adam carolla

Podcast master Adam Carolla takes his stand-up on the road and to the Paramount

Is Adam Carolla a sexist pig? is he insensitive? is he a blue collar champ or just a cynical talk show host? and if he’s originally from L.A., why does he have that strangely laconic, Midwestern accent?

In case there was any doubt, the plainspoken former host of “Loveline” and “the Man Show” does not actually care what you think, and he’s got over 60 millions downloads of his “Adam Carolla Show” podcast (recently certified as the most-downloaded in the world by the Guinness Book of World Records) to prove that he doesn’t really need to, either.

The runaway success of his nearly three-year-old podcast and his 2010, new York Times bestselling book (“in Fifty Years We’ll all Be Chicks …and other Complaints from an angry Middle-Aged White Guy”) have allowed him to return to the road for a string of stand-up dates, including his Sunday, Dec. 4 show at the Paramount Theatre.

We caught with Carolla via phone last week to pick his brain about the “rigors” of touring, cry-baby comedians and why, maybe, just maybe, he should have gotten molested as a kid.

So why this tour, and why now?

To make money, pretty much. For a guy who’s worked at real jobs that are actually hard, coming to a town and going to a theater is just awesome and easy. It’s just like, I enjoy it and I like to travel around and meet the fans and hang out after the show and all that kind of stuff. the audience is there to see you, you’ve got a nice dressing room backstage with some beers in it and carrot sticks and people treat you nice and it’s just easy. seriously, people do this thing with show business like, “Why’d you write the book?” or “why did you dance with the stars?” or “why this or that?” and the reality is, no one ever says to a roofer, “why are you roofing?” It’s pretty clear that all the people who have jobs, whether it’s a guy putting the roof on your house or the chick handing you the coffee — she’s not doing it for the love of coffee or roofing. She’s doing it because she has bills to pay and comics do it for the same reason. we just happen to be lucky enough to have a job where we get to walk out and talk and drink. as a roofer you’re doing the job with a beer in your hand you might get fired, but you can actually do stand-up and hold a beer and nobody says anything other than, “you need another beer?” and it’s pretty good job there.

True, and I’m sure most comedians at your level would agree with you.

Some guys get bummed out about it and say, “I don’t wanna get on a plane,” or this or that, and to me, I’m thankful every time people come out and see me because they work hard for their money in whatever real job they have and I don’t take it for granted. Comics would be lying if they said they did these tours to get in touch with their inner comedic spirit or something. I mean, it’s a job. but on the other hand, it’s one of the easiest, best-paying, highest-reward jobs around.

You’ve been at the forefront of podcasting in general the last couple years, and since podcasts are the new go-to tool for comedians, do you have any thoughts about why your show has done so much better than others?

I don’t wanna sound pompous but it would be like asking Tom Brady, “why have you had success in the quarterback position? I don’t get it!” He’s successful because he’s a good quarterback. There’s not a lot of mystery involved with it. People used to do that with me and Dr. Drew (of “Loveline”) all the time. they just wanted to talk about the format. “why is it so successful?” well, it wouldn’t be if it you didn’t get two guys like me and Dr. Drew to do it. Obviously a podcast is the same thing. There’s no game show component to it. you either like Marc Maron or Adam Carolla or Chris Hardwick or you don’t. my podcast will be as popular and good as I am. and by the way, that doesn’t mean it’s going to have ten million downloads. it could be 200,000 downloads a show.

Will the show be put on hold in December and January while you tour?

The podcast will always be five days a week.

Is that a lot of work for you?

It is, but again, compared to a roofer, a waitress… you know what I mean? It’s a lot of work compared to no work, but not compared to everyone else is putting in a 50-hour week or more. so you’d think about all those poor sons of bitches that are having to work at those Targets or Sears or whatever where they do that thing that’s like, “Doors open at 4 a.m. Black Friday! so that means I need to be there at 3:30 on Black Friday and put in a 12-hour shift.” Yeah, this is work. you burn a few calories, you have to be on a plane, but it’s good.

What’s your second book, out next spring, about? did you start writing it right after the first one?

I didn’t start right after, but pretty close to the last one, and the first book was successful so if you have any success they always make you do it again. this one’s old stories, all true. Personal stories from my past, so pretty straightforward.

Any crazy drug and sex stories, Chelsea Handler-style?

I think there’ll be some. unfortunately I wasn’t molested so there will be no revelations of that. but had I known I was writing a book I would have asked someone nice or paid them to molest me so I could do a cheerful interview on “the View” about it. my stories are pretty fucking weird, but at the time I didn’t think they were as weird as they are. but judging by the look on peoples’ faces when I tell them half these stories, I realized maybe, yeah, maybe these weren’t experiences that other people had. will that be a big pile of long-winded, boring stories? no, it’ll be a nice cluster.

I read a review of your book recently and I can’t remember what the exact wording was, but it said you were either a highbrow answer to the sort of lowbrow-dude attitude, or a smart guy slumming it. Do you have any comment on that?

Listen, I am blue collar but I’m not dumb and you don’t have to be both, although some people think you do. I think there’s a smart person’s blue-collar, and I’d like to be that.

What haven’t you done yet that you’d still like to? maybe a one-man-show Broadway show? Underwear model? Video game tester?

I could finish out my career basically writing and directing cool film projects and maybe writing books. but I’m pretty close to doing what I want to do right now. It’s nice to be self-employed and doing my own thing and creating jobs for other people. I’m very proud of the fact that when I was out of a job, instead of finding (another) job in radio, I created a job, and then I created more jobs for other people. I feel like I’ve been able to pump a certain amount of money back into society here during some lean economic times.

Follow our news and updates on Twitter, our whereabouts on Foursquare and our relationship status on Facebook. or send us a telegram. Whatever. We’re easy.

John Wenzel is an executive editor of Reverb and an A&E reporter for The Denver Post. he is the author of “Mock Stars: Indie Comedy and the Dangerously Funny” (Speck Press/Fulcrum) and maintains a Twitter feed of random song titles and band names @beardsandgum.

Adam Carolla talks Occupy Wall Street and Millennials – Listen

Comedian and radio host Adam Carolla called the generation closely associated with the Occupy Wall Street protests “self-entitled monsters” in a podcast of his from October 11, according to Slate, that only recently received media attention after being posted on YouTube and highlighted by Media Research Center.

It should be noted that Carolla does not mention Occupy Wall Street by name during the nearly 10-minute long chat but does use terms closely associated with the movement like “the 1 percent.”

“I think it was something like the top 1 percent of taxpayers paid 50 percent of the taxes here in California,” Carolla said in the interview, which can be heard below. “One percent paying for 50 percent, not good enough?”

Carolla is known for hosting and appearing on television shows like “The Man Show” and “Crank Yankers” as well as his work on radio shows like “Loveline” and “The Adam Carolla Show.” he also released a book in 2010 titled “In Fifty Years We’ll All be Chicks.”

“There’s something that’s come up in this country that didn’t used to exist, which is envy,” he adds. “We’re now dealing with the first wave of participation trophy, my own fecal matter doesn’t stink, empowered, I feel so [expletive] good about myself, everybody’s a winner, there’s no losers, we are dealing with the first wave of those [expletive].”

The Occupy Movement began as a demonstration against what protesters see as a growing disparity between rich and poor. Protesters have been camping out in tents for months in some major American cities, though in cities like Los Angeles, police and officials have been evicting protesters from their encampments citing unlawful assembly.

“[They're] self-entitled pricks who think the world owes them a living,” Carolla said. “They’re feeling shame. They’ve been shamed by life because they haven’t been prepared for life. They’ve had so much smoke blown up their collective [expletive], by the time they get out in the real world and they realize, the real world doesn’t give a [expletive] where you’re from or what your mommy said you were or how pretty you are.”

A few celebrities have shown support for the Occupy Wall Street protesters including Alec Baldwin, Susan Sarandon and director Michael Moore.

Carolla recently addressed his new followers on Twitter and support he has been getting on the social media site for his words. in a Tweet posted on Thursday, the comedian said, “Thanks 2 all the supporters out there, I’m truly grateful. welcome 2 all newcomers, there’s more where that came from.”

Listen to Carolla’s chat below. Warning: Video contains explicit language.

Adam Carolla Slams Occupy Wall Street, Millennial Generation as 'F—ing Self-Entitled Monsters' (Audio)

Funnyman Adam Carolla wasn’t laughing in a recent interview with the conservative organization Media Research Center. In a frank discussion on the current Occupy movements, Carolla went off on a profane rant, slamming the parents of an entire generation.

PHOTOS: Modern Film & Television Comedians

“I understand that some people have more than others, that’s always gonna be there," he began. “There's something that's come up in this country that didn't use to exist, which is envy. And it's a big issue, it was understood back in the day, and we are empowering, we're now dealing with the first wave of participation trophy, my own fecal matter doesn't stink, empowered, I feel so fucking good about myself, everybody's a winner, there's no losers, we are dealing with the first wave of those fucking assholes.”

“I call them the ass douches,” he added.

Carolla went on to criticize the parents of the millennial generation, accusing them of failing to prepare their children for the harsh realities of adult life.

"We’ve created a bunch of fucking self-entitled monsters,” he said. “’I want my most Valuable Player trophy.’ ‘Well, you’re the slowest, fattest guy on the team.’ why should he get one and I don’t get one?’ ‘Because he busts his ass and he runs a 4.4 40. That’s why he gets one.’ ‘Well, this is bullshit.’ And then everyone gets involved and everyone gives everyone a participation trophy and then everyone feels good about themselves but it’s not based on anything."

STORY: why Podcasts are Comedy's Second Coming

“You should feel good about yourself because of your accomplishments. not because somebody yelled at you to feel good about yourself,” Carolla continued. “when these folks become adults and enter the workplace, they’ve done stories on this, on how you can’t treat them. the boss can’t yell ‘Hey, let’s go. Let’s get back to work.’ ‘Oh, you’ve raised your voice to me. You better watch your tone, buddy. My dad’s a lawyer, he’ll sue your ass, I’ll take this company.’”

Circling back to the current Occupy movement, Carolla suggests that the young adults involved are merely feeling embarrassment for a lack of professional accomplishments.

“[They’re] self-entitled pricks who think the world owes them a living… But then you get out into the real world and you realize, ‘I’m a fucking loser,’” he slams. “They’re feeling shame. They’ve been shamed by life because they haven’t been prepared for life. They’ve had so much smoke blown up their collective asses, by the time they get out in the real world and they realize, the real world doesn’t give a fuck where you’re from or what your mommy said you were or how pretty you are.”

Listen to full interview below. for his part, Carolla is the father of two young children — five-year-old twins Natalia and Santino.

How Listening To These Podcasts Can Make You More Well Rounded

Who knew that radio would die a slow death and podcasts would skyrocket? I guess Steve Jobs did. He is a smart one. I think he’s going to go places someday.

Lately, I have become quite the podcast listener. For me, it’s that sweet spot of passively listening during certain activities. Rarely, am I doing nothing and just focused on listening. I’m usually in the car or on the treadmill. I’ve turned into that guy who drives down the road with his ear buds in. Is that legal? I’m not sure.

I digress. I decided to give you my top picks for the podcasts I listen to. so, in no particular order here we go.

BEST INTERNET/BUSINESS/ENTREPRENEUR PODCASTS

1. The Rise to The top – this dude, David Siteman Garland, is phenomenal. He is the best friend that I have never actually met. He has a very Larry King interview style. He has you laughing your behind off while your learning medipreneurship (his word).

2. The Smart Passive Income Podcast – this one is hosted by a guy named Pat Flynn. Pat and I were in a program together called Internet business mastery a few years back. He has since created one of the best podcasts hands down on Internet marketing. He’s kind, smart, honest and ethical.

3. Internet Business Mastery – I started listening to these guys before I created my first website. Their names are Sterling and Jay. they do a solid job explaining the world of online marketing to beginners.

4. The Lifestyle Business Podcast – Dan Andrews does this podcast from wherever he happens to be in the world. last time I checked he was in Bali. The podcast is essentially about how to run an online business and live the lifestyle design that you read about in The Four Hour Work Week.

5. Mixergy – this is Andrew Warner’s podcast. He has a bit of a reputation of being a bit of a hard news guy. I never actually found him to be that way. The guy absolutely does his homework though. It’s an interview style podcast with the movers and shakers of the world.

6. 37 Signals – this is a podcast from the people who created Base Camp, Camp fire and back Pack. they are super smart people who will teach you how to distill your business down to what works and eliminate what doesn’t.

BEST FUNNY/INTELLIGENT/PODCASTS

1. Adam Carolla – You may know Adam from Loveline on MTV with Dr. Drew. Adam is a super smart and very quick-witted guy that will keep you laughing and thinking. He actually holds the Guiness Book of World Records for the highest amount podcast downloads ever.

2. Girl on Guy with Aisha Taylor – this is a very funny chick with a potty mouth. she has been the host of talk soup and been on the TV series 24. She’s extremely versatile and super funny.

3. The Joe Rogan Experience – Joe was the former host of Fear Factor and is a touring comedian. He is very deep, very real and really dark. He has a lot to say about a lot of things.

4. Mohr stories – Jay Mohr is a comic/actor. Probably best known for either playing an agent in the Jerry Maguire movie or for marrying super hot Nikki Cox (of the TV show Las Vegas). He is really, really funny and gets GREAT guests.

5. The Nerdist – I don’t really know that much about this guy. His name is Chris Anderson and he’s a comedian. I don’t even really know why he calls the podcast The Nerdist. I do know that he has great guests and really interesting conversation.

1. Tiesto’s Club Life – I am a crazy fan of Mr Tiesto. Went to see him live in Greece this year. It was fantastic. He does a weekly podcast where he samples his music and other top DJ’s. It’s my favorite for sure.

2. Above and Beyond – I’m not sure if this is one DJ or two. But, they have an awesome weekly radio show if you like house-music. It’s great background music to write to.

3. Matt Darey Nocturnal Podcast – Matt Darey is a top 100 DJ who tours the world and does the podcast from wherever he happens to be. He features many different types of club music. I love his style of club music.

4. Sander Van Doorn – Sander is a world-class DJ. He’s probably in the top 3 in the world. love this podcast. Great music and very little talk. Just great beats.

So there you have it. My podcast favorites.

Adam Carolla’s R-rated — but right-on — rant

This is the problem with GOP supporters; there’s this obliviousness to basic economic theory. Success, defined as wealth accumulation, is by its very definition a zero-sum game. there is only a certain amount of money available at any given time, and when one classes share of it increases, it decreases the share by all other classes. as the rich have gotten richer the people working for them have had to sacrifice salary, benefits and jobs.

Thats simply idiotic. Money is just a piece of paper we trust to hold value for a certain period of time.

Wealth has increased dramatically every century. the goodies basket held by the average European is far greater than it was 100 years ago. where did that come from if it wasn’t created?

Wealth is being created all the time and it is clearly not a zero sum game.

Adam’s main audience are the every day workers whose struggles are being represented by the OWS movement, and I have a funny feeling that his podcast is going to take a pretty big hit because of this.

Rainsford on December 2, 2011 at 1:54 AM

Their struggles are largely a facet of their willful ignorance and their belief that others owe them a living. they chose to indulge themselves in foolish educational paths that had no earning potential and are now shocked to discover that no one is going to pay them for ethnic studies, or French poetry majors. they were betrayed, that much is true, but it was their professors who carried out that petty betrayal. Those professors sold them at premium prices a tired old ideology that the world had long since rejected, and then booted them out the door into a world that had no use for their idiocy.

Given time some will be able to break the bonds of that mental straitjacket. Tragically, others won’t.

sharrukin on December 2, 2011 at 2:22 AM

Adam Carolla vs. OWS: Fighting filth with filth

I was going to put this up yesterday, but it’s full of such dirty, dirty pottymouth that I had second thoughts. everybody else is, though, and it was at the top of my Koch Brothers-Sponsored Talking Points List this morning, so here you go.

Please be warned that the following is filled with language that is VERY NAUGHTY INDEED:

We’re now dealing with the first wave of participation-trophy, my-own-fecal-matter-doesn’t-stink, empowered, I-feel-so-f***in’-good-about-myself, everybody’s-a-winner, there’s-no-losers… we are dealing with the first wave of those f***ing a******s… we created a bunch of f***in’ self-entitled monsters…

“I want my Most Valuable Player trophy.”“well, you’re the slowest, fattest guy on the team.”“Why should he get one and I don’t get one?”“‘Cause he busts his ass and he runs a 4.4 40!”

And then everyone gets a participation trophy, and everyone feels good about themselves. but it’s not based on anything. You should feel good about yourself because of your accomplishments…

And when these folks become adults and enter the work force… Self-entitled pr***s who think the world owes them a living. and now we’re getting the first wave of these [feminine hygiene products].

Speaking of entitled Occupier crybabies, here’s a fun riddle:

Q: Why did Occupy LA leave behind 30 tons of debris?A: They didn’t have enough time for 60 tons!

And now, in the most delightful OWS development yet, they’re directing their petulant rage at Obama. As the mighty Iowahawk puts it: “Monster turns against Dr. Frankenstein.”

Sugarland’s Jennifer Nettles Weds

Wonderwall, Monday, November 28, 2011, 2:03pm (PST)

Sugarland singer Jennifer Nettles had a sweet weekend.

The 37-year-old said “I do” on Saturday to entrepreneur Justin Miller, Nettles’ rep confirms to us Weekly.

PHOTOS: Gorgeous celeb wedding photos

Nettles and Miller, a former model, dated for more than two years before tying the knot. The couple wed in a small ceremony in Tennessee in front of their close family and friends, including Sugarland’s Kristian Bush.

PHOTOS: 2011′s best celebrity weddings

The bride was previously married to club owner Todd Van Sickle from 1998 to 2007. “I’m from the South, and if you’re not married early, it’s off to the convent,” she told Colorado Springs’ Gazette last year, adding, “I try to keep my personal life personal. People are really interested in this? This is so bizarre. It gets a bit toxic.”

PHOTOS: Southern superstars

For her second wedding, Nettles stunned in an Alexander McQueen gown.

MORE FROM WONDERWALL:

NPH: ‘I Wouldn’t want to get Married to be an Example’

Kate Moss gets Married — See her Dress!

The most Married Celebs

Touring shows coming to the Valley

Jackson Browne, 7 p.m. Saturday,Hanford Fox Theatre, 326 N. Irwin St., Hanford, 584-7823, $60-$90.

Anjelah Johnson, 8 p.m. Saturday,Tower Theatre, 815 E. Olive Ave., 485-9050, $29.50, towertheatrefresno.org.

Ain’t Misbehavin’, 7:30 p.m. Thursday,Visalia Fox Theatre, 300 W. Main St., Visalia, 625-1369, $30, $40, visalia.org.

Yo Gabba Gabba! Live, 2:30 p.m. and 6 p.m. Nov. 18, Save Mart Center, 2650 E. Shaw Ave., 347-3401, $32-$42.

April Verch, 7:30 p.m. Nov. 18, Unitarian Universalist Church of Fresno, 2672 E. Alluvial Ave., Clovis, 322-6146, $15, $20 at the door, fresnofolklore.org.

Christian’s Music Winter Jam, 8 p.m. Nov. 19, Save Mart Center, 2650 E. Shaw Ave., 347-3401, $10, jamtour.com or savemartcenter.com.

Montrose and special guest Michael Lee Firkins, 8 p.m. Nov. 19, Tower Theatre, 815 E. Olive Ave., 485-9050, $29, $39, towertheatrefresno.com.

Ricky High Holiday Concert, 2 p.m. Nov. 20, Fresno Veteran’s Auditorium, 2425 Fresno St., $10, RickyAndrewHigh.com.

George Lopez, 7 p.m. Nov. 25, Save Mart Center, 2650 E. Shaw Ave., 347-3401, $48-$58.

Adam Carolla Hates the Holiday, 8 p.m. Dec. 8, Tower Theatre, 815 E. Olive Ave., 485-9050, $43.50 & $33.50.

Pauly Shore, 8 p.m. Dec. 9, Starline, 833 E. Fern Ave., 485-5356, $20.

KFRR Christmas Show, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 10, Selland Arena – Fresno Convention Center, 700 M St., 445-8100, $38-$40.

Jingle Bell Rock with Eddie Money, Lou Gramm and Mickey Thomas, 7 p.m. Dec. 16, Chukchansi Gold Resort & Casino, 711 Lucky Lane, Coarsegold, (866) 794-6946, $40-$55.

A Peter White Christmas with Peter White, Mindi Abair and Kirk Whalum, 8 p.m. Dec. 16, Tower Theatre, 815 E. Olive Ave., 485-9050, $38.50-$68.50, towertheatrefresno.com.

Aaron Neville, 8 p.m. Dec. 22, Chukchansi Gold Resort & Casino, 711 Lucky Lane, Coarsegold, (866) 794-6946, $20-$45.

Straight no Chaser new Year’s Eve Show, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 31, William Saroyan Theatre, 700 M St., $29.50-$150, fresnoconvention center.com/venues/saroyan.html.

John Edward, 7 p.m. Jan. 18, Tower Theatre, 815 E. Olive Ave., 485-9050, $153.50, john edward.net.