep time like Conan, the guy has just that much charisma. And despite being known as having a somewhat risqué form of comedy early in his career, he ironically has some of the more wholesome and family friendly sketches amongst the increasingly rowdy talk show crowd, catering to a demographic which is getting shallower with shorter attention spans, leaning on the more bizarre and sometimes morbid. But I digress. 

One aspect that made me a repeat viewer of Conan is the way he could go into any room, street, and even foreign country, and immediately start chatting up strangers. What’s more, he’s able to form human as well as humorous connections with what amounts to complete strangers. This guy is the antithesis of me, whose batteries are drained after a handful of social interactions. He’s a people’s person through and through. 

This personability translates to his relationship with his colleagues and staff. By now, for those who are in the fandom, or Team Coco as we’re colloquially called, known of the almost reverent tale, of Conan getting sacked at NBC, and paying his whole staff out of his pockets during the intermittent period. He is someone who genuinely cares about the people who work with him. 

Naturally, this has translated to some high morale and great rapport he has with everyone from an unpaid intern to his sidekick/ wingman Andy Richter. Some of Conan’s most popular bits are segments “Conan without borders” where he travels to different cultures and interacts with people on the ground level, which makes for much wholesome and humorous entertainment. Then there are the shorts he shoots with members of his staff, such as Aaron Bleyaert, Jordan Schlansky and of course, assistant Sona Movsesian. In an era where many celebrities and talk show host *cough* Dory *cough* are in hot water for the toxic way they treat their subordinates, Conan is someone who has unwittingly gained more popularity for going the opposite route. His employees might not get Rolexes, Cars, or homes as gifts, but at least they get respect. (Though Sona might disagree). 

Sona’s semi autobiography, memoirs, journal whatever might be the technical term for it, tells of how, sometimes, when you’re true to your nature, regardless of how eccentric it might be, sometimes, just sometimes, you might end up in a workplace that lets you slack off, get to watch a 'Friends' marathon at work, and order dinner pretending to your Boss. As well as said Boss, caring very little if you’re actually doing your job, using you as the sounding board or butt of the jokes he’s making, someone who knocks muffins out of your hands, and wrecks your car, buying you a new wrecked one; trust me, it’s better than it sounds. 

Reading the book was a breeze, in the sense that most of the pages were illustrations, as well as some sections which are intentionally meandering to make up for the page count. And it’s not misleading, cause the writer specifically says that she’s just dragging it out for the page count. Even if you’re getting scammed, it helps when the scammer is being upfront with you. 

Also, no offense to Sona, but I’m fairly certain that most people who picked up the book, did so more to know about how Conan is behind the scenes, to know about more anecdotes from a source that is (fairly) unbiased in the matter. To put it another way, I’m reading it more to know about this step-sibling-esque relationship shared by Sona and Conan, cause it’s quite engaging to watch on screen. 

Secondly, while reading through the book, I considered it was ironic that Conan’s assistant managed to publish a book before the man himself. Now, that is certainly not because he lacks the connections or know how to write a book. Despite acting like the arrogant asshole buffoon on screen, O’ Brien is a Harvard graduate, and a lifelong history buff, who was also writer for popular shows such as the Simpsons and SNL. Reading some of his literature outside of his chosen career, can reveal to you a person who’s quite good with his words and engaging to listen to. If some day in the future, we do get a published work in the future, I’m half certain that it’s going to be some historical introspective treatise about the Russian revolution, communism, its rise and fall, or something along the line, perchance with some humorous prose. But until that time, the only thing we have to go is his thoughtful yet hilarious foreword to Sona’s book (which leaves you wanting for more)

So, here’s hoping. Oh, the current book, yeah, it’s funny in places, easy to read, typical Sona in how lazy and chippy it is; and all that. Give it a try for a leisurely after meal afternoon perusal. 

P.S: Next in line, Jordan Schlansky's detailed travelogue about Italy, with special featurette on the TDS quality of its waters.