The Adam Carolla Show: Paul Walter Hauser on "The Luckiest Man in America," Outsourcing Hollywood, Sobriety, and When a Joke Goes Too Far

Released on March 27, 2025

Introduction

In this engaging episode of The Adam Carolla Show, host Adam Carolla welcomes actor Paul Walter Hauser to discuss his latest projects, industry trends, personal growth, and the delicate balance of humor. The conversation delves deep into Paul's new film "The Luckiest Man in America," the outsourcing of Hollywood productions, his journey towards sobriety, and an incident where a joke spiraled out of control.

Career Updates and New Projects

Paul Walter Hauser provides an overview of his burgeoning career, highlighting his involvement in several upcoming films:

• "The Luckiest Man in America": A true story set to hit theaters on April 4th, featuring a compelling narrative about a game show contestant navigating fame and personal demons. Paul describes it as an entertaining departure from darker biopics.

  "Our film is not as dark and drab as that. Thankfully, it's very entertaining." [24:55]

• Other Projects: Paul is also working on "Naked Gun," "Fantastic Four," "Americana," and a Bruce Springsteen biopic set to release throughout the year. He expresses excitement about the diverse roles and the creative freedom he enjoys.

  "This year I got five or six movies coming out. I couldn’t be more proud of them." [32:24]

Outsourcing Hollywood

A significant portion of the discussion centers on the outsourcing trend in Hollywood. Paul and guest Lucrezia Corval Coinin lament the shift of film productions to locations like Bogotá, Colombia, and Winnipeg due to cost-saving measures. They argue that this migration diminishes the cultural and economic fabric of Hollywood.

Paul Carolla: "They make those decisions like, well, it would cost X amount to recall all the Ford Pintos, but the lawsuits from the eight people who died... it's just, don't expect any different. Hollywood will leave if you make it too difficult."

Lucrezia Corval Coinin: "Rob Lowe said it's bordering on criminal, the fact that the whole industry has kind of gone away."

Personal Sobriety and Growth

Paul opens up about his personal journey towards sobriety, emphasizing the transformative impact it has had on his life. He shares how getting sober, using medications like sertraline (Zoloft), prioritizing sleep, and attending therapy have helped him regain control and improve his well-being.

Paul Walter Hauser: "I've undergone three to nine months of just, like, undoing decades of shit. It was crazy."

Lucrezia Corval Coinin: "I got sober because of alcohol, marijuana, and pornography. I just decided all three were toxic to me being the best version of myself."

Society's Focus on Appearance vs. Substance

The conversation shifts to societal obsessions with aesthetics over substance. Using George Clooney and Richard Jewell as contrasting examples, Paul criticizes how society often glorifies appearance without considering true character or actions.

Paul Walter Hauser: "We have this thing where you go, look at Richard Jewell and you go, oh, look at that guy. He did something. Look at that idiot over. Look at Clooney."

They further discuss how superficial judgments permeate various aspects of life, from restaurant appearances to street food preferences, highlighting a disconnect between looks and quality.

Comedy, Personal Evolution, and the Boundaries of Humor

Reflecting on his past in stand-up and sketch comedy, Paul discusses his evolution as a comedian and actor. He recounts a pivotal moment when a joke about Vin Diesel's professionalism led to unintended backlash, forcing him to apologize despite his belief in honesty.

Paul Walter Hauser: "I've had a million arguments where people go, why you talking shit? And I go, as long as it's the truth and it's accurate, then it's not shit."

This incident underscores the fine line comedians walk between candidness and sensitivity, especially in a public setting.

Future Endeavors and Personal Interests

Paul expresses his enthusiasm for future projects, including producing wrestling shows and continuing his entrepreneurial ventures. He also hints at exploring new creative outlets, inspired by innovative comedy formats like Bo Burnham's Inside.

Paul Walter Hauser: "I got really into professional wrestling, and I've had about 16 or 17 matches, and now I'm looking to produce wrestling shows. That's become kind of my thing."

Conclusion

The episode concludes with Paul and Lucrezia sharing their aspirations and upcoming events, solidifying their commitment to diverse creative projects and personal growth. Paul's candid reflections offer listeners a profound glimpse into the challenges and triumphs of balancing a flourishing career with personal well-being.

Notable Quotes

• "We're done and I will tell everyone. So we're in cubicles, we're looking at data, and that's where my truth and your truth come in." [10:56]
• "Fun is very empty calories and people don't really know it. Like search wisdom and search experiences and search challenges." [13:03]
• "We have such a weird relationship with that stuff. Like, literally, there's a guy on the corner of Home Depot and he's chopping up papaya with a rusty machete and people are stopping and eating off that thing." [07:12]
• "You can't have all our truths because we're living in some virtual sort of digital world." [10:56]
• "Dancing on top of someone's head is not nursing protocol." [106:37]

This episode of The Adam Carolla Show is a rich tapestry of personal stories, industry insights, and thoughtful discourse, making it a must-listen for fans and newcomers alike.