Gage Skidmore, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Why we think Conan O'Brien is a Type 7
Demeanor. Conan's demeanor is lively, witty, and often self-deprecating. He brings a great deal of energy to his hosting style, often engaging his guests with animated expressions and reactions. He can be spontaneous and is quick to laugh, making his interviews feel more casual and relaxed.
Focus on positivity and enjoyment. Conan's brand of humor often leans towards the light-hearted and self-deprecating. He likes to keep things fun and positive on his shows, often glossing over serious topics with humor.
Zest for immersive, varied experiences. In his Conan Without Borders series, Conan travels to countries like Cuba, South Korea, and Italy, and immerses himself in their cultures. In South Korea, for example, he filmed a music video with J.Y. Park, learned the language, and even appeared on a Korean soap opera. The series is all about fun and entertaining. For example, in the Japan episode, he dressed up in neon with blue hair, and he commented, “I basically look like my mom on ecstasy.” As a joke, he also started a faux feud with the mayor, demanding 3 trillion yen.
Physical comedy. Conan is known for his characteristic "string dance," where he moves his arms and hands in an awkwardly comedic way, which further highlights his unique physical presence and his desire to have fun and entertain.
Quick-witted. Conan has an intellectual streak to his humor, making astute and often sarcastic remarks. This mix of high and low comedy, combined with his personable and approachable style, and plenty of silliness, is what has made him a beloved figure in late-night television.
Avoidance of pain. In his Harvard Class Day Speech in 2000, Conan spoke about how he used humor to deal with the failure and disappointment of his early career before landing a writing job at Saturday Night Live. He said, "I did a lot of silly, unconventional, spontaneous and seemingly irrational things and guess what? With the exception of the naked guy, everything I did was a big success." During his departure from The Tonight Show, he used humor to cope with the situation and make light of the circumstances.
Conan O'Brien quotes that show he is a Type 7
"I’ve always dreamed of a trip where I follow in the footsteps of great explorers. But since all the great explorers have already been everywhere, I’ll settle for going places that nobody wants to go."
"Do not be cynical. I hate cynicism — it’s my least favorite quality and it doesn't lead anywhere."
"I knew that if I wanted to do comedy, I should move to where the action was."
[In Japan] “There are services for people who want companionship. I was intrigued by this, so I rented a wife, daughter and husband. I made my Japanese father apologize for things my father had done in the ’70s.”
“People love watching me have fun.”
"I have devoted all my energy to making people laugh and trying to make this world slightly better than the way I found it."