John Mellencamp | Club Random with Bill Maher

Added: Aug 28, 2023

The conversation then shifts to the topic of parental approval. Mellencamp reveals that he never sought his parents' approval and didn't care what they thought of him. He explains that he grew up in a large family and didn't have a close relationship with his father, who worked nights. Maher, on the other hand, shares that he wanted his father's approval and would try to avoid him when he was home. The discussion then turns to the topic of racism and discrimination. Mellencamp shares a story about his time in a band called The Crepe Soul, where he witnessed firsthand the racism and hatred directed towards his black bandmate. Maher argues that while progress has been made, racism still exists in America, citing recent incidents of hate crimes. Mellencamp disagrees, stating that he doesn't trust the government's statistics and believes that progress has been slow. They also touch on the decline of education in America. Maher expresses his concern about the lack of knowledge and critical thinking skills among younger generations. Mellencamp agrees, noting that when he was in school, students were required to have a certain level of knowledge before graduating. The discussion continues with a humorous exchange about the afterlife and the concept of living it up after death. Mellencamp shares a joke about a man who goes to hell and chooses a door with people drinking coffee, only to find out that it's a temporary break from their punishment. This leads to a conversation about the camaraderie between comedians and musicians, with Maher expressing his envy of musicians' ability to show up an hour before a show without the need for sound checks or elaborate production. Mellencamp talks about his upbringing in a religious household and attending the Nazarene church every Sunday. He mentions the strict rules of his church, such as not being allowed to dance or go to movies. Maher asks about the differences between the Nazarene church and mainstream Christianity, to which Mellencamp explains the restrictions and beliefs of his sect. The conversation then shifts to Mellencamp's health issues, specifically his spinal bifida. He shares that he was born with a hole in his spine and underwent experimental surgery as a child. He considers himself lucky to have survived when the other children who underwent the same surgery did not. Maher acknowledges Mellencamp's positive attitude and resilience despite his health challenges. The discussion turns to the topic of luck and how people perceive it. Mellencamp believes that luck is subjective and that people often think they are luckier than they actually are. Maher agrees and mentions that people tend to defer to successful individuals' opinions, assuming that agreeing with them will make them more likable. Both agree that honesty is the most valuable trait and appreciate each other's honesty. They briefly touch on the topic of Rock Hudson and his secret homosexuality. Mellencamp mentions that everyone in Hollywood knew about Hudson's sexuality, but it was a different era, and he never officially came out. They discuss the documentary about Hudson and his impact on the LGBTQ+ community. The conversation then takes a lighthearted turn as they discuss movies. Mellencamp expresses his love for classic black and white films and shares his childhood memories of watching them on TV. Maher admits that he doesn't watch movies as much and prefers watching movies that he finds compelling. They discuss movies like "Giant" and "A Streetcar Named Desire," with Mellencamp expressing his admiration for these films and their impact on American culture. The podcast concludes with Mellencamp sharing advice he received from Pete Seeger to "keep it small and keep it going." He emphasizes the importance of staying true to oneself and not getting caught up in the grandeur of success. Maher agrees and shares Seeger's example of protesting the Iraq War by standing alone on an interstate with a sign, highlighting the courage in taking a stand.