Overview of Conan O'Brien Needs a Fan — “Find The Communist!”
In this episode, Conan O’Brien, Sona Movsesian, and Matt Gourley talk with Patrick, the creative director of Highlights Magazine, who calls in from northeastern Pennsylvania near Scranton. The conversation is a mix of nostalgia, comedy, and admiration for one of the most iconic children’s magazines in America, with the hosts riffing on everything from Goofus and Gallant to hidden pictures, kid-tested content, and the absurdity required to make work that genuinely entertains children.
Main Topics Discussed
Highlights Magazine and Its Legacy
- Patrick explains that he works as the creative director for Highlights Magazine.
- Conan and Sona immediately connect with the brand, sharing memories of reading it as kids and at pediatrician offices.
- The hosts note that Highlights has long been part of childhood culture and still feels familiar and comforting.
How the Magazine Is Made
- Patrick describes the creative process as highly collaborative and playful.
- The team brainstorms absurd ideas, then filters them down to what will actually work for a child audience.
- He emphasizes that they often lean into the logic of kids’ imaginations, where reality and absurdity can coexist naturally.
Hidden Pictures, “Goofus and Gallant,” and Kid Logic
- The hosts revisit classic Highlights features, especially:
- Goofus and Gallant
- Hidden pictures
- Silly scenes
- They joke about how different “silliness” can feel depending on age and perspective.
- Patrick explains that the magazine leaves room for interpretation, because what counts as silly is subjective.
Testing Content With Kids
- Patrick says Highlights actively tests ideas with children.
- Kids provide honest feedback and even inspire content directly, including the magazine’s “kids takeover” issue.
- He notes that children’s reactions are refreshingly candid, even when they try to soften criticism.
Patrick’s Background and Personal Life
- Patrick shares that he has worked on other magazines, including:
- Maxim
- Boating
- Windsurfing
- Parenting
- The hosts joke about the odd overlap between those publications.
- He also mentions that he and his daughter read Highlights together as an appointment-style ritual.
Antiquing and Rural Pennsylvania
- Patrick talks about living in a region with lots of antiques and taking weekend road trips to look for unusual finds.
- He describes owning distinctive pieces like an old barn workbench and a mining cart turned coffee table.
- Conan and the group go into playful, darkly comic territory imagining bizarre antique discoveries.
Notable Running Jokes and Bits
- Matt Gourley is teased repeatedly for jumping ahead in the conversation.
- Conan jokes about absurd childlike versions of Highlights, including fake retro propaganda versions and anti-communist features.
- The group riffs on the idea of “finding the communist” in a picture, turning the wholesome magazine premise into Cold War satire.
- There’s also a long-running bit about Conan being drawn to dark humor and the hosts imagining increasingly unhinged magazine activities.
Key Takeaways
- Highlights is still seen as a beloved, enduring children’s brand.
- The magazine’s creative process relies on imagination, absurdity, and child feedback.
- The episode celebrates the value of making thoughtful, playful content for kids without talking down to them.
- The conversation is less an interview and more a comedic tribute to childhood reading, creativity, and the strange delight of hidden-picture magazines.