Carolla Classics: Carlos Mencia + Winter Ave Zoli (Adam Carolla Show 709 & 711)

Original Airdates: 2011
Classic episode released: December 27, 2025
Host: Adam Carolla
Co-hosts: Allison Rosen, Bald Bryan Bishop
Guests: Carlos Mencia, Winter Ave Zoli

Overview

This special "Carolla Classics" episode features two throwback interviews: stand-up comedian Carlos Mencia (His Comedy Central special “New Territory” was about to premiere) and actress Winter Ave Zoli (of Sons of Anarchy), along with frequent co-hosts Allison Rosen and Bald Bryan. The core of the episode showcases Adam’s trademark riffing on everyday annoyances, unpredictable tangents, brutally honest takes on family and food, and insightful, often raw conversations with his guests about upbringing, showbiz, health, and culture.

Key Segments and Discussion Points

1. Opening Rants & Classic Carolla Anecdotes

Complaints About Live Shows and Assistants

• Adam complains about needing someone reliable to run PowerPoint at his live shows. Mike Lynch, his usual tech support, is unavailable, so Adam jokes:
  • "We both decided a drunken stranger from the crowd would be better off running that Macintosh." (01:34)

Story: The WareHouse Flood Panic

• Adam tells the story of being alarmed about a possible flood at his warehouse, only to find out it was a false alarm.
  • He rails against people who overreact and the "Chicken Little" mentality. (03:01–06:03)
  • Memorable quote:
    "I can't take that part of life where everyone is trying to agitate me and it's like they're fucking jacking you off. But again, with a..." (05:26)

Thanksgiving “Workout Guy” Rant

• Adam mocks people who show off by exercising on Thanksgiving, shaming those settled in for food and football:
  • "Enjoy that stuffing and that drumstick, you fat fuck. Look at me, look at me." (09:33–11:47)

2. Sports, Nostalgia & Show-Business Connections

Saints Training Camp “Jock-Walking” Story – Bryan's Story (13:26–18:10)

• Bryan recalls being invited to a New Orleans Saints training camp by fan and receivers coach Carter Sheridan.
• A technical glitch erases his interviews with Drew Brees and other players, sparking classic tech-fail banter.
  • "We had a Drew Brees exclusive down the drain." (17:07)
  • "Drew Brees…that guy’s A-list NFL talent." – Adam (18:08)

3. The News with Allison Rosen

Timestamps in this segment are approximate as the discussion is free-flowing.

Herman Cain Affair Allegations (20:24–33:51)

• The team reacts to breaking news: Herman Cain faces allegations of a 13-year affair.
• Adam riffs on political sex scandals, using car analogies for men’s standards in cheating, and the concept of the “undiscerning penis.”
  • "He'll take anything. Raccoon in a dumpster for a penis, you know what I mean?" – Adam (25:47)
• Discussion on traditional marriages, gender double standards, and what wives "know" and tolerate in high-profile relationships.

Kansas Lite-Gov & the Twitter Scandal (33:58–36:23)

• Discussion of a student punished for criticizing the governor on Twitter, highlighting generational and social media shifts.

Craigslist Job Murders (39:44–45:55)

• Creepy story about murderers luring victims through job ads, with Adam and Bryan riffing on “shallow graves” and stone-voiced stoner impressions.

Obsession with Celebrity Scandals

• The group discusses society's over-involvement with celebrity gossip and culture, referencing Dr. Drew, Paris Hilton, and Courtney Stodden.

4. Extended Interview: Carlos Mencia (47:26–84:03)

Losing Weight, Latin Food, and Family (47:26–64:02)

• Carlos on his friend’s diabetes and own weight loss journey:
  • "I found myself being that douchebag looking at himself in the mirror while he works out…" (55:43)
• Cultural habits around food, growing up poor, and family traditions.
• Adam and Carlos discuss emotional baggage, how food and poverty shape adult behaviors.
  • "You realize it's the worst thing you can do to your kid…" – Adam (62:01)

Huge Families & Financial Pressures (64:02–79:17)

• Carlos shares stories of growing up in a family with 17 siblings:
  • "I have 11 sisters and six brothers…" (64:05)
• Kids as “lottery tickets,” the guilt and duty to provide, and the endless chain of lending money.
• On family dynamics: being “given away” to an aunt and uncle, the pivotal impact of different upbringings.
  • "My mom just gave me to my uncle and aunt to raise as their own…if I say mom, two people answer." (71:25)

The “Comedy Intervention” (73:11)

• Carlos’ family staging an intervention when he wanted to quit engineering for stand-up.
• Reflections on differing family cultures and “blood” versus those who actually raise you.
  • "Somebody raises you, they raised you right…" – Adam (76:52)

5. Latin Culture, Machismo, and Violence (80:54–88:44)

• Carlos and Adam on cultural quirks—Spanish radio, the Brahma bull decal, embracing death in Mexican culture (“rolling memorials” on car windows).

  • "A lot of skeletons—they embrace death, though. It's not scary." – Carlos (84:15)

• The roots of violence in Central America and machismo:

  • "As soon as they would have three beers, every man would start saying 'I'm a grown ass man', and as soon as that shit started, somebody was gonna get hit with a machete." – Carlos (85:37)

• Adam likens societal order to having “something to lose,” using personal anecdotes about no longer riding motorcycles after having a family.

6. Interview: Winter Ave Zoli (135:05–167:01)

Career Journey and Life in Prague

• Winter talks about moving from Bucks County, PA, to Prague as a teen (139:25), her parents’ club “Radosť FX" (140:29), and Prague’s evolution from post-Communist “dark” to a vibrant cultural destination.

Hollywood, Family, and Roots

• Working in the family business, traveling Europe, breaking into acting through productions in Prague.

NoHo Arts District and LA Observations (137:23–138:46)

• Adam laments the “ugly” NoHo Arts District sign and contrasts Czech authenticity with LA’s version of “art.”

Most-Shared Facebook Articles of 2011 (144:41–154:14)

• Allison runs down viral stories: zodiac sign controversy, dog loyalty stories, heartwarming military hero pets, Facebook redesigns.
• The group riffs on astrology and school biorhythm wheels; Adam shares flashbacks about his mother’s belief in her “biorhythm wheel” (148:13).

7. More News & Cultural Commentary

Shoplifting Statistics & How-To (172:43–181:46)

• Adam explains (practically!) how to steal from grocery stores, leading to a running gag with Bryan on hiding items in meat counters and Adam’s own youthful turkey-leg heists.

Miley Cyrus “Stoner” Video & Kelly Osbourne’s Omnipresence (162:35–164:24)

• Miley’s “stoner” birthday video, Adam skeptical about whether Bob Marley cakes really prove “stonerdom.”
• Adam pokes fun at Kelly Osborne as everyone’s “best friend” when a celebrity dies (163:34–164:24).

Haiti Charity Scandals & Judgment Culture (167:18–172:31)

• Adam questions why certain countries (e.g., Haiti) never seem to escape cycles of dysfunction.
  • "I just want someone to get a globe and start circling these little spots..." (171:00)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Carlos Mencia on “food addiction” and exercise:
  "I was at the gym the other day, and I found myself being that douchebag looking at himself in the mirror while he works out. I don't want to be that guy. But… I work so hard that it's like, holy shit, I do fucking look good." (55:43)

• Adam on Political Sex Scandals:
  "I don't like this road we're going down where this vetting process involves who you fucked in the last 20 years." (31:15)

• Cultural Rant:
  "Rednecks and illegal aliens… are exactly the same. They just speak a different language. They drink the same shit, they look at the same shit, they dress the same way..." – Carlos Mencia (81:23)

• Adam on Apologies:
  "I've never asked anyone to apologize. Because I figure whatever it is they say they mean, or at least they meant at the time..." (109:09)

Key Timestamps

| Time | Segment/Topic | |------------|-------------------------------------------------------------| | 01:46 | Live show tech woes, “drunken stranger” better than staff | | 03:01–06:03| Warehouse flood panic & anti-Chicken Little rant | | 09:33 | Thanksgiving “Workout Guy” takedown | | 13:26 | Saints camp “Jock Walking” and lost Drew Brees interview | | 20:24–33:51| Herman Cain affair scandal, car analogies for cheating men | | 47:26–64:02| Carlos Mencia: health, weight loss, family, food culture | | 64:02–79:17| Growing up with 17 siblings, financial pressures | | 80:54–88:44| Latin culture, violence, machismo, lessons from poverty | | 135:05 | Winter Ave Zoli interview—childhood, Prague & acting | | 144:41 | Most viral news stories on Facebook 2011 | | 172:43 | Shoplifting stats & “how-to” (comedy, of course) |

Tone & Takeaway

The tone is quintessential Carolla Show: hilarious, brash, unfiltered, with a surprising undercurrent of depth and empathy. Adam pivots between belly-aching about life’s inconveniences to asking guests probing questions about family, identity, and the American dream. Carlos Mencia brings vulnerability and realness in discussing weight loss, cultural pressure, and a sprawling family. Winter Ave Zoli offers a globe-trotting perspective on growing up in post-Communist Europe and navigating Hollywood.

For listeners, this episode is rich with classic bits, cultural commentary, behind-the-scenes showbiz stories, and the joy (and exhaustion) that comes from sharing your life, and your family’s chaos, with the world.

[End of summary]