The Viral Bar Owner Who Stole Conan’s Subway Takes Episode Is Back for More

After stealing the show during Conan O’Brien’s recent appearance on Subway Takes, Brooklyn bar owner Debbie Shields returned for an episode of her own – and she came equipped with takes, a new podcast to announce, and her infectious, inimitable New York wit.

Shields, the owner of Confessions Bar in Bed-Stuy, kicked things off with a message for anyone who has ever overstayed their welcome at closing time. “Last call means last call,” she said. “People, get the fuck outta my bar. Go your ass home. You’ve been sitting there nursing that same damn drink for an hour.”

Host Kareem Rahma responded with “100% agree” before suggesting she play Semisonic’s “Closing Time,” briefly breaking into song himself. Shields was not impressed. “Please don’t switch careers, baby,” she told him. “Keep the career you got.”

Asked for a second take, Shields turned her attention to subway etiquette, specifically riders who try to board before passengers have gotten off. After saying he too hates that, Rahma shares what he thinks is the worst: backpacks on the train, aka “turtles.” The host then asked whether she takes the train often. “No,” Shields replied, citing “too many coughers, sneezers, and squeezers.” Naturally, the pair then turned the phrase into an impromptu song over a trap beat.

Later, after switching trains, Rahma asked Shields about the craziest things that have happened since her original appearance went viral. She pointed to the flood of interview and improv requests she’s received before revealing that she is launching a podcast of her own called Confession Sessions.

Once seated on the next train, Rahma offered up a confession of his own, telling Shields that when he was 15 years old, he would… enjoy himself inside the deep freezer at the restaurant where he worked. Having two sons of her own, Shields appeared unfazed. They then moved through some takes-on-takes, with Shields agreeing that summer is indeed the worst month and disagreeing with the idea that if you dream of your partner cheating on you, that counts as cheating — advising folks to go back to sleep and dream up your own good time. For the final take, Shields was asked to consider if space is any of our business: “Can you breathe? Can you twerk? and you drink? NO!”

The follow-up ends with Rahma suggesting they stay on Earth and head to Confessions. Shields then says that she can legally start serving drinks at noon. A fitting finish for an interview and start of the day in New York.