Deflate The Bat!
Now that the tour is done, we can talk about the actual live shows - and one of my absolute favorite parts of the show was our bat.
When we were writing the live show and coming up with ideas, very early on we had the idea of having some sort of spectacle that you'd find at a rock show - the only problem was figuring out what it would be. Originally, we tried to get Iron Maiden's zombie mascot Eddie; the problem there was that Eddie was this animatronic monstrosity that would be impossible to load in and out quickly... And as many of you who came to our shows know, we played some pretty small venues. Eddie wasn't possible. There were other choices of famous rock props that were in storage around LA that we considered; Snoop Dogg's giant inflatable weed leaf; Beastie Boys giant inflatable penis; we even considered trying to get the Rolling Stones' iconic wagging tongue. None of those choices really fit, however. None of them really called out to us as something that was authentically "Conan". That's when someone found out about Meatloaf's Bat Out Of Hell.
It was love at first sight.
There was just one problem with Operation: Bat Out Of Hell - and that problem was the fact that Meatloaf himself was using it out on tour! Undeterred, the joke of spending a bunch of money on a giant rock prop actually came true... Because we had to commission a company to actually make us a replica bat! And in true Conan fashion, the bat that showed up wasn't exactly the one that we ordered: Our bat looked undeniably goofy, instead of incredibly evil and demonic! We made the most of it, of course - and it all turned out for the best.
One of my favorite parts of the show every night was watching our crack Navy Seal team of crew guys (Lafferty, Ruff, Rommel, and Hodgie) both inflate and deflate this goofy looking 40 foot bat within a matter of seconds... So the very last night in Atlanta, I finally captured it on tape! Check it out here!
Wild, right? The best bat bit was at Bonnaroo, where the bat was actually too tall for the comedy theater - and poked its head up into the roof of the tent! All of us backstage clapped and cheered, because when we first came up with the idea of using an inflatable, we were really hoping that we'd play in a venue that was too small for our stupid looking bat! Ha ha ha. WIN.
Today I walked around the windy city a bit, and got rained on - and tomorrow, we load in for our TBS special on Thursday... And you can bet your bottom dollar that I'll be documenting the whole thing!! See you guys all tomorrow... It's time for me to get my first good night's sleep in two weeks! PEACE OUT.
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25 Comments
You *paid* good money to create that monstrosity? I hope it doesn't have to be sent back - I mean, who'd want it anyway? It could be the focal point of the new show set. How could that idea possibly fail?
Did you take any video of the Bonnaroo bat hilarity - and if so, any chance it will be released to the general public? :)
Can't wait for the writer's show documentary ;)
GO GET SOME SLEEP.
One of the best parts of the bat was how into it the band got when waving it away.
Also, I love Andy at the end of this video.
I was nearing crying in Minneapolis because I was laughing so hard at this awesomeness.
I WAS THINKING THAT EDDIE WOULD BE PERFECT. But you know, it's probably a good thing you couldn't manage him, because if you'd brought out a Team Coco t-shirt-wearing Eddie I very literally might have had to make use of those diapers we were instructed to bring.
Now, for the next tour, I think what you'll need... is Stonehenge.
I seriously think that if that bat had looked the way you wanted it... it would've lost something... it wouldn't have been funny and I never would've heard Conan say the phrase... "Why is this bat getting a chest x-ray, maybe to treat the varicose veins on his ****ty wings" Andy and Conan cussing just makes me laugh!!!!!!!
I cannot wait for the new show! I'll be in L.A. for a few days in late October. When I heard that the new show is starting in November I kicked myself for not planning my trip just a couple of weeks later. Oh well, it's a good reason to come back soon, right? ;)
LOVED THE BAT! Except that my view of it at the Minneapolis show wasn't the greatest...
Well, since you guys bought it for the tour, you might as well put it to good use come November. Ooh, promos for the new show with the bat! Me likey that idea!
Get some good sleep, Bley! And have fun in Chi-Town!
I should have pulled a creepy stalker move and taken the train to Chi-Town today and searched for you. Glad I didn't do that, you would think I'm insane. :)
The bat was awesome! I knew it was coming because I couldn't help but watch videos before my show, so I spoiled it for myself. I was whispering to my friend, "BAT OUTTA HELL! BAT OUTTA HELL!" It was pretty fantastic.
awww its the end of an incredibly expensive horribly fake looking legacy! So long batty boy! We salute you! :)
I believe it will be on TBS on June 27th. Bley, please correct me if I'm wrong...but I think I've got the date right. :)
Will the TBS special be televised?
Great video! I never really considered how much effort it took to inflate that thing. The crew pulled it off seamlessly though! And Andy's cameo at the end was priceless =D
Hope you get a great night's rest and I can't wait to read about the writer's show!
Sooo....this is an appropriate blog, since I just went Bat Sh*t Crazy on Twitter because IWC hit one million members!! WOOOOOOOO!!!!
Okay, enough of that. On a serious and respectable note, I enjoyed the bat portion of the LPFBFOT tour, and I hope he can somehow find his way onto the TBS show.
In other news......WOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!! One million, baby!!
Please tell me you are going to use the inflatable bat as a giant kite. It absolutely must be done!
LET'S GO FLY A KITE! UP TO THE HIGHEST HEIGHT!
(I swear I'm not high, I just believe in the magic of flying giant inflatable bats)
Too funny! I just saw Iron Maiden on Saturday, and they switched back to a guy in an Eddie costume. Bummer.
I'd have loved a giant Masturbating B... er, Self-Pleasuring Panda.
I am so excited about everything that has occurred in the last 4 months but i am curious about whether the TBS show will be free like TTS abd LN ?
Have a great show !
Not that I didn't love the bat, but I would have loved to see the inflatable penis even more.
Glad to know you're out and about in Chicago. Can't wait for the Writers Show. Hope to see you before or after, dudebro. :)
Bley, Thank you so much for keeping this blog spoiler-free. It meant an awful lot to a good number of us and allowed a large group of fans to enjoy the show as they pleased upon arrival.
- your friends at IWC Lite.
YES. The bat was a definite highlight. Love me some giant inflatable nocturnal animals...
I liked it better when Conan said, "INFLATE THE BAT!"
I can't WAIT to see the show tomorrow. 6th row center! I hope the bat makes an apparence!!!
Haha, I love that goddamn bat and its used car lot flag teeth! I also love Conan's "impression" of the bat -- "Hi guys, I'm from Hell! We're making cookies down here!" :D So, awesome to know about the bat's origins! Hahaha.
I'm excited to both see the special (eventually!) and see your documentation of it! Have fun!!! :)
Hi Team CoCo - that would have been very cool if you'd managed to be able to handle the logistics of borrowing Eddie!