A viral subway exchange with comedian Conan O’Brien has transformed the life of a New York City bar owner, who says a spontaneous 89-second appearance online has brought her newfound attention.
Debbie Shields, owner of Confessions Bar in Bedford-Stuyvesant, appeared briefly on the latest episode of “SubwayTakes with Kareem Rahma,” filmed aboard an F train and released Tuesday.
“One minute and 29 seconds changed my life,” Shields told CBS News New York.
Shields noticed Rahma and O’Brien recording the show, in which Rahma interviews guests while riding a moving subway. She introduced herself, joined the conversation and quickly matched O’Brien’s comedic energy with a series of sharp improvisational jokes.
“I said, ‘Save my seat. I’m going over,’” she recalled.
After sitting beside Rahma, Shields immediately connected with O’Brien. The pair improvised a fictional backstory in which they had once been married and had two sons—one attending medical school and the other in jail.
“I’m sorry I haven’t sent any money,” O’Brien joked, giving Shields an opening to continue the bit.
“That’s OK, don’t worry, I still love you,” she replied.
“Your pictures are everywhere in the house,” Shields added, prompting a loud laugh from O’Brien. “They have your hair. That’s OK, we’ve figured it out and what we draw in.”
O’Brien declared that his marriage to the subway stranger had been his happiest, calling it “the best year-and-a-half of my life.”
“I’m trying to tell you, I’ve heard that from my other three husbands too,” Shields shot back.
By Sunday, the episode had been viewed 1.3 million times.
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Once the two dropped their fictional personas, O’Brien introduced himself and complimented Shields, telling her she was “so funny.”
Shields then used the brief pause to promote Confessions Bar. She revealed that she had kicked O’Brien out twice, sending the comedian into another fit of laughter in under a minute.
Rahma asked whether he and O’Brien would receive free drinks if they visited the bar.
“He’s my babies’ daddy, he’ll get two,” Shields responded.
Shields said the sudden burst of online fame has been a welcome change from her usual routine.
“It used to be them pulling up saying, ‘Get out of the way, old lady,’” Shields said. “Now it’s, ‘I seen you on TV. We love you.’ I love you, too.”
According to social media tracker SocialBlade, Confessions Bar has added more than 7,000 Instagram followers since the “SubwayTakes” episode was released.
Confessions Bar has also introduced a new drink in honor of O’Brien, called “The Baby Daddy O’Brien” that features an orange garnish.
Shields also earned recognition from across the internet, where people praised the businesswoman for her humor.
“That lady was a comedy gem,” one user said.
“You just know Conan LOVED ridding with that woman SO much,” another added.
“Conan always talks about how his fans are hilarious, but this spontaneous interaction really shows it,” a third fan said.