Joe Rogan Experience Review Podcast: Episode 475

Review of JRE #2406 with Russell Crowe

Date: November 11, 2025
Hosts: Adam Thorne & Brandon

Episode Overview

In this episode, Adam and Brandon break down Joe Rogan’s interview with actor Russell Crowe (JRE #2406). Their 45-minute discussion dives into highlights from the episode, Crowe’s prolific career, quirky stories from the podcast, and their own reflections on topics like gambling, the culture at Rogan's Comedy Mothership club, the infamous cane toad problem in Australia, and more. Throughout, they keep things light and irreverent, with a mix of admiration and humor.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Russell Crowe’s Staggering Work Ethic

[01:44] – [02:48]

• Crowe currently has five unreleased movies, including Nuremberg and the upcoming Highlander reboot, where he fills Sean Connery’s shoes.
• Hosts marvel at Crowe's recent workload and age.
  • "He could probably take like a decade off after this." – Brandon [02:01]
  • "He's not a spring chicken... so he might be overdoing it." – Adam [02:17]
• Both agree Crowe still "strikes the anvil while it's hot."

Russell Crowe’s Distinct Presence & Voice

[03:47] – [04:21]

• Admiration for Crowe’s gravelly, manly voice and subtle accent.
  • “I wish he read an audiobook or something.” – Brandon [03:47]
  • “He’s so good. There’s just something very powerful and, like, manly about him.” – Adam [03:54]

Chemistry with Joe Rogan

[01:44] – [05:10]

• The hosts observe Crowe and Rogan becoming genuine friends, adding warmth to the episode.
• Noted for avoiding repetitive Rogan “bingo card” tropes and keeping the conversation fresh.

Celebrity Encounters at The Comedy Mothership

[06:11] – [07:41]

• Discussion on the influx of celebrities at Rogan’s Austin club, including surprise trios like Crowe, Ed Sheeran, and Jimmy Carr.
  • “You just hit shuffle on celebrities. It’s like, why are the three of you talking?” – Brandon [05:47]
• Comic Lucas McQuarrie and others might find themselves performing for a room with A-listers in the crowd.

Family Gambling Stories & Reflections

[07:44] – [11:07]

• Crowe shared a story about his great-grandfather gambling away the family home, causing hardship for multiple generations.
  • “He said it made his family poor for two generations. How crazy is that?” – Brandon [09:38]
• Extended talk on gambling addiction: Adam and Brandon reflect on how risky and destructive betting can be, with comparisons to stories from Artie Lange and Dana White.
  • “I can’t fathom risking that much...that’s so much money. The risk/reward just isn’t there for me, truly.” – Brandon [10:21]

The Morality and Regulation of Gambling

[13:42] – [19:23]

• Ongoing debate: keeping gambling legal and regulated versus banning it. Discussion draws on Rogan’s perspective from the episode.
  • “The house always wins for a reason.” – Brandon [15:43]
  • “You can’t lose your house... or your kid to another country.” – Adam [18:30]

Humorous Boundary-Setting

• “You’re not allowed to bet your organs.” – Adam [19:37]
• “You do have two kidneys...” – Brandon [19:46]

Sports – Cricket and Russell’s Athletic Ties

[21:01] – [22:48]

• Crowe makes cricket sound appealing, leading Brandon to express interest in trying the sport.
• Adam relates his English family’s deep cricket tradition and marvels at Crowe’s relatives being top players.
  • “It’s cool to hear that Russell’s cousins was some of the best players and one of them, one of the best plays of all time.” – Adam [22:39]

Crowe’s Films: Rewatching Gladiator & Beyond

[22:57] – [29:25]

• Both hosts revisit Gladiator, with Adam highlighting its timelessness and impact.
  • “Even though I know every bit that’s about to happen, I am as captivated by it as I would be if I’d never seen it before.” – Adam [23:31]
• Discussion of Crowe’s other notable roles: Cinderella Man, The Nice Guys (with Ryan Gosling).
• Praise for Crowe’s onscreen chemistry and ability to match or command presence alongside big stars.

Serendipity: Crowe and Henry Cavill

[29:25] – [31:12]

• Recounting the story of young Henry Cavill meeting Crowe, keeping a signed photo for years, and later co-starring as Superman’s dad.
  • “Fucking Superman looks up to him. Picked him to be the dad in the movie. Like, no doubt has to be him.” – Adam [29:49]

Highlander Reboot Speculation

[31:12] – [34:56]

• Talk shifts to the forthcoming Highlander film: casting mystery, Dave Bautista, Russell Crowe, and the legacy of Sean Connery.
• Tangent: discussion about DragonHeart and iconic Connery quotes.
  • “There can be only one!” – Both [33:34]
  • “You don’t even have to see him to know how cool he is. Just that voice.” – Adam [34:00]

Crowe’s Legendary Work Rate

[34:48] – [35:08]

• Russell Crowe currently has seven unreleased movies in the pipeline.
  • “That’s a workaholic right there.” – Brandon [34:58]

The Wild Cane Toad Invasion of Australia

[35:08] – [38:43]

• The episode discusses Crowe's story of cane toads in Australia, their environmental impact, and the fantasy of harnessing French chefs to turn them into a culinary delicacy.
  • “Unless you find a really good recipe for them, you’re in big trouble.” – Adam [35:47]
• “If anyone has a better idea than my idea...we’d love to hear it. We will pass it along to the Australian government.” – Adam [37:58]

Nuremberg Movie & Crowe’s Performance

[39:13] – [41:51]

• Discussion on Crowe’s Oscar-contending performance in Nuremberg—his acting is praised even if the overall film doesn’t reach the same heights.
  • “Russell Crowe, it like easily is in Oscar contention again for his role...it’s that good. The problem is the rest of the movie isn’t that strong.” – Adam [39:13]
• Brings up the challenges and gravity of playing a Nazi character.

Dark Humor & Final Spirals

[41:51] – [44:28]

• Jokes about “genociding” the invasive cane toads tie back to Crowe’s Nuremberg project—a mix of dark humor and irreverence.
  • “Figure out a way to genocide the cane toad frogs and think of some suggestions...the winner will get—I don’t know, we’ll probably be on the Nuremberg trial because...crimes.” – Brandon [39:08]
• Ongoing riffing about frog-leg recipes, French chefs, and the potential for a movie starring Crowe as the chef-hero.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Russell Crowe’s Voice:
  • “He is so experienced. I think he’s ready. Now is the time. Strike the anvil while it’s hot.” – Brandon [02:48]
• Celebrity Comedy Club Shuffle:
  • “You just hit shuffle on celebrities. Like, why are the three of you talking?” – Brandon [05:47]
• Gambling Reflection:
  • “It’s a compulsion...the shame of having to tell your family you lost your house.” – Adam [09:11]
  • “Being in pool halls and being around a lot of gamblers... I just can’t fathom risking that much.” – Brandon [10:21]
• Cricket Nostalgia:
  • “He had a little patch... we would play every Sunday.” – Adam [21:56]
• On Crowe’s Screen Power:
  • “It was almost shocking how well he did it...like you just see him in that movie and you’re like, oh, 20 years ago, he was cooler than Ryan [Gosling].” – Adam [28:34]
• Serendipity—Cavill & Crowe:
  • “Superman looks up to him. Picked him to be the dad in the movie.” – Adam [29:49]
• Cane Toad Genocide Plan:
  • “If anyone has a better idea than my idea...we’d love to hear it.” – Adam [37:58]
• Nuremberg Film Critique:
  • “Crowe is easily there [for an Oscar]... the rest of the movie isn’t that strong.” – Adam [39:13]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Intro / Crowe’s Filmography & Exhaustion: [01:24] – [02:48]
• Crowe’s Voice & Persona: [03:47] – [04:21]
• Crowe & Rogan’s Friendship Dynamic: [01:44] – [05:10]
• Comedy Mothership Celebrity Cameos: [05:24] – [07:41]
• Gambling Stories & Commentary: [07:44] – [16:11]
• Regulation of Gambling: [18:18] – [19:23]
• Cricket—Cultural Stories: [21:01] – [22:48]
• Gladiator & Crowe’s Film Legacy: [22:57] – [29:25]
• Cavill Coincidence Story: [29:25] – [31:12]
• Highlander Reboot/Connery Praise: [31:12] – [34:56]
• Cane Toad Environmental Dilemma: [35:08] – [38:43]
• Nuremberg Film Reaction: [39:13] – [41:51]
• Frog-Leg Movie / Wrap-up: [43:34] – [44:28]

Tone & Language

The hosts maintain their signature irreverent, bro-friendly energy—mixing heartfelt respect for Crowe with a steady flow of jokes, sidebars, and playful banter (“I kind of wanted to drink some scotch during this episode” – Brandon [05:10]). The language mirrors Rogan’s own conversational and informal style.

Summary Takeaway

This review captures the fun and enthusiasm Adam and Brandon have for both Russell Crowe’s cinematic legacy and the engaging, unpredictable energy he brought to his latest Rogan interview. From tales of lost family fortunes to the wild drama of Australian toads, the episode underscores Crowe’s status as a modern legend—and why Rogan’s show remains the epicenter of wildly eclectic, entertaining pop culture conversations.

For more, check out the Joe Rogan Experience Review Podcast on your favorite app.