Over the past few months, the United States has slowly been peeling back the rigid Kennedy-era embargo placed on Cuba, allowing citizens to freely travel and eventually trade with those on Fidel Castros turf. On Wednesday nights Conan, Conan OBrien became the first late-night host to tape a show from the island nation in over 50 years. For the Conan in Cuba special, OBrien eschewed celebrity interviews fora travelogue of the country combined with his unique and hilarious look at Cuba and its music-loving culture.
OBriens visit to Cuba included stops at the countrys famed cigar factories, a walk along Havanas El Malecn waterfront promenade and Spanish lessons. However, the highlight of the Havana trip camewhen OBrien attempted to learn the authentic Cuban salsa. The host teamed up with the popular salsa band Moncada to learn the art and timing of the clave as well as how to sing from the nose.
Once OBrien gothis timing down, he and Moncada jammed out on a songfeaturing lyrics that stretch the limits of the hosts Spanish vocabulary, with the translated lyrics devolving from What a way to love, what a way to I am Nutella, I amNutella and Hamburger water. Despite the ridiculous lyrics, OBrien proclaimed of the energetic performance, Thats a hit record!
With the embargo ending, OBrien also introduced the country to his patented String Dance while taking rumba lessons. Watch the whole episode at the Team Coco site.