The Adam Carolla Show — Episode Summary

Guest: Jackie Fabulous
Date: February 19, 2026
Notable Sections: Interview with Jackie Fabulous, Stand-Up Comedy Industry, Personal Relationships, NYC/LA Life & Politics, The State of Comedy Specials, Audience Q&A, Current Events
Co-host: Alicia Krause

Episode Overview

This episode features comedian Jackie Fabulous, recognized as one of Variety’s “10 Comics to Watch 2024.” The wide-ranging conversation explores Jackie’s career evolution, her critically acclaimed new stand-up special “You Can Leave” (available on Hulu), and candid insights about relationships, vulnerability, going viral, and the harsh realities and joys of the modern comedy scene. Adam and Jackie also dive into the logistics and psychology of stand-up comedy, touching on personal hardships, the end of her marriage, and her search for humor (and possibly love) among fellow comics. The second half pivots to sharp, unfiltered commentary on politics, culture, urban migration, and comic industry gripes, all infused with Adam’s signature wit and no-nonsense observations.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Jackie’s New Special & Creating in Hard Times

Timestamps: 01:23–05:26

• Jackie discusses her new 40-minute Hulu special, “You Can Leave,” filmed during a difficult personal period just after separating from her husband.
• Adam notes how stand-up special lengths are changing:

  "First off, there used to be tons of rules and now there are no more rules…40 minutes felt right." — Adam (02:04)

• Jackie shares performing while emotionally fragile:

  "I thought I knew it wasn't an hour because I was having a breakdown during. But back to you…" — Jackie (01:58) "My reps…were like, 'You need something we can sell you with.' I did it, and I don't remember the taping." — Jackie (02:50, 03:15)

Memorable Insight: The best creative work sometimes comes from pushing through hard moments, and sometimes, you don’t realize its value until later.

2. On Comedy Careers and Starting Late

Timestamps: 05:26–14:05

• Jackie started stand-up at 35 after moving to California for law school, dissatisfied with corporate subway life in New York.

• Adam marvels at comics who “knew in sixth grade” they wanted stand-up and contrasts it with their own circuitous paths.

  "I was 25 and just had totally rudderless… these guys knew in sixth grade what they were gonna do." — Adam (05:40)

• Jackie opens up about her marriages, relationships, and what ultimately led her to leave her most recent husband (communication and emotional disconnect).

3. Relationships & “Dating in Comedy”

Timestamps: 14:05–17:45

• Jackie reflects on her “pattern” of attracting alpha males and how she’s hoping for “smart and funny” over macho.

  "I'm a communicator. It's hard for me to be with a man who doesn't know how to open up or talk." — Jackie (14:36)

• Candid about considering male comedians as partners:

  "I feel like I'm having the best time when I'm with a male comic. I would like to date one." — Jackie (15:41) "They're all nuts. Who cares? I'm gonna die soon. So are you." — Jackie (16:38)

4. Going Viral and Building a Fanbase

Timestamps: 32:10–33:44

• Jackie credits her online viral stand-up clips (“Don’t Tell”) on YouTube and social media for international recognition, explaining the waning impact of traditional late-night TV sets.

• Adam reminisces about a time when a single late-night spot could “get you a castle.”

  "The days of 'you're on a TV show, therefore you will sell out everything,' that's done now." — Jackie (33:10)

5. The Reality of Touring & Comedy Clubs

Timestamps: 19:46–26:45

• Adam and Jackie share frustrations about misspelled names on club websites and the professionalism (or lack thereof) in club bookings.

  "It's a weird thing…you spell it differently a quarter inch apart and you miss two letters." — Adam (20:26)

• Jackie muses on club politics and dreams (wise guys, west coast runs, why some clubs haven’t booked her yet).

6. Urban Life, U.S. Politics & Migration

Timestamps: 26:45–41:32

• Both riff on the weather and garbage of New York, comparing it to California.
• Adam launches a critique of “charismatic politicians” vs. substance (Gavin Newsom, NYC’s Mandami), connecting the dots from charisma to budget crises.
• They discuss “free everything” and how removing the cost barrier often diminishes value, referencing public transit and comedy club audiences.

  “Everything comes with a cost…Buses should be like $2.50…There needs to be a little barrier to entry.” — Adam (29:36–29:40)

7. Patterns, Human Nature & AI

Timestamps: 38:34–49:27

• Adam distinguishes between “knowing facts” and “knowing rhythms/patterns” in life, arguing that pattern recognition is a form of intelligence AI can’t replicate:

  "There are two kinds of knowing things... then there's a kind of intuitive part, and it's a rhythmic part that nobody has." — Adam (39:16)

• Illustrative anecdotes about driving, late shows, Dr. Drew’s punctuality, and red flags in human relationships.

8. Gripes on Driving in California

Timestamps: 49:47–53:42

• Adam rants about California drivers’ refusal to use blinkers, linking it to societal narcissism:

  "We need to put up on the signs, and it'll prevent a lot of accidents." — Adam (50:18) "All roads lead to narcissism... especially in Los Angeles." — Producer Dawson (52:49)

9. Political Commentary: California, Governance & Migration

Timestamps: 54:15–59:00

• Extended analysis of why progressive governance is driving people out of blue states and cities.
• Adam’s “alien test” for effective governance: identify where people are leaving vs. moving for better living.

10. Social Services, “Dignity,” and the Role of Government vs. Private Charity

Timestamps: 68:08–71:06

• Adam and Alicia debate the concept of “dignity” in relation to government handouts versus the pride of earning a living.

  "You don't know what they're talking about. You need dignity. It's called a hard day's work, hard day's pay and earn... Not you fucking laying around waiting for a government check." — Adam (68:08)

11. Current News, Politics & Social Issues

Timestamps: 83:16–94:44

• Equal time rules in media discussed via the Stephen Colbert/James Tallarico segment; Adam rips the comic book heroism and virtue signaling of Hollywood.
• News stories on mass migration, New York City’s budget woes, the consequences of pandemic-induced work-from-home culture, and more.

12. Trans Issues & Mental Health

Timestamps: 99:09–102:52

• The hosts weigh in on the latest headlines about a trans-identifying shooter, using it to reexamine the removal of mental health gatekeeping for gender transition surgery.

  "If you are meeting with a therapist and announcing that I'm a man, but there's a woman trapped inside of me, you're by definition nuts." — Adam (95:24)

• Debate on how much medical and societal trends have shifted.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Jackie Fabulous (on dating comics): "They're all nuts. Who cares? I'm gonna die soon. So are you. I'm not gonna spend all this time worrying about how they're all nuts. We're all crazy. So." (16:38)
• Adam Carolla (on effort and dignity): "You need dignity. It's called hard day's work, hard day's pay and earn... Not you fucking laying around waiting for a government check." (68:08)
• Adam Carolla (on ‘free everything’): "Buses should be like $2.50 just because you might be next to a man on the bus with no pants on...There needs to be a little barrier to entry." (29:36)
• Jackie Fabulous (on leaving her marriage): "I moved out, yes. That's why the special is called ‘You Can Leave.’" (13:59)
• Adam Carolla (on pattern recognition): "Everyone gets patternized. Everything gets pushed through the pattern computer, and then I drive accordingly." (44:26)
• Producer Dawson (on LA driving): "All roads lead to narcissism... especially in Los Angeles. Everyone's an island." (52:49)
• Adam Carolla (on AI): "AI can recognize. It can read X-rays and things like that, but it's not really going to know human rhythms and patterns and tendencies." (41:49)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Jackie’s Special, her process and personal life: 01:23–14:05
• Comedy as a career, late-night TV relevance: 32:10–33:44
• Discussion on dating, communication, personal patterns: 14:05–17:45
• Viral fame and international audiences: 32:47–33:44
• Comedy clubs, show business name errors: 19:46–26:45
• Political/cultural riffing (NYC/LA, ‘free’ programs): 26:45–29:59
• On dignity, government, and charity: 68:08–71:06
• Current events: migration, governance, societal trends: 54:15–59:00, 83:16–94:44
• Trans issues and mental health system critique: 99:09–102:52

Tone and Style

The episode is characteristically Adam Carolla—blunt, wry, and free-associative, with Jackie matching him in candor and wit. The conversation is laced with playful jabs, self-awareness, and industry war stories. Alicia brings structure and journalistic edge, often teeing up current event topics for Adam’s filter-free responses.

For New Listeners

This episode is a strong showcase of Adam Carolla’s signature approach: unsparing takes on culture, comedy business realities, and personal vulnerability—made both funny and insightful by the chemistry with Jackie Fabulous and Alicia Krause. If you enjoy comedy culture, candid personal stories, and sharp pop-political commentary, it’s a must-listen. The episode traverses stand-up’s changing economics, the psychology of performance, the mechanics of modern relationships, and the larger world outside the club—all with humor and biting honesty.