Podcast Summary: "Wells Adams on Reality TV Chaos, Thanksgiving Debates & Disney Adult Life"

Podcast: Throwbacks with Matt Leinart & Jerry Ferrara
Hosts: Matt Leinart, Jerry Ferrara
Guest: Wells Adams
Release Date: November 20, 2025

Episode Theme & Overview

This episode features reality TV staple and multi-format host Wells Adams, known from "The Bachelorette", "Bachelor in Paradise", "The Traitors", and baking shows like "Sweet Empire: Winter Wars". The conversation centers on Wells' reality TV experiences, holiday traditions, the pressures and perks of being a TV host vs. contestant, parenting and adulting (especially at Disney), gift-giving debates, sports, golf, and a spirited trivia segment. The episode is laced with comedic banter, personal stories, and honest insights into both celebrity and family life.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Wells Adams’ Reality TV Journey

00:58 – 06:46

• Bartending, Hosting, and Contestant Perspective
  • Wells is introduced as "part host, part therapist, part tequila dealer" for "Bachelor in Paradise" and as a serial participant and host in various reality formats.
  • Quote: “I was the first one banished from [The Traitors], but here we are." — Wells (06:35)
  • Wells shares how being a radio guy means he 'turns on' his personality for cameras, which made him suspicious on "The Traitors" where others were "always on".
  • Quote: "I just all have so much like, energy in the tank and, like, not going to waste it if cameras aren't being pointed at us." — Wells (08:22)
• Baking Shows & Hosting Preference
  • Wells prefers hosting to competing—less stressful, more enjoyable. He describes "Sweet Empire: Winter Wars" as "the best gig in the world".
  • The baking show includes elements of gameplay and alliance-building, not just culinary skill.
  • Quote: “It’s like a normal, real bartending job that also comes with, OK, try to get this person to cry. I’m like, all right, I can do that.” — Wells about "Bachelor in Paradise" (19:01)

2. Adulting at Disney & Family Life

01:04 – 04:39, 13:51 – 14:29, 29:18 – 32:36

• Jerry recounts being "that guy" napping in Disney World, with a pregnant wife and young kids.
• Conversation about how Disney operating styles (fast passes vs. 'plaid' VIP guides) change family vacations and set expectations for kids.
• Quote: “Whenever my butt’s on a chair, I nap. I don’t care where I am. If it’s 8 minutes, 10 minutes, I’m falling asleep all over this park.” — Jerry (31:14)

3. Reality TV, Aging, and Generational Disconnects

19:27 – 21:02

• Wells discusses the feeling of aging out of the peer group on "Bachelor in Paradise" as contestant age gets younger.
  • “I started as a peer, and now I’m like the creepy old uncle at this point… it’s passed me by for sure.” — Wells (20:31)

4. Holiday Traditions, Thanksgiving Debates & Gift-Giving

23:30 – 28:38

• Wells is usually a "Friendsgiving" host and avid cook/bartender, though this year is in NYC supporting his wife on Broadway.
• The group debates the merits of hosting vs. being a guest, and the perennial "gift cards as gifts" controversy in relationships.
  • Quote: “Gift cards show no effort… never get me a gift card again.” — Jerry’s wife’s position, recounted (26:01)
• Wells considers the Christmas tree should go up after Thanksgiving and come down shortly after New Year’s.

5. Disney Adult Culture & Attractions

29:38 – 32:36

• Jerry seeks Wells’ advice for Disney World. Discussion on the best rides, the “Disney adult” phenomenon (“It’s sexually transmitted! I have to go.” — Wells, 30:45), and managing kids’ expectations after VIP experiences.

6. Top Christmas Movies Draft

32:36 – 36:13

• Each person lists their favorite Christmas movies:
  • Matt: "Home Alone", "Elf", "Christmas Vacation"
    • “Home Alone number one. Elf number two. Christmas Vacation number three.” — Matt (32:49)
  • Wells: "A Christmas Story", "Christmas Vacation", "The Family Stone"
    • “Christmas Story… Christmas Vacation… The Family Stone.” — Wells (33:27)
  • Strong opinions about overrated movies (“Love Actually… everyone in that movie is an absolute monster.” — Wells, 35:17)

7. Ole Miss, Lane Kiffin, and College Football

36:24 – 43:49

• Wells recalls his Ole Miss days, including wild stories of sneaking alcohol into games as a fraternity pledge.
• Intense debate about Lane Kiffin’s value to Ole Miss, why he shouldn’t leave, and the unique value of championships at less-celebrated programs.
  • “If you win a national championship at Ole Miss, they will put a golden statue of your ass doing Pilates in the Grove.” — Wells (38:25)
  • Wells advocates for Kiffin to stay, citing Oxford’s charm, lower expectations, and incomparable local culture.

8. Golf Culture, Vanity Index Podcast & Celebrity Sandbaggers

43:49 – 50:02

• Wells and Jerry discuss their golf podcast’s move to Golf Channel, luring elusive guests (e.g., Ken Griffey Jr., Scott Caan), and how golf ties together sports and celebrity culture.
• Wells breaks down Matt’s golf swing, jokes about "quarterback sandbaggers", and invites him out for more games.
  • “Every celebrity that plays golf—they just want to talk about golf.” — Wells (47:11)

9. NFL Headlines: Shador Sanders, Backups, and Thanksgiving-Crmas Football

56:38 – 64:06

• In the transition into Annie Agar’s trivia segment, topical debates swirl about NFL rookie QBs Shador Sanders, the backup’s burden, and media/fan overreactions.
  • Matt re: NFL backup life: “The backup quarterback is the greatest job in the world… you make a shit ton of money, sometimes you never play, but then when you do, you’re expected to play at the same level.” (58:19)
• Discussion of the NFL’s hold over Thanksgiving and Christmas viewing—why the same teams (Cowboys, Lions, Chiefs) get both holidays, with lighter criticism over repetitive matchups.

10. Twisted Tea Trivia Segment

65:00 – End

• Annie Agar returns for football trivia, sparking playful competition and quick-witted answers between Matt and Jerry.

Memorable Quotes & Timestamps

• On getting voted off "The Traitors":
  “I was the first one banished from that show, but here we are.”
  — Wells Adams (06:35)

• On the intensity of “Bachelor in Paradise” tapings:
  “This is a slog. It's like 18-hour shoot days; I'm on the entire time.”
  — Wells Adams (13:08)

• On being the "old guy" on reality TV:
  “I’m like the creepy old uncle at this point. This is not good.”
  — Wells Adams (20:31)

• On why Lane Kiffin should stay at Ole Miss:
  “If you win a national championship at Ole Miss, they will put a golden statue of your ass doing Pilates in the Grove.”
  — Wells Adams (38:25)

• Matt on backup quarterback life:
  “The backup quarterback is the greatest job in the world… sometimes you never play, but then when you do, you’re expected to play at the same level.”
  — Matt Leinart (58:19)

• On the “Disney adult” phenomenon:
  “It’s sexually transmitted now that, like, I have to, like, go Disneyland and Disney World. And I, like, know all this stuff.”
  — Wells Adams (30:45)

• On "Love Actually":
  “That movie is trash, all right. Everyone in that movie is an absolute monster.”
  — Wells Adams (35:17)

Section Breakdown & Timestamps

| Segment | Title | Timestamps | Key Topics | |---------|-------|------------|------------| | 1 | Welcoming Wells Adams & Reality TV Career | 00:58 – 06:46 | Bartender/therapist persona, reality show resume, "The Traitors" | | 2 | Reality TV Inside Stories | 07:11 – 14:29 | "The Traitors" gameplay, hosting vs. competing, behind-the-scenes | | 3 | Disney, Holidays, & Adulting | 13:51 – 14:29, 29:18 – 32:36 | Disney World experiences, napping dads, ride recommendations | | 4 | Generational Divide in Reality TV | 19:27 – 21:02 | Aging among cast, relating to younger contestants | | 5 | Holiday Traditions & Gift Debates | 23:30 – 28:38 | Friendsgiving hosting, gift card controversy, Christmas trees | | 6 | Christmas Movies Draft | 32:36 – 36:13 | Movie rankings, generational gaps, holiday nostalgia | | 7 | College Football — Ole Miss Stories | 36:24 – 43:49 | Lane Kiffin, Oxford nightlife, wild fan activity | | 8 | Golf Podcast, Celebrity Guests | 43:49 – 50:02 | "Vanity Index", Golf Channel, celebrity golf culture | | 9 | NFL Talk: Backups & Holiday Football | 56:38 – 64:06 | Shador Sanders, football holiday slates, NFL/Thanksgiving/Christmas| |10| Trivia with Annie Agar | 65:00 – End | Fast-paced trivia, competitiveness, lighthearted banter |

Summary for New Listeners

This lively episode of Throwbacks offers an in-depth, comedic look behind the scenes of reality TV, blending pop culture with sports and relatable family talk. Wells Adams shares unvarnished anecdotes about the grind and weirdness of TV celebrity, while the hosts riff on the realities of growing up, parenting, and marriage. Holiday traditions, sports fandom, and trivia games round out the warm, conversational tone, making it an easy yet insightful listen for fans of sports, reality TV, or family chaos.