Though his popular talk show has concluded, Conan O’Brien hasn’t completely bid farewell to his beloved segments. While fans may have to wait some time for the iconic Masturbating Bear to make a comeback, Conan has treated viewers to a fresh installment of the fan-favorite “Clueless Gamer” series.
“Clueless Gamer,” a highlight of TBS’ critically acclaimed Conan program, features the hapless video game novice O’Brien frequently pairing up with the exuberant gamer Aaron Bleyaert, and occasionally welcoming a celebrity Alex Reed, as they dive into iconic gaming titles. These escapades have included everything from the action-packed Grand Theft Auto V to the family-friendly chaos of Mario Kart 8, and even the infamous, poorly-received E.T. game for Atari, which was buried in a an unmarked mass grave in the New Mexico desert after its disastrous release.
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In the latest episode, Conan and Bleyaert delved into a director’s cut of the highly acclaimed Death Stranding, crafted by the visionary game designer Hideo Kojima. What makes this particular game noteworthy is that O’Brien makes a special appearance as a character within the game itself. In 2019, Conan had the rare opportunity to meet Kojima in Tokyo, right as Kojima Productions put the finishing touches on the long-anticipated Death Stranding. During this visit, Conan had his facial features scanned and digitized, ensuring his cameo role in the game was brought to life.
Indeed, O’Brien’s character, whimsically named the “Wandering MC,” appears in the game as a hologram donned in an otter hat, delivering several minutes of cringe-inducing monologue jokes that are quintessentially his style.
“I thought it was accurate,” Bleyaert joked, to which O’Brien replied with a hint of sarcasm, “It was accurate. I didn’t want accurate.”
Conan was clearly playing up his comedic disappointment for the cameras, as he’s well aware of what his virtual self looks like. However, the experience of navigating through the game while encountering his own digital avatar might have taken a different turn.
At the conclusion of the “Clueless Gamer” video, Conan took the opportunity to call Hideo Kojima directly, inquiring about a more heroic role in future games: “Maybe where I’m a bit more of a hero? Not somebody who just tells, sort of otter jokes. Like a guy who’s kind of the focus of the game. Kind of a sexy guy?” He humorously noted that such an enhancement could potentially lead to his own video game franchise, a television series, and even themed attractions.
Kojima responded positively, inviting Conan to return to their studio for a new scan using “better scanning technology” for an upcoming project, which hints at Conan’s likely appearance in Death Stranding 2. The details remain uncertain, leaving fans to wonder whether he will reprise his original role or embody a more chiseled, comical character as he envisioned.
Once the scanning process is complete, perhaps Conan can take a well-deserved break and allow his CGI counterpart to host the Oscars next March, adding another layer of intrigue to Hollywood’s biggest night.
What inspired the revival of “Clueless Gamer” after Conan’s talk show ended?
**Interview with Aaron Bleyaert on “Clueless Gamer” and Conan’s Return to Gaming**
**Interviewer:** Today, we have Aaron Bleyaert, the energetic and humorous co-host of Conan O’Brien’s beloved “Clueless Gamer” segment, joining us to discuss the latest episodes and Conan’s unique contributions to gaming. Aaron, thanks for being here!
**Aaron Bleyaert:** Thanks for having me! It’s always a pleasure to talk about gaming and the fun we have on “Clueless Gamer.”
**Interviewer:** Even though Conan’s talk show has ended, he’s bringing back “Clueless Gamer.” How does it feel to revive this fan-favorite segment?
**Aaron Bleyaert:** It’s fantastic! The response from the fans has been amazing. “Clueless Gamer” has such a dedicated following, and Conan’s humor paired with video games creates a really entertaining experience. Plus, who wouldn’t want to see Conan hilariously embarrass himself in video games again?
**Interviewer:** You mentioned Conan’s knack for gaming mistakes. Can you share a memorable moment from the latest episode?
**Aaron Bleyaert:** Absolutely! In the latest episode, we played the director’s cut of “Death Stranding,” which is a beautifully complex game by Hideo Kojima. Conan, as you know, isn’t exactly the best gamer, so watching him navigate through the game’s unique challenges—while also cracking jokes—was just classic. Plus, there’s something special about playing a game where Conan himself actually appears as a character, the ”Wandering MC.” It adds a layer of surreal humor, for sure!
**Interviewer:** Speaking of his character, how did Conan’s cameo come about in “Death Stranding”?
**Aaron Bleyaert:** In 2019, Conan had this incredible opportunity to meet Hideo Kojima in Tokyo just before the game launched. He got scanned for his character, which is such a unique and rare experience. It’s not every day that a talk show host gets immortalized in a video game. Fans are really excited to see him in that context!
**Interviewer:** “Clueless Gamer” has tackled a wide range of titles over the years. Do you have a favorite moment from a past episode?
**Aaron Bleyaert:** There are so many! One that always stands out was our episode on “Grand Theft Auto V.” Conan’s bewilderment with the sheer chaos and the open-world environment had us all in stitches. It’s a testament to how much fun it is to see someone who normally isn’t in the gaming world experience it firsthand. The absurdity of the situations we found ourselves in is something that will always stick with me.
**Interviewer:** With all the success of “Clueless Gamer,” do you see more collaborations or returns in the future?
**Aaron Bleyaert:** Definitely! As long as there are games to play and funny moments to share, I think Conan will keep this series going. Plus, with the gaming world constantly evolving, there’s always something new and exciting to explore. We’re just getting started!
**Interviewer:** Exciting times ahead! Any last words for your fans and viewers?
**Aaron Bleyaert:** Just a huge thank you! Your support means the world to us, and we can’t wait for everyone to see what we’ve got in store. Remember, gaming is all about having fun, so come laugh with us!
**Interviewer:** Thanks, Aaron! We can’t wait to catch the next episode of “Clueless Gamer.”
**Aaron Bleyaert:** Thank you! See you in the game world!
