Kennedy Saves the World – “This One’s For Jenny”

Podcast: Kennedy Saves the World
Host: Kennedy
Guest: Jimmy Failla
Date: November 24, 2025

Episode Overview

In this Thanksgiving-themed episode, Kennedy welcomes comedian, Fox News host, and friend Jimmy Failla for a raucous, heartfelt conversation about family, career detours, the joys and awkwardness of comedy, and the lighter side of parenting. The episode’s central theme is gratitude—especially for family—and the quirks, chaos, and support that make life’s journey so much richer. Their rapid-fire banter, personal anecdotes, and playful jabs offer a lively, authentic glimpse into the lives of two entertainers navigating work, family, and the holidays.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Pittsburgh Comedy Shows, Family, and Performing for “Ric Flairs”

• Jimmy’s Fox News Saturday Night Experience & Performances

  • Kennedy shares gratitude for Jimmy after joining his show and describes the fun, whirlwind weekend as a “miracle [of] physics.”
  • Jimmy jokes about Pittsburgh crowds:

    “You know how Pittsburgh works, man. The one word they drink till there's a one word vocabulary. Whoo.” (01:10)

  • Both recall the unique challenge and humor of performing for mixed-age audiences, including kids in comedy clubs.

• Comedy in Front of Kids

  • Kennedy:

    “I was like, listen, son, ear muffs. It's not going to get any cleaner.” (01:42)

  • They discuss how comics end up covering the awkward birds-and-bees talk for parents who dare to bring their kids to comedy shows.

2. Comedy Origins, Risky Careers, and Family Inspiration

• Awkward Moments at Comedy Shows with Family

  • Jimmy recalls attending a risqué comedy set with his newly divorced mother:

    “His whole act was about how 50 year old women are the biggest sluts. Just there with my newly divorced mom. Like, should we… are we in your way right now?” (02:45)

• When Did Jimmy Know Comedy Was for Him?

  • Despite growing up with athletes and cops, Jimmy’s inspiration to perform:

    “It took me wanting to get my mom out of the house to start doing what I always wanted to do. Meaning if someone hadn't come along and given me an excuse, I would probably still be turning tricks in an Atlantic City bathroom right now to pay my gambling debts.” (03:56)

  • Kennedy riffing:

    “You hope that your, your gambling is as much of a success slash failure that the casino does. Maybe give you a room or a buffet coupon here or there. And that's the stuff of big dreams.” (04:36)

3. Family Dynamics and Staying Grounded

• Jimmy’s Mom: Heart of the Family

  • Kennedy admires the supportive, close-knit nature of Jimmy’s family:

    “You would have the same family if you were hosting the Tonight show or if you were the host at Olive Garden... you would all be leaning in, you would all be making fun of each other.” (05:26)

  • Jimmy’s mom attends almost every show—sometimes, to hilarious effect.

    “My mom's still going to show up to every gig maybe 30 minutes late... One night we were taping my show... I got really thrown because somebody walked right into the bleachers... until you realize they recognize my mom and might have decided to let her in.” (07:21)

• How Having a Kid Changed His Comedy

  • Jimmy shares the positive pressure of fatherhood:

    “It really benefited a guy like me to have a family and a kid because my decisions affected them, which forced me to become more efficient as a writer, as a performer.” (06:42)

4. Thanksgiving, Traditions, and Passing Down Wisdom

• Holiday Plans and Recipe Exchange

  • Kennedy is smoking a turkey for the first time, aided by Jimmy’s wife Jenny’s handwritten Midwestern recipe cards.
  • Kennedy’s gratitude:

    “[Jenny] is using, like, her powers to infuse my table with her wisdom... she is making sure that all my plans are flawless because of her help and intervention.” (10:19)

• Heartfelt Thanksgiving Banter

  • Jimmy jokes about Jenny channeling her guidance:

    “This is like the movie Ghost. You know how you had to jump inside Whoopi to get to Patrick Swayze? Jenny has to jump inside you to get to the Thanksgiving turkey... It's not Ghost. It's called Host.” (10:34–10:47)

  • Kennedy’s playful response as she prepares the turkey:

    “But I'm going to be rubbing that turkey, like, oh, yeah, this one's for Jenny tucking the wings underneath. Here we go, little birdie.” (10:48)

  • Concludes with mutual gratitude and a promise of future “cabin weekends,” complete with smoked meats and quality time.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Family and Comedy:

  “That's the one nice thing about coming from a group of broken people is success is not going to fix anything.”
  — Jimmy Failla (07:25)

• On Comedy Career and Responsibility:

  “Most comics get more responsibility and just kind of self destruct. I was like the other thing, you know, I took an advance on the downhill spiral of my life… Did it first and then kind of worked my way back to where I am now.”
  — Jimmy Failla (06:56)

• On Thanksgiving Wisdom Transfer:

  “Jenny has to jump inside you to get to the Thanksgiving turkey... It's not Ghost. It's called Host.”
  — Jimmy Failla (10:41)

• On Parental Intervention at a Comedy Show:

  “Listen, son, ear muffs. It's not going to get any cleaner.”
  — Kennedy (01:42)

• On Stage Surprises:

  “As I was sitting there talking on live TV in my head... I literally was like, who the [expletive] is walking into the bleachers right now?”
  — Jimmy Failla (08:20)

Important Segments & Timestamps

• Comedy and Drinking in Pittsburgh — 00:40–01:28
• Performing for Kids and Awkward Audience Moments — 01:28–02:33
• Family Influence and Comedy Beginnings — 03:27–04:36
• Driving a Cab, Early Comedy, Having a Kid — 05:47–06:56
• Jimmy’s Mom and Taping Fox News Show — 07:21–08:33
• Thanksgiving, Traditions, Jenny’s Recipes — 09:40–10:57
• Heartfelt Goodbyes and Holiday Wishes — 10:57–11:29

Final Thoughts

This episode of Kennedy Saves the World is a fun, warm, and honest conversation that showcases the importance of family—by birth and by choice—in shaping who you are and carrying you through life’s ups, downs, and traditions. Kennedy and Jimmy’s chemistry and quick wit make this a must-listen, especially for those craving stories that are both hilarious and heartfelt this Thanksgiving season.