Conan joked last week that Booker was setting up a program to improve the health of his city's residents - "the health care program would consist of a bus ticket out of Newark."
"I'm also mayor of the city with one of the largest airports in the United States... I'm officially putting you on the Newark New jersey Airport No Fly List. Try JFK buddy."
Here's the video from Booker:
It's a pretty creative way to respond and try to correct some of the stereotypes that exist about the city and while he's joking about the no-fly list, he's extremely serious about dispelling some of the typical thinking around Newark. Here's what Booker had to say about not letting these criticisms go unanswered:
"From now on, if people are going to make fun of our city, I'm going to step back at them." Booker said in an interview.
"With everything that is happening here, Newark is not a joke."
The late-night joker then pointed out that he could easily get to Newark by navigating the nations sewer systems because "everyone knows, all sewer pipes lead to Newark."
O'Brien even did a little research and found out that a small section of Newark Airport's Terminal A is actually in neighboring Elizabeth, New Jersey.
"So Mr. Mayor, looks like you need to brush up on your Essex County/Union County geography," Conan chided.
The talk-show host also officially banned Booker from Burbank's airport.
In the end, O'Brien invited the mayor on to his show so they could settle their differences "like gentlemen."
Booker said he would respond some time today to Conan's latest. Back in 2007, ESPN commentator Barry Melrose toured the city and apologized for comments he had made that were critical. We'll see how long it takes for Booker to appear on the Tonight show to settle this.
