New Heights with Jason & Travis Kelce – EP 171

Guest: Paul Rudd
Air Date: December 22, 2025
Title: Paul Rudd on Why Jack Black is The Best, Worst Auditions, Chiefs Fandom & Naming Your Nuts

Episode Overview

In this fun, fast-paced, and candid episode, Jason and Travis Kelce welcome back their first-ever podcast guest, legendary actor, comedian, and diehard Chiefs fan Paul Rudd. The trio dives into Rudd’s latest movie “Anaconda” with Jack Black, his adventures and mishaps in Hollywood, Chiefs fandom in times of triumph and defeat, childhood filmmaking nostalgia, and memorable stories from his life and career. The show is packed with humor, heart, and plenty of brotherly ribbing, with Paul Rudd fully joining the New Heights energy.

Key Topics & Discussion Highlights

1. Welcoming Paul Rudd Back (03:09–04:12)

• Paul reflects on his first appearance on the show and a touching moment they all shared:

  “We were laughing and then we started talking about our dads… we just wound up crying.” – Paul Rudd (03:27)

• Travis and Jason reminisce about birthday surprises and their emotional chat about fatherhood.

2. Inside “Anaconda” with Jack Black (04:12–13:19)

• Paul reveals the concept and origins of his new movie “Anaconda,” a meta-comedy about a group of childhood friends attempting to remake the classic Anaconda film—only to find themselves hunted by a real snake.
• Writers Kevin Etten and Tom Gormican previously created "The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent" — a meta inspiration for Paul.
• The role assignments between Paul and Jack Black were unclear until a phone call sorted it out:

  “And I realized as he’s saying it, I’m like, wait a minute. Which part were you thinking?...I’ll just play Griff.” – Paul Rudd (12:38)

• Paul expresses his admiration for Jack Black:

  “He’s like a Tasmanian Devil… a tornado of talent.” – Paul Rudd (04:34) “He gives them a Jack Black experience. He is just pure goodness and energy.” – Paul Rudd (15:08)

• They riff on how Jason has a bit of Jack Black in him (“You guys are cut from the same cloth”), with comedic vibes and alpha energy.

3. Childhood Movies & Nostalgia (06:45–10:16)

• Paul fondly recalls filming homemade movies on his family’s old-school camcorder, self-editing in camera.
• The “Hey Garvin” series: elaborate homemade visual gags, like tossing beers through impossible cuts (07:49).
• Jason shares making “Ribs of Beef” in high school—a satire spin on Rumpelstiltskin (08:26).
• All three relate over the thrill of creative backyard filmmaking and the cringing embarrassment of seeing those tapes today, grateful they're not on YouTube.

4. Kansas City, Philly, and Buffalo 'Sober' (16:05–18:02)

• Paul introduces the term “Buffalo Sober” from the new film.

  “He’s Buffalo sober, which means just beer and wine and maybe a few bites of the liquors.” – Paul Rudd (16:27)

• They create city-specific versions:
  • Kansas City Sober: Only local brews, Boulevard and Rieger (17:12)
  • Philly Sober: “Citywide special”—shot of Jim Beam and PBR (17:26)
• Fun riffs on drinking culture and regional spirit.

5. “Jack Black” Impressions & High School Hijinks (18:02–20:15)

• Paul playfully answers questions “as Jack Black,” parodying his supposed diva behavior and teen friendship with Maya Rudolph.
• Jokes about Jack Black’s rocket scientist parents’ disappointment in his chosen path (19:34).
• The trio crack up over the notion of embarrassing family video tapes being recorded over by crime dramas (“Law & Order”).

6. Does Paul Know Ball? Fantasy Football Draft Game (24:01–30:25)

• Paul plays an impromptu NFL fantasy draft, picking legendary players by team:
  • Notable picks: Mike Evans, Odell Beckham Jr., Peyton Manning, Sean Alexander, Larry Fitzgerald, Terrell Davis, Clinton Portis, Zach Ertz.
• Fun banter about fantasy point strategy, old-school players, and the quirks of the NFL stat game.
• Memorable exchange:

  Jason: “Paul does indeed know ball!” (30:23)

7. Chiefs Fandom in 2025 (30:39–32:46)

• Travis gently asks how Paul feels after the Chiefs’ tough season.
• Paul’s perspective:

  “I am so happy to be a Chiefs fan. The joy and the memories... have been an embarrassment of riches. Even the losses... it’s the best.” – Paul Rudd (30:51) “I’m excited for some of the players to get maybe a little bit of a summer vacation.” – Paul Rudd (31:55)

• Reflecting gratitude, team spirit, and optimism for the future.

8. Paul’s DJ Past, “Naming Your Nuts”, & Mount Rushmore of Candy (32:47–39:10)

• Paul’s early gig as a bar mitzvah DJ:

  “Playlist will guarantee a mediocre party!” – Paul Rudd (33:47)

• Confirms that in “Anchorman,” one of his testicles is named after his college roommate and now KC restaurant owner James Westfall (35:27).
• Says the best part is embarrassing your friends by “naming your nutsack” as an inside joke (36:52).
• Mount Rushmore of his candy store’s sweets:
  • Sour Santas, Cloud Hoppers (peanut butter chocolate pretzel mix), licorice and sour laces
  • “I have the tastes of a nine-year-old. I like everything.” – Paul Rudd (38:33)

9. Welcome to Hollywood Moments & Audition Embarrassments (39:10–42:22)

• Paul's "Welcome to Hollywood" moment: spotting Courtney Gaines (Children of the Corn) in LA—“I knew I wasn’t in Kansas anymore.” (40:04)
• Relates a cringeworthy early audition attempt, inspired by a story from Danny DeVito. He tried to be "the guy" by acting tough, using a cigarette prop, and stubbing it out on the casting director’s carpet (41:36). Later realizes, “This is not how you do it.”
• The Kelces crack up at the idea of the poor assistant picking tobacco out of the carpet:

  “My face hurts. That was Gold.” – Travis Kelce (42:18)

10. Support for Children’s Mercy Hospital & Big Slick (42:34–43:04)

• Paul closes by praising the Kelce brothers’ charitable work, especially for Children’s Mercy and the Kansas City “Big Slick” event.

  “They don’t love you just for the players you are. They love you for the guys you are...” – Paul Rudd (42:48)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “He’s a tornado of talent...he’s just pure goodness and energy.” – Paul Rudd on Jack Black (04:41, 15:08)
• “We were laughing and then started talking about our dads, and we just wound up crying.” – Paul Rudd (03:27)
• “Buffalo sober – just beer and wine, maybe a few bites of the liquors.” – Paul Rudd (16:27)
• “That’s the most fun part of doing this—embarrassing your friends by naming your nutsack.” – Paul Rudd (36:52)
• “I am so happy to be a Chiefs fan…the joy and memories…even the losses, it’s the best.” – Paul Rudd (31:55)

Important Timestamps

• 03:09 – Paul Rudd joins the show, birthday/kids/dads nostalgia
• 04:12 – Details on "Anaconda" and working with Jack Black
• 06:45 – Homemade movies & creative nostalgia
• 10:16 – Law & Order and family tape stories
• 16:05 – “Buffalo Sober” and city-specific sobriety
• 18:02 – Paul answers as Jack Black
• 24:01 – "Does Paul Know Ball?" NFL fantasy segment
• 30:39 – Paul's reflections on Chiefs fandom
• 32:47 – Bar mitzvah DJ playlist & party stories
• 35:27 – Name-dropping his real-life friend as a testicle in "Anchorman"
• 38:23 – Favorite candies from Samuel’s Sweet Shop
• 39:10 – Welcome-to-Hollywood & worst audition story
• 42:34 – Big Slick shoutout and closing thanks

Tone and Style

This episode is lively, loose, heartfelt, and irreverent, with Paul Rudd seamlessly joining the brotherly banter and good-natured trash talk that define New Heights. Stories flow between football, family, Hollywood, and pure silliness, giving fans a fun and intimate look at both the guest and the hosts.

For the Listener

If you want to hear Paul Rudd riff about Jack Black, find out why one of his testicles is famous, relive awkward auditions, get his candy recommendations, and dive deep into NFL football with the Kelce brothers, this is the episode for you!