The Adam Carolla Show – November 3, 2025: Guest: Cheryl Hines Talks Defending Husband RFK Jr. + Palisades Firefighters Ordered to Leave Burn Site

Episode Overview

In this lively episode, Adam Carolla welcomes actress and comedian Cheryl Hines in studio. They discuss Cheryl’s new memoir, her career journey, and the challenges she’s faced in the public eye due to her husband, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. The conversation ranges from the unpredictability of Hollywood careers to the controversies surrounding RFK Jr.’s political activities and media treatment. The show’s signature irreverent humor and candid dialogue guide the exploration of deeper societal issues, cancel culture, and family loyalty. After the interview, Mike Dawson joins Adam for the news segment, including a critical look at the recent Palisades fire.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Cheryl’s Memoir and Her Comedy Roots

• Groundlings Improv & Early Hollywood Hustle (04:07–16:40)
  • Cheryl details her journey from humble beginnings in Florida to struggling in LA until her breakout role as Larry David’s wife on Curb Your Enthusiasm.
  • Quote (03:55): “At that moment in time, that was the best news I’d ever heard.” – Cheryl, on Larry David casting her.
  • Discusses the survival-of-the-fittest atmosphere of the Groundlings and how improv shaped her as an actress.
  • Adam relates with his own near-misses at the Groundlings and the tough-love teaching style he encountered.

2. The Curb Your Enthusiasm Casting Story

• The “Unknown Wife” Concept (05:57–08:16)
  • Cheryl explains how Curb purposely cast her as an unknown for realism.
  • Adam and Cheryl riff on the show’s unique format and longevity.
  • Cheryl shares how her improv background was essential for the audition, which was all improvised.

3. Navigating Hollywood & Personal Attacks Due to RFK Jr.

• Media Pressure and The View Appearance (02:46–03:23; 34:11–43:12; 47:03–54:43)

  • Cheryl reflects on being put in “the hot seat” by The View and handling aggressive, politicized questioning.
  • Quote (03:13): “They just have a lot of feelings they needed to express to someone. And I was in the hot seat.” – Cheryl
  • Adam and Cheryl critique the media’s tendency for ad hominem attacks and ascribing negative motives over policy disagreements.

• Hollywood Ostracism & Cancel Culture (32:37–43:12)

  • Adam posits: “You either want to be on the beach or out past the breakers, but you’re sort of in the middle, you just get pummeled by everything.” (32:17)
  • Cheryl shares how, despite being shunned by some, many in Hollywood still reach out quietly.
  • They discuss the performative nature of public disavowals (“Kennedys support Biden!”) versus the private complexity of families.

• Confronting Misinformation and The “Not a Doctor” Attack (43:39–54:43)

  • Explores repeated media lines about RFK Jr. not being a doctor and The View’s focus on credentials over track record.
  • Whoopi Goldberg’s oblique critique on The View is played and dissected.
  • Cheryl provides factual clarity: “90% of secretaries of HHS have not been doctors, but they’ve had a science background. Three. No, to be honest, one of Obama’s secretaries was an economist...” (54:26)
  • Adam: “If you just cared about kids’ health, shouldn’t you be happy about lead and arsenic being taken out of formula?” (46:47)

4. Life Changes, Family Dynamics & Staying Level-Headed

• Handling Political Fallout and Family Loyalty (27:18–31:05)

  • Adam laments public family dissent: “Is this really what you have to do? Disavow and disassociate?... Can’t other people have opinions?” (28:05)
  • Cheryl describes her disappointment with some Kennedy relatives publicly disavowing her husband: “It really made me angry.” (30:07)
  • They both criticize the constant need for celebrities and family to make proclamations after every move.

• Marriage, Divorce, and Amicable Partnerships (65:47–73:12)

  • Cheryl reveals her amicable working relationship with ex-husband Paul Young: “There’s no one in the world I’d rather have as my ex-wife than you.” (69:44)
  • She describes their divorce as an intentional, non-destructive process, contrasting it with most Hollywood divorces.
  • Her current husband, RFK Jr., and ex-husband are friends and even co-parent together.

5. Skeptical Media, Public Grievance, and Societal Trends

• On Media’s Disingenuous Outrage (43:32–46:47; 61:19–64:41)

  • Adam and Cheryl posit that outrage and grievance are sometimes theater, not genuine concern.
  • Quote (61:36): “Why do people get so angry at somebody asking that question?”– Cheryl, on health/environment topics
  • Adam: “What they cannot admit is they just hate Trump…” (59:40)
  • Discussion of the “grievance class”: people more invested in being perpetually outraged than solutions.

• Praise for Unwavering Honesty (75:47)

  • Adam: “Here’s what I like about Bobby [RFK Jr.]… he didn’t go ‘Oh, sorry’… he said, ‘I’m just saying what this is. You can interpret it any way you want.’” (75:47)

The News Segment (Mike Dawson, Adam Carolla)

1. Palisades Firefighters Scandal (79:08–87:56)

• The LA Times exposes that firefighters allegedly left the site of the Lockman blaze too early, contributing to the Palisades fire.
• Adam is surprised the LA Times is finally holding local government to account.
• Critique of the lack of transparency and direct blame on city leaders for broader incompetence in handling basic civic duties.

2. Kim Kardashian’s Moon Landing Denial (88:21–94:00)

• Kim claims the moon landing was faked, prompting Adam’s sarcastic response.
• Adam humorously deconstructs conspiracy logic: “If you were faking it, wouldn’t you have fixed Neil Armstrong’s famous flubbed line?” (91:57)
• Commentary on how celebrity opinions can sway public perception, even when unfounded.

3. Nicki Minaj Praises Trump on Christian Persecution (95:43–102:01)

• Nicki Minaj thanks Trump for condemning Christian persecution in Nigeria.
• Adam and Dawson use this to revisit the “grievance class” theory – that for many, outrage persistence is more important than solutions.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Cheryl Hines on Criticism:
  “People have made up their mind and it’s not my place to try to move them off of who they think Bobby is, what they think his intentions are.” (45:22)

• Adam on Ad Hominem Culture:
  “It shows that people making the accusations don’t really have a good intellectual capacity… you would say ‘I think he’s misguided,’ but not just, ‘because he’s evil.’” (23:46)

• Cheryl on Family Loyalty:
  “Why are you speaking for the whole family? Are we all on board?” (30:06)

• Adam on The View:
  “She (Whoopi) struggles mightily, she has a mighty struggle with verbiage. She has a feeling but… nothing. Cheryl.” (52:13)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 01:55 – Introduction; Cheryl Hines and memoir announcement
• 04:07 – Cheryl’s early career & Groundlings days
• 05:57 – Curb Your Enthusiasm audition and legacy
• 16:40 – Hollywood’s comedy survival & improv culture
• 27:18 – Navigating friendships & public family dissent
• 32:37 – Hollywood ostracism & cancel culture
• 47:03 – The View confrontation; “Not a Doctor” attack
• 61:19 – Motives misunderstood: public outrage & partisanship
• 65:47 – Cheryl’s amicable divorce and co-parenting
• 79:08 – Palisades Fire firefighter scandal
• 88:21 – Kim Kardashian moon-landing denial
• 95:43 – Nicki Minaj, Trump, and the "grievance class"

Tone & Style

The tone remains conversational, witty, and irreverent, with Adam’s characteristic directness and Cheryl’s candid, self-aware insights. Banter punctuates heavier subjects; sarcasm and skepticism run throughout.

Closing Notes

• Cheryl’s memoir Unscripted releases on November 11th and is available for pre-order.
• She is producing a new comedy film with her ex-husband and continues to work actively in both DC and LA.

For listeners seeking an authentic, behind-the-scenes look at celebrity, politics, family, and cancel culture—with plenty of laughs and sharp commentary—this episode hits all the marks.