Happy [Hour] New Year with Brian Kilmeade

Summary

Podcast Summary: Kennedy Saves the World

Episode: Happy [Hour] New Year with Brian Kilmeade
Hosts: Kennedy, Brian Kilmeade
Date: December 31, 2025
Podcast Description: Kennedy explores life’s political, cultural, and personal paradoxes through humor and candid conversation, bringing her curiosity and quick wit to each episode.

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Episode Overview

In this festive New Year’s Eve episode, Kennedy is joined by fellow Fox News host Brian Kilmeade for a humorous, light-hearted conversation over (virgin) Bloody Marys. The pair riff on everything from truckers and "lot lizards" to sleep health, family, and New Year resolutions, punctuated by playful banter and pop culture tangents. The overarching theme is embracing freedom – in thought, choices, and everyday life.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Bloody Marys and the Virtue of Sobriety

• Timestamps: 00:26–02:19

• Kennedy serves Brian a “virgin Bloody Mary” at his request, leading to a playful discussion about moderation, responsibility, and their morning routines on TV.

• Brian jokes about the merits of staying sober, especially in careers like trucking and broadcasting.

  • “Sobriety matters.” – Brian (02:58)

• Kennedy teases: “It’s like in trucking and broadcasting. If you’re driving thousands of miles, then you gotta have a clear head.” (03:05)

2. Trucking, Lot Lizards, and Cultural Oddities

• Timestamps: 01:07–02:19

• They riff about trucker culture, Kennedy expressing curiosity about the term “lot lizard.”

  • Kennedy: “I’ve been obsessed with the idea of lot lizards since the early 90s…” (01:29)
  • Brian (innocently): “People that hang out in parking lots?” (01:52)
  • Kennedy clarifies: “It’s basically prostitutes who service long haul truckers.” (01:54)

• They muse on the sadness and strict codes in trucking subculture.

3. Pop Culture and TV Nostalgia

• Timestamps: 03:30–05:27

• A tangent into trapeze artistry, inspired by “Sex and the City,” leads to nostalgic TV chatter.

  • Kennedy: “I did the release thing where I had my legs hooked… It was very exhilarating.” (03:38)

• Brian and Kennedy debate favorite classic shows – “Happy Days” gets special mention.

  • Brian: “If I would say best show ever, it would be Happy Days.” (04:17)

• They discuss Fonzie vs. Richie Cunningham, Ron Howard’s direction in life, and the dynamics of sibling success in Hollywood.

  • “How does it… to be the brother and know you only got it because your brother’s the director. Is that hard to live with?” – Brian (05:32)
  • Kennedy: “It beats sleeping in a trash can, I guess.” (05:38)

4. Family, Social Media, and Reluctant Fame

• Timestamps: 05:47–06:38

• Kennedy asks if Brian involves family on his shows; he says they’re reluctant to be on camera.

  • “In fact, they’re reluctant.” – Brian (05:58)

• Chat about pets on Instagram and the ethics of dressing up dogs lead to light, self-deprecating banter.

  • Kennedy: “I took a picture of my dog in an Oasis bucket hat… he hates wearing clothes…” (06:16)

5. Interpersonal Dynamics and Banter

• Timestamps: 06:38–07:08

• Brian reveals he checked Kennedy’s Wikipedia before recording, jokingly asking what it taught him not to do.

  • Brian: “Not to ask you dumb questions… you don’t suffer fools well.” (06:55)
  • Kennedy: “Don’t mistake my kindness for weakness.” (07:02)

6. Early Mornings, Sleep, and Wellness Gadgets

• Timestamps: 07:11–08:56

• Brian shares an amusing story about setting his alarm wrong and waking up for his early Fox & Friends shift.

• Both discuss their sleep routines, Kennedy admitting she loves sleep and uses a Garmin, while Brian talks about his Oura ring.

  • “I love sleep.” – Kennedy (07:57)
  • “At first, the Oura ring was very negative.” – Brian (08:28)

• They recount a meeting with Dr. Peter Attia, who called out Brian’s lack of sleep:

  • “He said to me, are you in pain… it’s painful to hear.” – Brian (08:59)

7. Cynicism, City Life, and Political Jabs

• Timestamps: 09:29–10:35

• Musings on urban life, politics, and controversial hires in New York government:

  • Kennedy: “Are you and your wife thinking about moving back into the city…” (09:40)
  • Brian: “Everything’s gonna be rent controlled or empty… or tents.” (09:50)

• Sarcastic banter about “soaking the rich” and ignoring the poor; riffing on anti-Semitic hires in politics.

8. Dry January and Personal Resolutions

• Timestamps: 10:44–11:15

• Kennedy asks Brian about participating in “Dry January.”

  • Brian: “Never. I would never do that. I don’t want to be subjected to a decision made for me, by me.” (10:47)
  • Kennedy: “I’m going until January 17th and then I’m going on vacation.” (11:00)
  • Brian: “And then you gotta drink like hell. You gotta make up.” (11:04)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On sobriety and work:
  “Sobriety matters.” – Brian Kilmeade (02:58)

• On family and fame:
  “How does it… to be the brother and know you only got it because your brother’s the director. Is that hard to live with?” – Brian (05:32) “It beats sleeping in a trash can, I guess.” – Kennedy (05:38)

• On personal boundaries:
  “Don’t mistake my kindness for weakness.” – Kennedy (07:02)

• On sleep health:
  “He said to me, are you in pain… it’s painful to hear.” – Brian (08:59)

• On resolutions:
  “Never. I would never do that. I don’t want to be subjected to a decision made for me, by me.” – Brian on Dry January (10:47)

• On moving into the city:
  “Everything’s gonna be rent controlled or empty… or tents.” – Brian (09:50)

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Episode Highlights (Timestamps)

• [00:26] – Brian requests a virgin Bloody Mary; discussion on sobriety and respect for truck drivers.
• [01:29] – Kennedy’s fascination with trucker subculture and “lot lizards.”
• [04:17] – Debate about best TV shows: “Happy Days” and the Fonzie/Richie dynamic.
• [05:58] – On family not wanting to be involved with Brian’s TV work.
• [06:16] – Kennedy’s dog in an Oasis bucket hat and discussion of pet clothing.
• [07:02] – “Don’t mistake my kindness for weakness.”
• [08:59] – The impact of limited sleep; Dr. Peter Attia’s disapproval.
• [09:53] – Political banter about city life and government hires.
• [10:47] – Brian’s stance against “Dry January.”
• [11:15] – Kennedy and Brian toast to the New Year.

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Tone and Takeaways

This episode is breezy, humorous, and slightly irreverent. Kennedy and Brian’s chemistry is palpable—they gently roast one another while casually unpacking family, pop culture, sleep health, and the oddities of both celebrity and ordinary life. The conversation feels like a lively happy hour chat, filled with sharp asides, self-deprecation, and continuous playful prodding.

Listeners will enjoy:

• The authentic, unscripted rapport
• Witty barbs and pop culture references
• Genuine discussion of sleep, sobriety, and self-care
• Refreshingly unfiltered, unpredictable podcasting

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End Note:
A perfect year-end listen for fans of Fox News personalities who also enjoy a meandering, laughter-filled conversation touching on everything from daily routines to the absurdities of culture and fame.

Transcript

[A]

Hello and welcome to this episode of Kennedy Saves the World. It's very, very wonderful because we are on the precipice of a new year and my guest here for a happy moment is Brian Kilmeade. Brian, cheers to you.

[B]

Cheers to me, yes. What did I do?

[A]

You just being an honest friend and mentor.

[B]

Okay.

[A]

Yeah. This is a virgin Bloody Mary. That was your request, right?

[B]

Love the virgins.

[A]

Yeah. Beyond Muhammad.

[B]

Right.

[A]

It's good, right?

[B]

We can still drive a tractor trail if we had to.

[A]

Yeah. Cdl I'm looking to get one in the new year.

[B]

And you speak English.

[A]

It's apparently that is almost a disqualifier in this day and age.

[B]

But I just love the way that Colorado governor and the Cal and the Colorado governor and the California governor just say, yeah, we're thinking about it. We'll get back to you.

[A]

Yeah, maybe just cut them off.

[B]

You want to just say no, don't do that. That's illegal. They don't know. We're going to get back to you. So we're going to hold out millions of dollars from them getting money. But I always thought that truck drivers deserve a lot of respect until I found out a lot of them are drinking here illegally and not paying attention.

[A]

That's not a good combo like that. Combo. I like to think of the truckers who are driven to drive.

[B]

Right.

[A]

Maybe they've. I, I've been obsessed with the idea of lot lizards since the early 90s when I was introduced to it.

[B]

Right.

[A]

And I think it's very funny. But it's probably. There's a side of it that is probably also very sad.

[B]

But they say it's very strict, right. You have to check in. There's things you have to do.

[A]

You have to make sure lot lizards.

[B]

Yeah, I mean you gotta make sure you have enough sleep before you can hop behind the wheel.

[A]

Do you know what a lot lizard is?

[B]

People that hang out in parking lots.

[A]

It's basically prostitutes who service long haul truckers.

[B]

Oh, I didn't know that.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

And you've always thought about that life?

[A]

No, I've always, it's always made like the idea of lot lizards, like just the name is very funny.

[B]

Do they embrace it?

[A]

I don't think they do. I think they probably have a better name. It's probably not on your touch it pejorative.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

I am a lot lizard, sir. So Brian, why did you request a virgin Bloody Mary?

[B]

Because I did.

[A]

It has Frank's red sauce, gluten free soy sauce. And you didn't Lime juice. Look at that.

[B]

I mean, look at that. And I'm sure we don't have a cameraman.

[A]

No, we don't.

[B]

They're all cold and sick.

[A]

But thank you. It's a podcast, right?

[B]

And it's gotta be nightly news.

[A]

Yes.

[B]

Not anymore. Right. And by the way, great way to handle it. If you're not happy with your editor managing your story, just report them to other news organizations.

[A]

Exactly. Right.

[B]

I'm talking about Barry Weiss. Right. But this. Why did I pick this? Because, number one, I always feel happy. Because usually you're in the morning, you feel like having a Bloody Mary. It's usually gonna be a good day.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

But then I realize I still gotta do lure show. I still have new Gutfeld and the sobriety.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Sobriety matters.

[A]

Yeah. Right. In the long haul, I mean, you know, it's like in trucking and broadcasting.

[B]

There'S only two things.

[A]

If you're driving thousands of miles, then you gotta have a clear head.

[B]

The other thing is trapeze. If you're doing trapeze, you should be sober.

[A]

Yeah. Because alcohol can mess with your ability to judge distance.

[B]

Exactly.

[A]

So if you. If you're not grabbing, like, feet or anything, Right.

[B]

That thing comes to you, you should be. Not hesitant. You should be like, wow, I've seen two of them.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Have you ever done the trapeze?

[B]

I should have. I've had opportunities.

[A]

I did it once, and it's pretty fun, right? Yeah.

[B]

Why would you do that?

[A]

I did the release thing where I had my legs hooked, and then they go up and then you do this, and I grab the guy's arms and swung. It was very exhilarating.

[B]

Were you circa Soleil? Did you travel with them?

[A]

It was a thing in, you know, that they did on Sex and the City, where they had it in downtown New York.

[B]

I didn't really watch Sex in the City. I felt it was more.

[A]

Oh, I thought you were more of an SATC guy. No, that's not you. No. What's your favorite show ever? Dukes of Hazzard.

[B]

Never saw that. Maybe so too. I would think if I was saying, like, I wouldn't say. I would put it on now. But if I would say best show ever, it would be Happy Days.

[A]

Oh, I love it.

[B]

I mean, it lasted the longest time.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

You get to really know this character's always party youth. But it was on right now. I probably wouldn't watch it. The less jail Fonzie wore, the less I liked it.

[A]

Yeah, right.

[B]

Like, the more they. Like when they Grew up.

[A]

Was it a wig?

[B]

But no, I don't think. I think it's real.

[A]

I think so either. Good head of hair.

[B]

How about the story with Happy Days that Richie was supposed to be the star and that for a while he really had a hard time with Fonzie being the star?

[A]

Well, he was little Opie Cunningham. Yeah. So he was a child star.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

And before he had his own Nepo baby. So he was like, no, I've already been the star. I get to be the star again. Like, who is this Henry Winkler? Does that sound like a cool name to you? I'm Ron Howard.

[B]

Do you think that Henry Winkler's success beat him to be like, just like said, I don't need this anymore. I'm gonna be a director.

[A]

Henry Winkler or Ron Howard? Ron Howard, I think, yes. I think Henry Winkler's success, it made Ron Howard question all of his life choices. And he had to go in a very different, controlling direction in order to get his mojo back.

[B]

Do you think that he was jealous of his brother for being the kid in Gentleman?

[A]

Was his brother the kid in Gentleman?

[B]

He's the kid in Gentleman.

[A]

Wow.

[B]

And he would stick his brother in all his ways.

[A]

I mean, his brother's in everything. His brother probably has the longest resume of any actor in history.

[B]

But how does it. To be the brother and know you're only got it because your brother's the director. Is that hard to live with?

[A]

Yeah. But, you know, it's like. It beats sleeping in a trash can, I guess.

[B]

Right? That's true. And like, whose idea was it to put a child with a bear?

[A]

Do you ever employ your brother here at Fox, especially when you guys have wild animals on Fox and Friends?

[B]

No, I don't think I employ him. I don't think my family plays much of a role. In fact, they're reluctant.

[A]

They don't play much of a role.

[B]

Yeah. And Fox, they're elected to do anything on camera.

[A]

Yeah. Why is that?

[B]

They don't like me.

[A]

You feature your dogs a lot on Instagram.

[B]

Why? They don't have a say.

[A]

That's a good point.

[B]

Right. It's like, I mean, wouldn't you if everybody in your life said, don't put.

[A]

Me on camera, I need to post a picture. I took a picture of my dog in an oasis bucket hat.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

And I feel like he looks like Liam Gallagher. I feel like I should post that because he was really resentful in the moment because he hates wearing clothes of any kind of. And.

[B]

Cause you're a dog.

[A]

Yeah, some dogs like clothes. Like, I bet your dogs like sweaters.

[B]

No clothes. Never even thought about bringing clothes. Don't even do the bandana thing.

[A]

Yeah, yeah, yeah. Bandanas are kind of for hippies, I think.

[B]

I think so.

[A]

I'm not a huge bandanas on dogs fan.

[B]

You're not? I didn't know that about you. And we know a lot about each other. And I looked at Wikipedia before I came on here.

[A]

What was the most helpful thing you learned on Wikipedia?

[B]

Not to ask you dumb questions. Yeah. Because you don't suffer fools. Well. Right. I prefer people around me that suffer fools.

[A]

Don't mistake my kindness for weakness.

[B]

Oh, that's a good one.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Does it apply to you or is it just a catchphrase?

[A]

I think it's a catchphrase.

[B]

Yeah. It doesn't really mean.

[A]

Not to me.

[B]

Cause I don't really think you're that kind.

[A]

Thank you. That is probably the biggest compliment you've given me in some time. Don't go anywhere. More Kennedy Saves the World right after this. This is Ainsley Earhart. Thank you for joining me for the 52 episode podcast series the Life of Jesus.

[B]

A listening experience that will provide hope, comfort and understanding of the greatest story told. Listen and follow [e-mail] or wherever you listen to podcasts. Right. I just realized now I set my clock for 2:35pm instead of a.m. oh, boy. Right. So that was. I'm supposed to get up at 2:35am I got up naturally.

[A]

Did you really?

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Remember when Dr. Atia said you don't get enough sleep?

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Did that worry you?

[B]

Well, had a good memory.

[A]

Thank you.

[B]

He said to me, so how did I sleep?

[A]

10 hours a night.

[B]

Right. Do you. You are a big sleeper.

[A]

I love sleep. Really?

[B]

Do you feel. Do you have a ring? An aura ring?

[A]

I have an engagement ring.

[B]

Oh, that's okay, too. But an aura ring could tell your heartbeat.

[A]

Oh, I have a garment. I mean, it's. I'm charging it right now, but my Garmin tells me too much and the Garmin's really negative. The Garmin, like, you'll get a great night's sleep and the Garmin will be like, your sleep is horrible and I hope you're happy because it was awful.

[B]

Why am I?

[A]

Yeah, it's like, you really suck at this.

[B]

Yeah. If someone like, don't worry, you'll do better tomorrow. Mine tends to be more positive. At first, the Oura ring was very negative.

[A]

Oh.

[B]

Yeah. Was worried about me. So. Peter Attia after doing an interview with him, he said, well, how can I help you? And I'm like. He's like, what questions do you have?

[A]

He sounds like a psychic.

[B]

Yeah, well, he's just like, listen, I know a lot of stuff. I know you have questions. So I go, well, I go, you know, I think I pretty much do everything. I try to work out. He's big into free weights, like, using real weights. I go. He goes, well, how much sleep do you get? I go, three, four hours. And he said to me, are you.

[A]

In pain emotionally or like joints?

[B]

I go, no. I go, not in pain. He goes, it's painful. It's painful to say. Like, painful to hear.

[A]

Yeah. I mean, for him, like, his life's work is telling people you will live longer. Your life is vastly improved if you sleep.

[B]

Right.

[A]

That's it. That's the one thing you got to do.

[B]

Right. So I couldn't be as patient. You know, his whole thing is you can't be as patient. He doesn't want patience. He's done. He only has, like, 100 people and tops. And he charges him a lot of money.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

So it's kind of just better, right?

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Rather charge. Really? Soak the rich.

[A]

Yes. And Bernie Sanders.

[B]

And ignore the poor.

[A]

Yeah, totally.

[B]

Right.

[A]

What have.

[B]

Do you want to use that phrase?

[A]

Could that be soak the rich, ignore the poor?

[B]

Right.

[A]

Welcome to Mom Donnie's New York. Are you and your wife thinking about moving back into the city now that Mom Donnie's gonna be married?

[B]

We never lived in the city. I just traveled back and forth.

[A]

What a time.

[B]

Yeah. And everything's gonna be rent controlled or empty.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Right. So.

[A]

Or tents.

[B]

Right. But by the way, you can't touch the tents.

[A]

Can't touch tents. So they did poop it in buckets.

[B]

They did a study. Right. They did a study and they asked how many anti Semitic people does he have? Most of them.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

That he hired at least.

[A]

Conservative estimate, 20%.

[B]

Right. And he says, I will be a mayor for all New Yorkers. So good. That's it. We dodged a bullet there. So that should make the Jewish community feel better.

[A]

Yeah. It's like, even you guys.

[B]

Have you thought of Googling people before you hire them?

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Or maybe that was a prerequisite.

[A]

Yeah. It's like, anyone work for Louis Farrakhan and love him so much. Anyone. You guys, Right?

[B]

Fantastic.

[A]

Get to be on the transition team.

[B]

Yeah. The bow tie.

[A]

Have at it. Brian, I have to let you go. You have a busy day ahead of you.

[B]

Right. But what do we accomplish?

[A]

Sobriety. Right.

[B]

I drove you not to drink.

[A]

Are you doing dry January?

[B]

Never. I would never do that. I don't want to be subjected to a decision made for me by me and before. I don't know what I'm gonna need. January 14th. January 11th. January 20th.

[A]

Yeah, right.

[B]

Are you.

[A]

I'm going until January 17th and then I'm going on vacation.

[B]

And then you gotta drink like hell. You gotta make up.

[A]

I gotta make up for two and a half weeks of hello, liver, here we come.

[B]

Well, thanks for having me, Kennedy.

[A]

Cheers, Brian, to you, your great and another phenomenal year.

[B]

And you too. Don't get engaged again. This one. Just don't get married.

[A]

That's it, baby. I love you. This has been Kennedy Saves the World, the happiest end of the year with Brian Kilmeade.

[B]

Enjoy.

[A]

I'm Kennedy. Listen ad free. With a Fox News podcast plus subscription on Apple Podcast and Amazon prime, members can listen to this show ad free on the Amazon music app. Oh, go ahead and leave me a review while you're there. I'd love to hear what you have to say. You've been listening to Kennedy Saves the World on the Fox News Podcast Network.