Adam Carolla Show (Carolla Classics): Seth Green + Ben Shapiro (October 26, 2025)

Episode Overview

This “Carolla Classics” episode features highlights from two classic Adam Carolla Show episodes from 2013, spotlighting interviews and conversations with actor/writer Seth Green and political commentator Ben Shapiro. The episode is a mix of Adam’s trademark comedic rants, reflections on culture and society, behind-the-scenes Hollywood stories, debates on politics and social issues, and some lighter fare covering sports, parenting, and even toilet paper etiquette. The tone is irreverent, direct, and comedically combative, capturing the essence of the show’s enduring appeal.

Key Discussion Points & Segments

1. Mangria, Touring, and Los Angeles vs. Utah

[01:22 – 13:19]

• Adam enthusiastically recounts touring with his brand Mangria, noting the staggering volume of signed bottles sold in Las Vegas and Salt Lake City.
• Describes the chaos and efficiency of his business manager Mike August, painting him as a “money-making animal.”
• Segues into a comedic roast of Mike August’s appearance, comparing him to k.d. lang and Fred Ward.
• Reflects on the stark differences between Utah and Los Angeles—Utah being clean, polite, and community-oriented versus LA’s self-absorption and filth.
  • Quote (Adam Carolla, 09:00): "Utah is the past and LA is the future. Present and future, like LA is where we’re heading. Everyone’s a self-absorbed dick and everything’s trashy."

2. Celebrity Lookalikes, Parenting Anecdotes & Behind-the-Scenes in Showbiz

[13:20 – 24:00]

• The hosts and guests compare themselves and each other to various celebrities, playing up insecurities and inside jokes.
• Adam shares a personal, comedic story about his daughter being cast as a “flying cow” in an ice-skating version of The Wizard of Oz.
• Discusses working on a new movie script and launching a Kickstarter, involving friends like Bryan Cranston and Seth MacFarlane. Shares the frustrations with film tax credits driving Hollywood work out of Los Angeles.
  • Quote (Adam Carolla, 14:29): "Seth MacFarlane and Bryan Cranston, they live right here... they're going from New Mexico to Canada to drop off a bunch of sacks of money that could have been here."

3. Parenting Styles: Kimmel vs. Carolla

[18:32 – 22:35]

• The crew contrasts the nurturing, supportive Kimmel household with Adam’s own disconnected, cynical upbringing.
• Adam tells a story about Jimmy Kimmel’s generosity with his children, leading to a comedic parental negotiation over gifted money.

4. Sports, Pop Culture, and Lowbrow News

[23:51 – 41:18]

• Dave Dameshek gives a “number one sports” update, focused on college basketball’s Final Four and the buzz around Louisville’s Kevin Ware’s compound fracture.

• Extended riff on America’s morbid desire to watch gruesome content contrasted with Adam’s avoidance of disturbing imagery.

  • Quote (Adam Carolla, 25:32): "I got enough going on in my mind. I’ve watched enough, you know, World War footage and Hitler’s henchmen... What do I need more negative imagery for?"

• Absurdity of anti-poaching billboards at airports, questioning the effectiveness of such messaging.

5. Movie Review: "G.I. Joe: Retaliation"

[51:07 – 54:51]

• Regular segment “Baldiwood”: Brian reviews “G.I. Joe: Retaliation.”
• Surprisingly positive review given low expectations and the franchise’s history.
  • Quote (Dave Dameshek, 53:14): "I can’t believe I’m gonna say this, but G.I. Joe: Retaliation was a pretty good movie."

6. Seth Green Interview: "The Story of Luke," Creativity, and Childhood

[40:30 – 49:00]

• Seth discusses his role in the indie drama "The Story of Luke," centered around a young autistic man trying to integrate into the adult world.

• Explains why he took the part—praising the script and its authenticity due to personal connections of the writer/director.

• Panel riffs on Hollywood’s obsession with standing out versus the heartfelt desire of people with disabilities to just be treated “like everyone else.”

  • Quote (Seth Green, 47:12): "It makes you, it forces you to be more creative. I think stimulus is important, but you can’t only have stimulus... you then just become a customer."

• Seth shares stories of his unique childhood: frequenting auditions in NYC, filming in Montreal at age eight, being a driven and sometimes “marginally irresponsible” kid.

7. Group Discussion: Celebrity, News, and Desensitization

[61:12 – 68:51]

• Adam and Seth tackle the Chris Brown/Rihanna saga, the “none of our business” factor vs. public concern.
• The group discusses society’s fascination with celebrity relationships as a distraction from society’s actual, larger problems.
  • Quote (Seth Green, 67:10): "Don’t you think that’s why we all have become consumed with celebrity in the last 10 years? It’s easier to talk about than stuff that is, you know, huge and insurmountable and faceless."

8. Toilet Humor: Public Restroom Grievances

[71:37 – 77:02]

• Extended and hilariously detailed group riff on shared struggles with public restroom amenities: toilet paper, seat covers, poor hardware design.
• Seth and Adam swap tips and confessions about adapting to (and subverting) poorly designed bathroom paraphernalia.

9. April Fools’ Day, Family, and Hollywood Weirdos

[85:07 – 86:41]

• Seth shares a failed April Fool’s prank story with Sharon Osbourne on "The Talk."
• Discussion on how true oddballs and Hollywood eccentrics (Gary Busey, Phil Spector) are immune to the “gotcha” nature of April Fools.

10. Ben Shapiro Interview: Political Tactics, Identity Politics & American Culture

[132:11 – 148:09]

• Shapiro, Adam, and the crew debate the prevalence and power of political correctness. Claim the “left” has shifted from policy debates to personal attacks (e.g., using racism allegations politically).
  • Quote (Ben Shapiro, 141:52): "The defense to ‘I’m a racist’... is no, you’re a racist for using the word racism to describe my policy on voter ID, which has nothing to do with race."
• Shapiro argues that left-leaning politicians and media figures frame every policy debate in moral terms, painting conservatives as “bad people.”
• Adam and Ben discuss the paradox of Jewish-American voting patterns, the pitfalls of identity politics, and media messaging.
• Reflection on how American culture stacks up globally regarding racism (“we act like we invented it, but we're actually among the least racist countries”).

11. Reflections on Stereotypes, Sports, and Tribalism

[150:04 – 154:07]

• The group pokes fun at their own ethnic and social biases, using sports allegiances and pop culture as analogies for how tribalism lingers but can be overcome by values or personal connection.
• Debates on whether America is truly the “melting pot” or has become more of a “fruit salad.”

12. Rapid-fire News, Pop Culture Debates, and More Rants

[154:08 – End]

• Coverage of pop culture and oddities: Beyoncé’s Super Bowl halftime photos, SNL hosts, celebrity appearances.
• Rich discussion of mundane annoyances (e.g., restaurant restroom signage, ceiling fan design) that turn into comedic bits.
• Adam riffs on teaching at a “hippie school” and surreal field trips (visiting post-shootout crime scenes).
• Ends with a series of light, meandering debates and signature sign-offs.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "Utah is the past and LA is the future... LA is where we’re heading. Everyone’s a self-absorbed dick and everything’s trashy."
  (Adam Carolla, 09:00)

• "It’s really weird—all the autistic kids... don’t want to be treated or looked at as different than everyone else. And then all the people with no disorder who are douchebags want to be looked at as super special and different than everyone else."
  (Adam Carolla, 43:23)

• "I can’t believe I’m gonna say this, but G.I. Joe: Retaliation was a pretty good movie."
  (Dave Dameshek, 53:14)

• "Don’t you think that’s why we all have become consumed with celebrity in the last 10 years? It’s easier to talk about than stuff that is, you know, huge and insurmountable and faceless."
  (Seth Green, 67:10)

• "The defense to ‘I’m a racist’ is no, you’re a racist for using the word racism to describe my policy on voter ID, which has nothing to do with race."
  (Ben Shapiro, 141:52)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Mangria/Liquor Store Tour & LA vs. Utah: 01:22 – 13:19
• Hollywood, Family Anecdotes, and Kickstarter Talk: 13:20 – 24:00
• Parenting Styles (Kimmel vs. Carolla): 18:32 – 22:35
• Sports and Kevin Ware Injury Discussion: 23:51 – 41:18
• Movie Review (“Baldiwood” G.I. Joe): 51:07 – 54:51
• Seth Green Interview (“Story of Luke”): 40:30 – 49:00
• Chris Brown/Rihanna, Celebrity Culture: 61:12 – 68:51
• Restroom Humor / Social Observations: 71:37 – 77:02
• Ben Shapiro Interview & Culture Wars: 132:11 – 148:09
• Tribalism and American Identity: 150:04 – 154:07

Takeaways

• The episode oscillates between hilarious observational comedy about daily life and sharp debates about politics, culture, and American society.
• Seth Green and Ben Shapiro bring thoughtful perspectives, with Green diving into storytelling and the creative process, and Shapiro delivering incisive critiques of media and politics.
• The original tone is frank and conversational, frequently veering into playful mockery and self-deprecation.
• The show’s layered format—covering everything from toilet paper to tribalism—gives both diehard fans and new listeners a taste of the Carolla “classics” formula.