About this episodeJimmy Kimmel and Molly McBurney discuss the complexities of their 16-year workplace romance, highlighting how …AI summary
Jimmy Kimmel and Molly McBurney discuss the complexities of their 16-year workplace romance, highlighting how shared professional stressors created intimacy but also required careful navigation of power dynamics. They also reflect on the recent suspension of Kimmel's show, detailing the family impact, public scrutiny, and the psychological toll of being a public figure, while touching on parenting in the spotlight and future career plans.
Key takeaways 5
Workplace romance dynamics: Molly McBurney notes that the power imbalance made her nervous ('I thought it was a terrible idea'), while Jimmy Kimmel admits the person in power is often the one worried about whether the other person likes them for their power or themselves.
Shared professional trauma as a bonding mechanism: Working together for 16 years created a 'shorthand' and mutual understanding of industry pressures that neutralized typical relationship friction, as neither partner had to explain the demands of their job.
Public scrutiny impact on family: The recent show suspension involved intense privacy invasion (helicopters, SUVs) and required explaining political controversies to young children, leading to unique parenting challenges like managing kids' fears about bankruptcy or their father's public standing.
Psychological drivers of generosity: Kimmel attributes his tendency to say 'yes' to requests and charity work to a deep-seated guilt from his Catholic upbringing and a family model of service, rather than just people-pleasing.
Parenting philosophy in fame: Both parents agree on not creating a 'phony' world for their kids, acknowledging the weirdness of their situation (e.g., kids meeting celebrities) while trying to instill normal values and prevent entitlement.
Notable quotes 5AI-generated: wording and quote attribution may be wrong. Use the play link to verify.
“The person in power usually doesn't [think the other person likes them for them]. The last thing you're thinking is like, 'She likes me so much. I hope it's not for my power.'”
▶ 16:32Jimmy Kimmel explaining the insecurity felt by the person with more power in a workplace romance.
“I think it's more I grew up Catholic and I just have an inherent sense of guilt about existing in the world... You should have nothing. You should give all of it away.”
▶ 36:20Kimmel explaining his psychological motivation for being overly available and generous to others.
“It's like being in the car and you're not drunk. A cop pulls behind you. You start to just drive like, 'Oh, I should be slower and I could get pulled over for a little thing.' That's how it feels every day.”
Cousin Sal's analogy for the constant vigilance and stress of hosting a political talk show under scrutiny.
“You can't be phony. You can't pretend that what's happening is not happening. You can't gaslight them.”
▶ 1:05:10Molly McBurney on why they choose honesty over shielding their children from the reality of their father's fame and controversies.
“I feel like we do project our own... It's very egoomaniacal... However we were raised is the way you're supposed to be raised.”
▶ 1:07:49Kimmel reflecting on his anxiety about his children's upbringing and realizing his own biases.
Chapters & Sections (43)▼
0:00Dax Shepard's Haircutting History and Self-Carechapter2
1:40Dax's Haircutting History and Skills
2:58Dax's One-Time Haircut Philosophy
5:42Jimmy Fallon Elvis Performance and Talk Show Dynamicschapter1
7:30Talk Show Host Storytelling and Guest Management
12:28First Meeting and Romantic Gesture Storychapter1
14:47Favorite Foods Romantic Gesture
17:00Navigating Workplace Romance Power Dynamicschapter2
18:55Overcorrecting in Writer's Room After Romance
20:06Humorous Dating Story with Designer
21:24Impact of Working Together on Relationshipchapter2
23:01Shared Professional Experience Strengthens Bond
24:13Mutual Burnout and Household Chores
25:54Work-Life Balance and Sleep Habitschapter1
28:49HP Smart Tank and Allstate Advertisements
30:25Difficulty Saying No and Guiltchapter1
32:35Psychological Drivers of Saying Yes
36:15Guilt, Service, and Nose Hair Etiquettechapter2
37:52Nose Hair Grooming and Divorce
39:22Nose Hair Etiquette and Feminist Perspectives
40:25Awkward Hair Removal and Media Surveillancechapter2
42:02Parental Reactions to Sneeze Etiquette
43:25Media Surveillance and Evasion Tactics
44:53Children's Reactions to Show Cancellation and Politicschapter1
46:41Children's Anxiety Over Financial Ruin
48:49Show Suspension Impact and Peabody Award Discussionchapter1
51:01Peabody Award History and Relationship Impact
53:25Handling Misinterpretation and Defending Loved Oneschapter2
55:04Intentional Misinterpretation and Ethics
56:48Defending Spouses Online and Managing Support
1:01:00Parenting in the Public Eyechapter2
1:02:49Media Controversy and Family Life
1:04:28Parenting Authenticity and Privilege Anxiety
1:07:20Parenting with Fame and Retirement Dilemmaschapter2
1:09:54Family Airline Travel Etiquette
1:10:43Retirement Dilemmas and Show Legacy
1:12:31Navigating Retirement and Future Hobbieschapter1
1:14:17Retirement Plans and Hobbies
1:16:50Retirement Guilt and Family Legacychapter4
1:18:18Idaho Camp Legacy and Family Traditions
1:20:02Joy of Family Traditions and Community
1:21:34Disneyland Optimism and Vacation Mindset
1:22:54Vegas Flight and Cocaine Addiction Struggles
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