Family Trips with the Meyers Brothers

Episode: RORY SCOVEL Did Mushrooms in the Grand Canyon

Release Date: February 17, 2026
Guests: Rory Scoville
Hosts: Seth Meyers & Josh Meyers (“Paschi” when Josh is alone)

Overview:

This episode of Family Trips with the Meyers Brothers dives into comedian Rory Scoville's childhood as one of seven siblings in South Carolina, unforgettable family beach vacations, bonding over generational stand-up comedy, the realities of touring life, the pressure of providing memorable experiences for family, and the story behind that epic (and psychedelic) Grand Canyon adventure.

True to form, the episode bounces between hilarious family anecdotes, the neuroses of parenthood, and honest ruminations on what makes a vacation stick. Expect stand-up shop talk, warm sibling rivalry, and a speed round culminating in the legendary Grand Canyon mushroom trip.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Sibling Chaos & Growing Up Scoville

• Rory is one of seven kids, raised in Greenville, SC; five of his siblings are half-siblings (different mothers).
  • “My dad had seven kids. ... Seven kids, Catholic.” (10:01, Rory)
• Parental loss at a young age united him and his full sister.
  • “Our mother passed away when we were very young, so there’s never been a time where I looked at the other siblings... didn’t feel like it was a full kind of relationship.” (10:15, Rory)
• Babysitting was a way of life: Rory and his older sister were always changing diapers and corralling kids.
  • “So much changing diapers, watching kids, taking care of kids. For so much of my middle school, high school life.” (11:13, Rory)

2. The Childhood Vacation Scene: Minivans, Myrtle Beach, and Dad on His Walkman

• Family road trips meant Myrtle Beach or Panama City Beach—long hauls in a seven-seater minivan, with tiny TVs hooked up to the lighter for VHS Disney tapes.
  • “That took us to a whole new—we were like, this is how the other side lives.” (26:42, Rory)
• Myrtle Beach trumped Destin for one reason:
  • “He thought the waves were bigger...My dad just gets a little more dopamine kick from the Myrtle Beach waves than the Gulf of Mexico.” (27:14, Rory)
• Rory’s dad epitomized beach bliss: Arrived at 8am, full cooler, Walkman playing soft rock, “yacht rock,” and would disappear into the surf to body surf or simply zone out in the sun.
  • “He would have a cooler...He’s in a chair, Walkman cassette player...He’s not waiting for the family to get ready...Meet me there whenever you’re coming down. I’m not waiting.” (28:17-28:57, Rory)
• Food rules and routines were out the window on vacation: Sugary wine coolers and rum were the order of the day for Dad.

3. Parent/Child Bonding over Performance and Comedy

• Seth shares how Rory's stand-up connects multiple generations:
  • “My dad in particular is a real stand up comedian fan...you came up...And my nine year old...never has done this, he’s like, who’s that? And he was in.” (08:03–08:25, Seth)
• Rory discusses his daughter’s evolving awareness of his career, and the growing “cool factor” as she gets older.
  • “Now...when I say, hey, I’m in something...that’s kind of cool. Because I sort of do that...the standup side of it, kids at school have youtubed me...the school told us they put my name on something where kids can’t Google it...” (13:08–14:14, Rory)
• Both hosts reflect on bringing kids to live shows and the emotional resonance of sharing that side of themselves.
  • “He yelled out a suggestion...it was the happiest...I was over the moon.” (16:00–16:26, Seth)

4. Modern Family Trips, Generational Shifts, and ‘Vacation Pressure’

• Vacation logistics have changed: Airbnbs, instant booking, more options — but a nostalgia for “mailing a check to get a receipt” lingers.
  • “Back then, you had to make phone calls, the mail was involved to get a receipt for a check...the slow pace of that seems so absurd. It also seems wildly delightful.” (33:53, Rory)
• Rory admits to feeling pressure to “entertain” on vacations as an entertainer and a parent.
  • “I feel such massive pressure to make the vacation entertaining...I almost don’t care if I’m enjoying it. I just want to make sure my wife and daughter are enjoying it.” (58:37, Rory)
• Vermont became a favorite recharge spot:
  • “Vermont in the summer made me realize I understand New England now. I get it...Every day I woke up, I’d take my dog and we’d go look for a river to sit in. ...I was like, I’m 12 again. This is bliss.” (67:45–68:57, Rory)

5. Stand-up Shop Talk (with Many Detours)

• Improvised Stand-up: Rory’s “no material” shows—improvising entire headlining sets, culminating in cape/tablecloth “cult” bits and recurring gags.
  • “I got addicted to it. ...It’s not to do crowd work, it’s literally just to keep talking as though this is the act.” (55:20, Rory)
• Touring now includes exploring: Art museums, bookstores, “snobbish” about coffee—Rory intentionally gets out rather than staying cloistered in his hotel room.
  • “At minimum, I’m gonna find a coffee shop...I will look up art museums...I want to go see as many paintings...But I’ll do anything if I have the time...bookstores...” (53:06, Rory)
• Traveling abroad for shows is easier and more fruitful than expected:
  • “You could just go to Europe and the UK and tour the entire year...the longevity of an hour you put together...you could sustain it for a while off of one show. Which is insane.” (63:41–64:23, Rory)

6. Notable Family Members & Traditions

• Aunt Rooney Scovel: Legendary basketball coach, in the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame, has her jersey retired at the University of Florida.
  • “Shout out to my Aunt Rooney Scovel...Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame for coaching...” (37:14, Rory)
• Thanksgiving as a destination: Family uses Airbnbs in Greenville for “staycations” to gather and simulate trips together.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

“He would have a cooler...He’s at the beach in a chair...Walkman...just staring at the water. ...For whatever reason, he would just sometimes get up, take the stuff off, go catch some waves, come back, sit in his chair, put his thing on. ...He got so sunburnt. … Every picture we have, he’s just got sunglasses...fully protected the tone of his skin color around his eyes.”
— Rory Scoville, (28:17-29:42)

“I want to like the beach. A lot of people clearly do. But if someone’s like, do you want to go into a mountain lake or go to the Caribbean? I’m like, no, I want to go to the mountain lake.”
— Rory (30:10–30:46)

“I got addicted to it. … I want to figure out how to do this.”
— Rory, on improvising hour-long stand-up sets (55:20)

“You have to realize, kids don’t like—it’s also exhausting for them to keep telling their parents they’re having a fun time, right?”
— Seth (59:38)

“We did mushrooms...and it had all the things. I thought I was dying, and then I thought I was really alive.”
— Rory, about the Grand Canyon trip (73:07)

Memorable Segments / Timestamps

• Family dynamics & being one of seven: 09:35–12:46
• Minivan vacation logistics & Dad's beach routine: 25:41–31:23
• Parenting, stand-up legacy, and performing for your kids: 13:01–17:56
• Nostalgia for “classic” vacation logistics: 33:53–34:22
• Generational T-shirt envy / Hard Rock Café & ski tags: 38:41–39:42
• Stand-up shop talk—improv specials and cape bit: 55:14–57:22
• Touring mentality shift post-Covid: 52:45–54:29
• International shows & realizing the hour can live forever: 63:11–64:23
• Family speed round: 71:42–73:01
• The Grand Canyon Mushroom Story: 73:05–73:53

Speed Round Highlights

• Ideal vacation? "Relaxing."
• Favorite means of transportation? "Airplane."
• Dream family to vacation with? "The Jetsons."
• Stranded on an island, pick a family member: "My wife."
• Dream destination: "Anywhere in Vermont, Burlington."
• How to sell Greenville, SC? “Barbecue. A mild shift in liberal thinking, but not enough to really notice it. ...A dedication to college football like you haven't experienced before.”

The Legendary Grand Canyon Story

(73:05–73:53):
Seth asks if Rory has ever been to the Grand Canyon.

“I have. ...I went with a buddy, and we took a trail that I don’t think you’re supposed to take, and we stayed one night and we did mushrooms. And it had all the things. I thought I was dying, and then I thought I was really alive.”
— Rory

Seth immediately cracks up at how the story fits the episode:

“Just on the beginning of that story, I felt like I could have predicted mushrooms were gonna happen.”
— Seth

“When I said illegal path—”
“Yeah, it’s... you don’t do that unless, like, more illegal is coming.”
— Rory & Seth

Tone & Style

The episode is warm, quick-witted, and riff-driven—riffing on childhood quirks, the anxieties/pluses of show business parenting, and the everyday absurdities of family rituals. There’s a blend of genuine nostalgia and wry self-awareness, with voices shifting easily from comic bits to personal reflection.

Takeaways

• Family vacations are as much about the little routines, logistics, snacks, and parental quirks as the destination.
• Being a comic (or a “performer parent”) adds pressure and surrealism to modern family trips.
• The legacy of improv, experimentation, and just “going with it” shapes both stand-up careers and family enjoyment.
• The Grand Canyon is best appreciated from an illegal path—especially if some mushrooms are involved.

For anyone interested in family comedy, stand-up shop talk, or the realities behind generational trips and traditions, this episode is gold.