Overview of Sword Play
In this episode of Conan O’Brien Needs a Fan, Conan chats with Zach Tarantelli, an animator and the head of animation for Zack D Films, known for helping produce short-form animated content for a massive online audience. The conversation quickly turns into a very Conan-style blend of praise, teasing, and escalating absurdity—covering animation, Zach’s fiancée, his obsession with The Lord of the Rings swords, moon-based spirituality, his thoughts on aging and death, and a homemade trading card game built around alternate-history legends.
Key Topics Discussed
Zach’s Animation Career
- Zach says he personally animated 70 shorts before moving into a leadership role.
- Conan praises animation as a medium where “anything can happen,” especially the surreal, irreverent kind he loves from classic cartoons and shows like The Simpsons.
- Conan jokes that he himself is basically a cartoon character, and Zach agrees in the spirit of the bit.
Conan’s Secret Animated Short
- Zach reveals he made a small animated piece for Conan.
- He’s hesitant to share it publicly because it was done quickly and he doesn’t want it judged too harshly.
- Conan pushes to see it, but Zach worries about it being attached to his professional brand.
The Aragorn Sword Obsession
- A major running joke centers on Zach’s Aragorn sword replicas.
- He owns:
- A large replica behind his computer
- A second cheaper one purchased because the first lacked a sheath
- Smaller versions after the sheath situation became complicated
- Conan is both amused and horrified by the accumulation of swords, repeatedly mocking the idea that this somehow became a collection.
Zach’s Fiancée, Ash
- Zach talks warmly about his fiancée Ash, describing her as:
- A singer
- An actor
- A writer
- His “soulmate”
- They met doing regional theater and writing/performing sketch comedy.
- Ash is described as spiritually minded and very connected to the moon.
Moon Rituals and Mysticism
- Conan leans into the joke that Ash may be a witch because of her moon-centered spiritual practices.
- Zach explains that she hosts new moon and full moon “coven nights” and believes in the power of intention, manifestation, and psychology.
- Zach says he’s become more open to spirituality through her influence.
Proposal Story
- Zach proposed during a super blood moon lunar eclipse.
- He tried to make it feel spontaneous by staging a nighttime picnic, but Ash apparently had the proposal marked on her calendar already.
- Conan jokes that a truly good surprise would have involved fake fire or some other distraction.
Aging, Mortality, and End-of-Life Plans
- The conversation turns darkly funny as Conan asks what age Zach would choose to “go out.”
- Zach says 75 feels like enough life, but Conan pushes back, citing Mick Jagger as evidence that people often change their minds as they get older.
- They joke about possible exits:
- Thelma & Louise style off the Grand Canyon
- A quiet, romantic “Last of Us” style ending with pills and wine
- Conan insists you shouldn’t overthink your own death—just enjoy life now.
Zach’s Trading Card Game: Alterverse
- Zach is designing a trading card game with his brother and best friend called Alterverse.
- The concept: alternate-universe versions of historical or legendary figures battling in an arena.
- Examples mentioned:
- Abraham Lincoln vs. a robot Lincoln
- Sherlock Holmes as a robot vs. Hercules as a caveman
- Conan is amused and intrigued by the elaborate, nerdy creativity.
Zach’s Weird Personal Habit
- Zach admits he sometimes signs headshots of himself and mails them to himself to open later and enjoy.
- Conan immediately calls it narcissistic, but Zach frames it as a harmless self-entertainment game.
Notable Moments
- Conan repeatedly escalates the joke about Zach’s swords, calling it an absurd collector’s obsession.
- The show’s tone shifts from playful teasing to unexpectedly reflective when they discuss aging and mortality.
- Zach comes across as genuinely creative and good-natured, while Conan ends on a note of warm approval despite all the mockery.
Main Takeaways
- Zach Tarantelli is a talented animator with a strong creative streak and a quirky sense of humor.
- His life is filled with deliberately eccentric details—swords, moon rituals, self-signed headshots, and alternate-history card games—which fit perfectly into Conan’s comedic world.
- Beneath the jokes, the conversation highlights:
- The value of creative work
- The importance of finding a partner who shares your worldview
- The tension between wanting to stay young and accepting that life moves on