Pablo Torre Finds Out

Episode: The Journalist vs. The Interviewer, with Adam Friedland

Date: August 15, 2025
Host: Pablo Torre
Guest: Adam Friedland

Overview

This episode of Pablo Torre Finds Out features a sprawling, personal, and frequently hilarious conversation between Pablo and comedian-podcaster Adam Friedland. The central theme revolves around the blurry boundaries between journalism and interviewing, the ethics and craft of both disciplines, and the ways sports, fandom, and celebrity intersect with those roles. It’s equal parts mutual admiration, earnest exploration, and rambling sports therapy session, peppered with behind-the-scenes stories, personal confessions, and the signature irreverence both guys bring to their shows.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Opening Banter & Friendship Reveal

• Studio Vibes & Jokes (01:21–02:22):
  The episode launches with mutual teasing about studio quality and on-air sneak attacks; Adam expresses “studio envy” and jokes about Pablo’s diverse production room.
  • “It’s a full on theater. You have a mid century showroom... 27 people behind the camera.” — Adam (01:35)
• Coming Out as Friends:
  Pablo and Adam playfully “come out” as real-life friends, discussing how their dynamic differs on and off air.

2. The Podcasting Pivot: From Comedian to Interviewer

• Cometown Retrospective (07:22–09:16):
  Adam reflects on the infamous, influential Cometown podcast—its cult following, “no media policy,” and how fan-generated clips fueled its spread.
  • “We just acted like children for an hour. We thought it was terrible at the time... but it was so funny, I guess.” — Adam (07:46)
• The New Show’s Sincerity & Effort:
  Pablo admires Adam’s shift toward earnest, structured interviews on his current show, noting, “You’re prepping and structuring, you’re producing.” (09:16)
  • Adam says, “It was the first time I tried in my life. 35. I decided to try. Well, first time I tried since the LSAT.” (09:34)

3. Law School, Parenting, Life Paths (09:43–13:38)

• LSAT Scores & Family Pressure:
  Both discuss their near-miss legal careers, comparing LSAT disaster stories and how parents reacted to not following “safe” paths.
  • “I came out of the closet as a clown to my parents, and my father said he was going to sue me.” — Adam (12:10)
• Shift to Comedy & Writing:
  Adam jokes about becoming a standup out of “laziness” and Pablo recalls becoming a sports journalist as only slightly more practical.

4. Defining The Role: Journalist vs Interviewer (18:42–22:45)

• What Is a Journalist?
  Adam admits, “I don’t know. What is it?... There’s no 700-page text that tells you whether you’re clinically a journalist.” (19:15)
  Pablo notes that the “foremost principle... is you have to try and be as accurate as possible” (20:10), but insists the definition is messy and shifting.
• Research and Ethics:
  Adam shares his reliance on a journalist friend for prepping research packets and learning on the job: “I Googled it. When I first started doing interviews, I went on Wikipedia for journalism because I didn’t know how to do interviews.” (20:26)

5. Styles & Strategies: Rogan, Self-Deprecation, & Comedy Tactics (21:19–24:36)

• On Joe Rogan’s Interviewing Style:
  Adam dissects Rogan’s “active listening,” exuberance, and tendency to make guests feel they're “crushing,” but distinguishes that from traditional journalism.
• Disarming Guests:
  Adam reflects that his own “schmuck” persona helps guests relax: “I can just self deprecate. I could be like, listen, you’re sitting next to a guy who pooped his pants on a podcast once.” (23:23)
  • “People don’t like know-it-alls... I’d rather... make them relaxed. Then... I can kind of talk to them in a more natural way.” (24:04)
  • “I don’t think people are used to talking to someone as unremarkable and mediocre as me.” — Adam (24:36)

6. Journalism as Public Service & Fandom Disclosure (26:18–32:19)

• Serving “The Public Interest”:
  Pablo draws a hard line: “Journalism has a defined answer... the public interest. That’s who I’m trying to serve. That’s the real distinction to me.” (26:34)
• Sports Journalism & Fandom:
  Both discuss modern sportswriting, especially Bill Simmons’ confessional style and the merits of “disclosing” your rooting interests.
  • “Identifying your fandom and not pretending like you’re this omniscient voice from nowhere.” — Pablo (30:11)
  • “I’m out of the closet as a Laker fan... people just be aware of that.” — Adam (31:20)

7. Celebrity, Parasitic Fame, & The New Media Landscape (32:29–36:44)

• Player-Driven Fandom:
  They examine how young fans follow players, not teams—mirroring how audiences now follow creators, not institutions.
  • “That’s exactly what’s happening in media... young people consume an individual’s stuff.” — Pablo (32:29)
• Social Media and Humanizing Athletes:
  Adam recounts how social media blurred the lines between athletes and fans, leading to overexposure and rapid, often undeserved, backlash.

8. Landmark Sports Stories & Emotional Resonance (33:12–49:04)

• Michael Jordan & Kobe Bryant:
  They revisit The Last Dance as a journalism case study, marvel at MJ’s rare vulnerability at Kobe’s memorial, and discuss the emotional weight for LeBron.
  • “We never saw Michael be... tender ever.” — Adam, tearing up (37:17–39:44)
• Kobe's Mentorship from Michael Jackson:
  Adam retells a detailed story about Kobe and Michael Jackson, including the lesson of persecution and perseverance (“Jonathan Livingston Seagull”).
  • “He said... we are that bird. And when everyone hates you, you cannot stop being great.” — Adam (42:36)
• Tiger Woods:
  The pair wax nostalgic about Tiger’s rise, fall, and cathartic Masters comeback.
  • “I miss. I missed you. That’s part of the same, I guess. I love ball. I just love sports.” — Adam (49:04)
• The Power of Narrative in Sports:
  They bond over iconic moments: KD’s “You the real MVP,” Kobe’s 60-point finale, and how those stories give meaning to fandom.

9. Full Circle: What Is Journalism?

• Landing the Plane:
  The pair decide to call legendary sportswriter Tony Kornheiser for a final word on the journalism question. Kornheiser doesn’t pick up—the moment is nonetheless charming.
  • “What is journalism? Love you.” — Adam, leaving the voicemail (51:13)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “We just acted like children for an hour. Yeah. It was a comedy podcast that we did for a while and ... on YouTube they’re like fan generated clip comps. And I’ve listened to it since and I was like, it was so fun. We thought it was terrible at the time. ... but it was so funny, I guess.” — Adam, on Cometown nostalgia (07:46)
• “It was the first time I tried in my life. 35. I decided to try. Well, it was the first time I tried since the LSAT.” — Adam, on his new show (09:34)
• “I came out of the closet as a clown to my parents, and my father said he was going to sue me. And I said, that’s not how the courts work.” — Adam (12:10)
• “Journalism has a defined answer... the public interest. That’s who I’m trying to serve. That’s the real distinction to me.” — Pablo (26:34)
• “You have to try and be as accurate as possible. Yeah, I think that’s probably task number one.” — Pablo (20:19)
• “I can just self deprecate. ... America doesn’t... like know-it-alls.” — Adam (23:23, 24:04)
• “The NBA media is just all Boston... The little green hand.” — Adam (31:11)
• “Can you imagine how painful ... watching Michael, who ignores you and thinks you suck and, like, and has been torturing you, probably through the media for the last 20 years about. And somehow the GOAT debate is a thing. ... Can you imagine how terrible that would have been for LeBron?” — Adam (38:44)
• “I care about sports more than comedy... I like songs and sports.” — Adam (49:22)
• “What is journalism? Love you.” — Adam, on Kornheiser’s voicemail (51:13)

Important Timestamps

• 01:21 – Reveal: Adam didn't realize they were recording; "coming out" as friends.
• 07:22–09:16 – Cometown’s legacy, organic fan growth, no media policy.
• 09:43–13:38 – LSAT stories, law school detours, careers in comedy/journalism.
• 18:42–22:45 – Defining journalism; formal/informal training; boundaries.
• 21:19–24:36 – Disarming interviewees; lessons from Joe Rogan’s style.
• 26:18–32:19 – Journalism vs interviewing; public service vs entertainment; fandom disclosures.
• 33:12–36:44 – Player fandom, media shifts, and LeBron’s relationship with MJ & Kobe memorial.
• 37:17–39:44 – MJ’s eulogy for Kobe: emotional stakes, generational meaning.
• 42:36–45:21 – Michael Jackson and Kobe’s “Jonathan Livingston Seagull” mentorship.
• 49:04–51:13 – Sports as emotional ballast; attempt to get Tony Kornheiser’s take.

Tone & Language

The episode is unabashedly personal, playful, and profane at times—with intellectual depth peeking through the punchlines. The tone swings between earnest (sometimes teary) fandom, self-deprecating wit, and warm camaraderie. The hosts' irreverence is balanced by deep respect for their crafts and subjects.

Takeaways

• The line between journalist and interviewer is messier and more porous than ever, reshaped by podcasting, social media, and fan-driven media.
• Sincerity, self-awareness, and a willingness to play the “schmuck” can be a secret weapon in interviews—especially in an age allergic to know-it-alls.
• Whether in media or fandom, authenticity and open disclosure of interests are more valuable than false impartiality.
• Sports provide a uniquely human narrative canvas—creating moments of collective catharsis, empathy, and meaning—often more moving than anything planned.
• Sometimes, the best answer to a big question (“What is journalism?”) is just to let it hang, awkward and unresolved, between friends who know how to love the game.