Overview of Summer S’pouses Episode 3: Tak Boroyan
This episode is a playful, affectionate conversation with Tak Boroyan, the husband of Sona Movsesian, featuring Conan O’Brien, Sona, and Matt Gourley. The discussion moves between Tak’s background as an Armenian immigrant, his love of punk music, how he met Sona, and life as a parent to their twin boys. The tone is mostly comic and warm, with lots of teasing about family dynamics, music taste, and Tak’s reputation as one of the coolest people Conan has met.
Main Topics Discussed
Tak’s background and immigration story
- Tak shares that he emigrated from Soviet Armenia in 1989, when he was about 11 years old.
- The hosts reflect on how difficult it must have been to move countries as a child and learn a new language and culture.
- Conan jokes throughout with exaggerated, absurd stories about Tak causing Chernobyl, which becomes an ongoing bit in the episode.
How Tak and Sona met
- Tak and Sona met at Comic-Con, after Sona appeared in a Conan-related segment about Armenia.
- Tak says he recognized her from that episode and thought she looked familiar.
- Their connection grew after they exchanged Facebook friend requests and started talking again after the convention.
- Conan describes Sona as immediately transformed after meeting Tak, calling him a “cool guy” and saying their relationship clearly changed her life for the better.
Their first date and early relationship
- Their first date was a CityWalk outing that included Hard Rock Cafe and the horror movie Lights Out.
- Sona jokes that she was not thrilled about the setup, but it ended up being a fun date.
- Conan and the group laugh about Tak’s “gallant” style and the contrast between his coolness and Sona’s chaotic energy.
Family life and parenting twins
- Tak and Sona have twin boys, Mikey and Charlie, who are described as energetic, sweet, and a constant handful.
- They talk about the nonstop sibling fighting and how parenting often feels like refereeing.
- Tak says he tries not to lose his temper, but admits it’s hard.
- Conan repeatedly praises Tak as a good husband and father.
Music, punk, and mosh pits
- Tak is deeply into punk music, with favorites ranging from:
- The Clash
- Sex Pistols
- Cock Sparrer
- Rancid
- Dropkick Murphys
- He’s also a strong guitarist and has played in multiple bands.
- The episode spends a lot of time joking about mosh pits, including Sona being dragged into one at a Cock Sparrer show in Santa Cruz.
- Tak says he sometimes starts mosh pits and enjoys the chaos, while Conan riffs on the absurdity of doing this at places like weddings, brises, or comedy shows.
Rockabilly, “psychobilly,” and musical taste
- Conan shares that his own vibe is more rockabilly, which they jokingly compare to punk.
- They discuss psychobilly as a fast, rowdy subgenre that Conan half-seriously claims may describe him.
- There’s also a funny exchange about Tak playing music the kids are probably too young for, and Sona objecting to certain genres in the car.
In-laws, traditions, and family culture
- The conversation touches on Tak meeting Sona’s family, including her father Gil and mother Nadia.
- Conan imitates Gil and jokes about family personalities.
- They also mention childhood toys and Soviet-era cartoons, including Cheburashka and Russian Winnie-the-Pooh.
- The episode closes with a lighter discussion of family traditions, with Sona describing her family’s annual picnic.
Notable Jokes and Running Bits
- The Chernobyl bit: Conan keeps escalating a fake story that Tak was responsible for the disaster, which Tak plays along with.
- “Still marrying”: The hosts joke that Tak is “still marrying” Sona, turning marriage into an ongoing process.
- Mosh pit chaos: They repeatedly riff on the danger and etiquette of mosh pits, including absurd settings like a bris or bar mitzvah.
- Tak as the “coolest guy”: Conan repeatedly emphasizes how unexpectedly cool, talented, and handsome Tak is.
- Sona’s dating past: The group jokes that Tak was a huge upgrade from some of Sona’s earlier dates, especially the infamous video-game-in-underwear story.
Key Takeaways
- Tak Boroyan comes across as funny, laid-back, talented, and genuinely likable.
- His relationship with Sona is framed as a great match: she brings chaos and energy, and he brings calm coolness and punk-rock credibility.
- The episode is less an interview than a comic portrait of a family—how they met, how they live, and how their personalities collide in entertaining ways.
- Beneath the jokes, there’s real affection and admiration for Tak as a husband, father, and musician.
Production Notes
- The episode includes several ad reads and sponsor segments woven throughout the conversation.
- It ends with standard podcast credits and a promo for other shows.