Adam Carolla Show: Justin Bartha Teases National Treasure 3 + L.A. Mayor Karen Bass Calls ICE Raids “Un-American”
Release Date: July 9, 2025
In this episode, The Adam Carolla Show features a dynamic blend of humor, insightful commentary, and in-depth conversation with guest Justin Bartha. The discussion spans a range of topics from traffic patterns influenced by ICE raids in Los Angeles to the intricacies of filmmaking and mental health. Below is a comprehensive summary capturing the key points, notable quotes, and overarching themes of the episode.
Introduction and Guest Announcement
Adam Carolla kicks off the episode by introducing his guest, Justin Bartha, renowned for his roles in the National Treasure series and The Hangover trilogy. He hints at upcoming discussions about a potential third installment of National Treasure and transitions into the day's main topics.
“Justin Bartha has done a ton of stuff. First we'll do a little thought and then a little news and we'll talk to Justin right after this.”
— Adam Carolla (00:00)
Traffic Patterns and ICE Raids in Los Angeles
Carolla delves into the surprising improvement in traffic conditions in Los Angeles, correlating it with recent ICE raids targeting illegal immigrants. He speculates that the removal of a specific demographic significantly impacts traffic flow due to their driving behaviors and vehicle conditions.
“If you remove X amount of the populace from a certain area, then there's gonna be a little less traffic.”
— Adam Carolla (05:07)
He further elaborates on how the daily routines of workers who drive older, less reliable vehicles contribute disproportionately to traffic congestion.
“They drive reliable cars that are maintained that never overheat or break down.”
— Adam Carolla (06:37)
The Story of Dave Sheridan
A heartfelt segment features Carolla reminiscing about Dave Sheridan, an actor who showed immense promise but faded into obscurity after a failed film project. This narrative underscores the unpredictable nature of Hollywood success.
“They were going, we gotta do the next Jim Carrey. […] That's just how this business mean in these streets works.”
— Adam Carolla (20:10)
National Treasure and Diane Kruger Review
Carolla discusses a particularly harsh review of National Treasure that criticizes actress Diane Kruger’s performance. The critique labeled her as a “horrible actress,” sparking a conversation about the impact of negative reviews on an actor’s career.
“They just literally said horrible actress in front of her name.”
— Adam Carolla (33:36)
He defends Kruger’s performance, arguing that such reviews are often the product of individual biases rather than objective assessments.
“She was great in all this stuff.”
— Adam Carolla (34:16)
Karen Bass and ICE Raids
A significant portion of the episode scrutinizes Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass’s stance on ICE raids. Carolla expresses frustration over what he perceives as political posturing at the expense of practical solutions like rebuilding efforts after disasters.
“Karen Bass is on the side of the illegals. So that's her. Her world.”
— Adam Carolla (46:23)
He criticizes Bass for focusing on political battles rather than addressing the immediate needs of the community, such as rebuilding burned areas.
“They don't care about rebuilding shit. They care about fighting Trump.”
— Adam Carolla (48:58)
Kidnapper News
The show briefly touches on a recent kidnapping incident where a man impulsively snatched a 6-year-old boy, leading to a chaotic pursuit by the child’s parents.
“I don't mind the capers […] it's just, I'm just gonna snatch up this kid, walk away.”
— Adam Carolla (41:14)
Carolla contrasts premeditated crimes with impulsive acts, emphasizing his concern over unpredictably violent behaviors.
Interview with Justin Bartha
Justin Bartha joins the show via Zoom to discuss his upcoming film, Nuked, slated for release on July 11, 2025. The conversation covers:
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Unpredictability of Comedy Success: Both Adam and Justin reflect on how comedies can be hit or miss, with many factors influencing a film’s reception.
“Good movies are so hard to make, especially comedies. You don't know what's gonna land versus what seemed funny on the page but just didn't.”
— Adam Carolla (68:42) -
Challenges in Filmmaking: They discuss the collaborative nature of filmmaking and the inherent uncertainties in predicting a movie’s success.
“There's something magical that just cannot be curated.”
— Andrew (Justin Bartha) (71:21) -
National Treasure 3 Potential: Justin hints at the possibility of a third installment in the National Treasure series, reflecting on its enduring popularity as "comfort food" for audiences.
Comedy and Mental Health
The episode transitions into a candid discussion about mental health and coping mechanisms in the digital age. Carolla shares his appreciation for physical activities and building projects as ways to maintain mental well-being, contrasting it with his family's reliance on talk therapy.
“Jumping into a cold lake and then getting out and running six miles, I think is gonna do you better.”
— Adam Carolla
Justin Bartha echoes similar sentiments, emphasizing a balanced approach that combines physical activity with self-reflection.
“It gives you some tools to kind of bring me back out of that. The dregs of digital life.”
— Andrew (Justin Bartha) (80:43)
Reflections on Parenting and Personal Growth
The hosts delve into personal anecdotes about parenting styles and their influence on personal development. They discuss the balance between discipline and empathy, highlighting how different approaches can shape children's behavior and resilience.
“There are two dads. There's a kind of practical dad that plays catch with you […] and then there's a kind of dad that lives in the young man's head.”
— Adam Carolla (97:36)
Concluding Remarks
The episode wraps up with final thoughts on the discussed topics and a friendly sign-off, with Carolla encouraging listeners to attend his live shows and stay engaged with the ongoing conversations.
“Until next time, Adam Crawford, Justin Bartha and Mayhem Miller saying mahalo out.”
— Adam Carolla (121:14)
This episode of The Adam Carolla Show masterfully blends humor with critical social commentary, offering listeners both entertainment and thoughtful insights. From dissecting urban challenges in Los Angeles to celebrating the unpredictable journey of actors like Justin Bartha, the conversation remains engaging and relevant.