Adam Scott revisits a painfully awkward comedy bit involving Big Little Lies and the Traveling Wilburys—and why silence spoke volumes.
What Happened When Adam Scott Pitched a Comedy Bit?
Adam Scott still cringes over a failed comedy bit he pitched on Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend.
Promoting Big Little Lies Season 2, he compared the star-studded cast to the Traveling Wilburys—a supergroup most younger viewers had never heard of.
Why Did the Traveling Wilburys Analogy Flop?
Scott meticulously mocked up an album cover aligning Reese Witherspoon with Bob Dylan and Nicole Kidman with George Harrison.
But the reference landed in utter silence. As Conan O’Brien joked, even the “air condenser” could be heard—proof the bit missed the mark.
Was There ANY Merit to the Idea?
Co-host Matt Gourley claimed he liked the concept, but Scott admitted he’d skipped writing actual jokes.
Instead, he relied on vague parallels like “she was in Days of Thunder, so she’s Bob Dylan,” expecting spontaneous laughs that never came.
How Did Conan O’Brien React?
O’Brien lightened the mood by teasing Scott’s unforgettable flop, quipping that he wakes up haunted by the “Wilburys bit.”
His fictional wife even reassures him, “You’re safe now”—a playful jab at Scott’s lingering embarrassment.
What Makes a Comedy Bit Unforgivably Bad?
The bit failed due to dated references, zero setup, and overconfidence.
As Scott learned, even A-list casts can’t salvage an analogy requiring a history degree in ’80s rock bands.
Quick Facts: Adam Scott’s Comedy Mishap
1️⃣ Podcast: Aired on Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend.
2️⃣ Promoting: Big Little Lies Season 2.
3️⃣ Supergroup Reference: 1980s band Traveling Wilburys.
4️⃣ Mock Cast: Reese Witherspoon as Bob Dylan, Nicole Kidman as George Harrison.
5️⃣ Outcome: Dead silence and lifelong regret.