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Comedy legends Conan O'Brien and Greg Daniels are sharing a hilarious and surprisingly dramatic behind-the-scenes story from their Saturday Night Live days. During a recent episode of O'Brien's popular podcast, Conan O'Brien Needs a Friend, the pair recounted a time when a particularly ambitious costume designer attempted to have them both fired – a tale of creative clashes and overstepping boundaries that's sure to entertain fans of the iconic sketch show.

The incident, as recounted by O'Brien and Daniels, involved a costume designer who, according to Daniels, “really thought they were running the show.” This designer, feeling that O'Brien and Daniels' writing and performance styles were detrimental to the show's overall quality, took it upon themselves to alert Lorne Michaels, the legendary creator and producer of SNL, about their perceived shortcomings. The designer essentially tried to portray O’Brien and Daniels as disruptive forces, hoping to trigger their dismissal.

“This person went to Lorne Michaels and said, ‘I need to talk to you about Conan and Greg,’” Daniels explained. “And essentially tried to get us fired. It was wild.” O’Brien added, with his trademark comedic delivery, “It was a very aggressive tactic.”

The story highlights the often-unseen power dynamics within the high-pressure environment of a live television show like SNL, where creative control can be a fiercely contested commodity. The costume designer's actions, while ultimately unsuccessful, demonstrate a willingness to go to extreme lengths to influence the show’s direction.

O'Brien and Daniels, who both joined SNL in the early 1990s, have often shared anecdotes about their experiences on the show, offering glimpses into the often-chaotic and unpredictable world of sketch comedy. Their collaboration during that period produced some of SNL's most memorable moments, and their friendship has endured long after their time on the show.

The podcast episode, already gaining traction online, serves as a reminder that even behind the laughter and brilliance of Saturday Night Live, there can be moments of tension and conflict. It's a testament to the resilience of O’Brien and Daniels, and the enduring legacy of SNL, that they can look back on such an incident with humor and perspective.

Listeners were captivated by the story, praising the hosts for their honesty and willingness to share behind-the-scenes details. The episode reinforces the appeal of Conan O'Brien Needs a Friend, which consistently features insightful conversations with a wide range of guests, often delving into personal and professional experiences with wit and charm.