Rough Week For GenX: First Ozzy, Then Hulk Hogan

Summary

Kennedy Saves the World: Episode Summary

Title: Rough Week For GenX: First Ozzy, Then Hulk Hogan
Host: FOX News Podcasts
Release Date: July 28, 2025

In this engaging episode of Kennedy Saves the World, host Kennedy and his co-host Jimmy Failla traverse the nostalgic landscape of the 1980s, mourning the loss of iconic figures while drawing parallels to contemporary cultural and political dynamics. The conversation is rich with humor, insightful commentary, and memorable quotes, making it a compelling listen for both longtime fans and newcomers alike.

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1. Recalling the Loss of 80s Legends

The episode opens with a heartfelt discussion about the recent passings of beloved 80s icons, Ozzy Osbourne and Hulk Hogan. Jimmy Failla expresses his admiration for both figures, highlighting their multifaceted impact on culture.

• Jimmy Failla [00:48]:
  "We lose the Hulkster. Obviously. I was a huge fan of the Hulkster. Not just the sex tape, the wrestling, all of it. I was a fan. The Oz Man Sabbath."

Kennedy echoes this sentiment, sharing his own immersion in Ozzy's music during recent times, underscoring the lasting influence of these figures.

• Kennedy [01:00]:
  "I've been listening to so much Black Sabbath since last week."

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2. The 80s Cultural Phenomenon

Diving deeper, the hosts reminisce about how Ozzy Osbourne and Hulk Hogan shaped the rebellious spirit of their generation. They discuss Ozzy's influence on youth culture and the theatrical persona of Hulk Hogan that made him a household name.

• Jimmy Failla [01:04]:
  "Ozzy was not only like a rock God in so many different ways, but he was my intro to, like, playground vandalism."

Kennedy adds a humorous anecdote about a neighborhood firebug who opposed KISS music, illustrating the strong opinions music stirred among parents and communities.

• Kennedy [01:32]:
  "He was like pyro. And I remember him going up to the parents going, you should not let your children listen to KISS because it stands for Kids in Satan's service."

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3. Hulk Hogan: A Cultural Titan

The conversation shifts focus to Hulk Hogan's unparalleled fame during the 80s. Jimmy emphasizes Hogan's global recognition and his pivotal role in bringing professional wrestling into mainstream pop culture.

• Jimmy Failla [02:28]:
  "I think it's. You know, people need to understand this. He was, at the height of his fame, probably the most recognizable human being on the planet of Earth."

Kennedy reminisces about watching Hogan and Mr. T together on The A-Team, a moment that encapsulates the era's vibrant pop culture.

• Kennedy [03:14]:
  "We watched an episode of the A Team with Hulk Hogan this weekend. It just. It takes you right back to your childhood."

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4. Parallels with Modern Politics

Drawing parallels between the 80s icons and today's political landscape, the hosts discuss how figures like Trump emulate the larger-than-life personas of past celebrities to galvanize civic pride and nationalistic sentiments.

• Jimmy Failla [03:51]:
  "I love that he got that second go round at the convention this summer. I just thought it was a great moment for America, especially because Trump is trying to harken back to that civic pride thing we felt in the 80s."

• Kennedy [07:02]:
  "You bring up such a good point and that Trump is really good at identifying when we felt best."

They critique how contemporary politicians adopt nostalgic elements to resonate with voters, much like how Hogan and other 80s figures became cultural symbols.

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5. The Enduring Legacy of 80s Pop Culture

The episode wraps up with reflections on the lasting impact of 80s pop culture, from music to television. The hosts highlight the monumental success of The Cosby Show and its cultural significance, juxtaposing it with today's media landscape.

• Jimmy Failla [06:56]:
  "It was the biggest sitcom that ever happened. And for those first five years."

Kennedy adds a humorous take on the ubiquity of the show's theme song, illustrating its saturation in the 80s media.

• Kennedy [06:13]:
  "We have it everywhere anyone religious station. He made money off that. I hope."

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6. Closing Thoughts and Pop Culture Reflections

In their closing remarks, Kennedy and Jimmy pay tribute to Hulk Hogan's fictional prowess in global diplomacy, humorously suggesting that his larger-than-life persona could have altered historical events like the Cold War.

• Jimmy Failla [09:22]:
  "He was the Hulkster. He was the best. He fought Rocky in Rocky III. Thunderlips. But then you think about the foreign policy."

The discussion culminates in a light-hearted acknowledgment of the chaotic week and the enduring spirit of the 80s icons.

• Kennedy [11:12]:
  "It was truly a way to honor a legend. Nothing more.

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Notable Quotes:

• Jimmy Failla [02:49]:
  "At the height of his fame, probably the most recognizable human being on the planet of Earth."

• Kennedy [03:14]:
  "It takes you right back to your childhood."

• Jimmy Failla [06:56]:
  "It was the biggest sitcom that ever happened."

• Jimmy Failla [09:22]:
  "He was the Hulkster. He was the best."

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This episode of Kennedy Saves the World serves as a nostalgic journey for Gen X listeners, celebrating the indelible marks left by 80s legends while thoughtfully connecting their legacies to today's societal and political climate. Through humor and heartfelt discussion, Kennedy and Jimmy encapsulate the essence of an era that continues to influence contemporary culture.

Transcript

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[Kennedy]

Welcome to this episode of Kennedy Saves the World. Jimmy F. Is killing 80s icons. Thanks, Jim.

[Jimmy Failla]

Way to go, Jimbo.

[Kennedy]

Crap week last week, huh?

[Jimmy Failla]

Yeah, it was a bummer. We lose the Hulkster. Obviously. I was a huge fan of the Hulkster. Not just the sex tape, the wrestling, all of it. I was a fan. The Oz Man Sabbath.

[Kennedy]

I know. I've been listening to so much Black Sabbath since last week.

[Jimmy Failla]

It's amazing because Ozzy was not only like a rock God in so many different ways, but he was my intro to, like, playground vandalism. Because those were the kids who would write, like, Black Sabbath on a slide with a magic marker, Ozzy rolls, or some kind of devil sign. And when you're a little kid, those guys are like, what is this, like a cult or something? Yeah, it's like, no, it's a 12 year old with a BMX and a pack of cigarettes. But as a kid. Yeah, you among us.

[Kennedy]

We had a firebug in our neighborhood. And I remember him going up to the parents. He was natural, like pyro. And I remember him going up to the parents going, you should not let your children listen to KISS because it stands for Kids in Satan's service. So that's what you're getting yourself into.

[Jimmy Failla]

I loved those people. They could find the acronym for anything. Was this a guy who bought a pair of Adidas and all day long he dreamt about sex? Like those people. I remember that.

[Kennedy]

It's actually pronounced Adidas. Adi Dostler was the founder of Adidas and he and his brother had falling out. His brother's dad, who was.

[Jimmy Failla]

Yeah, that guy didn't listen to Ozzy. He didn't rock out.

[Kennedy]

I remember that guy would. When all the boys at Boy Scouts meetings would sit on the floor, he insisted on sitting in a chair because he would say, I don't sit on the floor.

[Jimmy Failla]

Who is this guy? I don't know if this guy's a good character. It sounds like the clothesline. The Hulkster needed to clothesline him.

[Kennedy]

He really did.

[Jimmy Failla]

I love the Hulkster. I think It's. You know, people need to understand this. He was, at the height of his fame, probably the most recognizable human being on the planet of Earth. Because the wwf, as it was called at the time, was as big as any sport anywhere. Think about this. When he fought Andre the Giant.

[Kennedy]

Is there. Was there anything bigger? Like, we cannot conceive of that.

[Jimmy Failla]

No. And they had 40 million live viewers just in America alone. For wrestling. Yes, wrestling. And it was like, the most insane thing, because he was the reason it made its way into, like, the pop cultural stratosphere. It was in sitcoms, obviously. They were in movies. WrestleMania was this huge thing.

[Kennedy]

We watched an episode of the A Team.

[Jimmy Failla]

Yeah.

[Kennedy]

With Hulk Hogan this weekend. It was. To see Mr. T and Hulk on the same small screen. It just. It takes you right back to your childhood.

[Jimmy Failla]

I and Mr. T. Mr. T serial, which is famously what Peewee Herman's dog Spec eats in Peewee's Big Adventure. Don't you watch her, Mr. I want my Mr. T cereal. You know, that whole thing. Mr. T cereal. He was in D.C. cab. No. The 80s were such a gonzo decade that a guy in a Speedo who walks around in a feather boa and tassels tied to his arms could be the most recognizable person and the toughest.

[Kennedy]

Person on the planet.

[Jimmy Failla]

Toughest person around. Yeah. It was the Hulkster, Terry Bellea. And I love that he got that second go round at the convention this summer. I just thought it was a great moment for America, especially because Trump is trying to harken back to that civic pride thing we felt in the 80s.

[Kennedy]

Yes. We were unashamed.

[Jimmy Failla]

Yes. He was a real American.

[Kennedy]

Yes.

[Jimmy Failla]

You think about that. Okay? He fought the Iron Sheik at Madison Square Garden, 1984. First man to escape a camel clutch. I said this the other night.

[Kennedy]

What a great year that was.

[Jimmy Failla]

You get the Olympics out in la.

[Kennedy]

Just dominating the Olympics. The Soviets are sitting it out.

[Jimmy Failla]

Nobody wants to hear it. They're still butthurt about the Miracle on Ice four years earlier. They're not even showing up to our Olympics. But you understand. So in 84, he beats the Iron Sheik for the heavyweight title at Madison Square Garden on a Saturday night, he's swinging an American flag at a pro wrestling match in the whole country is like, usa. You know what I mean? And I said this the other night. It's like, now we're in New York City. They would nomin donate the Iron Chic for mayor. Like, there was a time like, who's this guy spitting on the flag saying, Women shouldn't show their face.

[Kennedy]

Who was it? Was it Hillary Clinton? When Trump had a rally of Madison Square Garden. Well, it's just like Hitler.

[Jimmy Failla]

Yeah, Hitler rally.

[Kennedy]

It's a Nazi rally. It reminds me of 1938.

[Jimmy Failla]

Meanwhile, her husband accepted the nomination at.

[Kennedy]

Madison Square Garden at a convention.

[Jimmy Failla]

And she was there. And she was there. God's people. It's the death of shame. But the Hulkster. Okay, and we're doing one. We'll get to the third one. I think we should. As the guest, I like to. I like to dictate.

[Kennedy]

Thank you, Jim. I appreciate that.

[Jimmy Failla]

No, but the whole.

[Kennedy]

You're not a guest. Your family.

[Jimmy Failla]

I thank you for that. It's like the Olive Garden when you hear your family. That's why my breadstick was out. Your honor. Anyway, hold on. Stick with me.

[Kennedy]

So it's unlimited.

[Jimmy Failla]

It's unlimited.

[Kennedy]

Arrest me.

[Jimmy Failla]

But the Hulkster. Okay. And I was going to say Malcolm Jamal Warren.

[Kennedy]

Say Chuck Mangione. I thought you were going to be a decent person.

[Jimmy Failla]

Love a Chuck Mangione. And we can. We can. So it's funny, when my family drove down to Florida and my dad's Ford LTD station wagon, it was a brown one. I know nobody likes to show off ladies, but sometimes you gotta flex. But I remember that song being the only thing on the radio. The only thing on. We probably heard it 600 times.

[Kennedy]

AM, FM.

[Jimmy Failla]

It was the only. Get it everywhere anyone religious station. He made money off that. I hope.

[Kennedy]

Don't go anywhere more. Kennedy Saves the World right after this.

[Jimmy Failla]

It's Will Taint Country. Watch it live at noon Eastern, Monday through Thursday@fox news.com or on the Fox News YouTube channel. And don't miss the show. Listen and follow the podcast five days a week at foxnewspodcasts.com or wherever you download your favorite podcasts. But Chuck Mangione, you lose, obviously. The Hulkster, you lose Ozzy. And I meant to say Malcolm Jamal Warner, because the Cosby show is right in there in that meatball of, like, you know, 80s culture. Like the supernova of it. Like the Cosby Show. This sounds crazy. When it debuted its first year, it had 96 million viewers.

[Kennedy]

Jesus.

[Jimmy Failla]

It was the biggest sitcom that ever happened. And for those first five years.

[Kennedy]

So they were all given a volume and fell asleep with the TV on.

[Jimmy Failla]

Hey, there it is. Well, that's what's funny about it. It's the biggest sitcom ever. And for some reason, no one kind of talks about liking it. You know what I mean? It's kind of like, we're not leaning, but it was the biggest sitcom ever and Theo was obviously a huge part of that, as was Dr. Huxtable. I do believe if you were to poll the average person on Twitter, more people probably do trust Dr. Huxtable than Dr. Fauci. It doesn't mean you should go out for drinks with the guy. But, I mean, when you look at the medical.

[Kennedy]

I don't know if he should be filling your prescription.

[Jimmy Failla]

Yeah. I don't know. You want to fill out anything to be clear. But it was such a bizarre week because there was coverage in every field, there was an overlap in every field of pop culture, and it was the best decade. That's what really made it, I think, to so many people, resonate.

[Kennedy]

Yeah. But you bring up such good point and that Trump is really good at identifying when we felt best.

[Jimmy Failla]

Yes.

[Kennedy]

And reconnecting you with that feeling. It's kind of what he does at State of the Union speeches. Like, he brings up the most emotional guest in the galley that you're so just struck by. You're so moved. And, you know, it's the same thing because every Republican who runs for president, like, I'm the next Ronald Reagan. I have the most Reagan principles. He's like, I'll do you one better.

[Jimmy Failla]

Yeah. Yeah.

[Kennedy]

I will make everything so retro. I will take you back to 1984.

[Jimmy Failla]

I'm going to give you a Hulk Hogan and we're going to deputize a 12 year old who has health problems. And then we'll shoot him out of a cannon and give him a badge. Like, Trump goes gonzo. He is a real American. He is. You know when the Hulkster was like, trumpamania, let trumpamania run wild.

[Kennedy]

We haven't even talked about the fact that we were playing Hulk Hogan's theme song two weeks ago in my backyard.

[Jimmy Failla]

In her backyard two weeks ago. I believe it was probably 1am on the Bluetooth speaker. I busted out Real American and we rocked so hard to Real American. Yes.

[Kennedy]

I hope we shook the neighbors to their core.

[Jimmy Failla]

Not knowing. It was like, probably our last living interaction with the song for the Hulkster. And I think maybe that is why he checked out. He realized the torch had been passed. I think we're the real Americans now.

[Kennedy]

And we were just burning in the backyard and there's nothing anyone can do about it.

[Jimmy Failla]

Nothing you can do. But he was the Hulkster. He was the best. He fought Rocky in Rocky iii. Thunderlips. But then you think about the foreign policy. Okay. Takes out Iran Iron Sheik, the Russians, Nikolai Volkov. He takes out a tag team called the Bolsheviks. After he beats Volkov, Volkov gets a guy, Boris Zhukov, and they tag team against the Hulkster. He beats them, too.

[Kennedy]

Yeah.

[Jimmy Failla]

Guy. He ended the Cold War.

[Kennedy]

Yeah.

[Jimmy Failla]

They were like, no.

[Kennedy]

I mean, that was the blueprint for the Trump Doctrine.

[Jimmy Failla]

Yeah. Right there. Yeah. And when, you know, people give Reagan a lot of credit for saying, tear down this wall, but Hulkster would have thrown somebody through it. And they were just. Reagan was saying, we do this the nice way, the not so nice way. And then they tore it down. But I give most of the credit.

[Kennedy]

He's dangling Hulk, like, really? You want this?

[Jimmy Failla]

Yes. And can we just. For a note, as people who work in media and we hate scummy people, the fact that he took out Gawker is amazing.

[Kennedy]

Yes.

[Jimmy Failla]

He took out Gawker.

[Kennedy]

Yeah.

[Jimmy Failla]

They leaked a sex tape. Losers.

[Kennedy]

Yeah. And then Peter Thiel's like, I don't like this one bit.

[Jimmy Failla]

Yeah.

[Kennedy]

I'm a real American.

[Jimmy Failla]

Yeah. I'm a real American.

[Kennedy]

Here's some of my billions.

[Jimmy Failla]

Yep. Fought for the rights of every man.

[Kennedy]

Yeah. We're fighting for the right to party here.

[Jimmy Failla]

Amen. Amen. And you have to these days. You have to.

[Kennedy]

Don't you dare take one of the Beastie Boys this week.

[Jimmy Failla]

They won't do it. The Beastie Boys are going to make it. I will tell you this. I think last week something was off in the. In the universe. The glitch in the Matrix, whole thing. Yep. I think I. I'm hoping we're gonna be okay.

[Kennedy]

Yeah. We gotta make it through this gym. Mercury is still very much in retrograde. I know how you are about your astrology.

[Jimmy Failla]

A mess. Not. Bet any horses tonight. When Mercury's again, they'll forget that.

[Kennedy]

I'm glad you're back from Texas, though.

[Jimmy Failla]

We survived. We survived and we drank till we wore the yellow Speedo in the hoaxer's honor. That's what I'm going with. That's what I'm going with.

[Kennedy]

It was. It was. It was truly a way to honor a legend. Nothing more. Officer. All right. This has been Kennedy Saves the World along with Jimmy Bayless. I'm Kennedy. Listen. Ad free. With a Fox News podcast plus subscription on Apple podcasts 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.

[Jimmy Failla]

This is Jimmy Fallah inviting you to join me for Fox Across America, where we'll discuss every single one of the Democrats dumb ideas. Just kidding. It's only a three hour show. Listen live at noon Eastern or get the [e-mail].