This Past Weekend w/ Theo Von

#638 - Kevin James

February 9, 2026

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  • Kevin James is promoting his new movie, *Solo Mio*, which is currently in theaters and is described by Theo Von as a sweet love story that inspires hope about finding love later in life. 
  • Theo Von and Kevin James shared contrasting first concert experiences, with James recalling seeing Kiss and Von recalling seeing Marilyn Manson, leading to a discussion about the unique atmosphere of early concert attendance. 
  • Kevin James married later in life (around age 39) and credits a setup from his former *King of Queens* co-star Leah Remini for introducing him to his wife, who is of Filipino and Alaskan Indian descent. 
  • The speaker holds a very high opinion of an unnamed individual (likely another comedian/podcaster) for his relentless pursuit of truth and intensity in his work, even suggesting he might become a 21st-century saint. 
  • Kevin James and the unnamed individual share a long history, including training together in Jiu-Jitsu, where James is a blue belt and the other is a 'dark black belt.' 
  • Kevin James expressed deep personal fulfillment from his new movie, “Solo Mio,” feeling it is the best film he has done because it allowed him to play a more 'real guy' compared to his broader comedic roles. 
  • The speakers relate to a 'start fresh' mentality, comparing it to either overindulging after a small diet slip or completing overdue homework at the last minute. 
  • The conversation shifts to appreciating people with physical deficiencies, specifically discussing blindness and the experience of losing sight later in life versus being born without it. 
  • The hosts conclude by strongly recommending Kevin James's new movie, *Solo Mio*, suggesting that stepsons and blind individuals should get in free to see it. 

Segments

Guest Introduction and Movie Promotion
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(00:00:00)
  • Key Takeaway: Kevin James’s new movie, Solo Mio, is currently in theaters.
  • Summary: Kevin James, known for King of Queens and Grown Ups, is the guest on this episode of This Past Weekend w/ Theo Von. His new film, Solo Mio, is available in theaters now. The show notes mention topics discussed include cold cut superheroes and finding love later in life.
Coffee Cup Language Banter
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(00:00:42)
  • Key Takeaway: Theo Von’s coffee cup features the Spanish phrase ‘Con Dios todo es posible’ meaning ‘With God, everything is possible’.
  • Summary: The conversation briefly paused to decipher the Spanish writing on Theo Von’s coffee cup. The phrase translates to ‘With God, everything is possible.’ This led to a brief comparison with the Italian sound of Kevin James’s movie title, Solo Mio.
First Concert Memories
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(00:01:42)
  • Key Takeaway: Kevin James’s first concert was Kiss, where his friend attended while wearing a cast.
  • Summary: Theo Von’s first concert was Marilyn Manson, which he attended underage after being dropped off by a religious acquaintance. James recalled seeing Kiss early in their career, noting the unique experience of attending concerts as a kid.
Prime Rib and Horseradish Sauce
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(00:05:03)
  • Key Takeaway: Horseradish is a root vegetable used as a spice and condiment, often served as a white, creamy sauce alongside prime rib or as a component in shrimp cocktail dip.
  • Summary: The hosts discussed the white sauce served with prime rib, identifying it as horseradish sauce, sometimes mixed with a mayonnaise-like base. Horseradish is botanically a root vegetable from the Brassica family. This spicy condiment is also commonly served with shrimp cocktail.
Reflections on ‘Solo Mio’ and Love
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(00:08:36)
  • Key Takeaway: The film Solo Mio is a love story that suggests it is never too late to find lasting love, mirroring Kevin James’s own experience marrying later in life.
  • Summary: Kevin James has seen his movie Solo Mio multiple times due to his involvement in its creation. The film’s theme resonated with Theo Von, making him feel hopeful about finding love later in life. James married at 39 and had his first child at 40, emphasizing that commitment is possible at any age.
Filipino Culture and Food
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(00:09:53)
  • Key Takeaway: Kevin James’s wife is part Filipino and part Alaskan Indian, leading Theo Von to praise Filipinos as happy people who make delicious food called Lumpia.
  • Summary: Theo Von expressed strong admiration for Filipino people, describing them as very happy and fun. He learned that Kevin James’s wife is part Filipino and asked about Lumpia, which James described as an ’egg roll from heaven’ served with a sweet dip.
Mishearing Movie Title as Superhero
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(00:12:14)
  • Key Takeaway: Theo Von initially misheard the movie title Solo Mio as the Marvel-esque character name ‘Salamio,’ imagining him as a cold cut superhero.
  • Summary: Theo Von humorously believed the movie title was ‘Salamio,’ thinking it referred to an Italian superhero character, perhaps related to cured meats. He regretted not having a superhero backstory for the film. The correct title is Solo Mio.
Comedy Career Origins
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(00:26:17)
  • Key Takeaway: Kevin James began stand-up comedy in 1989 after initially trying improv, and his first night performing was a success, which prevented him from quitting early.
  • Summary: James started in comedy after his brother introduced him to improv, eventually transitioning to stand-up, where his first performance in 1989 was a success. He credits his brother for encouraging him to attend open mic nights even when he didn’t have a spot booked. He left college (Cortland) to pursue comedy.
Joe Rogan’s Influence on Comedy Style
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(00:42:45)
  • Key Takeaway: Joe Rogan influenced Kevin James to stop desperately seeking laughs and instead focus on making the audience comfortable with his inherent comedic presence.
  • Summary: Theo Von noted that Joe Rogan, whom he has known for over 35 years, was instrumental in shaping his stand-up approach. Rogan advised him not to ‘give them your jokes on a platter’ but to make the audience comfortable knowing his material is funny. Von believes Rogan will be one of the greatest saints of the 21st century due to his relentless pursuit of truth.
Praise for Unnamed Peer
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(00:44:09)
  • Key Takeaway: An unnamed peer is highly regarded as the best in podcasting and stand-up comedy for his intense focus and relentless pursuit of truth.
  • Summary: The speaker believes an unnamed peer is the best in his space for podcasting and stand-up, noting his intense focus once he locks onto a task. This individual is described as seeking truth unrelentingly, leading the speaker to believe God will make him one of the greatest saints of the 21st century. The speaker also mentions they started Jiu-Jitsu together, where the peer achieved a ‘dark black belt’ status.
Jiu-Jitsu and UFC Friendships
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(00:46:41)
  • Key Takeaway: Kevin James shared an anecdote about UFC fighters Daniel Cormier and Chris Wyman trading specialized carnivore snacks for popcorn at a UFC event.
  • Summary: Kevin James recounted seeing Daniel Cormier (DC) and another fighter trading dried beef snacks for popcorn at a UFC event, noting DC’s struggle to resist the popcorn. James expressed a desire for his fighter friends, like Chris Wyman, to stop fighting due to the risk of injury, which led him to stop attending fights. He previously attended fights very early, enjoying the quiet atmosphere before the main events.
Jiu-Jitsu Training Discomforts
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(00:51:01)
  • Key Takeaway: The unpleasant sensory experience of training Jiu-Jitsu, specifically the smell and feel of a cold, wet gi, contributed to the speaker stopping the practice.
  • Summary: The speaker stopped training Jiu-Jitsu due to frequent injuries, such as broken ribs, from larger practitioners rolling on him. He noted that the smell of the room and the feeling of a wet gi, especially when cold, made the experience unbearable. He stated that cold and wet contact is worse than warm and wet contact, which might feel more like a bath.
Pepsi Zero Sugar Commercial Segment
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(00:52:30)
  • Key Takeaway: The Pepsi Zero Sugar segment featured a guest communicating only through ‘This or That’ paddles, confirming Pepsi Zero Sugar tastes better than Coca-Cola Zero Sugar.
  • Summary: A guest, referred to as the ‘bear’ from the Super Bowl commercial, participated in a ‘This or That’ paddle game due to a freeze preventing speech. The guest chose female polar bears over thick raccoons and Tokyo Drift over The Polar Express. When asked to compare colas, the guest affirmed that Pepsi Zero Sugar tastes better than Coca-Cola Zero Sugar.
Finding Late-in-Life Love
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(00:55:57)
  • Key Takeaway: Kevin James found adapting to married life easy because he knew immediately he didn’t want to be away from his wife, a feeling he hadn’t experienced with previous partners.
  • Summary: Kevin James stated that finding love later in life was easier because he had matured and recognized what he wanted, contrasting with his younger, more immature self who needed to focus on his career grind. He realized he was ready for marriage when he hated being away from his partner, feeling she made him better and that they clicked on many levels. He acknowledged that married life includes mundane moments, not just constant romance, but he never wants to be without her.
Early Career Road Days
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(00:58:42)
  • Key Takeaway: Early stand-up road days involved staying in miserable, cheap motels, including one instance where the speaker found a large roach in the bedsheets.
  • Summary: Kevin James romanticized some aspects of the early road days, despite staying in ‘crappy condos’ and motels, such as one near Syracuse where the hotel provided a pre-poured cup of water. He once drove eight hours for a single gig, found a roach in his motel blanket, and chose to sleep in his car rather than the room. He also recalled losing an entire week’s pay in Vegas after gambling on his first night there.
Overcoming Fear of Silence/Eye Contact
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(01:03:09)
  • Key Takeaway: Both speakers admitted to operating from a place of fear, specifically being terrified of silence in conversation or looking women in the eye for fear of being judged as ‘weak.’
  • Summary: The speakers related to operating from fear, where silence in conversation with a woman prompted an immediate need to fill the void with words to prevent her from disliking him. Kevin James confessed he could never approach women and needed confirmation they liked him first, fearing they would see ‘something wrong’ with him in his eyes. The solution discussed was to stop trying to be something and accept the reality, moving on quickly from perceived failures.
Making of ‘Solo Mio’ Film
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(01:14:36)
  • Key Takeaway: Kevin James considers his new movie, “Solo Mio,” the best he has done because the collaboration with the cast and crew allowed him to play a more genuine, less overtly comedic character.
  • Summary: The creation of “Solo Mio” came together quickly, but James is proud of the result, feeling it was the best movie he has done for himself personally. Working alongside actors like Kim Coates and Jonathan Rhys Meyers allowed him to play a more ‘real guy’ while still incorporating comedy. He cited his first movie, Hitch, as a dream experience where Will Smith gave him freedom to improvise, which was pivotal for his career.
Upcoming Prison Drama Project
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(01:19:03)
  • Key Takeaway: Kevin James is collaborating with Jelly Roll on a country music drama set in Nashville where both characters go to prison, requiring James to lose weight while Jelly Roll lost 300 pounds for the roles.
  • Summary: James is working on a country music drama with Jelly Roll where both characters end up in prison in Nashville. Jelly Roll committed to the role by losing approximately 300 pounds, while James admitted he has gained seven pounds and must now commit to intense training. The toughest part of the preparation will be giving up food, as James struggles with overeating and letting a single mistake derail his discipline for the day.
Diet and Fresh Start Mentality
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(01:27:51)
  • Key Takeaway: A ‘flat tire’ mentality suggests that minor deviations from a plan, like diet, lead to complete abandonment until a designated ‘fresh start’ day.
  • Summary: One speaker employs a philosophy where a single slip-up, like eating off-diet, results in total indulgence until the next day, viewing each new day as a clean slate. This mirrors the habit of procrastinators who complete all necessary work only on the deadline, such as Monday morning. This approach is contrasted with the idea of fixing only the initial problem.
Movie Promotion and Apologies
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(01:28:29)
  • Key Takeaway: The hosts express gratitude for the interview and the promotion of Kevin James’s movie, Solo Mio, while acknowledging potential fatigue during the recording.
  • Summary: The speakers thank Kevin James for promoting Solo Mio and for the entertainment provided over the years. They apologize for sounding tired or rambling, suggesting that parts of the conversation could be edited out due to low energy levels during the recording.
Discussing Blindness and Sensory Experience
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(01:29:06)
  • Key Takeaway: A blind person’s spatial memory can be likened to building a video game map, and snakes are perceived as the worst animal to touch because they offer no tactile feedback.
  • Summary: The discussion moves to the movie Solo Mio featuring a blind musical ensemble member, prompting a reflection on blindness. One speaker shares an anecdote about a blind guest who described navigating spaces using a video game-like memory system. This guest also noted that snakes are the worst animal to pet because they provide no energy or tactile response.
Promoting Solo Mio and Free Entry
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(01:30:51)
  • Key Takeaway: The hosts humorously suggest that stepsons and blind individuals should receive free admission to see Solo Mio.
  • Summary: The speakers strongly encourage listeners to see Solo Mio with various family members, including their significant others and children. They jokingly propose a promotional deal where stepsons and blind people get free entry to the film.