Conan O’Brien sets launch date for new podcast, names Will Ferrell as first guest

#ImWithCoco veterans, assemble: Conan O’Brien will debut his new podcast, “Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend,” Monday Nov. 19 with guest Will Ferrell, Team Coco and Earwolf announced Thursday.

“After 25 years of extensive market research we have learned that people want to hear my voice without seeing my face. So rejoice, America,” O’Brien said in a statement.

“It’s a chance for me to just be me,” O’Brien adds in the preview to his podcast, which you can listen to below. “I get to have a really intimate conversation with these people.”

The podcast will launch an initial 36-week run with a lineup that includes guests like Kristen Bell, Bill Burr, Nick Offerman, Megan Mullally, Marc Maron and Wanda Sykes.

“Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend” comes after the announcement that O’Brien’s late-night talk show “Conan” will reformat in January into a half-hour series. “Conan” will remain with TBS during the transition.

“It gives us the opportunity to double down on stuff we’re doing that works best and resonates with our fan base, especially our digital stuff, and make the show leaner so I’m never out there filling time in any way,” O’Brien said during the initial announcement of the format change in May.

Also Read:Conan Chokes up as He Bids Farewell to the One-Hour Format and His Basic Cable Band (Video)

The podcast will be available through iTunes, Stitcher and every major podcast outlet.