A New York bar owner riffed with Conan O’Brien in 90 seconds of viral video she says ‘changed my life’
Brooklyn bar owner Debbie Shields became widely known after an impromptu exchange with comedian Conan O’Brien on a New York subway was filmed for Kareem Rahma’s Subway Takes. Their playful, 90-second routine drew attention to Shields and her Bed-Stuy bar, Confessions, and has led her to consider trying stand-up comedy.
Shields, 68, said the encounter happened after she and a friend spotted O’Brien on the F train; she sat beside him and joined in when he joked that they had once been married. The pair improvised a story about children and former marriages, prompting O’Brien to laugh. Shields now hosts weekly comedy nights, and her bar has added a drink called The Baby Daddy O’Brien.
In short
- Debbie Shields went viral after joking with Conan O’Brien on the subway.
- The 90-second clip brought new attention to her Brooklyn bar.
- She is considering trying stand-up comedy.
Explained simply
Subway Takes is a short video series in which host Kareem Rahma chats with people on New York’s subway about their opinions. Comedian and television host Conan O’Brien appeared on an episode with Debbie Shields, who owns Confessions, a bar in the Brooklyn neighbourhood of Bed-Stuy.
Shields and O’Brien improvised a playful exchange that was filmed and shared online. Confessions now holds weekly comedy nights, and the attention has prompted Shields to consider trying stand-up. Viral videos can bring sudden attention to local businesses and give people new opportunities, though how long that attention lasts can vary.