Conan vs. Newark Mayor: The Battle of New Jersey

By PopEater Staff Posted Oct 7th 2009 10:15AM

Conan O'Brien loves making jokes about New Jersey, but now the state is getting a little sick of 'The Tonight Show' host.

After O'Brien quipped that Newark's health plan involved giving residents a bus ticket out of the city, mayor Corey Booker banned the comedian from Newark International Airport.

"I'm officially putting you on the Newark, NJ airport no fly list. Try JFK, buddy," Booker said in a YouTube video.

But the feud didn't stop there. Watch the Mayor and Click for More

"You want to ban me from Newark? Well at least I'm in good company. Check out what else has been banned from Newark: deodorant, fresh water, college diplomas and cars in the possession of their rightful owner," O'Brien shot back.

"Now, look the sad thing is this whole conflict is a terrible misunderstanding," Conan explained. "There are a million things I love about the city of Newark."

"Its majestic canyons, its scenic hills, its flora and its fauna. And it's good-hearted citizens pitching together from a common cause," he said, while showing photos of a huge pothole, a pile of trash, weeds growing on a train track, dead fish on the ground and a riot where people are destroying a car.

He then banned Booker from Burbank Airport. Watch

The mayor posted another video on YouTube in response to O'Brien.

"We in New Jersey roll hard, we roll strong and we roll together," Booker said. "I'm now here to officially tell you that you have been banned from the entire state of New Jersey."

Booker also challenged O'Brien to a race "just like Terri Hatcher" and offered Conan a New York Giants helmet to keep him from hitting his head again. Watch

Conan, of course, couldn't let the feud die. On Monday's show, he talked about the ongoing fight once more.

"Well, I have bad news for you, Mayor Booker. The municipalities of New Jersey don't roll quite as together as you think. I just received a letter from one of your so-called allies. This is absolutely 100 percent real. The mayor of your neighboring city, Elizabeth, NJ, the honorable Chris Bollwage. This is the letter, here's what the esteemed mayor of Elizabeth had to say."

Conan read the letter. "'I welcome you with open arms to New Jersey's fourth largest city.' And then he says, 'Since Terminal A lies in my city, I will rename it,' this is absolutely honest to god truth, 'the Conan O'Brien terminal for your visit.'"

"Anyway, Mayor Booker, I now have your bordering town Elizabeth on my side. That gave me an idea. Now that I've established a beachhead, I'm going to begin my campaign to surround and crush you."

According to Conan, he has East Orange, Kearny, Jersey City, Bayonne and Elizabeth on his side, he can now create a "geographic toilet seat" around Newark.

"It's your move, Mayor Booker," he finished. Watch

Booker then offered an olive branch. "Conan, can't you see our country is beginning to be divided?"

"We have enough division already in America," he added.

"I'm willing to do whatever it takes, I'll come on your show, I'll lift the ban and welcome you here in Newark, NJ. In fact, I'm willing to wear that T-shirt you suggested with California on it, if that's necessary, especially if you're willing to give a tribute to one of Newark's great inventors, Seth Boyden, who is thought to have fueled the industrial revolution. You could wear something that's a tribute to one of his most enduring inventions -- patent leather. Watch

Tags: conan obrien, ConanObrien, Corey Booker, CoreyBooker, new jersey, NewarkAirport, NewJersey, The Tonight Show, the tonight show with conan obrien, TheTonightShow, TheTonightShowWithConanObrien

Comments

(17)

Wednesday 07 October

By Croppy Cait

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I would rather live in a third world toilet like English or Uganda then Newark. Newark...yuk...what a shut hole!!!

Brahahahahahahahahahahahaha

By Jessica

I think it's right on the money funny! Pretty sad when the Mayor of Irvington's car (next town over) gets stolen right in Newark. Way to go Conan! The place is a DUMP!

By Ervin

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It's all about the rateings. Conan will do anything and anybody to get a chuckle. Laughs for him are few and far apart.

By Reena

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Ah ervin - it's a joke and it is funny! and why wouldn't he want to improve ratings?? that comment doesn't even make sense. I have a feeling you may be a bit on the "old side" to not get Conan's humor!

By teakin88

Although I have never been to Newark, I have been along NJ's I-95 corridor, and while I usually can find something good to say about any state I visit, this was not one of those times. No offense to natives of the Garden State, I'm sure since you're from there you like it, and that's fine, but I fail to see how getting banned from the entire state, much less Newark, is much of a punishment.

By Brenda R

I think its hilarious !!!! Hopefully all in good fun and a great way to learn about the good side of Newark . Keep all the good things coming , I am taping all this for my son who is 15 and is having a great time seeing what he can dig up on Newarks history . Who knew learning could be such fun when you are laughing so hard. Play fair guys !

By J

This is pretty funny stuff, Conan. Certainly more interesting and unpredictable than Jay Leno.

Thursday 08 October

By AA

While I think that Conan might have been a little harsh, he was definitely hilarious...and this is coming from someone who was born and raised in Newark, NJ. I haven't lived there for nearly 20 years, but I did return to Newark to attend law school and I regularly visit for cultural events and the like. I agree that Newark does have a few bright spots, but I wouldn't want to raise my children there. Cory Booker has to defend Newark--he is the Mayor for God's sake. I think it was particularly brazen of him to take on a professional comedian in such a public way though. The Mayor does get points for his humorous(even if dry) retorts and I remain a fan of Mayor Booker's who is only 40 years of age, an esteemed attorney, a Rhodes Scholar's, and a graduate of an Ivy League institution, where he also served on the Board of Directors. Conan is admittedly funny, but he has people to write his jokes.

By Marc

The Newark stuff is hillarious! I never thought I'd enjoy Conan in the Late Show concept but he has toned down his silliness somewhat from his previous show. I love the program!

By KG

Quite similar to Letterman/Winfrey spat several years ago; ended up both making-up and lovey-dovey. Good PR for both Conan and Mayor Booker. All tongue and cheek between the two, you guys.

By Ron

I live in New York City, Newark is no better or worst than other cities across the United States. In fact, Newark has made tremendous progress over the last ten years. Their performance art center, Prudential Sports Center is top notch. Their is a night life in the Ironbound section.

Booker is no dummy, after all he is one of the four Rhodes scholar mayors in history in a major city. What does Conan has to offer? He 's certainly not funny with his third grade classroom antics.

it's a joke Ron

By Audrey

Well, he has several millions of viewers every night and tens of millions dollars per year. Enough for you? Lets face it, Newark is a dump, whether you like it or not.

By Dee

I thought Booker's response was pretty funny also. I'm surprised a Rhodes scholar would confuse the words "vested" and "invested," though.

I live in New York City, Newark is no better or worst than other cities across the United States. In fact, Newark has made tremendous progress over the last ten years. Their performance art center, Prudential Sports Center is top notch. There is a night life section in the neighborhood of Ironbound.

Booker is no dummy, after all he is one of the four Rhodes scholar mayors in history in a major city. What does Conan has to offer? He 's certainly not funny with his third grade classroom antics.

By phurbee951

At least he's trying to build up ratings by telling jokes instead of screwing coworkers like Letterman.

By Dawn Cavanaugh

yay Conan you won!!!!! WHOOT!!!!!!

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