The Adam Carolla Show (Carolla Classics)

Episode: Riki Lindhome and Kate Micucci + Greg Fitzsimmons
Date: September 14, 2025
Host: Doug Benson (guest hosting for Adam Carolla)
Guests: Garfunkel and Oates (Riki Lindhome & Kate Micucci), Eliza Schlesinger, Bald Brian, Schmoes Know, Greg Fitzsimmons, Mike Gibbons, Theresa Strasser

Episode Overview

This Carolla Classics episode is a compilation of standout moments from the Adam Carolla Show’s 2010 episodes, guest hosted by comedians Doug Benson and Greg Fitzsimmons. Major highlights include candid and irreverent interviews with comedy duo Garfunkel and Oates (Riki Lindhome and Kate Micucci), lively discussions on pop culture and politics, musical comedy performances, a deep dive into stand-up life, and a comedic “election night” roundtable contrasting real political outcomes with comic potential.

Key Discussion Points & Segments

1. Doug Benson Guest Hosts with Garfunkel and Oates (Starts ~02:10)

• Doug Benson steps in as guest host, bringing his signature chill, pot-centric humor and podcast experience.
• Eliza Schlesinger, Bald Brian, and Ricky Lindhome join the panel for riff-heavy intros on stand-up touring, handling hecklers, and “Last Comic Standing” memories.

Noteworthy Moments:

• Doug celebrating a rare chance to talk:
  “I’ve been a guest on the podcast several times and never get a word in, so it’s gonna be exciting...” (02:29, Doug)

• Tour life and college crowds:
  The comics swap stories about performing at NACA conferences and receiving offers to party with fans:
  “I love smoking with fans, and I do it all the time, but ... when I’m hired to perform on a college campus, ... is not start blazing with ... students.” (10:11, Doug)

• On performing under Prop 19 buzz:
  Doug strategizes reminding college students to vote for marijuana legalization, even if it won’t help them until they turn 21.
  “You’re going to be 21 eventually. You should vote for it now.” (08:18, Doug)

• Handling hecklers:
  Riki contrasts their approaches:
  “I would flip a table … you take it in stride, and you almost like it... You’re so chill about it … So opposite me.” (05:31, Riki)

2. Stand-Up Demands & Performer Eccentricities (14:55)

• Discussion of performer “riders” triggered by Zach Galifianakis’ specific show requirements, defending the need for odd requests.

• Comedians’ greenroom requests:
  “I have Red Bull and I think NutriGrain bars in my rider. And I don’t get them 90% of the time and I don’t even notice.” (17:18, Riki)

3. Social Issues & Pop Culture Satire (17:44–31:32)

• Octomom / fertility scandal:
  The group skewers the ethics of high-embryo implantations and systemic failures.
  “That is just absolutely ridiculous... that a doctor was…” (19:05, Doug)

• Fraternity outrage at Yale:
  The “No Means Yes, Yes Means Anal” chant sparks commentary on frat culture, nerd rage, and privilege.
  “That’s an interesting way to wrap up a news story. You don’t hear a lot of news people go, ‘...and they can eat my shit.’” (26:30, Doug responding to Riki's blunt summation)

• Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell and women in the military:
  “Gay should be allowed in the military. I think you want someone on your team, get a lesbian...” (27:11, Riki)

• The challenge of physical standards:
  Eliza on realism in military roles:
  “A man can pull a man out of a burning building. A woman can’t always just physically. You’re not.” (28:28, Eliza)
  Leads to lively sparring over gender and military strength.

4. Garfunkel and Oates Perform (36:47, 47:07)

Song 1: “I Don’t Understand Job” (Hand Job Song) (37:32)

• Hilariously awkward, rapid-fire clever lyrics about being late sexual bloomers.

• Live musical performance, audience crack-ups, and studio “Shake Weight” visual gags.

  • Standout Lyric:
    “Hand job, bland job / I don’t understand job / Do I spit? Do I squeeze? Do I ever touch the top? How can I learn when you always make me stop...” — Garfunkel and Oates (40:50+)

Song 2: “Like” (47:07)

• Sweet-turned-raunchy love song with escalating wordplay:
  “I’d really like to kiss you... fuck you... rim you... kill you...” — Riki Lindhome & Kate Micucci (48:04+)

• Riki recalls performing a sanitized version (“screw you”) for TV.
  “Never allowed to say ‘nail.’ Maybe because it’s kind of got a violent [connotation].” (49:46, Kate)

5. Comedians on Pop Culture & Film (52:16+)

The Schmoes Know Join In (53:00)

• Movie Reviewers Christian & Mark (Schmoes Know):
  Lively discussion and friendly debate about personal taste vs. cinematic “objectivity.”

• Film education gaps revealed:
  Riki confesses: “I’ve never even seen Back to the Future.” (54:26, Riki)

• Summer movie season gripes:
  Panning most 2010 blockbusters but loving the “Owls of Ga’Hoole” movie, nerding out on actors’ voices and 3D conversions.

• Remakes and ratings:
  Outrage over “Alien” being remade as PG-13:
  “Alien and blood go hand in hand. It’s got to be a bloody [R-rated] movie!” (59:10, Doug)

Movie Trivia Game (Stitcher Extra, 72:14+)

• Doug explains “Totally Topical TiVo Trivia” and the “Leonard Maltin Game,” sparring with the Schmoes and Bald Brian in an off-the-cuff movie guessing contest.

  • Example:
    “Cop from the future goes back in time to save dead wife.” / “Timecop!” — Schmoes vs. Doug/Brian (73:41)

6. Greg Fitzsimmons’ Election 2010 Comedy Roundtable (81:19)

• Satirical coverage of real election results with a panel (Greg Fitzsimmons, Mike Gibbons, Theresa Strasser, Bald Brian):

  • Discussing which candidates and outcomes make for the best comedy fodder.
  • Mourning the loss of comic gold in the defeat of “Rent’s Too Damn High” candidate Jimmy McMillan and witchcraft-averse Christine O’Donnell.

• Political extremism as punchline:
  “Fox News has been a godsend to comedy everywhere.” (83:14, Greg)

• Mocking Arizona’s Jan Brewer’s infamous debate meltdown:
  Extended playback and riffing on her long, painful silences.

• Audience calls:
  Debating whether Republicans or Democrats generate more material for stand-up comedians.

• Comedians on party politics:
  “I think a lot of the comedians that I think are really funny … are right wing. The whole Blue Collar Comedy Tour is right wing. ... I think it’s actually pretty evenly divided now.” (123:17, Greg)

7. Behind the Scenes: Book Plugs, TV Forward Begging, Friendship Banter

• Fitzsimmons and Strasser trade heartfelt (and awkward) stories about promoting their memoirs, soliciting blurbs, and Howard Stern-related humiliation.
• Anecdotes about familial pride (grand marshals, immigrant journeys) blend with therapy-grade honesty about parental dysfunction and creative drive.

Notable Quotes (with Timestamps)

• On guest hosting the Adam Carolla Show:
  “I’ve been a guest on the podcast several times and never get a word in, so it’s gonna be exciting...” (02:29, Doug Benson)

• On pot politics:
  “You’re going to be 21 eventually. You should vote for it now.” (08:18, Doug Benson)
  “I smoked pot once … and spent the whole night Googling Tonya Harding.” (09:25, Riki Lindhome)

• Iconic bluntness:
  “It’s people like this that are the reason our country sadly is going down the toilet. People are lazy and stupid, abusive, like, toward the system. And this is... We have to pay for this.” (20:43, Riki Lindhome on Octomom stories)

• On the Yale frat chant controversy:
  “And they can eat my shit.” (26:16, Riki Lindhome)

• On 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell':
  “Gay should be allowed in the military. I think you want someone on your team, get a lesbian...” (27:11, Riki Lindhome)

• Garfunkel and Oates, “Hand Job Song”:
  “Hand job, bland job, I don’t understand job... Do I spit? Do I squeeze? Do I ever touch the top? ...” (40:50+)

• Garfunkel and Oates, “Like”:
  “I’d really like to kiss you… fuck you… rim you…” (48:04+)

• Film reviewer authenticity:
  “Who the hell are we to tell you that you’re wrong for not liking Red?” (63:45, Schmoes Know / Greg / Eliza)

• Jan Brewer’s debate silence:
  “That's like me at the Improv later tonight." (119:17, Greg Fitzsimmons)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Guest host opening, tour/campus show tales: 02:11–11:00
• Prop 19 discussion: 07:46–09:04, 101:33–103:26 (Greg segment)
• Comic demands, Zach Galifianakis rider: 14:55–17:31
• Octomom & fertility ethics: 17:44–22:26
• Yale frat chant & “nerd rage”: 22:36–26:33
• DADT & gender in military: 26:43–30:27
• Garfunkel and Oates performance (“Hand Job”): 36:47–41:10
• Garfunkel and Oates performance (“Like”): 47:07–49:23
• Movie talk & Schmoes Know: 52:16–71:56
• Movie trivia / podcast games (Stitcher Extra): 72:14–80:33
• Greg Fitzsimmons’ election night comedy panel: 81:19–141:56
• Adam Carolla book plug / NPR and Stern stories: 129:08–137:39

Summary in the Spirit of the Show

Riff-heavy, wildly candid, and unfiltered, this “Carolla Classics” episode perfectly channels the Adam Carolla Show’s reputation for no-holds-barred comedy and unpredictable conversations. It’s a multi-course meal for fans of alt-comedy, musical satire, and behind-the-scenes showbiz banter, full of quotable lines, bracing social takes, and songs that are as clever as they are explicit.

Recommended for listeners who:

• Love candid, sometimes caustic comedy about current events, pop culture, and showbiz
• Are fans of Garfunkel and Oates’ musical wordplay
• Appreciate film nerd debates, trivia, and the inner workings of stand-up life
• Enjoy hearing comedians riff uncensored, at length, on politics, sex, and the news

Mahalo, and get it on.