Why Conan O’Brien Jokingly Blamed Jason Bateman For His Father’s Death: “This is How I Grieve”

Conan O’Brien opened up about how some dark humor helped him grieve the loss of his parents last year.

O’Brien lost both of his parents, Dr. Thomas F. O’Brien and Ruth Reardon O’Brien, within three days of each other last December. On the Monday, December 8, episode of his podcast, Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend, the former late-night host sat down with longtime pal, Will Arnett, who revealed a joke he, O’Brien and Jason Bateman shared via text just one day after the passing of the comedian’s father.

“I hear that your dad passed away and I text you that day or the next day and I said, ‘Hey, listen. I’m sorry to hear about your dad’s passing, sending love from our family to yours,’” Arnett explained on the podcast. “And you wrote, ‘Thank you, Will. To be honest, I blame Bateman.’”

Arnett said he joked back that it’s not a terrible theory, prompting an even darker response from O’Brien that simply read “he killed my dad.”

As the duo began uproariously laughing, O’Brien made sure to note that his father would have absolutely loved this joke. Fortunately for them, it wasn’t over. Bateman then joined in.

“Bateman texts you and says, ‘Arnett tells me you’re on to me,’” Arnett continued. “Conan says, ‘Bateman, do yourself a favor. Turn yourself in.’”

Days later, O’Brien’s mother passed unexpectedly. Knowing his friend, Arnett decided against texting a typical condolence.

“‘Um, Bateman is asking for your sister’s street address. OK to give?’” Arnett texted.

Not long after, O’Brien responded with a fake address and directions and told him to tell Bateman to “make it look like a robbery.”

Through laughter, the podcast host explained what a tonic this ongoing bit was for him at a time of immense sadness.

“You know what’s weird? I swear to God, this is how I grieve,” he explained. “It was so comforting for me to screw around with you guys at that moment. It just was. And if that makes me a madman, then so be it.”