Adam Carolla Show Dana Gould Reflects on 30+ Years in Comedy and Writing for The Simpsons
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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.
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Beloved But Not Arena-Filling
- Dana Gould describes being critically acclaimed but not a mainstream arena-filling star and accepts multiple parallel careers.
- He frames success as durable craft and varied disciplines rather than single-stadium fame.
Early Stand-Up Origins
- Dana started stand-up at 17 and got his first set in June 1982, then moved to L.A. in 1989 and learned from Kevin Rooney.
- He attributes much of his formation to hanging with established comedians and the LA alternative scene.
Diversify Your Creative Work
- Do pursue multiple creative disciplines if one role doesn't satisfy you, like Dana balancing writing, podcasting, and stand-up.
- Diversification keeps you working and creatively fulfilled when single projects slow.
