Overtime – Episode #685: Kid Rock, Tim Ryan, Pamela Paul

Summary

Real Time with Bill Maher: Overtime – Episode #685 Summary

Release Date: February 18, 2025

Guests:

• Kid Rock: Rock star embarking on a seven-city tour starting in March and former Ohio congressman.
• Tim Ryan: Chair of the coalition Natural Allies for a Clean Energy Future.
• Pamela Paul: New York Times opinion columnist.

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1. Opening Remarks and Guest Introductions

The episode opens with Pamela Paul introducing the guests, highlighting Kid Rock's upcoming tour and Tim Ryan's political role. Maher sets the stage for a lively discussion driven by questions from the public.

Notable Quote:

• Pamela Paul [01:05]: "Here are the questions from the people. The people. That's who we care about."

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2. Kid Rock’s Personal Life and Relationships

The conversation begins with a lighthearted inquiry into Kid Rock's personal life, specifically how he celebrates Valentine's Day. Kid Rock humorously deflects the question, emphasizing his bachelor status.

Notable Quotes:

• Pamela Paul [01:25]: "How does Kid Rock celebrate Valentine's Day?"
• Kid Rock [01:38]: "Not unless you got one at your house."

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3. Kamala Harris and California Governor Race

Pamela Paul raises a question about whether Vice President Kamala Harris should run for California governor in 2026, following favorable polling. The guests express skepticism about her candidacy.

Notable Quotes:

• Pamela Paul [01:51]: "Should Kamala Harris run for California governor in 2026 after polls show her leading?"
• Kid Rock [02:14]: "She should run far, far away."

Discussion Highlights:

• Pamela Paul compares the situation to Richard Nixon's political maneuvers, suggesting that even presidential candidates may seek other offices after a loss.
• Tim Ryan briefly mentions his support for local governance, referencing former mayor Antonio Viragosa.

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4. Kid Rock’s Gospel Album

The discussion shifts to Kid Rock’s new gospel album, Early Beginnings, produced with Rick Rubin. Pamela Paul probes how this project aligns with his past musical themes, which often include edgy and controversial lyrics.

Notable Quotes:

• Pamela Paul [03:12]: "Is it true that you're planning to do a gospel album?"
• Kid Rock [03:12]: "I am doing Early Beginnings now, doing a gospel record with my old friend Rick Rubin."

Discussion Highlights:

• Pamela Paul expresses curiosity about how a gospel album reconciles with Kid Rock's previous songs like "I'm a Lowlife."
• Kid Rock humorously responds by indicating an understanding of religious commandments, albeit with a twist.

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5. Cocaine Use and Its Implications

The panel delves into the topic of cocaine use, sparked by a humorous exchange about Kamala Harris running for governor and the legalization of cocaine.

Notable Quotes:

• Kid Rock [05:12]: "If Trump can really stop this flow of fentanyl coming in from China through our southern northern borders, he's literally going to make cocaine great again."
• Pamela Paul [05:29]: "Cocaine was the worst."

Discussion Highlights:

• Pamela Paul shares a personal anecdote about her brief and challenging experience with cocaine in 1989.
• Kid Rock reflects on his own struggles with substance use and emphasizes the dangers of addiction, particularly to cocaine.
• The conversation underscores the differing perspectives on drug policies and their societal impacts.

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6. Rebranding of Boy Scouts of America

A significant portion of the discussion centers on the Boy Scouts of America's decision to rebrand as Scouting America. The panel debates the implications of this change, touching on gender inclusivity and the loss of traditional structures for youth development.

Notable Quotes:

• Pamela Paul [07:37]: "The Boy Scouts of America. It cannot be called Boy Scouts anymore because it's exclusionary."
• Kid Rock [09:37]: "It seems to me like we lost a good portion of a few generations of men who've just turned into complete fucking pussies."

Discussion Highlights:

• Pamela Paul argues that removing gender-specific titles undermines the organization’s ability to provide structure and discipline essential for young boys' development.
• Tim Ryan echoes the sentiment, stressing the importance of overcoming obstacles and fostering resilience in youth, which he believes is compromised by the rebranding.
• Kid Rock criticizes modern parenting and societal changes, attributing them to a decline in traditional masculine traits among men.

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7. Closing Remarks

As the episode wraps up, Pamela Paul humorously concludes with a Valentine's Day greeting, and Bill Maher signs off, reminding listeners to catch new episodes every Friday.

Notable Quote:

• Pamela Paul [10:00]: "Happy Valentine's Day, everybody."

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Conclusion: This episode of Real Time with Bill Maher featured a robust discussion on a range of topics, including celebrity personal lives, political candidacies, substance abuse, and the societal impacts of organizational changes. Through candid exchanges and sharp humor, the guests provided diverse perspectives on contemporary issues, offering listeners both entertainment and thought-provoking insights.

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Notable Timestamps:

• Introduction of Guests: [01:05]
• Kamala Harris Governor Discussion: [01:47]
• Gospel Album Conversation: [03:12]
• Cocaine Use Discussion: [05:12]
• Boy Scouts Rebranding Debate: [07:37]

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Note: Advertisements, intros, and outros have been omitted to focus solely on the content-rich sections of the episode.

Transcript

[Bill Maher]

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[Bill Maher]

Welcome to an HBO podcast from the HBO late night series Real Time with Bill Maher.

[Pamela Paul]

All right, here we are. He's a rock star whose seven city tour begins in March. Kid Rock, former Ohio congressman who chairs the coalition Natural Allies for a Clean Energy Future. Tim Ryan and author of New York Times, opinion columnist Pamela Paul. Okay, here are the questions from the people. The people. That's who we carry about the people. This is what they want to know. Fuck my question. How does Kid Rock celebrate Valentine's Day? Well, there we go, right? Apparently here on Real Time.

[Kid Rock]

Yeah, I was going to say you're looking at it.

[Pamela Paul]

But you must have something special with your special lady at some point.

[Kid Rock]

Not unless you got one at your house.

[Pamela Paul]

Oh, I thought you were in a relationship. I don't want to pry. Should Kamala Harris run for California governor in 2026 after polls show her leading? I'm gonna give that a big no.

[Unknown Speaker]

She's had her chance several times.

[Kid Rock]

She should run far, far away.

[Tim Ryan]

I'm a Viragosa guy. I like Aunt Antonio Viragosa, the old mayor of la. I think he's truly.

[Pamela Paul]

Oh, okay. I didn't know he was in the running. Yeah, I think Kamala Harris would make a great president of a university. Not that she's a bad person or a bad candidate or she's smart, but, you know, it didn't work. And by the way, if she does, there would be precedent for this because Nixon. Nixon lost the White House in 1960. And then what did he do? He ran for governor of California. Two years later, it would be the same scenario. And when he lost that one, that's when he said, you won't have Nixon to kick around anymore. And then he was president six years later, so maybe it'll work. Kid Rock. Is it true that you're planning to do a gospel album?

[Kid Rock]

I am doing Early Beginnings now, doing a gospel record with my old friend Rick Rubin.

[Pamela Paul]

Oh, Rick Ruben. Have you produced an album of yours before?

[Kid Rock]

Yeah, he did one record of mine, a record called Born Free.

[Pamela Paul]

Oh, yeah, I know it well. Wow. So a gospel album. So how does that fit in with some of the songs you've had in the past? Like I'm a lowlife. Like you wouldn't sing that song in church.

[Kid Rock]

I might.

[Pamela Paul]

Really?

[Kid Rock]

I know the Ten Commandments pretty well. And in those commandments I've never once seen or even heard a thought of one being thou shall not swear.

[Pamela Paul]

No, no, no. I'm just saying. And I know this song is by the way, I love that song and it's very funny, but I'm just picturing some of those lyrics like I got kids I've never seen and their mama's 17. Are you gonna. I mean, are we gonn.

[Kid Rock]

I take strippers out for breakfast. You're gonna add that to my chest?

[Pamela Paul]

Oh, I know the whole song. It's hysterical. The president of Columbia. I guess that's the country. Although it could be. The university recently suggested that cocaine was no worse than whiskey. Oh, it is the university.

[Kid Rock]

No, it's not.

[Pamela Paul]

And that it. Wait, wait. And that it could be sold more slavely if it were legal. Does he have a point? Cocaine was no worse. Not in my. Not in my experience. Cocaine was the worst.

[Kid Rock]

Speaking of, do you realize what's going to happen if Trump can really, you know, which I believe he's going to do, you know, stop this flow of fentanyl coming in from China through our southern northern borders? He's literally going to make cocaine great again.

[Pamela Paul]

I mean, to me, cocaine was the worst. I mean, cocaine is just different. It just. First of all, it's not cocaine, it's partly cocaine. And then it's whatever they cut it with. And it makes you only want to do one thing, which is get more cocaine.

[Tim Ryan]

And it never ends well.

[Pamela Paul]

There's a brief honeymoon period and then you're just chasing that high and that. I only did it for like a year and not that much, but it was a terrible year.

[Tim Ryan]

What year was that?

[Pamela Paul]

I'll tell you.

[Tim Ryan]

I think it'd be.

[Pamela Paul]

Fun to like see what you were doing. You know, it was 1989. My thoughts were.

[Kid Rock]

My thoughts were short, my hair was long.

[Pamela Paul]

Exactly. But would you agree with that cocaine's the worst.

[Kid Rock]

Yeah. I mean, I managed it for, you know, a good number of years.

[Tim Ryan]

But.

[Kid Rock]

You know, and I knew a lot of people, you know, on different sides of the spectrum. Some people just swallowed them up. And other people were able to, you know, pick their battles. I have a day off or I have a time. We're gonna party a little bit.

[Pamela Paul]

Right.

[Kid Rock]

Move on with life. And that was me for, you know, good portion of the years early in my career. I mean, I am in a rock and roll band, right? But, yeah, then it comes to an age where you're like, okay, this is no good. This is no good. And, you know, and recently I was with a young singer, and she actually asked me. He goes, hey, are you holding? And I'm like, what, 54 years old? I'm like. I go, let me talk to you for a second. I go, you know, I'm not going to give you the whole, you know, preach to you right now before my gospel record's finished. But, you know, if you're not really, don't go down that path. I go, not only because, you know, you don't know where it's going to take you. You're kind of rolling the dice. You're playing Russian roulette, but fentanyl hasn't made it too popular of a sport. You're basically, you know, you're one.

[Pamela Paul]

Oh, that's what she was asking you about? Fentanyl?

[Kid Rock]

No, she was asking me for cocaine.

[Pamela Paul]

Oh, right.

[Kid Rock]

And I'm like, young lady. I'm like, no, no, no, no, no. Let Grandpa speak to you.

[Tim Ryan]

Words of wisdom from Kid Rock.

[Kid Rock]

Well, Kid Rock's telling you.

[Pamela Paul]

Hey, right, right.

[Kid Rock]

Slow down.

[Tim Ryan]

There's probably a.

[Pamela Paul]

But it's gotta be rough. They used to come for the sex. Now they just want your drugs. That's gotta be. That would bother me a lot. All right, now that the Boy Scouts of America is just going by Scout. Oh, God, yes. This is right up your alley or somebody. There's Boy Scouts. Yes, I've. It's been in the works for years. They. We just. It's such an Onion headline. The whole fucking country is such an Onion headline. The Boy Scouts of America. It cannot be called Boy Scouts anymore because it's exclusionary. Like, there isn't a Girl Scouts. Like, this is some sort of crime against nature, that we each. People are different.

[Tim Ryan]

We were just talking about.

[Pamela Paul]

It's now Scouting America in the first segment.

[Tim Ryan]

We were talking about, what are we giving young boys? What kind of structure, what kind of discipline what kind of education? A lot of those projects are really difficult. I was not in the Boy Scouts, would have probably never made it. But those are difficult. They have to achieve. They have to put forth effort. They have to overcome obstacles, they have to overcome failure. That's part of maturing and becoming. Becoming a full functioning adult. And to take that away. To take that away is insane to say this is targeted towards young boys because young boys are different than young girls. And so the approach needs to be different.

[Pamela Paul]

It's funny when you fart in a sleeping bag. Yeah, it is. Well, I mean, girls don't.

[Unknown Speaker]

Girl Scouts are much better than the Girl Scouts. I have to say I understand why girls would want to be in the Boy Scouts because it's a lot more fun. The only thing really, as a former Girl Scout that the Girl Scouts had going for them as the cookies. And that's basically it. And the Boy Scouts are doing like learning skills and building fires and why.

[Pamela Paul]

Can'T they institute that curriculum in the Girl Scouts? No, that's. Yeah, but I mean, this is the kind of thing that gets Trump elected. Yeah, this is the kind. I've said it a million times here. The Democrats. You lost a crazy contest to a crazy person.

[Kid Rock]

It started decades ago, in my opinion. He started decades ago with timeouts and last place, you know, participation trophies and sorry to put it so harsh, but it seems to me like we lost a good portion of a few generations of men who've just turned into complete fucking pussies.

[Pamela Paul]

Happy Valentine's Day, everybody.

[Bill Maher]

Catch all new episodes of Real Time with Bill Maher every Friday night at 10 or watch him anytime on HBO on Demand. For more information, log on to hbo.com.