Episode 14 - Josh Hopkins

Summary

Podcast Summary: Interrupted by Matt Jones – Episode 14 with Josh Hopkins

Podcast Information:

• Title: Interrupted by Matt Jones
• Host/Author: iHeartPodcasts
• Description: Kentucky Sports Radio Host Matt Jones sits down with fascinating individuals from all walks of life. Listen to the Matt Jones Show live every Thursday at 6pm EST on 840 WHAS.
• Episode: Episode 14 - Josh Hopkins
• Release Date: July 29, 2025

---

Introduction

In Episode 14 of "Interrupted by Matt Jones," host Matt Jones engages in an in-depth conversation with actor Josh Hopkins. The episode delves into Hopkins' journey in the acting world, his experiences on Broadway and television, his deep-rooted passion for Kentucky sports, and his personal reflections on life and friendships.

---

Early Life and Career in Acting

Josh Hopkins begins by sharing his early aspirations and initial steps into the acting industry. Moving to New York City at the age of 21, Hopkins landed an understudy role on Broadway in the production of Picnic, where he worked alongside Ashley Judd.

• Notable Quote:
  • Josh Hopkins at [04:45]: "I didn't suck, but Ashley Judd was in that production."

Matt expresses surprise upon learning about Hopkins' Broadway experience, highlighting the interconnectedness of their Kentucky roots.

---

Transition to Hollywood and Continued Acting Journey

Hopkins discusses his transition from theater to film and television, emphasizing the challenges and unpredictability of sustaining an acting career. He reflects on the numerous pilots he auditioned for, many of which did not materialize into successful shows.

• Notable Quote:
  • Josh Hopkins at [12:07]: "I've done something like that. I always just kind of like feel like it's the last thing I did."

One significant project mentioned is Swingtown on CBS, a show originally intended for Showtime that dealt with adult themes. Despite initial success, external pressures and a writers' strike led to its premature cancellation.

---

Experience on "Cougar Town"

Hopkins highlights his six-year tenure on the TV show Cougar Town, describing it as one of his most fulfilling roles. The camaraderie among the cast, particularly with Courteney Cox, made the experience memorable despite early seasons struggling to find their footing.

• Notable Quotes:
  • Josh Hopkins at [17:01]: "People who watched it really liked it. It became a show about snarky neighbors who all drank wine together and made fun of each other."
  • Matt Jones at [19:03]: “We watched the first episode and we go, yeah, that's not good. And then it started being a hit.”

The discussion touches on the challenges of show titles and marketing, with the original title Cougar Town posing limitations but ultimately contributing to the show's identity.

---

Friendships and Experiences with Co-stars

The conversation shifts to Hopkins' friendships within the entertainment industry, notably his close bond with James Marsden. They reminisce about humorous and memorable moments, including interactions with other celebrities like Natasha Bedingfield and Rex Chapman.

• Notable Quote:
  • Matt Jones at [21:08]: "James Marsden singing Hallelujah. And I was like, see these people? They just..."

Hopkins emphasizes the balance between personal friendships and professional relationships, highlighting the supportive nature of his network despite the competitive environment.

---

Kentucky Sports Fandom

A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to Hopkins' unwavering support for Kentucky sports, particularly basketball. He shares stories of intense fandom, including attending games, following recruitment closely, and maintaining friendships with famous athletes like Rex Chapman.

• Notable Quotes:
  • Josh Hopkins at [64:16]: "I am. It's not, as you know, a lot of big blue nation will attest. It's like basketball's. It's not fun. It's like..."
  • Matt Jones at [71:02]: "Favorite win of all time for UK?"

Hopkins discusses the emotional highs and lows tied to sports, expressing both pride and the pressure that comes with being a dedicated fan.

---

Personal Reflections and Life Perspectives

The dialogue delves into Hopkins' personal life, touching on his experiences with relationships, the challenges of balancing fame, and the importance of friendships. He candidly discusses his decision to remain single, attributing it to the demanding nature of his career and the difficulty in maintaining relationships amidst his professional responsibilities.

• Notable Quotes:
  • Josh Hopkins at [26:59]: "I have to accept at some point, maybe this just isn't in the cards for me."
  • Matt Jones at [32:03]: "It hurts me to disappoint them."

Hopkins highlights the support he receives from long-term friendships, which provide emotional grounding amidst the uncertainties of his career.

---

The 'Rust' Incident

A poignant segment of the episode covers the tragic incident on the set of the movie Rust, where cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was accidentally shot by Alec Baldwin. Hopkins recounts the harrowing experience, his emotional response, and the aftermath, including the industry's reaction and the impact on his personal and professional life.

• Notable Quotes:
  • Josh Hopkins at [37:56]: "It was obviously one of the most horrific days and one of the most surreal experiences of my life."
  • Matt Jones at [43:36]: "Because of Alec. Probably."

Hopkins describes the chaos during the shoot, the immediate aftermath, and his efforts to support Baldwin and the Hutchins family. He reflects on the industry's shifting dynamics post-incident and the personal toll it took on him.

---

Returning to the Acting World Post-Incident

Despite the tragedy, Hopkins discusses his commitment to completing Rust in honor of Hutchins' legacy. He expresses pride in the final product and the positive reviews it received, while also sharing the emotional challenges of revisiting the project.

• Notable Quotes:
  • Josh Hopkins at [50:24]: "This is the most beautiful movie. I got to see it on the big screen."
  • Matt Jones at [60:17]: "What is the piece of art or work..."

Hopkins emphasizes the responsibility he felt in completing the film and the support he received from the Hutchins family and his peers.

---

Closing Thoughts and Future Plans

In the final segments, Hopkins touches on his resilience in the acting industry, the importance of perseverance, and the value of authentic friendships. He expresses enthusiasm for future collaborations and maintaining his passion for both acting and Kentucky sports.

• Notable Quotes:
  • Josh Hopkins at [61:15]: "I have this ability to be like, next. Forget about it."
  • Matt Jones at [80:56]: "You are one of the nicest people..."

Matt wraps up the conversation by praising Hopkins' character and expressing eagerness to continue their discussions, especially related to Kentucky basketball during the season.

---

Conclusion

Episode 14 of "Interrupted by Matt Jones" offers a comprehensive look into Josh Hopkins' life, both professional and personal. From his early days on Broadway to navigating the complexities of Hollywood, and from enduring personal tragedies to maintaining a fervent sports fandom, Hopkins provides listeners with a candid and heartfelt narrative. The episode underscores the importance of resilience, authentic relationships, and staying true to one's passions amidst the unpredictable tides of life and career.

---

Notable Quotes with Timestamps:

• Josh Hopkins [04:45]: "I didn't suck, but Ashley Judd was in that production."
• Josh Hopkins [12:07]: "I've done something like that. I always just kind of like feel like it's the last thing I did."
• Josh Hopkins [17:01]: "People who watched it really liked it. It became a show about snarky neighbors who all drank wine together and made fun of each other."
• Josh Hopkins [21:08]: "James Marsden singing Hallelujah. And I was like, see these people? They just..."
• Josh Hopkins [37:56]: "It was obviously one of the most horrific days and one of the most surreal experiences of my life."
• Josh Hopkins [50:24]: "This is the most beautiful movie. I got to see it on the big screen."
• Josh Hopkins [61:15]: "I have this ability to be like, next. Forget about it."
• Matt Jones [80:56]: "You are one of the nicest people..."

---

This summary encapsulates the key discussions, insights, and emotional moments from the episode, providing a comprehensive overview for those who haven't listened.

Transcript

[Lenovo Ad]

In the heat of battle, your squad relies on you. Don't let them down. Unlock elite gaming [e-mail], dominate every match with next level speed, seamless streaming and performance that won't quit and push your gameplay beyond limits with Intel Core Ultra processors. That's the power of Lenovo. With intel inside, maximize your edge by [e-mail] during their back to school sale. That's lenovo.com lenovo Lenovo.

[Josh Hopkins]

Gatorade is the.

[Matt Jones]

Number one proven electrolyte blend designed to hydrate better than water.

[Josh Hopkins]

So you can lose more sweat and raise your game. Gatorade Is it in you?

[Jacob Goldstein]

This is Jacob Goldstein from what's yous Problem? When you buy business software from lots of vendors, the costs add up and it gets complicated and confusing. Odoo solves this. It's a single company that sells a suite of enterprise apps that handles everything from accounting to inventory to sales. Odoo is all connected on a single platform in a simple and affordable way. You can save money without missing out on the features you need. Check out odoo@o d o o.com that's o d o o do.

[Nintendo Ad]

A treasure trove of bananas has been stolen and it's up to Donkey Kong and his buddy Pauline to get them back. This unlikely duo is going on a world smashing adventure using DK's destructive abilities to explore an underground world and the power of Pauline singing to activate wild transformations. Donkey Kong Bonanza available now. Rated everyone 10 and up only on Nintendo Switch 2 game and systems sold separately.

[Matt Jones]

This is Interrupted by Matt Jones on.

[Nintendo Ad]

Newsradio 840 WHAS now here's Matt Jones.

[Matt Jones]

Matt Jones Podcast presented by Cornbread Hemp. This is the good life actor and Kentuckian Josh Hopkins. He's one of my favorite people. He's a great actor, a good friend, and has been, you know, friend of the show for a long time. We've never really gotten to sit down with him and talk long form, so I thought this would be a great context and a great way to do it and it's nice to have Josh in here. All right, episode 14 of the Interrupted Matt Jones podcast. I was trying to scramble okay, who are we gonna have Monday? Cause we got a lot of people set up for the next three or four weeks they couldn't do this week. And then my buddy Josh Hopkins says, hey, I'm in town, would you like to me to come in? How nice. I was going to ask you in the next few weeks, but I don't want to burden people. And then you just volunteered. And so, Josh Hopkins, actor extraordinaire, Lexington, Kentucky, UK fan. Josh, how are you?

[Josh Hopkins]

I'm great, man. I'm happy to be here.

[Matt Jones]

You listen to this show, right?

[Josh Hopkins]

I text you. I was like, I listen, man. And I'm really enjoying it.

[Matt Jones]

Why do you like it? It feels like. I mean, I just. You can compliment me here or just talk about what you like in podcast.

[Josh Hopkins]

Well, you're in your bag fully here.

[Matt Jones]

Okay.

[Josh Hopkins]

You can. You know, not that you've shied away from anything in your. In your sports stuff, but here. Well, one can't say stick to sports. This isn't what it's.

[Matt Jones]

That's what it is.

[Josh Hopkins]

Yeah, it is what it is. If you don't like it. Yeah. Don't come here.

[Matt Jones]

All right.

[Josh Hopkins]

So plenty of sports.

[Matt Jones]

So people who don't know you, you are from Lexington, grew up here, went to Sayre High School state football champs. Can you. Did you ever think there'd be a time your little rinky d high school next to Transylvania would win the state football title?

[Josh Hopkins]

No. Sure. Didn't. Didn't have football.

[Matt Jones]

Did he not have football?

[Josh Hopkins]

When you're there. Didn't have football. We. We wouldn't have had. I'd have had to be.

[Matt Jones]

You could have played.

[Josh Hopkins]

Yeah. I'd had to play. We would have been. We'd all been hurt. So.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah. So now they. Who would have thought you're an athletic powerhouse? Those are your. Your friends at coach, right?

[Josh Hopkins]

Yeah. Yeah. Rob Goodman, Jay Atkins are, you know, head coach and assistant over there. Both played with me.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah.

[Josh Hopkins]

At Sayre. And it's. It's a lot of fun to go watch them play. They've done a great job, obviously, with the. With the program.

[Matt Jones]

So you. You become an actor. I want to go back. I'm in a minute. Talk to when you went to Auburn and left Lexington, et cetera. But you're an actor. Go to Hollywood. How long you been acting? Between your first gig and now?

[Josh Hopkins]

I mean, my adult life. You know, I moved to New York City when I was 21 or 22. Immediately booked understudy on Broadway for the show Picnic.

[Matt Jones]

I did not know you were on Broadway.

[Josh Hopkins]

Was that fun? Yeah, I was very. You know, I was brand new in New York.

[Matt Jones]

So what's an understudy? Is that, like, if somebody gets sick, you come in? So did you ever have to come in?

[Josh Hopkins]

I didn't suck, but Ashley Judd was. Was in that production.

[Matt Jones]

Really?

[Josh Hopkins]

Yeah. Yeah.

[Matt Jones]

Was that just a coincidence?

[Josh Hopkins]

Yeah.

[Matt Jones]

Two people From.

[Josh Hopkins]

From Sayre, actually. She was there for a little bit. And. Yeah, so I remember during rehearsals, because I'd have to be there and we'd have to. I'd have to do stuff. And it was during the tournament, and me running in and out going, oh, we're up six with 17 minutes.

[Matt Jones]

You know, that's a funny story. I saw Ashley Judd on. I believe it was Cat on a Hot Tin Roof. I believe it was what she was doing, but she was doing a play. I didn't know her at this point. I know her, but I went with my parents and I during the bows, you know, when they were. I said, we beat Louisville. Cause it was the day we played basketball against Louisville. And she. From the crowd, I went, we beat Louisville. And she looked at me and went, really? And I said, yes. And she started celebrating. And many years later, when I got to know her, she was like. That was you. I remember. So, like, you were the same thing.

[Josh Hopkins]

Yeah, yeah. Running in and out, going, okay, now we're down four, seven minutes.

[Matt Jones]

Wow. Do you know what. What tournament was that?

[Josh Hopkins]

No idea.

[Matt Jones]

All right, so you go to Broadway? Have you. Did you do any more Broadway, or was that the one time?

[Josh Hopkins]

Yeah, yeah. But never. I never sang.

[Matt Jones]

You didn't have to sing, but you've been. You've been like a stage actor.

[Josh Hopkins]

Yes.

[Matt Jones]

Hard.

[Josh Hopkins]

Yeah, but it's all hard. It's just completely different.

[Matt Jones]

But, like, you get. There's no. Like, there's no second cut there, right?

[Josh Hopkins]

No, no. But you also have weeks to months of rehearsal, you know, so you're not worried about the lines as much.

[Matt Jones]

Did you ever have your mind, like, go blank when you were doing it and you forget any of the lines, or did it just become.

[Josh Hopkins]

Yeah, I've had that happen. Oh, yeah, that's fun. But this. The person kind of saves you stuff and. And also that kind of stuff. It's horrifying as an actor, but that's why the theater is great.

[Matt Jones]

Yes.

[Josh Hopkins]

You know, the people that come are like that.

[Matt Jones]

It feels like big actors are doing more of that. Like, I know Clooney did a show recently, and there was the. What was it? The one that had Bill Burr and Bob Odenkirk and all of them. Bonfire, the Vanities. Like, is that. Do you feel like people want to kind of go back? I don't. Did that always happen? Was that.

[Josh Hopkins]

There was an aspect of it that always happened. I mean, the film and television, there's not much going on.

[Matt Jones]

So. Talk to me about that for a second. You've been doing this now for 30 years. Is it fair to say this is the hardest time to be an actor? Yeah. And explain to people why that is.

[Josh Hopkins]

Well, this is long winded. I'll make it really short. But the process, the what they built in Hollywood to, to make shows and, and television, it's dried up because now people are watching 15 second clips on their phone.

[Matt Jones]

Like TikTok.

[Josh Hopkins]

Yeah.

[Matt Jones]

Okay.

[Josh Hopkins]

And so there's a lot less. And as streaming started, all these studios and Amazon and Netflix came up and they were making money, so they went crazy and gave out all these deals.

[Matt Jones]

There were shows everywhere.

[Josh Hopkins]

It felt like all this stuff and, and, and they were like expanding, expanding, expanding. And that's the time when you had to be like, no, now I only can have Netflix for this. I have to, to see this, I have to have Apple Television, I have to have Amazon. Then no one could tell that the industry would go the way it did. And it all dried up.

[Matt Jones]

Is that because of COVID No, before.

[Josh Hopkins]

That it started because of Tick Tock and things like that and, and, and kids not watching television. And so then they had all these deals out there and they were going broke.

[Matt Jones]

Nobody. Well, there's too much stuff to watch. Right. Even if you wanted to watch everything, you couldn't.

[Josh Hopkins]

Right. And it was started to get watered down and worse. It wasn't like, oh look, the Sopranos. There was, there's still great stuff out there.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah.

[Josh Hopkins]

But it was watered down and they had all these deals out there for, for people that potentially to do shows. It spent so much money. Then they started going broke and consolidating and canceling stuff. Then the actor strike happened and, and writers. And that was a terrible idea because they used studios and corporations used that to cut all those deals.

[Matt Jones]

Gotcha.

[Josh Hopkins]

And so now there's a lot less on.

[Matt Jones]

So it was a perfect timing of a lot of bad things happening.

[Josh Hopkins]

Yeah. And Covid, obviously you.

[Matt Jones]

I always read these stories about how LA is dying. Like Hollywood as we know it, studios in LA are dying. You're one of the first person people I know who moved from LA to Austin. You did that like 12, 15 years ago. Right. Is that correct? That LA, just as a place, not the city as a whole, but as a place for Hollywood is kind of dying.

[Josh Hopkins]

Yeah, well, it's an industry town and the industry's leaving, you know, so it's LA is a, not a fun. But when I moved there, it was Hollywood. It was great and it was an exciting time in my life. And now you go Back. And it's. It's really. It's just depressing. It hasn't been that long. I've moved right before COVID So, like, six. Six years.

[Matt Jones]

I thought it was before that.

[Josh Hopkins]

Okay, so. But what had happened was I was, you know, even then, before COVID before everything went online in all the meetings, but it was already happening. I. I lived. You know, I'd been there 25 or 6 years, and I lived 12 minutes from Warner Brothers. And they'd say, you've got a meeting with these producers at Warner Brothers. I'd be like, great. They'd be like, ah, but we're gonna do it over Zoom. Yeah.

[Matt Jones]

Even though you were 12 minutes.

[Josh Hopkins]

Yeah. And then they started doing auditions and other meetings like that. I'm like, why?

[Matt Jones]

Why am I here?

[Josh Hopkins]

Yeah, I'm. I'm over to Austin.

[Matt Jones]

And now, like, then a ton of people went to Austin. I know your friends, like, James Marsden's. Your friend lives in Austin. But then Rogan went, and it felt like all these bro comedians went. And now I'm almost hearing backlash to Austin. Now there's people saying, now I don't want to be in Austin anymore. Do you. Do you feel that too?

[Josh Hopkins]

Yeah, sure. I mean, that's just the natural ebb and flow of things if, you know, see yourself a hero long enough to become a villain. That's true. And that's just the way of humans living in Austin. I love it.

[Matt Jones]

So people used to give me a hard time on KSR when I would visit Austin, but I actually started liking Austin. When you were there. I think I went one time. You were there. We hung out, we watched basketball game. I liked it. I came back during COVID I came a few times. Everybody thought, like, I had a secret girlfriend there, but I just liked Austin and. And. But I haven't been in a while, but. But you're still there. So let's talk about some of your acting stuff you did. I think most people know you from Co. Cougar Town.

[Josh Hopkins]

Yeah. I'd say.

[Matt Jones]

Is that the biggest thing you think you've done in terms of, like, the role you had in it?

[Josh Hopkins]

I mean, I think certainly. I don't know if it's most successful, but it was. It was the best for me. Six years, so.

[Matt Jones]

Six years of Cougar Town.

[Josh Hopkins]

Yeah.

[Matt Jones]

You get a show like that. Did you know immediately this is gonna work?

[Josh Hopkins]

No. No. You do know how many shows I've done? And. And they were. It was the show. It was the thing. Coming out of pilot season, everyone Talked about. And either the pilot didn't go. Probably 15 pilots, you know, you've done.

[Matt Jones]

15 pilots more than that that didn't end up on the air.

[Josh Hopkins]

I mean, at least I'm not sure how many. Yeah, like some. Some big, big pilots. Like there was one Louisiana Confidential. You remember the movie?

[Matt Jones]

Yeah.

[Josh Hopkins]

Well, this was the biggest show. And I was cast as the Russell Crowpart. No way. Chief for Sutherland was the. What's his name? He's canceled.

[Matt Jones]

Kevin Spacey.

[Josh Hopkins]

Yeah, he was Spacey part. And they put a lot of money into this.

[Matt Jones]

So it was you and Kiefer Sutherland. So you gotta think, this is gonna work.

[Josh Hopkins]

Everybody. This was the biggest pilot of the year.

[Matt Jones]

So what made it not work?

[Josh Hopkins]

Well, the pilot was good because I've done something like that. And then the pilot sucked. I was like. I knew when I was doing it.

[Matt Jones]

You knew it wouldn't work.

[Josh Hopkins]

Yeah, but I knew it was gonna cost a lot of money because it's period. And that's tough to pull off. But this happened a few times. The studio head, I think it was Warner Brothers, changed after we did that.

[Matt Jones]

So the person that said, yes, now's gone.

[Josh Hopkins]

Gone. And the person that comes in is like, ah, I want to do my own thing. I'm changing everything up.

[Matt Jones]

Like the Seth Rogan show. Studio. Like, it shows some of that at the beginning.

[Josh Hopkins]

Exactly.

[Matt Jones]

Is that show like, oh, it's. I mean, I know it's satire, but is it kind of dead on?

[Josh Hopkins]

It's painful to watch.

[Matt Jones]

Is it really?

[Josh Hopkins]

Yeah, yeah.

[Matt Jones]

I love it. Hilarious. But you. But like, that absurdity.

[Josh Hopkins]

You think it absolutely.

[Matt Jones]

Wow. Funny.

[Josh Hopkins]

And so that was a huge swing and miss for me. I mean, that would have made a huge difference in my career.

[Matt Jones]

It feels like a lot of the. Then it's just what luck. Like, you do this show, it's good. You're like, I'm next to Kiefer Sutherland. This is a movie franchise. I could do this for years. And then it just doesn't happen. But you said it was good, so it's just kind of bad luck, right?

[Josh Hopkins]

Yeah. I mean, as life is, you know, that's the way it goes for everybody. Right. You know, and some shows I've done that were good and made it to air and then didn't work in their time slot or the. Or the. The network.

[Matt Jones]

What's the one you look at and you go, I wish I had that one to do over again? Because it could have been the thing that.

[Josh Hopkins]

That's a pretty good one. I did a show that was on CBS called Swingtown.

[Matt Jones]

I remember Swing.

[Josh Hopkins]

Yeah. And it was originally supposed to be on Showtime, or so I think CBS owned. Owns or owned. It's there still Showtime.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah.

[Josh Hopkins]

And it was about these couples in the cul de sac, and one was that were Swingers.

[Matt Jones]

Oh, it was a show about swingers.

[Josh Hopkins]

Yeah.

[Matt Jones]

Oh, wow.

[Josh Hopkins]

And then had it. CBS liked it so much they put it on cbs, which is. That doesn't sound like a CBS show. It doesn't seem like Blue Bloods.

[Matt Jones]

You would then go Tom Selleck to people swinging.

[Josh Hopkins]

Yeah, yeah. Well, that's this back then. It's Murder She Wrote. It's, you know, original MacGyver. It's the original MacGyver.

[Matt Jones]

Okay, gotcha.

[Josh Hopkins]

So I'm like, why are they doing that? And on Showtime, you know, it could have been a little raunchier, racier.

[Matt Jones]

Oh, I could see that as a Showtime show, right?

[Josh Hopkins]

Oh, sure, sure. But it was good. It really was good. But all these people came out against it, like, moms didn't want this on the air. And it wasn't. There was all sort of implied. There was, you know, so you. You feel there's no. Oh, yeah, we did, like, eight episodes, and then. And it was doing pretty well considering, you know, where it was. And then there was a writer strike.

[Matt Jones]

And then it's gone.

[Josh Hopkins]

And then we never came back after eight months of that.

[Matt Jones]

All right, so let's talk about what works here. Cougar Town. You get on Courtney Cox coming off of Friends. I know she became your real life friend. What was the moment that you went, okay, this is a thing.

[Josh Hopkins]

I mean, you constantly live in a. Oh, this could happen. Because you've been burnt a thousand times.

[Matt Jones]

I tell you so you can't even enjoy it.

[Josh Hopkins]

There's an aspect. At some point. Of course, what was great was we all got along. I thought the show was funnier than the title. And I.

[Matt Jones]

Title's bad. Yeah, the title was bad.

[Josh Hopkins]

We'll get into that.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah.

[Josh Hopkins]

So then I lived and it shot in la. So I got to be with my dogs and sleep in my own bed every day. Six years. That was. What a gift. Right? So, I mean, once it. I thought because of her, you know, we got a real shot here. But I've been burnt a lot.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah.

[Josh Hopkins]

And then we got on the air, and it did really well to begin. The first six were awful. They were really bad.

[Matt Jones]

So you. You know when something's awful.

[Josh Hopkins]

Yes. As you're filming it, I thought, this is kind of goofy, but maybe they'll cut it differently. Whatever. They just weren't awful. They were not good. And it hadn't established its rhythm, which happens with a lot of shows. Especially used to have them with shows like famously Seinfeld, you know, not as good in the first season and takes.

[Matt Jones]

A little while to Parks and Rec is another one that the first season feels like it's a different show than.

[Josh Hopkins]

The rest of it. Takes a while to get its legs. Well, now you can't do that because if all it was premiered bad, it's gone because it costs money. And it's about now, now, now, me, me, me culture. So it did really well. But those weren't very. They weren't great. And then about six or seven caught a rhythm.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah.

[Josh Hopkins]

And they started being what it was and finished all right. And I wasn't sure if we were coming back, but then we were. And then they thought about renaming the show because, you know, it was her cougar town, she's out. And it became. I was her boyfriend and it became. I started her neighbor across the street who made fun of me. I was with young girls and she was with old, you know, young guys. And we. It was always meant to be that attraction and those two get together. But they thought about changing the title because it wasn't that. And it was so off putting you.

[Matt Jones]

It was interesting. I knew you when it started and I wanted it to work because you were my friend. And I remember thinking, I think you didn't like the title from the beginning.

[Josh Hopkins]

It was limiting.

[Matt Jones]

Yes. And I.

[Josh Hopkins]

But on one hand, it could be what helped us get on the air.

[Matt Jones]

You're probably right. So Drew and I watched the first episode. I remember because we were so excited for you. And we watched the first episode and we talked and we go, yeah, that's not good. And so we didn't watch anymore. And then it started being a hit. And so I turned it back on, say halfway through season one. And then I was like, oh, this is good. And I. So you're right. Now, I didn't watch episodes two through six to eight to get there. But I did notice because Drew and I were so pulling for you on the first one and we were just like, yeah, hey, I get it.

[Josh Hopkins]

Yeah.

[Matt Jones]

But then it got better.

[Josh Hopkins]

And then, well, they couldn't change the name after the first year because what.

[Matt Jones]

Are you going to do?

[Josh Hopkins]

It's marketed that way. And this was the time when you had your TOS and it was already put in that way, you know, so then people would stop recording it Mario's.

[Matt Jones]

Too young to Even know what TiVo is. Look at that. How's that make you feel?

[Josh Hopkins]

Great. I don't know. And so we had to keep it. And it was always limited, but the people who watched it really liked it. It became a show about snarky neighbors who all drank wine together and made fun of each other. And in the end, it was fun.

[Matt Jones]

That was the thing. It was great. And you. During that time, I visited you once. You took me to Courtney Cox's house. Still one of the most bizarre nights of my life, when. What's his favorite? Her face. Natalie Imbrua. Or no, is that Natalie Imbruglia? Who's saying the rest? Is Natasha Bedingfield. Sorry. Natasha Bedingfield asked me to pick something out of her teeth. It was me and you. We were talking. This woman came over. She had dated John Mayer, and she was mad about how he treated her. You knew the woman. I did not. She was complaining. And then here comes Natasha Bedingfield, and she knew you, or at least acted like she knew you said hello. And then she looked at me and said, do I have something in my teeth? And she had, like, spinach. And she goes. She. I try to show her, and then she, like, takes my hand and I reach in her mouth and get the spinach out of her teeth.

[Josh Hopkins]

I remember. And I remember just. I didn't watch you do. I just watched your face because you turned red. And we're like, what is.

[Matt Jones]

Well, I mean, this was like, yeah, still unwritten. And I'm like, picking her teeth.

[Josh Hopkins]

That was fun.

[Matt Jones]

And Courtney Cox has one of the nicest houses I've ever seen.

[Josh Hopkins]

Yeah.

[Matt Jones]

Did it survive all the stuff?

[Josh Hopkins]

It did.

[Matt Jones]

Good.

[Josh Hopkins]

It did.

[Matt Jones]

And then we all sat in a circle, like, this is your life, but this is not my life. We all sat in a circle and then they. Everyone started singing.

[Josh Hopkins]

It wasn't like Kumbaya. No.

[Matt Jones]

People had a guitar and they were, like, singing their own songs. And I remember James Marsden, who at the time, I didn't know, but was your friend. He got up and he sang the Hallelujah song.

[Josh Hopkins]

Oh, yeah.

[Matt Jones]

And I thought, this dude is way too good looking to also be able to sing.

[Josh Hopkins]

Yeah.

[Matt Jones]

I don't know that I've ever been more jealous of a person than watching this beautiful Malibu residence, James Marsden singing Hallelujah. And I was like, see these people? They just.

[Josh Hopkins]

But, like. Like, stunningly, like, he could be a singer. Oh, yeah. He's been offered that. Imagine. It's tough.

[Matt Jones]

And he's like, Your friend.

[Josh Hopkins]

Tough to be, like, best friends with that guy. Right? He looks like that. He sings like that. He's super successful. He's a great actor. He's nice, fabulous person, a great dad. And the most mad I ever got at him was because he's got all that. And everywhere we go, the. James. James.

[Matt Jones]

Everywhere I've been out to eat with you all, like, he gets stopped everywhere.

[Josh Hopkins]

But one time because I have a hard time dyslexia. And I have a hard time memorizing my lines. You know, it's like, hard for me. I got to work pretty hard.

[Matt Jones]

I didn't know that.

[Josh Hopkins]

So I'm working. He goes, I never go up on my lines. The only time I go up on my lines is when I forget to turn the page in my head. I got so. And you have a photographic memory. It's like your DNA needs to replicate.

[Matt Jones]

He forgets to turn the page in his head.

[Josh Hopkins]

Yeah. Cause he could just read it from his memory.

[Matt Jones]

Wow, that's crazy.

[Josh Hopkins]

Yeah. But.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah. So what is it like to have a best. Like, he's one of your best friends, right?

[Josh Hopkins]

Sure.

[Matt Jones]

To have one of your best friends be. Be in your field and be super successful. I mean, not just, like, makes a ton of money, but does big, big movies. I. I thought his show. I thought his Jury Duty show is one of the best things I've seen in years. Yeah. You're happy for him, but are you at all, like, a little competitive?

[Josh Hopkins]

Well, that would be cruelty to myself, right? I mean, why would I do that? Like, oh, yeah, I lost again. Next time I'll show him. No, man, this. All my. Any friends that have any success in. It's a tough field, and I got so many that haven't that.

[Matt Jones]

Oh, you do? So you're friends with people that just never made it.

[Josh Hopkins]

Sure, most of my friends.

[Matt Jones]

Okay.

[Josh Hopkins]

You know, I know what you see is you come out and you see me with all these.

[Matt Jones]

I was with you with a couple guys who weren't once, but I didn't know who they were. They were just guys right to me. Right.

[Josh Hopkins]

Right.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah.

[Josh Hopkins]

So anybody that does anything, if you're anything other than happy for them, you're just going to be a miserable person. That's. That's just in life itself. Celebrate your friends.

[Matt Jones]

That's a great. That's a great perspective. So you. You went back to on the Mars and thing. Just a second. We went to dinner one time, and we were sitting at this table, and I was amazed at how we're just sitting there Strangers would come up to the table and wanted pictures with him and wanted all that. And you were making fun of it while it was happening. That though that was the moment because I don't think I ever knew someone like that. How exhausting it must have been to be like that, right?

[Josh Hopkins]

Yeah, yeah. I mean, you know when people come up to me to get a picture or something in the airport, they're like, this must be so. I'm so sorry. I'm like, thank you. Oh yeah, this is awesome. Do you want some more? I could, we could do a action.

[Matt Jones]

Shot, do a photo shoot.

[Josh Hopkins]

Can we go over there where everyone can see you getting your picture taken with me? Yeah. See that pretty girl? Go over there. I'mma talk to her and come ask for my picture.

[Matt Jones]

That's great.

[Josh Hopkins]

But he just handles it, you know, always with, he does.

[Matt Jones]

He was very nice to all of those people.

[Josh Hopkins]

He's a nice guy.

[Matt Jones]

You mentioned with the pretty girl. I'm not going to say any names but you've dated famous people a lot. And what's that like to be the boyfriend of someone that is uber famous? You've had a few. I'm not going to say who they.

[Josh Hopkins]

Are, but you've had uber famous. I don't know. I, I.

[Matt Jones]

Hard.

[Josh Hopkins]

I mean I, I never had a long, long relationship.

[Matt Jones]

Okay.

[Josh Hopkins]

You know, I've short lived and not annoying and I wouldn't really, wouldn't go out in public.

[Matt Jones]

Oh really? Yeah, just wouldn't go out in public.

[Josh Hopkins]

It was annoying.

[Matt Jones]

Interesting. So you. So that's a quote unquote celebrity relationship. Hard.

[Josh Hopkins]

Oh, I mean it wasn't. I never got to the point where I was in love or anything. You know what I mean? So it wasn't. And it was, it was how interesting stories 54.

[Matt Jones]

Okay. One thing I mean, you know, are on a much different level but you and I share is I'm 46, you're 54. We've both been single our entire lives. Do you get as tired of as I do of why haven't you married somebody? Like I'm sure people say that to you.

[Josh Hopkins]

Oh, my whole, whole, whole life. The thing is, is I never. This was not my plan. If you know, you talk to 24 year old Josh and 54 year old Josh had never been engaged and has no kids, I'd be like, like what is wrong with me?

[Matt Jones]

I get that.

[Josh Hopkins]

That was never my plan but life, life's, you know what I mean? I think being in LA was really tough. I think my industry I would start to get a little momentum with someone, and then I'd have to leave for six months.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah.

[Josh Hopkins]

So that sometimes the country, sometimes, you know, it's. It's. It's difficult. It's really. That's one of the reasons I got out. Two was one of the. Like, this is not gonna work.

[Matt Jones]

One of the reasons you got out of la?

[Josh Hopkins]

Yeah.

[Matt Jones]

Okay.

[Josh Hopkins]

Yeah. I was just. Okay. I've exhausted this city, and now I'm too old and tired to go pursue it here.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah.

[Josh Hopkins]

You know, you've got to drive 40 minutes or go say, you know, it's terrible, but I don't know what the question, but, oh, yeah. I never would have thought. And everyone's like, you'd be such a good father because I love kids.

[Matt Jones]

You do love kids.

[Josh Hopkins]

You really do. And I've had to accept at some point, maybe this just isn't in the cards for me. He'd be like, you could do it because you're a bad. Yeah, but I'm like, if I had a kid now, I'd have to hire someone to throw ball with him. Like, I can catch it and then hand it off. Mario, you come throw to my kid. I catch. And then I'd be like, could you. Could you pick him up and. Oh, hold it. Or.

[Matt Jones]

Okay, so. Cause let me. I'll be honest with you. I. I'm dealing with this with myself because people will say to me now, when you meet a woman, cool shoes. Thank you. They'll say something like, well, do you not want kids? And I always have to give the same answer, which is, well, if it happened, that would be fine, but I don't want to consider my life a failure if I don't. And I have this mixed reaction. I'm not lonely, and I don't live in any regret of not being married at the same time. You know, if you said to me, would you like to die and have never been married? The answer would probably be no. So there ends up being this, like, weird thing where I'm not unhappy. And there's no moment that I could say that was, I look back at regret, but at the same time, I don't want to not have that person. So I don't know what. How do you get what I'm saying? Sure you feel that.

[Josh Hopkins]

Absolutely. It's a great joke with my friends. I'm still great best friends with all my friends. Yes, you are.

[Matt Jones]

Like, as am I. That's something you and I share. People we've known since before all this.

[Josh Hopkins]

I'm super crazy. Blessed. Because all of my LA friends are great friends with my Kentucky friends.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah. That you do have.

[Josh Hopkins]

They entered lot, you know, So I would be like, hey, what. What you doing to a buddy in la? He's like, oh, I'm in Lexington. I'd be like, what?

[Matt Jones]

Yeah.

[Josh Hopkins]

I didn't even know, so. But most of my friends, all of them here, really, are family men, you know, and because of that, they've always been, like, call me, like, living through me, you know?

[Matt Jones]

Yeah, they do. Like, when people get married, then they want to live through the single friend, and then sometimes the single friend wants to live through the married friend. I think that's just natural. My married friends are the same way. They want to know who I went out with or when I did something fun. And then I. I don't know that I want to see their kids play, but I envy the relationship sometimes they have with their kids.

[Josh Hopkins]

Absolutely. It's like I, I, I tell because my friends call me to vent about their wives, you know, like, oh, she did this and whatever, and, you know, and. But I know inside that they never call me and go, you know, I woke up yesterday morning, and the sun was just coming right in onto her hair. And I said, that's. That's the woman I'm spending my. The mother of my children. She smelled like an angel. That just doesn't happen. They called me, like. And then she was like, the car's not good. So. But I rationally know that's not the way it is. But also, it's funny because they'll be like, I have to do this, this, that, and that and that, and I'll go, well, today I'm gonna do whatever I want.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah.

[Josh Hopkins]

And then they're like, but they go, yeah, but it'll be tough dying alone. So it goes back and forth real quickly. Yeah.

[Matt Jones]

And I get that there have been times in my life where I. I consider you a good friend, but, like, we don't. They'll go be long stories where we don't talk.

[Josh Hopkins]

Sure.

[Matt Jones]

But then there are times where I call you because I know you're, like, the only person that can relate to what I'm going through. You know what I mean? Like, that's happened a number of times where something's happened. And I go, josh Hopkins is the only person that can understand this on any level that I'm close to you.

[Josh Hopkins]

Poor thing.

[Matt Jones]

No, but, but do you know what I mean?

[Josh Hopkins]

No, I, like, absolutely get it. Yeah.

[Matt Jones]

Like. Like the idea of, you know, how much it bothers Me to disappoint people?

[Josh Hopkins]

Sure. Yeah, absolutely.

[Matt Jones]

Like, to disappoint fans or disappoint listeners. It disappoint it, like, it hurts me to disappoint them. And you can say that to somebody that doesn't live in the public eye and they don't get it. But you. You do. And you have said to me, sometimes it's okay because then you feel guilty going, well, my complaints are so, like, I've got a great life. But you've. You've been a person over there that say it's okay to feel that way because there have been times you're like, one of the few people I can get to relate.

[Josh Hopkins]

Well, people don't real. I think you've talked about it some in. Well, the. The show you did.

[Matt Jones]

The Netflix show.

[Josh Hopkins]

Yeah. The wrestling.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah.

[Josh Hopkins]

You know, it was a kind of a light into your character a little more. Where people see Matt Jones got, you know, on the radio, and you have to have an opinion and this and that. And you're a sensitive guy, overly sensitive. You're very sensitive. And a lot of people don't. Don't realize that. I think people have been, you know, listening to your show for years and years, kind of get that. But so I understand when you call, I'm like, yeah, he's a sensitive guy and he needs to. Yeah. And I'm. Usually, it's. It's okay.

[Matt Jones]

You know, there was a time I went to Austin, and I remember we watched UK Auburn together, and you and I were separately having difficulty for complete, like, in our personal lives separately. And we sat there and we watched Kentucky. I believe we lost to Auburn in that game. But we sat and watched in your house. And I remember thinking, like, this is really nice just to be able to just be exactly how I feel in the moment. And then you and I both got so pissed that Kentucky lost that we were able to forget about everything else because we were so mad at Bruce Pearl.

[Josh Hopkins]

Yeah, I love that. That's it. There's a show, Kentucky Therapy. Watching a game.

[Matt Jones]

While talking about basketball. How many. Think about how many people could do that.

[Josh Hopkins]

Yeah.

[Matt Jones]

I want to talk about your Kentucky missed opportunity.

[Josh Hopkins]

You know, how many missed opportunities I've had personally.

[Matt Jones]

Kentucky Therapy.

[Josh Hopkins]

I need to make my free throws in life.

[Matt Jones]

I want to talk about your Tucky basketball fandom in a minute, but let's back. What is the piece of art or work that you've been in that you think was the best, even if it wasn't the biggest role? What's the movie or the TV show that at the end you went, this is the best thing I've done.

[Josh Hopkins]

You know, people always ask, what's my favorite? And it's hard to do that because my favorite can be I did GI Jane years ago, and I've remained close with all those people.

[Matt Jones]

Gij. When you're young.

[Josh Hopkins]

Yeah. Very young.

[Matt Jones]

Demi Moore and.

[Josh Hopkins]

Yeah. My first studio film. And I've remained close with those.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah. I had to be happy when she kind of had a renewal with.

[Josh Hopkins]

Speaking of bad, I have a. I have a thing of bad titles. Gij. I mean, it's like running with my career. That was bad. Better movie than the title, you know, Ridley Scott movie. It was. It was good. What were you saying?

[Matt Jones]

I was asking you what's your. What you think was the best thing.

[Josh Hopkins]

Oh, yeah. So sometimes it's that. Sometimes it's like Cougar Town because I've made a whole lot of money and it was a great show to just stay home and do. And I liked everybody. Sometimes it's been a. The artistic experience. Just something I'm working with someone in the director and I really, you know, could. I could go deep.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah.

[Josh Hopkins]

In something. You know, So I always just kind of like feel like it's the last thing I did. In some ways, if it's a. If it's good, if it's an art, if it's not something selling, you know, detergent on television, you know, that's what it is.

[Matt Jones]

Life moves fast, but every now and then, you got to slow down and savor the goodness of it. That's where Cornbread Hemp comes in. Cornbread Hemp makes hemp wellness products that help folks like you relax, recharge, and feel like your best self. Naturally. Whether you're calming a busy mind, soothing sore muscles, or swapping out your evening drink, Cornbread's got something that fits your version of the good life. And their new line of infused seltzers are perfect for summertime. They're crisp, refreshing, and delicious with a 5 milligram infusion for a gentle buzz without the booze. Or you can try their best selling gummies, oils and topicals for daily relief and better sleep. Head to cornbread.com Matt Jones. Again, the code is Matt Jones Jones. 30% off your first order. Cornbread hemp.com/Matt Jones. The code is Matt Jones. Cornbread Hemp. This is the good life. Let's talk about. Because you know, you. For people who don't know, they certainly know of the movie. Rust was where your Movie with Alec Baldwin, where the. The woman who. What was her job that. Where she.

[Josh Hopkins]

She was the DP director of photography.

[Matt Jones]

Director of photography.

[Josh Hopkins]

Which is a huge.

[Matt Jones]

Is that a huge job?

[Josh Hopkins]

That's the one of the top three, four. Yes. I mean, that's. Everything that you see on the screen is. She's responsible for as far as the lighting, the background, the look, the everything. And it's a Western, which is.

[Matt Jones]

Makes it even more DPs dream. So she's on the shoot and cinematographer.

[Josh Hopkins]

You'Ll hear, called director, photographer, you know.

[Matt Jones]

And that was the movie where she was accidentally shot and unfortunately killed. This happened many years ago, and the movie just came out not that long ago, but. But of course led to many years of. With Alec Baldwin in the. I don't know to what extent you've talked about it. Were you on the set the day it happened?

[Josh Hopkins]

I was. I was not there. I was not in that room. I was not on the immediate set, but I was there. You know, I was at my trailer, very close.

[Matt Jones]

So talk to me, just talk to me about what happened that day.

[Josh Hopkins]

I mean, from my perspective, it was obviously one of the most. It was a horrible day and one of the most surreal experiences of my life. But, I mean, I'm in my trailer and the days just as they do, hurry up and wait. That, you know, the cliche. You hear. Cliches are for a reason. And I just, you know, what's I supposed to shoot a while ago? What. You know, and I'm always. That happened. But then I see a lot of radio activity, people running around and stuff. And so then I go to, like, a PA or AD that, you know, they're supposed to keep everything quiet, you know, like, what's going on? There's been an accident. Someone's gotten hurt because they don't even know everything at this point. And I thought is probably a stunt gone wrong because there were a lot of stunts. And I remember there were stunts that day, and I was worried about a stuntman having been hurt or something, but this is unfathomable to me. Then you hear, obviously, there's someone got shot, and then you hear who and what. And then there's helicopters coming in to airlift her out and police flying in, you know, and. And the ambulances.

[Matt Jones]

And you're in rural New Mexico. Right, right.

[Josh Hopkins]

And you're just kind of like, this, this. This. This can't be happening. And, you know, this is going to be. And then you hear Alex. Alex Gunn went off it, shot Helena. The DP Went through her. Hit Joel, the director, in his shoulder. And then, you see, they're airlifting her out, and you're just scared to death. I called my parents, my family. Oh, no. I text on our family text chain. I said, you're going to be hearing about this thing and the shooting, and I am fine. Okay. I just want you to know that I can explain later, you know, and even my sister remembers going, what's he. We're not gonna. You know. And immediately, there I am on my phone in my trailer, and I can see my trailer from. There's helicopters live on my. You know, I'm watching. And I'm just freaked out. Obviously, this takes a long time. They drive Joel out in an ambulance. They airlift her to a hospital. And one of the medics comes down, and he says, she's going to be fine. That's what he says to me and people. And we're, like, all freaked out. And so then at some point, we're all sitting there, and we all start on our phone. No, on our phone, getting. She's passed all of us, like, at the same time, different outlets.

[Matt Jones]

And I like news reports.

[Josh Hopkins]

Yeah. And I mean, this can't. This. This guy just told me I'm here. This guy just told me she's going to be fine. He was up, treating her. And then that sinks in as much as it can now. You're just numb. And then the police come in. It's like, no one can leave. This is a murder scene. Wow. So, you know, I get emotional talking about it, because she was, you know, it was an emotional time. She was a wonderful person. And so we all had to stay there for. For a long time and get questioned and corralled. And eventually they let us out. And then there's police coming off of this ranch we were on. I mean, there were people, you know, paparazzi and all these people trying to get pictures. And then the next day, maybe it was two. I think the next day. I mean, I know we're getting shut down. I think this is all, you know, like, who cares?

[Matt Jones]

Yeah.

[Josh Hopkins]

But we have a huge meeting in the ballroom of a hotel that a lot of the crew is staying at. And Helena Hutchinson Hutchins is her. Was her. Is her name. And her husband and son came. He was nine. And we have this big discussion about it, and they're there. And her husband is amazing. He's like, you know, she loved this more than anything in the world. She loved this art more than anything in the world. He was joking. Like, we came second. And he was making this crew of 100 people feel good, which was one of the most amazing things I've. I've ever seen. You know, I'm sure they're all. But there's the sun and you're. It all's hitting and. And it can't. So it just hurts my soul now. Then we're released. And I didn't want to go. I didn't want to go back through the airport and go back to Austin because they were waiting for us, you know, And Jensen Ackles do you know, he was on the movie and he and I. He had lived in Austin too. He and I drove back so you wouldn't have to. Yeah. Deal with any of that. And then, I mean, that's the very quick version.

[Matt Jones]

So then it becomes a circus.

[Josh Hopkins]

Yeah.

[Matt Jones]

Because of Alec. Probably.

[Josh Hopkins]

Then I can't heal from it or no one can. I mean. And, you know, it's not like I'm the main one to have to heal from this, but it's a. It's a tough event. And when you're on a movie set or TV and you are on location, it's really. Is you become this community because.

[Matt Jones]

Like a camp, Right.

[Josh Hopkins]

Yeah. Because you're the only one that knows each other. And so we're the only ones that knew what this felt like at this time. And I try and relate in my mind what it must like in a way to be at a school shooting, you know, where only people in the school really understand what this feels like in this moment.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah.

[Josh Hopkins]

And. But then it's on tv, every channel on your phone constantly.

[Matt Jones]

And are you just getting bombarded by press requests by.

[Josh Hopkins]

Yes. And you know how they find. Find my numbers. Weird how they all on, you know, Instagram and requests and. You know, obviously I'm not going to say anything. I don't even know what's going on. I don't know what happened for sure. You know, I'm hearing rumors the same way everyone else is.

[Matt Jones]

So it's Alec Baldwin, obviously. Had you become close to him at that point? Had you all become friendly?

[Josh Hopkins]

Oh, yeah. Yeah.

[Matt Jones]

Okay. So now, I mean, there's two issues here. Like there's the. The deceased. And then you have what's happened without Baldwin. So you said you all have been through this now. Do you talk to him? How do you deal with that with him? Because that's also a big a piece of this.

[Josh Hopkins]

Yeah, you know, we definitely talked about it. He was. When we were there and talked. He's still in complete shock. I mean, I try. Can you imagine being in that room? Everyone's trying to set things up. She's actually telling him ways to kind of point the gun because she's trying to get the lighting right. You know, this is. And get the camera over here. And she's like, dude, all right. And everyone's working and the directors behind her trying to see. Because that day the. The screens where they could look from. From their. The director's little hut was. Were down.

[Matt Jones]

Oh. So that's why they were there.

[Josh Hopkins]

So they were there trying to see exactly how it would look. And the gun goes off. And can you imagine being. First of all, they're in a small place, It's a full round. So you know how loud that is in a small place. It's like a stun gun went off. And then she falls back and he falls down screaming, and everyone's just stopped and. And you look and you're sitting there holding a gun. Yeah. What that would do. You cannot get over that your entire life. So he was very much just, ah. You know, he had a thousand yards there and just sort of. But once. Once he went back to New York. We spoke a couple times, but he was leaning on his family and going through a lot. And I just, you know, he'd call a couple times. Okay. I just. But he had other people to talk to about that. But what they tried to do to him is completely unfair.

[Matt Jones]

So talk about that. I mean, it was clear that there became an effort from some people, for whatever reason, to not only blame him, you had people trying to blame him legally. You had people who just didn't like him, who were blaming him in the press. When you were watching it, did. You felt like it was unfair?

[Josh Hopkins]

Yeah, completely. And motivated. Motivated politically. And I felt like the D. A There was trying to make a name and a lot. It. It was infuriating in a lot of ways, you know, and then you read things online, which you shouldn't do, but people don't know any. Anything about a set and how it works, and they don't know about anyone's heart and anything about the situation and this and that and. And. And Donald Trump Jr. Selling T shirts that say guns don't kill people. Alec Baldwin does. And I just think it's so gross. And, you know, when you're on a set, I've shot a gun I don't know how many times on a set. A lot of times. But even just to carry a gun on a set, they come up and the armor comes in and they see, you know, I usually had Glocks because I was doing police stuff or something. They come and they shine a light through the barrel and then they show you there's nothing in it. And then they take it and they cock it and they boom, shoot it and give it to you. Right. Well, I always do. I will say, I always cock it and go boom. Again. I just. Right. But these were this first time I'd worked with six shooters. And they're old guns, very old. And so some of them wouldn't fight. You know, I. It was different. I was not used to this. You know, they'd show you and there's these dummy rounds in the chamber. And so also, I didn't even know this is how dumb I was about six shooters. I was like, you know those old guns, you have to pull the trigger back for it to work. You don't just pull the trigger and the trigger comes back like old cap guns.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah.

[Josh Hopkins]

And does it itself. Doesn't do that. Those. You had to pull it back and shoot it. Had it. That's why you see guys doing the bang, bang, bang, you know, with their hand on the trigger. So there's a myriad of possibilities what could happen. You know, I'm sure they were saying, pull that back and see how this, you know, and people taking advantage of the situation just made me sick, made me really sad for him, for her family, for her son, for this to be going on. And as soon as died down, then, oh, they're back in court, you know, a few months later, it just kept happening. I just felt for her son having to relive this.

[Matt Jones]

So you go through all that. I talked to you some during that. I know it really affected you. And then there's the question of, are you going to finish the movie? And then people decide to do it when you. What was your thought? Did you want to do it?

[Josh Hopkins]

Well, I never in a thousand years thought that we would finish it. And there's a thought of that could be very much in horribly bad taste.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah.

[Josh Hopkins]

Well, there was talk of things. And so they called me. The. The director called me and he said, look, the family wants it done. They want this finished. They said that's what she would want. She was so excited. They want the world to see her work. And I said, I said, look, I believe you under. And you're not gonna lie to me, but I ain't going anywhere until I hear it from the husband's mouth.

[Matt Jones]

Okay.

[Josh Hopkins]

So they put me on a zoom with him and he said, he asked Me to come back. He said, this is what she would have wanted and we want the world to see her work and we want this finished. So not only did he want it done, her parents and sister all were in agreeance. They wanted it done. And all the money from the movie went to them. There's. This is not a cash making or deal anymore. So then I'm like, this makes total sense. I'm not going to tell you. No. Yeah, and it was, it was a difficult thing and, and it feel when.

[Matt Jones]

You got back on set.

[Josh Hopkins]

Yeah. Really crazy. We had switched locations. Thank God we didn't go back to that, you know, so we went to Montana and finished there. But yeah, but that also felt like, wow, we have a real big responsibility now. Yeah.

[Matt Jones]

Did you. So now you go back or have you had a situation when you've had to now hold a gun in your hand?

[Josh Hopkins]

Oh, yeah. Well, on that set now, obviously there were no working guns.

[Matt Jones]

Okay.

[Josh Hopkins]

Now which is the way I think it should be all the time. And I don't understand with, with CGI and the things they can do today. Put a muzzle flash now it be coming on YouTube. Be a Mime now. You know, I've got a recoil with the shot. Who cares?

[Matt Jones]

Yeah.

[Josh Hopkins]

But that was just weird there. And of course, every time we he the armor, the new armor would pass out guns and, and whatnot, even though there were no working guns. We'd go through a whole thing before.

[Matt Jones]

But did you still find yourself struggling to pull the trigger?

[Josh Hopkins]

Not really.

[Matt Jones]

Okay.

[Josh Hopkins]

Now, I had done something in between there where I had to shoot at someone and it was an air pistol thing that looked very real and I was weirded out.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah, I would think so.

[Josh Hopkins]

Yeah. Yeah. And no one on the crew knew.

[Matt Jones]

Why you were weirded out?

[Josh Hopkins]

I had. Well, they didn't, they, they couldn't. I wouldn't noticeably. I was inside weirded out, you know, but no one knew what I was kind of going through then. And you know, they gave me this air pistol and I would just be like, bang, bang, bang, bang, bang. They're like, I told, it's cleared. I'm like, hey, fella.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah.

[Josh Hopkins]

And so that was weird. But once, I mean, I, I, there was. They didn't work.

[Matt Jones]

So that's been now a number of years. Do you like, do you like. I don't know how to say this. Do you want to, do you talk about that? You were in the movie. Do you think it hangs over you? Does it? I mean, I know there's people I've Tried to, like, never ask you about it, because I don't want to be your friend going, tell me about this experience. I'm sure people want to talk to you about, like, how do you deal with it now, five years later? Because, like, Russ, that's that.

[Josh Hopkins]

Right.

[Matt Jones]

You know.

[Josh Hopkins]

Right. Well, I don't know. I mean, there's just natural curiosity, you know, that's going to be. You can't blame people for that. Now, some people have no tact, you know, But I knew when I got back and to a certain extent, my friends were calling, I was like, you know what? Why don't we all go get a beer? And I can say this once.

[Matt Jones]

Interesting. Yeah.

[Josh Hopkins]

Instead of 27 times.

[Matt Jones]

That's interesting.

[Josh Hopkins]

You know, And I don't.

[Matt Jones]

You just want to. Real one time.

[Josh Hopkins]

Yeah. Look. Yeah.

[Matt Jones]

Ask me whatever you want. This one time. It's funny. Completely different situation. I had a friend in college who, when he got out of college, came out of the closet and he told. He made us all get together, and he said, I'm going to answer all of this. One time.

[Josh Hopkins]

Yeah.

[Matt Jones]

And he sat with all of us and he did it. And then, like, it never got brought up again. But I still distinctly remember he's like, I want all your questions, everything. Because this was 20 years ago when he didn't. And I thought that was a really interesting way to handle it.

[Josh Hopkins]

One time sounds brilliant.

[Matt Jones]

And that's kind of what you did, too, sort of.

[Josh Hopkins]

Yeah. Yeah.

[Matt Jones]

Well, I. It's. It's amazing to have to have gone through and you now did the move. When the movie came out, did you watch it?

[Josh Hopkins]

Yeah, yeah, I watched it. I went and had to do press for it, which is really difficult because this is.

[Matt Jones]

While they ask you right in.

[Josh Hopkins]

In New York. I was there for a week doing stuff, but amazingly, everyone was very respectful about it. And I had a message to get out, which was the family wanted it done. This isn't the producers, like, trying to make what money we can get back. The money's going to them. And it was. I think it's a beautiful movie. I got to see it on the big screen there, which is, you know, if you're going to watch a Western, that's the real way to see it. And I didn't realize years later, when it was completed, how it would have. Once I saw her beautiful work up on the big screen, I just welled up. I couldn't. I didn't realize that would happen to me, you know?

[Matt Jones]

Yeah.

[Josh Hopkins]

But her work is so beautiful in it. And the movie got so. So reviews. I. I think pretty good, considering everyone wants to hate it.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah.

[Josh Hopkins]

You know, they all want to be. I can't believe they all want to be outraged. And I got really good reviews, which was nice, and I'm very proud of my work in it. Now, the second part of that is. Which was tough for me. My father loves movies. Loved. He passed three years ago.

[Matt Jones]

Former congressman.

[Josh Hopkins]

Yep. Yep. And. And he loved movies, and he loved westerns. He would say, my whole life, you should do a Western. And I'd be like, well, I can't. That's not really.

[Matt Jones]

You don't really have the Western.

[Josh Hopkins]

Yeah.

[Matt Jones]

Right.

[Josh Hopkins]

Well, I don't really. It's not up to me. I gotta get a Western. I can't go, hey, I want to do. Do a Western. Okay. Call somebody.

[Matt Jones]

Josh Hopkins is demanding a Western.

[Josh Hopkins]

Yeah. Yeah. So. But my whole family would laugh at him saying, you got to do it. And then finally, this happened, and I. He was then out of the house for good. And, like, he's a very social guy. And Covid happened, and he was in there alone, couldn't, you know, for almost a year, getting care. Yes. Yes. And he was so excited when I went off to do this movie, to do a Western. He was so excited. And then the accident happened, and it was hard to explain to him, you know, just that that is over. And when we came back, like, I could just, you know, feel him and I. It's tough to watch it in the. He would have. He would have watched this movie 50 times. And there's one day in particular. You know, you're always. You know, it's not as glamorous as you're tired. You know, we're there 16 hours, let's say, for this day. And it's a big shootout in a bar.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah.

[Josh Hopkins]

In a saloon. Excuse me. And I come in, and I open this saloon door, you know, and I'm backlit, and a cowboy hat and a sheriff's pen and, you know, tickling my gun. Yeah. And I'm like, you get up. You know, that sort of thing. And, you know, walking in, and then, bang, bang. Do this shot where you shoot a guy off the.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah.

[Josh Hopkins]

Classic shot where he falls from the top. Yeah, yeah. Bang, bang. All this stuff, it takes all day. And at the end of this scene, the smoke's going out, people cry, and I'm the only guy still standing.

[Matt Jones]

No, that's kind of badass.

[Josh Hopkins]

And that took so long to shoot, and. Oh, God. And I remember thinking, I hope this lasts forever.

[Matt Jones]

You probably thought my dad would love this.

[Josh Hopkins]

Oh, I was. Could feel him. I was just. I hope this day lasts forever because I could just. I could feel him. And so there's a lot of emotion tied to this film for me. And I think this goes back to what your favorite, most proud work. I'm gonna say now, especially after this. I'm really proud of the work I did. Of course, like, as is the actors, there's some of my favorite scenes for cut. But I have a lot of motion tied up into this movie, so.

[Matt Jones]

Well, I appreciate you talking to me about that. I was hesitant to even figure out if I was going to ask you about it, so this is the first time we've chatted about it, so I appreciate that. Let me do one more acting thing then. I want to talk UK sports.

[Josh Hopkins]

Yes, sir. Let's, please.

[Matt Jones]

If you people think the acting life is not only glamorous, they think, like, you make all the money in the world and it's the best thing in the world. I've talked to you at times where things are hot and where they're dry. What's it like when it's hot and then what's it like when it's dry?

[Josh Hopkins]

You know, every actor that's, you know, maybe not Leo or has dealt with this.

[Matt Jones]

Yes. I mean, I heard Jerry o' Connell say I'm kind of a failure. Just said that a couple weeks ago.

[Josh Hopkins]

I mean. Yeah. I mean, every actor deals with hot and cold.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah.

[Josh Hopkins]

Times. I mean, I always say to people, I know a lot of people more talented than. Than I. That. That gave up because they couldn't handle rejection. Yeah. I mean, I've been rejected more than a whole.

[Matt Jones]

That would be hard for me.

[Josh Hopkins]

A lot of people, you know, like, I. But I have this ability to be like, next. Forget about it. I did the bet I can. I did the best I could in that audition or this and move along now when it gets really, really, really close to something that could change your life and you don't get it, that that's heartbreak.

[Matt Jones]

Is there one that sticks out?

[Josh Hopkins]

Yeah. Yeah. Jerry Maguire.

[Matt Jones]

You were going to be who?

[Josh Hopkins]

Funny you should say that, but Jerry o' Connell's part, the Court.

[Matt Jones]

Really?

[Josh Hopkins]

Yeah. They flew me from New York to read. I read with Tom Cruise. Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Matt Jones]

That would have been a big one.

[Josh Hopkins]

That would have been a big one. And later I saw the casting director and she could have just been, you know, but she was like. If you'd lived in la, you would have gotten that. They. They did everybody so many times and made them come in. But. And I was perfect. It was the cocky quarterback. I was only 20. Whatever, you know?

[Matt Jones]

Yeah.

[Josh Hopkins]

Plus, I got a howitzer for an arm I could throw. Oh, yeah. I got a cannon. I didn't know that had a cannon. And it would have changed my life completely. Like, I would have had a movie career, but I don't know for how long. And I always. I don't regret stuff like that. I always look back and go, I was probably too dumb to get that responsibility then. And I always think I probably done some stupid shoot that embarrassed my family. Yeah. You know, I'm like, I probably just wasn't mature enough, and I just trust in it. And then immediately afterwards, I booked GI Jane and met some of my best friends for life on that. So I'm like, there's. There's just reasons for things, you know?

[Matt Jones]

Clayton and Croom was founded on a simple idea. All leather goods should last a lifetime. They make everything from bags, belts, wallets, and much more. And the best part, they're doing it right here in Kentucky. You can check them out. Claytonandkroom.com. that's C R U M E dot com. Or you can visit their flagship retail store in Louisville at 216 S. Shelby St. That's in Nulu. It's Clayton and Croom. Quality leather goods. Built to last. All right, so let's switch gears. Let's talk a little UK sports. I met you because when I was doing the blog pre radio show. Okay. So this is just when I'm a dorky kid writing on a blog. Out of nowhere, this actor writes me and tells me how much he likes it. And I remember thinking, this is the coolest thing in the world. This is an actor. And he likes my book blog. That's wild. And we. We end up talking. And I just realized you're not just like famous person. That's a UK fan. You are a crazy UK fan.

[Josh Hopkins]

I am. It's not, as you know, a lot of big blue nation will attest. It's like basketball's. It's not fun. It's like. It's fun game to game, we win. But like, come March, I almost enjoyed this march more than many others because it's not fun when you are the best team.

[Matt Jones]

It's what you've. It's like there's almost too much pressure.

[Josh Hopkins]

Too much.

[Matt Jones]

It's too much.

[Josh Hopkins]

And when you. When you win, you're not happy. You're just relieved. You're like, whoa, we got through that one. Let's go. And when you lose, it's devastating. You know, 2015.

[Matt Jones]

So 2015, you. When we lost 38 and one team, you came on the post game show. And if people could go back and listen. You and I sound like we're both like, we don't even know what to say. We're so sad.

[Josh Hopkins]

By the way, I didn't come on the post game. I stumbled upon it. I left that dome.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah.

[Josh Hopkins]

And was a zombie walking around Indianapolis for two hours. Like, I was like, you know, do the Thriller dance. I was absolutely, you know, you were.

[Matt Jones]

As sad as you were. You did. You had to look like your soul had been taken from you.

[Josh Hopkins]

I. And I stumbled upon you guys.

[Matt Jones]

We were just in a lobby.

[Josh Hopkins]

In a lobby somewhere. I was just. And you ever come over and I just sat there and we just commiserated, but still just stunned. And that was awful. But that's. To me, the fandom is almost so much. It's just. It's almost not fun at times. But last year I really liked it because we all knew we weren't going to go the whole way. We all knew we had this new start and it was. It was a dream season, especially once we made it to the sweet 16. It was like, this is. This is unbelievable. You know, what a great year. And so. But usually my fandom is such that it's hard to enjoy.

[Matt Jones]

But you, like, follow recruits. Like, you would text me before the Harrison twins decide and you're like, is it gonna happen? And then you would go, I remember Julius Randall. I came out and said, he's gonna go to Kentucky. And you were like, are you sure? Before I get my hopes up, he's not going to go to Florida or Duke. I'm like, I'm telling you, it's going to be. Are you sure? Like, I mean, you follow it on an intense level. Do people in your life that are not Kentucky fans ask you what is wrong with you?

[Josh Hopkins]

Yes, they do. But more like in Hollywood, everyone. Everyone knows I'm from Kentucky. I have so much pride in it. And I rep Kentucky all the time. But also it's annoying to people.

[Matt Jones]

But in paradise, the show that James Marsden does, that got good reviews and he was. Was he the president? Is that what his job? I haven't seen. There are multiple Kentucky basketball references. Can you say that you are the reason that paradise has multiple Kentucky basketball references? Yes, I assume so.

[Josh Hopkins]

First time. First time.

[Matt Jones]

I assume so. Right. Did James do that for you?

[Josh Hopkins]

Well, I was staying with him out there. While I was shooting something else. And he mentioned the same. This should be Kentucky.

[Matt Jones]

Oh, it was gonna be something else.

[Josh Hopkins]

Well, they were talking about a team, and then, you know, they talked about Laettner. And I was like, this would be a thread here, because then his name was his call sign to the Secret Service. Leitner Lightner. So. Yeah. Yeah.

[Matt Jones]

How cool.

[Josh Hopkins]

But everything I've done.

[Matt Jones]

Fandom to get your friend to put references to Kentucky basketball.

[Josh Hopkins]

Well, everything I've done, like a TV show. It's. There's always been, like, my character on the walls, like a diploma from the University of Kentucky. He opens his closet and there's a Kentucky shirt. Always put little things in just for fun.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah, no, that's. That's. That's great. You went to Auburn. You. If I'm correct, if I remember, broke into the Kentucky locker room when they played a road game at Auburn to steal Kentucky paraphernalia.

[Josh Hopkins]

Yeah, yeah.

[Matt Jones]

Not because you. You just wanted it.

[Josh Hopkins]

I was in the plan. I was in the planning stages of it. We had a buddy who was a. You know, for Auburn, Seymour, today. The. The manager.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Josh Hopkins]

And he said, I'm gonna leave it open. And then one of my roommates. And so then one of another buddy who was visiting who didn't go to Auburn, went in there and got the booty.

[Matt Jones]

And what did you get?

[Josh Hopkins]

I. I still have this Mashburn shooting shirt. It says Mashburn on the back. That's. So they're on my Instagram. If you go way back. I took pictures of it.

[Matt Jones]

So this was when Mashburn's on the team. You went and got Mashburn's shooting shirt.

[Josh Hopkins]

And then we were like, this is so awesome. Oh, we can't wear them.

[Matt Jones]

You could never wear them.

[Josh Hopkins]

Yeah, you could never wear. So dumb. We were.

[Matt Jones]

And didn't you grow up, like, an insane fan of Rex Chapman?

[Josh Hopkins]

Super. It hit me at the exact spot of, you know, he was only three or four years older.

[Matt Jones]

But didn't you, like, go and take pictures with his car?

[Josh Hopkins]

Yeah, of course. When he would be, like, at Fayette Mall and be there. Remember, people went to the mall because there was. That's how bored we were. And go to the mall and, like, a couple times, Rex was there. And then I had to go to a payphone and be like, rex is here. And people come, and we kind of, like, follow him around. He'd turn around, we'd be like, da, da, da. Look at our watch. Like, we're not following him.

[Matt Jones]

You became friends with him like you became.

[Josh Hopkins]

This is a great one time.

[Matt Jones]

This would be like Mario becoming friends with Bronnie. Like you became friends. Friends with the guy that was your hero.

[Josh Hopkins]

That was bizarre. It's still wild. We are really close. And still when my phone will light up and says, oh, calling Rex Chapman, I'd be like, oh, call. Oh, my God, Rex is calling. I'm all tingly. And then I'm like, sup, dude? Yeah, man. I'm just chilling.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah, that's.

[Josh Hopkins]

That.

[Matt Jones]

That's. That's awesome. And so you live and die by these wins. Favorite win of all time for uk Besides like a national championship, what's your favorite one?

[Josh Hopkins]

Yeah, boy, that's. That's. That's tough. You know that. Anthony Davis block at Rupperina over Carolina.

[Matt Jones]

Great. Were you there?

[Josh Hopkins]

Yeah.

[Matt Jones]

Oh, so loud.

[Josh Hopkins]

Really enjoyed such a great environment. You know, there's just.

[Matt Jones]

Well, let's go. Let's just, let's. You know, for our Kentucky, let's just go over a few things. John Wall crossing him over and Rupp. And like when you knew we had John Wall.

[Josh Hopkins]

Oh, that was it. I contended at the time because, you know, people do not realize this. Before Cal, through our era of basketball, we had an amazing lack of NBA.

[Matt Jones]

Players for a long time.

[Josh Hopkins]

I mean, for a program that was still the best program.

[Matt Jones]

Tayshawn and Rondo, and that's about it for 15 years. I mean, Bogans, I guess, but not many.

[Josh Hopkins]

But they weren't MVPs and no all Stars. And. Yeah, you know, this wasn't. But that's three. And then, you know, Cal came in and now we have this. We have the. Which is so much fun. So when John Wall came, you know, Carolina and Jordan and all these schools, Len Bias and we. We just didn't have the coolest player.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah. And you were insane during the John Wall recruitment. You texted me every day.

[Josh Hopkins]

He's got the best. What do they call them? Mixtape ever.

[Matt Jones]

Best mixtape ever.

[Josh Hopkins]

Yes.

[Matt Jones]

Best mixtape ever. Mario, you need to see his mixtape. Best mixtape ever.

[Josh Hopkins]

Oh, it's unbelievable.

[Matt Jones]

Unbelievable.

[Josh Hopkins]

The blocks, the. You know, and then you're seeing him dunk left handed more than right, you know, we didn't realize Demarcus. I mean, I was. I'm still scared of him. I mean, he's scary, dude.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah.

[Josh Hopkins]

Yeah. I mean, it was fantastic. That was one of the worst losses.

[Matt Jones]

The run with the twins.

[Josh Hopkins]

So much fun. You know what was great about that was I was shooting something in Montreal and the tournament started and I went to a place like they're not watching it. I went to a sports bar, and they got junior league hockey on every tv. And I'm irate. I'm like, what are you doing? And then let's see if. Yeah, we'll see if we can find it. Hey, yeah, basketball. Yeah, I like the dunk shot, eh? Yeah, we'll see if it's streaming on here. And would get them. And then finally, when we got to, you know, out of the first round, they were on tv.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah.

[Josh Hopkins]

They had the New York feeds. And. And I just remember being in my hotel room watching those alone. And I had a thing, like, every year, like, when. Where I'd have to set my phone just right.

[Matt Jones]

You gotta be in the right spot.

[Josh Hopkins]

And that year, one of my worst thing. I don't know, every time someone would text me because people that are like, I said, everyone knows I'm this huge fan. And people that aren't good enough fans be like, hey, they're doing good. And I wanted to jump through the phone and kill people.

[Matt Jones]

Yes.

[Josh Hopkins]

And I somehow in my worry, but I had to write everyone back. I'm like, yep, sure, thanks. And then they write like, yeah, you watch. Yes. Click. And then there'll be all these people. I felt like I had to answer or we were gonna lose.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah.

[Josh Hopkins]

So that was awful. But hitting those shots, that was a run in sports, just plain sports history, you know, if that had happened in soccer, league, anything.

[Matt Jones]

What about when we lost to Luke May? The Luke May jumper with Fox Monk?

[Josh Hopkins]

Yeah. That was because that was one of the most fun years.

[Matt Jones]

When did you jump off? Like, you were like, I loved Cal, but we need a change. Or did you never. You have friends who were way off, like, and you were always having to deal with that.

[Josh Hopkins]

I guess what happened with me was probably similar with. From what I can hear, happened to you and several people. I was like, we owed him a lot, and he's a Hall of Fame coach, and his shtick got tired here. And it was obvious that it would be better for everyone, but I was. And get who? You know, I didn't know. You know, that's a big.

[Matt Jones]

You were nervous about Pope during that time.

[Lenovo Ad]

Sure.

[Josh Hopkins]

Everyone that night, everybody was. I was like, everyone. I went to bed that night, like, what in the world? And woke up like, let's go. Because that's all you can do, you know? And it's turned out to be so great so far. But, you know, there's the. I was pumped about Billy Gillespie. You don't know what you're gonna get.

[Matt Jones]

You're like, he doesn't. He doesn't have a wife. He's got plenty of time. It's all he does is basketball. That's exactly married to the game.

[Josh Hopkins]

Yeah.

[Matt Jones]

You know.

[Josh Hopkins]

Yeah. And then, you know, I'm. I'm in Austin and I see they've. They've done this with their football coach for decades. You know, they finally got a guy in and they're back, but they got the most money to spend and everything. You do not know what you're going to get with a coach, do you?

[Matt Jones]

The famous people in Hollywood that we think are Kentucky fans. Ashley Judd is a real fan.

[Josh Hopkins]

Yeah.

[Matt Jones]

What about, like, Clooney? Is he a fan?

[Josh Hopkins]

I mean, we did the Perfect Storm together and we talked about it. You know, he is. You know, he's Northern Kentucky, almost Cincinnati Ish. And he's a big fan, but I don't think he's. I don't think he was a Cal fan.

[Matt Jones]

Oh, okay.

[Josh Hopkins]

And so I think that Clooney was anti Cal. There you go.

[Matt Jones]

There's a headline for you.

[Josh Hopkins]

No, but I don't know that he was. You know, that's. Here we go. But I just don't think he was as invested during that time. I don't know why.

[Matt Jones]

You know, so he was, like, in the Rick era, was a big fan.

[Josh Hopkins]

Yeah, I think. I believe so.

[Matt Jones]

Who else is famous that's a Kentucky fan that you know of that maybe you would know that we wouldn't. Is there any.

[Josh Hopkins]

Well, you know, Josh Hutchinson.

[Matt Jones]

Hutchinson, yes. Hutchinson from what? Hunger Games. Is that right?

[Josh Hopkins]

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Matt Jones]

And you introduced me to one of him once. He was a nice guy.

[Josh Hopkins]

Yeah. And of course, the best. Steve's on, dude.

[Matt Jones]

Steve's on.

[Josh Hopkins]

I mean, and he's a transplant fan.

[Matt Jones]

Yes.

[Josh Hopkins]

And he is as deep into it as anyone, especially football.

[Matt Jones]

He, like, really into football.

[Josh Hopkins]

I love it. I love it. And he was here for the buildup of stoops. But I. I said I saw him in the airport a few months ago. I was like, now you're gonna get a taste of Kentucky football. Can I see? Yeah.

[Matt Jones]

He's not gotten there. Had to live through the normal years.

[Josh Hopkins]

Yeah. Yeah. So I hope we can write the ship. But I was like, oh, all right.

[Matt Jones]

Last one. This year's team, you know, all the players.

[Josh Hopkins]

You know, I sometimes. Sometimes instead of saying, you know, Modi Bate, I'm like, the Alabama guy that's good at everything.

[Matt Jones]

I'm the same way.

[Josh Hopkins]

Right, Den? I'm like, the Florida guy was A senior and could have because he ran point and averaged 15 points, four assists. That guy.

[Matt Jones]

Yes.

[Josh Hopkins]

So I call him different things. If I can remember, there's rumors the.

[Matt Jones]

Croatian gets here today or tomorrow.

[Josh Hopkins]

Really? Yeah. That is the good thing about not having him this long is it's only going to.

[Matt Jones]

Is it Croatian? Slovenia.

[Josh Hopkins]

Slovenia.

[Matt Jones]

Slovenia. Well, what?

[Josh Hopkins]

Not Croatian.

[Matt Jones]

Slovenia.

[Josh Hopkins]

Remember? But yeah, because you're big into Croatian. Well, I remember Tony Ku coach.

[Matt Jones]

And, you know, I think he's Slovenian. I think that's what he is. Yeah.

[Josh Hopkins]

And. But at this point, because we've been without it, if he's great, it's only icing, you know, if he's just not all that, we're kind of like, oh, yeah, I forgot he was coming, you know, But I'm excited that. To. To hear stuff. I thought it was really interesting. You know, it's not just Cal that does the. The coach talk to the press. Right. To talk to his team through it. And I think we're going to be hearing a lot from Pope about the defense.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah, they got to get better.

[Josh Hopkins]

Yeah. Because he came right out with that. The first thing saying they just were just terrible on the defense because he knows that's where we're going to hang our hat this year, win or lose. Yeah. We're going to. If we're going to be great, we've got to be great at defense.

[Matt Jones]

I want to tell you, I like to do this with people that people may know to say to whatever extent a seal of approval for me matters. Josh, is. You are one of the nicest people. When I say a good friend, you're like a great friend. You're not only a great friend to me, you're a great friend to a lot of people. And you.

[Josh Hopkins]

It's very kind of you.

[Matt Jones]

You have been there for me in some difficult times. And you're also the kind of person who out of nowhere texts and says, dude, wrestlers is really good.

[Josh Hopkins]

Like, to support your buddies, you know?

[Matt Jones]

Yeah. But you were like. But I think you even said, not like, you're my friend. And it's good. It's like legitimately good.

[Josh Hopkins]

And I ain't gonna lie to you. But I, like, I didn't. I'm not a. I didn't grow up like you liking big time wrestling.

[Matt Jones]

Yes.

[Josh Hopkins]

You know, I didn't. Right here. The macho man. Ready? But I always thought this is. Even when I was like nine, I was like, this is stupid. Stupid.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah.

[Josh Hopkins]

It's fake. It's obvious. Look, he missed him. And the guy felt like even when I was little. But I did enjoy the spectacle. You know, it's a Saturday morning if there was nothing else on, you know, but. So I knew this was going to be something. It had to be more than that for. And I knew you had a. And I, I really did enjoy it. And like, coming back to earlier, I thought it was a chance for people to see the sensitive side of you that they don't get to see.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah, well, I. It was, it was very nice of you and you are a ton of fun and I'm going to make you. Now that we've done the Josh, like, career interview, I'm gonna make you during the season. Just talk basketball with me sometime.

[Josh Hopkins]

You into that one? I'd rather do.

[Matt Jones]

Yes, yes. You're gonna. We're gonna know, but we're gonna. I'm gonna make you come on and we talk about the team at some point. You into that?

[Josh Hopkins]

Oh, yeah.

[Matt Jones]

All right, good.

[Josh Hopkins]

Okay, good.

[Matt Jones]

I'm glad. Josh, thank you very much.

[Josh Hopkins]

Thanks for having me.

[Lenovo Ad]

In the heat of battle, your squad relies on you. Don't let them down. Unlock elite gaming tech at Lenovo.

[Josh Hopkins]

Com.

[Lenovo Ad]

Dominate every match with next level speed, seamless streaming and performance that won't quit. And push your gameplay beyond limits with Intel Core Ultra processors. That's the power of Lenovo. With intel inside, maximize your edge by [e-mail] during their back to school sale. That's Lenovo.com Lenovo Lenovo.

[Nintendo Ad]

A treasure trove of bananas has been stolen and it's up to Donkey Kong and his buddy Pauline to get them back. This unlikely duo is going on a world smashing adventure. Using DK's destructive abilities to explore an underground world and the power of Pauline singing to activate wild transformations. Donkey Kong Bonanza available now. Rated everyone 10 and up only on Nintendo Switch 2 game and systems sold separately.

[Lenovo Ad]

Gatorade Zero, the number one proven electrolyte blend made with zero sugar, designed to.

[Josh Hopkins]

Hydrate better than water so you can.

[Matt Jones]

Lose more sweat and push more limits.

[Josh Hopkins]

Gatorade Zero. Is it in you?

[Jacob Goldstein]

This is Jacob Goldstein from what's yous Problem? Business software is expensive. And when you buy software from lots of different companies, it's not only expensive, it gets confusing. Slow to use, hard to integrate. Odoo solves that because all Odoo software is connected on a single affordable platform. Save money without missing out on the features you need. Odoo has no hidden costs and no limit on features or data. Odoo has over 60 apps available for any needs. Your business might have. All at no additional charge. Everything from websites to sales to inventory to accounting, all linked and talking to each other. Check out Odoo at O D O o dot com. That's O D O o dot com.