Dana Gould Reflects on 30+ Years in Comedy and Writing for The Simpsons

In This Episode

On this episode of The Adam Carolla Show, comedian Dana Gould joins Adam in the studio! Adam praises Dana for being one of the few comics beloved across the board before diving into his legendary career writing for The Simpsons and Seth MacFarlane’s Ted. Dana reflects on his love for writing, the different career paths he could have taken, and how the “hero’s journey” became the template for nearly every Hollywood movie. The two share their admiration for Albert Brooks and the classic film Defending Your Life, reminisce about old favorites like Smokey and the Bandit, and even discuss the sad sight of abandoned buildings scattered across the desert on the drive to Vegas. Dana also discusses his conscious decision to be extra polite in traffic and the reasons behind it. 

Later, Adam explains why he regularly blows through red left-turn arrows, makes the case for why the laws around them are ridiculous, and tells the story of running a red on PCH right next to a fire truck full of firefighters. That sparks a bigger conversation about people’s inverted relationships with rules and authority, as Adam and Dana break down how modern culture often treats common sense like a liability. Along the way, they explore how shifts in comedy, film, and everyday life reflect broader changes in society, giving the episode a mix of humor, nostalgia, and sharp social commentary.

Get it on.

FOR MORE WITH DANA GOULD: 

SHOW: Hanging With Doctor Z – Live in person and live streamed – LOS ANGELES – Dynasty Typewriter – September 7th

WEBSITE:  DanaGould.com

PODCAST: The Dana Gould Hour

INSTAGRAM: @danagould

SPECIAL: Perfectly Normal – on YouTube

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