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I think Conan Obrien is the funniest human on the planet. So any book tangentially related to Conan is automatically on my TBR list. Conan’s longtime assistant, Sona Movsesian has often been a butt of Conan’s jokes (and vice versa). The duo’s long running schtick is that Sona is a terrible assistant to Conan. She is lazy, forgetful, and disrespectful. All seemingly undesirable traits of a personal assistant. Yet also perfect fodder for a comedic genius like O’Brien. Here is my The World’s Worst Assistant book review.
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The World’s Worst Assistant Book Summary
The World’s Worst Assistant by Sona Movsesian is a memoir that offers a self-deprecating look into her life as Conan O’Brien’s assistant. Most assistant memoirs highlight diligence and professionalism. (Not that I’ve read any other assistant memoirs, but I imagine they would highlight diligence and professionalism.) But Sona flips the script. Instead, she embraces her role as a “terrible” assistant who prioritizes napping, eating snacks, and evading traditional office duties—all while maintaining an unshakable bond with her boss.
The book is broken into 4 parts. Each cover general themes and anecdotes throughout Movsesian’s life and career.
- 1. Effort
- 2. Professionalism
- 3. Authority
- 4. Stress
The World’s Worst Assistant is a memoir and love letter to Movsesian’s one-of-a-kind job. The book blends personal anecdotes, workplace stories, and sly humor to explore her unconventional approach to her job. It’s not just about her professional misadventures, though. Sona also reflects on her Armenian heritage, her quirky personality, and the odd, endearing dynamics of working alongside one of the most famous late-night hosts in television. Movsesian has an unapologetic and relatable voice. She blends confidence and humility…and laziness in her storytelling.
Sona Movsesian Bio
Sona Movsesian is best known as the assistant and comedic sidekick to Conan O’Brien. She has participated on TV shows, podcast (Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend), and various sketches. Born October 13, 1982, in Montebello, California, she is of Armenian descent and often incorporates her heritage into her stories. Before joining Conan’s team, she worked at NBC, where she met her future boss. Her sharp wit, relatable charm, and willingness to poke fun at herself have earned her a loyal following.
In addition to her work with Conan, Sona is the author of The World’s Worst Assistant (you know, the one you’re reading about now), a memoir-style book that blends humor with candid insights into her life and career. Off-camera and podcast microphone, Sona is a mom of twin boys and a wife to Tak Boroyan.
Now onto the rating! The World’s Worst Assistant book review:
My innovative system for rating humor books is explained here
Wholesomeness Score: 2/5
The World’s Worst Assistant is not very wholesome. Lots of swears, drug references and off-color commentary. See section on “Things I didn’t like”.
Hilarity Score: 3/5
Is The World’s Worst Assistant funny?
The World’s Worst Assistant was funny, but it wasn’t flooded with silly antics and one-liners (that’s Conan’s job.) Sona let us in on the inside jokes and ridiculous interactions with Conan and other people along her journey in the entertainment industry.
The funniest part of the book (for me) was the continual premise of Sona truly being a terrible assistant. I suspect much of this is “schtick”. (If she was actually that terrible, surely Conan O’Brien would find a competent replacement. Right?….Right?) But funny, nonetheless.
“Last Monday, I failed to get a prescription refill of Conan’s cholesterol medication because I was too busy binge-watching Schitt’s Creek for the second time.” – Sona Movsesian, when citing one of many examples of why she is the World’s Worst Assistant to Conan O’Brien
Overall Book Awesomeness Score: 3/5
I enjoyed The World’s Worst Assistant. But I didn’t love The World’s Worst Assistant. Perhaps I was too invested in the idea that it was related to my favorite funny entertainer, Conan O’Brien. Sona Movsesian is not Conan O’Brien, nor should she be compared to him. Sona was entertaining and insightful in her own way. She gave Conan fans (like me) a peek behind the curtain to the chaotic ecosystem for one of the world’s most famous entertainers. Thanks for that opportunity, Sona!
Things I liked:
- Stories about Conan O’Brien
- Sona doesn’t take herself too seriously. Her down-to-earth nature is a breath of fresh air.
Things I didn’t like:
- In the introduction, even before chapter 1, Sona gave a thorough explanation of the “Human Centipede Theory”. This was based on a 2009 Horror film that doesn’t need to be seen by anyone ever, nor its plot discussed in a book. Just no.
Conclusion: Final Thoughts on The World’s Worst Assistant book review
As a Conan O’Brien mega-fan, I was excited to dive deeper into the world of Conan. I became a fan of Sona Movsesian herself via the team’s podcast, “Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend”, where she functions as a podcast co-host more than behind-the-scenes assistant. In fact, their podcast is where I learned of Movsesian’s book. (Effective marketing!) The World’s Worst Assistant was a fun memoir and only grew my fandom of the Conan comedy empire.
Scott Johnson is a Midwestern humorist, author of Essays Out of Left Field, and the mind behind scottjohnsonauthor.com. He’s also a husband, dad of three, and Data Systems Administrator (whatever that is). Scott is on a mission to find and read all the funny books. He shares his thoughts on those books, author life, and other delightful randomness with his readers on his website.
