To honor Conan O’Brien’s visit, Langley names a trash can after him

The famous talk show host was on Whidbey Island for his playwright wife’s show at WICA.

LANGLEY — The police chief could have arrested the famous talk show host for vandalizing public property.

Instead, he applauded him.

What’s up with that?

Armed with a Sharpie, Conan O’Brien drew a caricature of himself on the top of a trash can by City Hall in an impromptu ceremony Friday afternoon.

“What an honor,” he wrote. He signed it, “Your new friend.”

O’Brien was in town with his playwright wife Liza Powel O’Brien for the premiere of her play “Apostrophe” at the Whidbey Island Center for the Arts, which runs through June 25.

“I want to thank all of you for this fantastic privilege of having a trash can named after me,” O’Brien told the gathering on First Street.

He praised the cordial community and the ramen he had at Ultra House.

“I’ve been here eight hours and I know everybody in this area,” he said.

“The Conan Can” is destined to be the most talked about trash can in Washington state.

The top of “The Conan Can” signed by Conan O’Brien on June 10, 2022, when he was in Langley, Washington, for the premiere of his playwright wife’s show. The trash can is by City Hall on the First Street side. (Submitted photo)

The top of “The Conan Can” signed by Conan O’Brien on June 10, 2022, when he was in Langley, Washington, for the premiere of his playwright wife’s show. The trash can is by City Hall on the First Street side. (Submitted photo)

When word got out Friday that the tall comedian with the pompadour red hair was in town, Langley Mayor Scott Chaplin and police Chief Tavier Wasser had to act fast.

“The chief saw him when he was just doing his walk around town,” Chaplin said.

The officials wanted to commemorate his visit for the good folks of Langley. It needed to be something silly, like a storm drain or a trash can.

Since O’Brien was the longest-serving late night host, the long-serving can by City Hall was a good fit.

O’Brien, 59, retired from late-night TV a year ago after almost 28 years with shows such as Late Night with Conan O’Brien, “The Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien” and “Conan.” He was also a writer for “Saturday Night Live” and “The Simpsons.”

Resident Basil Hassoun, 23, a hip urban designer, was summoned by the mayor to give a trash can dedication speech. He put on a bow tie for the occasion.

“Who better to symbolize our sleepy retirement community than the man who spent his career putting our people to sleep?” he said.

A piece of notebook paper with “The Conan Can” in inked letters was taped to the front of the brown can. There’s talk of a bronze plaque being installed as a marker. Or something artsy. After all, this is Langley.

The seaside village draws those who want to chill, create, perform and escape.

“Famous people pass through occasionally. Not very often, really,” Chaplin said. “Macklemore came through one time. Oh, the Barefoot Bandit lived in the area for a while.”

Tourists are expected to flock to the can for selfies and make a deposit.

“We should probably add a recycling bin next to it. Maybe we should name it after his wife,” the mayor said.

Andrea Brown: 425-339-3443; abrown@heraldnet.com; Twitter: @reporterbrown.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Customers enter and exit the Costco on Dec. 2, 2022, in Lake Stevens. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Costco stores could be impacted by looming truck driver strike threat

Truck drivers who deliver groceries and produce to Costco warehouses… Continue reading

Two Washington State ferries pass along the route between Mukilteo and Clinton as scuba divers swim near the shore Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Ferry system increases ridership by a half million in 2024

Edmonds-Kingston route remains second-busiest route in the system.

Pharmacist Nisha Mathew prepares a Pfizer COVID booster shot for a patient at Bartell Drugs on Broadway on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Everett lawmakers back universal health care bill, introduced in Olympia

Proponents say providing health care for all is a “fundamental human right.” Opponents worry about the cost of implementing it.

Outside of the updated section of Lake Stevens High School on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020 in Lake Stevens, Wa. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Lake Stevens, Arlington school measures on Feb. 11 ballot

A bond in Lake Stevens and a levy in Arlington would be used to build new schools.

Lake Stevens Sewer District wastewater treatment plant. (Lake Stevens Sewer District)
Lake Stevens sewer district trial delayed until April

The dispute began in 2021 and centers around when the city can take over the district.

Robin Cain with 50 of her marathon medals hanging on a display board she made with her father on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Running a marathon is hard. She ran one in every state.

Robin Cain, of Lake Stevens, is one of only a few thousand people to ever achieve the feat.

People line up to grab food at the Everett Recovery Cafe on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Coffee, meals and compassion are free at the Everett Recovery Cafe

The free, membership-based day center offers free coffee and meals and more importantly, camaraderie and recovery support.

Devani Padron, left, Daisy Ramos perform during dance class at Mari's Place Monday afternoon in Everett on July 13, 2016. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Mari’s Place helps children build confidence and design a better future

The Everett-based nonprofit offers free and low-cost classes in art, music, theater and dance for children ages 5 to 14.

The Everett Wastewater Treatment Plant along the Snohomish River on Thursday, June 16, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett water, sewer rates could jump 43% by 2028

The rate hikes would pay for improvements to the city’s sewer infrastructure.

The bond funded new track and field at Northshore Middle School on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024 in Bothell, Washington. (Courtesy of Northshore School District)
Northshore School District bond improvements underway

The $425 million bond is funding new track and field complexes, playgrounds and phase one of two school replacements.

A salmon carcass lays across willow branches in Edgecomb Creek on Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025 in Arlington, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Tribes: State fish passage projects knock down barriers for local efforts

Court-ordered projects have sparked collaboration for salmon habitat restoration

The Everett Municipal Building on Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Everett council approves $111 million construction of sewer project

The Port Gardner Storage Facility, in the works for more than a decade, will help prevent overflows of the city sewer system.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.