
Adam Carolla Show Dana Gould Reflects on 30+ Years in Comedy and Writing for The Simpsons
27 snips
Aug 27, 2025 Dana Gould, a celebrated comedian and writer known for his work on The Simpsons, reflects on his 30-year journey in comedy. He shares insights about the hero's journey as a Hollywood template and reminisces about classic films like Smokey and the Bandit. The conversation touches on the absurdities of traffic laws, where Dana humorously discusses his polite driving habits. Both he and Adam explore how modern culture often puts common sense on the back burner, blending humor with sharp commentary on society.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Let Premises Drive Stories
- Avoid rigid plot justifications; let surprising situations drive comedy and story rather than forced origins.
- Embrace simple premise-driven narratives like North by Northwest or Defending Your Life.
Running Reds As A Calculated Habit
- Adam Carolla admits he regularly runs red lights when safe and explains his risk calculus about enforcement and cameras.
- He shares a story of being horn-blasted by a fire truck after running a red next to firefighters.
Selective Compliance With Laws
- Adam notes people selectively obey laws: many speed but won't break a visible signal due to social and enforcement psychology.
- He frames rule-following as driven by perceived witnesses and incentives, not consistent ethics.



