Adam Carolla Show – Episode Summary Title: Ed Asner + Jay Chandrasekhar (Carolla Classics)
Release Date: March 23, 2025

1. Introduction to Carolla Classics

The episode kicks off with Giovanni introducing "Carolla Classics," a companion podcast featuring the best moments and highlights from the 16-year run of The Adam Carolla Show. The focus of this episode is a classic conversation between Adam Carolla and comedian Jay Chandrasekhar.

2. Revisiting "Super Troopers" and "Super Troopers 2"

Discussion on Original "Super Troopers"

• Jay Chandrasekhar reminisces about his involvement in the original Super Troopers film, highlighting its modest budget and substantial profit:

  "Super Troopers is one of those movies that probably cost 1.2 million and it profited Fox roughly 80 to 90 million." (02:36)

Insights into "Super Troopers 2"

• Jay shares updates on the sequel, revealing that the film has been edited and scored by Eagles of Death Metal. He mentions the positive response from test audiences:

  "We've cut the film and my friends in the band, the Eagles of Death Metal are doing the score right now." (11:02)
  "We've shown it to 500 people, and so far, that hasn't been the response." (14:30)

• Adam discusses the challenges of sequel production and the importance of audience testing, emphasizing that good feedback keeps the project alive:

  "It's true. Like, when you do, you know, Blues Brothers 2000, it's doubly bad because just on TV, the first one is so iconic and so good." (15:00)

3. Anecdotes on Substance Use in the Entertainment Industry

Editing with Mitch Hedberg

• Jay recounts his experience editing comedian Mitch Hedberg's film "Los Enchiladas," highlighting Hedberg's consistent marijuana use:

  "We sat in this dark room and smoked grass and cut his movie." (04:04)

Comparisons to Other Entertainers

• Adam draws parallels between Jay's experience and the behaviors of other entertainers struggling with substance abuse, such as Andy Dick:

  "It's amazing what we can do. Jacked out of our brains and actually like make a living." (06:15)

4. Encounter with Andy Dick

Jay's Personal Encounter

• Jay shares a humorous yet uncomfortable encounter with Andy Dick, describing how Dick tried to join his car with a shopping cart:

  "I was like, Andy, no." (07:01)

• Adam reflects on the unpredictability of encountering high-profile individuals while under the influence:

  "But the next morning he was on set somewhere and he was regurgitating lines. That's the weird now." (07:14)

5. Critique of Modern Blockbusters

Homogeneity in Blockbuster Films

• Jay criticizes the lack of originality in recent blockbuster movies, attributing it to corporate strategies aimed at maximizing global profits:

  "They want these films to work in China and India and all these other countries. And so they're only making movies that can make that much money and they're that big and with that many effects, and they all look the same now." (20:22)

• Adam agrees, comparing blockbuster franchises to consistent fast-food chains, emphasizing their global uniformity:

  "It's kind of like a franchise like Kentucky Fried Chicken or McDonald's. Like, hey, it's about consistency." (20:44)

Impact on Storytelling

• Adam laments the shift from story-driven narratives to action-centric films, noting the diminishing focus on coherent storytelling:

  "They have just given up on the story. I mean, a large part of the story hinges on the story from the last movie." (21:12)

6. News Segments with Gina Grad

Survivor Contestant Termination

• Gina Grad introduces a segment about Jeff Varner, a former Survivor contestant who lost his job after revealing a fellow competitor's transgender status:

  "Jeff Varner... he said Jeff was 'in the middle of a news story that we don't want anything to do with.'" (27:00)

United Airlines Policy Changes

• Gary reports on United Airlines revising their policy to prevent incidents like a passenger being dragged off a plane, though he criticizes the effectiveness:

  "A United spokesman said that the change was done to make sure that an incident like the recent episode never occurs again." (31:33)

Penn State's Crackdown on Fraternities

• Gary discusses Penn State University's decision to eliminate fraternities due to rampant party culture, highlighting specific violations:

  "Nine of the university's 82 frats were busted during Parents Week for boozing, breaking all kinds of rules..." (38:07)

7. Ed Asner's Segment

Voicemail and Appearance

• Ed Asner leaves a voicemail for Adam, explaining his inability to appear on the show due to a back injury. Upon learning that Daniel San LaRusso (from The Karate Kid) was a guest, Ed humorously wishes he had known earlier:

  "He or she is the creep of the week... I'm trying to see him." (50:07)

Mock Interaction with Ed

• The conversation shifts to a playful reenactment where Ed attempts to join the show, leading to humorous banter about missed opportunities and fictional scenarios:

  "Make me better. Let me come in and see him." (50:43)
  "I'm programming you to say, 'stop living in denial.'" (52:14)

8. Additional Banter and Topics

Autism Shots and Parenting

• Adam and co-hosts discuss parenting challenges, specifically relating to autism vaccinations and step-parenting dynamics:

  "Jenny McArthur warned me about that." (78:39)

Music and Media Critique

• A significant portion of the conversation involves critiques of modern music, plagiarism in the industry, and frustrations with contemporary artists like Justin Bieber and Diddy:

  "It's the antithesis of art. It's so fucking lazy." (123:07)

Conspiracy Theories with Matt Asner

• Matt Asner engages in a heated discussion about 9/11 conspiracy theories, expressing skepticism about official narratives and suggesting government involvement:

  "They put explosives in that one and then when the jet A fuel started burning, the beams melted." (114:03)
  "I think that there is a certain area of government which probably participated in this somehow." (111:16)

9. Conclusion and Outro

The episode wraps up with more light-hearted banter, reflections on past episodes, and playful interactions among the hosts and guests. Adam Carolla invites listeners to tune into upcoming segments and events, while Giovanni previews future "Carolla Classics" clips.

Notable Quotes

• Jay Chandrasekhar on "Super Troopers":

  "It probably cost 1.2 million and it profited Fox roughly 80 to 90 million." (02:36)

• Jay on Editing Mitch Hedberg's Film:

  "We sat in this dark room and smoked grass and cut his movie." (04:04)

• Adam on Modern Blockbusters:

  "It's kind of like a franchise like Kentucky Fried Chicken or McDonald's. Like, hey, it's about consistency." (20:44)

• Gina Grad on Survivor Contestant:

  "Jeff Varner... he said Jeff was 'in the middle of a news story that we don't want anything to do with.'" (27:00)

• Matt Asner on Conspiracy Theories:

  "I think that there is a certain area of government which probably participated in this somehow." (111:16)

Final Thoughts

This episode of Carolla Classics offers a nostalgic dive into memorable conversations between Adam Carolla and his guests, blending humor with candid discussions on the entertainment industry, societal issues, and personal anecdotes. Whether reminiscing about cult classics like Super Troopers or engaging in spirited debates about modern media, the episode provides listeners with a blend of laughter and insightful commentary.