Family Trips with the Meyers Brothers: Episode Summary

Episode Title: JUDY GREER Ate Shrimp For Breakfast
Release Date: November 5, 2024
Hosts: Seth Meyers and Josh Meyers
Guest: Judy Greer

1. Halloween Memories and Childhood Costumes

The episode opens with Seth and Josh reminiscing about their Halloween experiences growing up. Seth shares a humorous anecdote about his best Halloween costume:

Seth Meyers (00:43): “Somebody asked me recently my best Halloween costume and I couldn't remember were you or I a pile of garbage?”

Josh chimes in, recalling his own costume:

Josh Meyers (01:07): “I was in oven one year. It was pretty good.”

Their conversation highlights the imaginative and sometimes silly costumes they wore as children, reflecting on how their parents, especially their father, encouraged creativity during festivities.

2. Modern Parenting and Kids' Preferences

Transitioning from their childhood, Seth and Josh discuss the challenges of modern parenting, particularly concerning Halloween celebrations. Seth mentions the difficulty of coordinating Halloween parties as parents:

Seth Meyers (02:38): “Having kids who are bad at making decisions is so heartbreaking during Halloween.”

Josh relates to the sentiments, expressing his own reluctance to engage in costume preparations:

Josh Meyers (02:33): “I find it hard to care too. And I also now I'm at a point where... I'm like, I don't wanna have to put together a costume.”

They delve into their children's preferences, particularly Axel's unique choice to dress as an old lady, showcasing the diverse imaginations of their kids.

3. Guest Introduction: Judy Greer

The hosts introduce their special guest, Judy Greer, who joins the conversation to share her own family trip experiences. Judy provides insight into her upbringing as an only child and the dynamics of her family vacations:

Judy Greer (13:24): “I love it here so much. It's so beautiful and it smells really good.”

4. Judy Greer's Family Trips and Suburban Upbringing

Judy details her family's tradition of road trips to northern Michigan, emphasizing the simplicity and joy of these excursions. She reflects on her initial lack of exposure to more adventurous travels, such as trips to Disney or flying on airplanes:

Judy Greer (30:21): “We would take a week-long vacation and we would drive up north and they would rent some cabin on a lake...”

Her narrative underscores the value of familial bonds strengthened through shared road trips, despite the lack of glamorous destinations.

5. A Traumatic Family Trip: Near Emergency in Wisconsin

The centerpiece of Judy's story revolves around a particularly harrowing family trip to Wisconsin, which coincided with her 13th birthday. She recounts the terrifying experience when her father, suffering from low blood sugar due to diabetes, required immediate medical attention:

Judy Greer (51:17): “...my dad almost died. It was like, we were driving...”

She describes the chaos of waking up in the middle of the night to her mother's frantic instructions to seek help, leading to a frantic run to the main house and eventually the arrival of an ambulance:

Judy Greer (55:15): “And then the ambulance comes. I'm running. The ambulance is, like, following me as I'm running down the trail to lead them to my dad.”

The experience was rocky, culminating in a near miss with a deer and the emotional toll it took on her:

Judy Greer (57:16): “It was so traumatic, obviously. And it was, like, the worst family vacation.”

6. Reflections on Family Dynamics and Growth

Post-incident, Judy reflects on how the traumatic event impacted her and her family. She discusses the resilience her parents exhibited and how the experience taught her about responsibility and crisis management at a young age:

Judy Greer (58:01): “I was always hanging around with, like, some older second cousin. Like, it was always not. Not really that much.”

Seth and Josh empathize with Judy's experience, sharing their own perspectives on family dynamics and the importance of being present during emergencies.

7. Fun Q&A Segment with Judy Greer

Towards the end of the episode, Seth and Josh engage Judy in a lighthearted Q&A session, posing fun questions about her ideal vacations and preferences. Judy candidly shares her dislikes and loves, adding humor to the conversation:

Judy Greer (61:05): “I just drove across the country this summer with my friend who has the old kids and the baby... I checked that box and it was so cool.”

Her responses reveal her adventurous spirit and appreciation for family-oriented trips, contrasting with some of the challenges discussed earlier.

8. Closing Remarks and Final Thoughts

In their final moments together, Seth, Josh, and Judy reflect on the importance of family trips in building lasting memories, both joyful and challenging:

Judy Greer (70:06): “It's the great revealer. They say it's the Grand Canyon, but it's also the Grand Revealer.”

Their conversation wraps up with a heartfelt acknowledgment of the unpredictable nature of family vacations and the invaluable lessons learned through shared experiences.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Seth Meyers (00:43): “Somebody asked me recently my best Halloween costume and I couldn't remember were you or I a pile of garbage?”

• Josh Meyers (01:07): “I was in oven one year. It was pretty good.”

• Judy Greer (51:17): “...my dad almost died. It was like, we were driving...”

• Judy Greer (55:15): “And then the ambulance comes. I'm running. The ambulance is, like, following me as I'm running down the trail to lead them to my dad.”

• Judy Greer (57:16): “It was so traumatic, obviously. And it was, like, the worst family vacation.”

• Judy Greer (61:05): “I just drove across the country this summer with my friend who has the old kids and the baby... I checked that box and it was so cool.”

Conclusion

In this episode of "Family Trips with the Meyers Brothers," Seth and Josh Meyers, along with guest Judy Greer, delve into personal stories and reflections on family vacations. From humorous Halloween memories to profound experiences during a near-fatal family trip, the conversation highlights the diverse and impactful nature of traveling with family. Judy's candid storytelling offers listeners a glimpse into the complexities and rewards of family dynamics, making this episode both entertaining and emotionally resonant.