Way back in May of this year, Conan O’Brien featured a sketch on his TBS show highlighting a small alley in an industrial part of Van Nuys, California. The purpose of the sketch was to jokingly ask the city of Los Angeles and Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa to change the name of West Raymer Street to Conan O’Brien Blvd.
In the initial sketch, he showcases the surrounding area of the dead-end alley, which is located next to some railroad tracks. What we see is familiar to anyone with experience in industrial or less wealthy neighborhoods in many cities. There is abandoned furniture, graffiti and what looks like an abandoned vehicle. It’s neighborhood blight.
This is all very cute and amusing, but when the Daily News asked residents of Van Nuys, they were less than amused. However, that didn’t stop Councilman Paul Krekorian from reaching out to Conan O’Brien.
And the incredibly media, and new media savvy, office of Mayor Villaraigosa also reached out to Conan O’Brien through YouTube. Last week, this video was published online:
It’s unrealistic to expect Conan O’Brien to do all of the things residents suggested in this particular video (pooper scooper!), but it brings up an interesting idea. Philanthropists in years past have been wealthy residents and benefactors of their cities, giving their money and name to public plaza, museums, theaters, and other civic uses. However, that particular type of civic giving hasn’t necessarily been cultivated in younger celebrities.
Is it possible that by O’Brien lending his name to issues of improving neighborhood blight, he can add a bit of glamour to issues people in power do not necessarily consider. Whether or not certain city services, like abandoned furniture pick-up, are spread out equally across all areas is something that isn’t often discussed, but it does have an impact on quality of life. Or is it offensive that someone from outside of the city is making jokes at its expense?
