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Independent Americans with Paul Rieckhoff

38. Jason Alexander. Founding Festivus. The Making of Pretty Woman. Learning From Chita Rivera. Fighting Scleroderma. Dad, I’m Gonna Be a Martyr. George Constanza vs Jason Alexander. Why Australia Loves Seinfeld. Starring in a Nickelback Video.

Independent Americans with Paul Rieckhoff

Righteous Media | Bleav

Daily News, Veteran, News, Politics, News Commentary, National Security

4.6907 Ratings

🗓️ 19 December 2019

⏱️ 160 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

This episode, we have a very special Festivus gift for all you good little boys and girls! Jason Alexander (@IJasonAlexander) joins Angry Americans for an extended and extremely candid conversation. Following our massive episode with Mayor Pete Buttigieg, we’ve got a huge change of pace. The man himself! The legend. The iconic actor who played George Constanza on Seinfeld is here to tell us about the true founding story of Festivus!  And he’ll share amazing stories from an incredible life of laughs, lessons---and activism. In this episode, you’ll get a special holiday gift. You’ll meet the man behind the character you know so well. You’ll hear Jason explain what it's been like to live life in a world where everyone thinks he’s really George Constanza. But you’ll also hear about his almost 40 years of entertaining America--from stage with Chita Rivera, to Pretty Woman with Julia Roberts, to a voicework on Dora the Explorer to a video with Nickelback. He won a Tony Award and is known worldwide. But he’s also a committed activist, a patriot, a father--and one of the most entertaining, insightful and inspiring American success stories you’ll ever hear. And yes, even Jason Alexander is angry. But this candid, extended, fun conversation will bring you hope--and happiness this holiday.  But first, even during Festivus, if you’re not angry, you’re not paying attention. Paul Rieckhoff (@PaulRieckhoff) soars like Santa through the headlines you need to know about in news, politics and culture. Impeachment, the latest Democratic debate, Nigerian-American immigrant Kamaru Usman vs Trump-loving Colby Covington for the UFC Welterweight Championship, and the importance of Emmet Otter’s Jugband Christmas.  And just like in every episode, you can be a helper. Scleroderma is a disease that impacts hundreds of thousands of Americans. Those affected by the disease describe it as like having your body turn to stone. Learn more and support the Scleroderma Foundation of America (@scleroderma). Don’t just be angry. Be active.   Angry Americans is supported by Oscar Mike. An innovative Veteran-owned and American-Made lifestyle apparel brand, Oscar Mike creates awesome sweatshirts, t-shirts, hats and performance gear. It’s high quality, affordable and made in the USA. Please check out the Angry Americans Oscar Mike merch store now. If you’re not angry, you’re not paying attention. But there are also good reasons to be happy and inspired. Download the newest Angry Americans podcast for free here. Then, join the Angry Americans community for upcoming event tickets and free behind-the-scenes video with recent guests including Jason Alexander, Mayor Pete Buttigieg, Bradley Whitford, Soledad O’Brien Chef Tom Collichio, Tulsi Gabbard, Rachel Maddow, Samantha Bee and more. Angry Americans is connecting, uniting and empowering people of all backgrounds nationwide. It’s changing the podcasting landscape. And powered by Righteous Media. Watch the Conversation: https://youtu.be/CJ5XmNzQdXk

Transcript

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0:00.0

Welcome to Angry Americans.

0:15.8

Welcome to episode 38.

0:18.3

I'm your host, Paul Reikoff.

0:27.4

Happy holidays and happy Festivus. Yes, Christmas is coming.

0:35.2

Hanukkah is coming. Kwanza is coming. But as all you Seinfeld fans know, so is Festivus.

0:37.9

Many Christmases ago, I went to buy a doll for my son I reached for the last one they had

0:40.7

but so did another man

0:42.5

As I rain blows upon him

0:45.7

I realized there had to be another way

0:47.7

What happened to the doll

0:49.2

It was destroyed

0:50.2

But out of that

0:51.7

A new holiday was born

0:53.8

A festivus for the rest of us Yes But out of that, a new holiday was born.

0:56.5

A Festivus for the rest of us.

1:00.4

Yes, yes, Festivus is here.

1:06.3

Like this show and, like America, Festivus was born out of anger.

1:13.2

But like this show, and like America, Festivus has channeled that anger into positive impact,

1:16.5

into change, and into happiness.

1:23.6

And in this episode, I have a very special Festivist gift for all you good little boys and girls.

1:29.4

After our massive last episode with Mayor Pete Buttigieg, we've got a change of pace.

1:36.5

The man himself, the legend, the iconic actor who played George Costanza on Seinfeld,

...

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