Adam Carolla Show: Episode Featuring Megyn Kelly and Mark Joseph

Release Date: March 26, 2025
Guests: Megyn Kelly (Journalist and Host of Megyn Kelly Plus), Mark Joseph (Producer of Reagan and Author of Making Reagan)

1. Introduction and Welcome

The episode kicks off with Adam Carolla humorously highlighting the irony of smartphone usage, interspersed with promotional advertisements. Shortly after, Adam introduces his guests:

• Megyn Kelly, praised for her dynamic and sharp journalistic style.
• Mark Joseph, who provides insights into his work on the Reagan movie and discusses updates regarding Dennis Prager's health.

2. Critique of Progressive Figures and Narratives

Adam and Megyn delve into a critical analysis of contemporary progressive politicians, particularly focusing on Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC) and Jasmine Crockett.

• Adam Carolla's Criticism of AOC:

  • [08:45] Adam expresses frustration with AOC's rhetoric around work, perceiving it as disingenuous and not reflective of his own experiences working at McDonald's out of necessity.
  • Quote: "Everything they say to me is sort of telling... it's stacked against you."

• Megyn Kelly on AOC and Jasmine Crockett:

  • [05:04] Kelly labels AOC a "congressional Kardashian," criticizing her authenticity and consistency.
  • [06:19] Discusses Jasmine Crockett’s portrayal of struggles, questioning the veracity of her claims about facing poverty and insufficient wages despite evidence suggesting otherwise.
  • Quote: "It's so odd. So she ran for Congress... and I'm supposed to look at that time as..."

3. The "Destitution Derby" and Victim Mentality

The conversation shifts to what Kelly and Carolla term the "destitution derby," where Democrats purportedly encourage a victim mentality among marginalized groups.

• Megyn Kelly on Destitution Derby:

  • [09:39] Introduces the concept, highlighting how Democrats perpetuate narratives of systemic oppression without offering concrete solutions.
  • Quote: "Unless they hear an actual destitution story from a Republican like J.D. Vance... he's a poser, he's a faker."

• Adam Carolla’s Commentary:

  • Argues that the government has consistently failed to deliver promised reforms, likening reliance on governmental solutions to expecting a neighbor to return a sold cordless drill.
  • Quote: "Start working weekends. Have a little motivation. It's the same thing."

4. Media Trust and Disinformation

The duo discusses the erosion of trust in traditional media and the rise of disinformation.

• Mark Joseph on Media Trust:

  • [76:59] References the COVID-19 pandemic as a breaking point for public trust in medical professionals and mainstream media.
  • Quote: "Before COVID, if my doctor said take three steps... After COVID, I don't trust my doctors anymore."

• Adam Carolla’s Views:

  • Criticizes media outlets like the New York Times and CNN for perceived bias and dishonesty.
  • Quote: "The media has shown themselves to be liars, so nobody listens to them."

5. Confronting Systemic Issues and Personal Responsibility

The discussion emphasizes the importance of personal responsibility over blaming systemic issues facilitated by government policies.

• Megyn Kelly’s Perspective:

  • Advocates for self-improvement and individual effort rather than relying on government intervention.
  • [20:45] "Put on a little makeup, brush your hair... It will help you attract a man. It'll help you attract a job."

• Adam Carolla’s Agreement:

  • [20:45] Agrees with the notion that creating a victim mentality is detrimental, leading to demotivation and societal destruction.
  • Quote: "Why do you sit there listening?... You have to get your fucking shit together."

6. Discussions on Immigration and Assimilation

The conversation critiques current immigration policies and the emphasis on cultural assimilation.

• Megyn Kelly’s Critique:

  • [35:00] Highlights issues with immigrant assimilation, referencing Ayaan Hirsi Ali’s work on the challenges European towns face with increased Muslim immigration.
  • Quote: "They think we're going to assimilate to them... We're watching this happen every day in Europe."

• Adam Carolla’s Argument:

  • [37:12] Stresses that immigrants left their home countries for better opportunities and should assimilate to succeed in America.
  • Quote: "You left those places because those places are pieces of shit. That's why you left them."

7. Media Ratings and Film Criticism

A significant portion of the episode critiques film rating systems like Rotten Tomatoes, arguing they are biased and fail to accurately represent audience opinions.

• Adam Carolla on Rotten Tomatoes:

  • [95:14] Claims Rotten Tomatoes is corrupted, with liberal film critics skewing ratings and disengaging from objective assessments.
  • Quote: "They have a group of liberal people who cannot help but mix their politics with their profession."

• Mark Joseph’s Insights:

  • [95:02] Highlights discrepancies between critic and audience scores, suggesting the ratings do not reflect genuine viewer opinions.
  • Quote: "The audience score didn't change. The critics score dropped."

8. Personal Anecdotes and Social Observations

The dialogue weaves in personal stories and observations to underscore broader societal critiques.

• Adam Carolla’s Experiences:

  • Shares his hardships working as a carpenter and waitressing, juxtaposing his genuine struggles with what he perceives as exaggerated narratives by politicians.
  • [09:39] "I worked at McDonald's because I had to get money. Cause that's the only way to get money."

• Mark Joseph’s Background:

  • Discusses his upbringing and experiences with Reagan-era politics, drawing parallels to contemporary political climates.
  • [73:26] Reflects on Reagan’s presidency and public sentiment during that time.

9. Discussions on Business and Economic Policies

The episode covers the impact of tax incentives on industries and the broader economic implications.

• Adam Carolla on Hollywood and Tax Breaks:

  • [54:01] Criticizes Hollywood for relocating productions to places like New Mexico due to lucrative tax incentives, arguing it mirrors a lack of genuine commitment to local communities.
  • Quote: "They give tax breaks... It's corporate greed."

• Mark Joseph on Economic Shifts:

  • Points out the broader trend of businesses leaving high-cost regions for more economically favorable locations.
  • [62:36] "Everyone just gets up and leaves. And that's how Hollywood works."

10. Finale and Closing Remarks

The episode concludes with light-hearted banter, additional advertisements, and a recap of upcoming segments.

• Final Discussions:

  • Mark Joseph shares an anecdote about lobbying Reagan, illustrating Reagan’s commitment to private sector solutions over public spending.
  • Adam Carolla reiterates his stance on self-reliance and criticism of modern societal norms.

• Promotional Segments:

  • Advertisements for American Giant Hoodies, O’Reilly Auto Parts, Dawson’s Arrangements, Pluto TV, and more.

• Closing Interaction:

  • Megyn Kelly and Adam exchange friendly remarks, hinting at future collaborations and expressing mutual respect despite their differing viewpoints.
  • Quote: "Love having you," – Megyn Kelly to Adam Carolla.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Adam Carolla on Phone Usage Irony:
  [00:00] "Phones are supposed to be for communication, but we look at them more and more than we look at each other."

• Mark Joseph on "Destitution Derby":
  [09:44] "That's what it feels like whenever you listen to these Democrats... They're all about destitution derby."

• Megyn Kelly on Jasmine Crockett's Authenticity:
  [05:04] "I'm over your little routine. The same way AOC is now Alexandria Cortez."

• Adam Carolla on Personal Responsibility:
  [20:45] "Start working weekends. Have a little motivation. It's the same thing."

• Megyn Kelly on Media Trust:
  [76:59] "Before COVID, if my doctor said take three steps... After COVID, I don't trust my doctors anymore."

• Adam Carolla on Rotten Tomatoes Bias:
  [95:14] "Rotten Tomatoes is broken. It's about how they feel about the subject or the filmmaker."

• Mark Joseph on Reagan's Presidency:
  [73:26] "Reagan was not everybody's grandpa... At least 40% of the country always was like your mother and those people, they hated him."

• Adam Carolla on Hollywood's Relocation:
  [54:01] "They give tax breaks... It's corporate greed."

• Megyn Kelly on Conjugal Visits:
  [35:00] "They think we're going to assimilate to them... We're watching this happen every day in Europe."

Key Takeaways

1. Critique of Progressive Politicians:
   Both Adam and Megyn express skepticism and criticism of contemporary progressive figures like AOC and Jasmine Crockett, questioning their authenticity and the narratives they promote.

2. Personal Responsibility Over Systemic Blame:
   Emphasizing the importance of individual effort and self-improvement, the guests argue against fostering a victim mentality tied to systemic issues.

3. Erosion of Media Trust:
   The conversation highlights a significant decline in public trust toward traditional media and medical institutions, attributing it to perceived biases and dishonesty.

4. Economic and Business Policies:
   Criticism is directed at industries relocating due to tax incentives, portraying it as a lack of genuine investment in local communities and a symptom of broader corporate greed.

5. Media Ratings Bias:
   Rotten Tomatoes and similar platforms are scrutinized for alleged political biases that distort film ratings, failing to accurately reflect audience sentiments.

6. Immigration and Assimilation:
   The discussion underscores the challenges of immigrant assimilation, advocating for cultural adaptation as a pathway to success in America.

7. Personal Anecdotes to Illustrate Broader Points:
   Both guests share personal stories and experiences to underscore their critiques of modern societal and political trends.

This episode of the Adam Carolla Show offers a robust critique of contemporary progressive politics, media trust issues, and societal attitudes towards personal responsibility and assimilation. Through candid discussions and personal anecdotes, Adam Carolla and his guests engage in a no-holds-barred conversation appealing to listeners who share their skepticism of mainstream narratives.