Travis Kelce apologizes to Chiefs superfan Paul Rudd for season, but actor grateful
If every Kansas City Chiefs fan could have a conversation right now with Travis Kelce, we imagine it might sound like the one Paul Rudd recently had with him.
On this week’s episode of the “New Heights” podcast Kelce hosts with his brother, Jason Kelce, the Chiefs tight end apologized for the team’s losing season to the “Ant-Man” star.
Rudd, who spent much of his childhood growing up in Overland Park, is a Chiefs superfan who has taken his teenage son, Jack, to three Super Bowls the Chiefs won in recent years.
Rudd appeared on the show to talk about his new movie with Jack Black, “Anaconda,” which premieres Christmas Day.
“As a brother and as a Chiefs fan, I love you, I’m sorry,” Kelce told Rudd. “But how are you feeling as a Chiefs fan right now?”
“I’m thinking about you, brother,” Rudd replied.
Kelce revealed that Rudd had texted him, presumably as the season hit the skids.
“I am so happy to be a Chiefs fan,” said Rudd. “The joy and the memories and everything that the Chiefs have given me with my family, with my kid, it’s been an embarrassment of riches. And it’s just right now ... you know what? This wasn’t the year, but that’s OK. I know it’s tough.
“I’m excited for whoever does it for their fan base, that they get to share the same kind of things that I got to share with my son for all three of those victories. And even the losses, you know, it’s the best.”
Rudd said Patrick Mahomes, who tore his ACL in his left knee during the Chargers game on Dec. 14, is on his mind. Mahomes had surgery on his knee in Dallas the day after the injury.
“I’m thinking about Patrick,” Rudd said. “I’m wishing him a speedy recovery and everything for the club.”
Rudd joked about what is perhaps one of the few perks to how the Chiefs’ season is ending.
“I’m excited for some of the players to get maybe a little bit of a summer vacation,” he joked. “I mean, my God, it’s like you’ve played an extra season of football compared to everyone else. And so I’m like, ‘Oh good, you get a break, a chance to kind of rest up.’
“Yeah. I’m not too upset.”
Kelce said he appreciated Rudd for “having that positive mindset.”
The Chiefs have two more games to play, including Thursday’s home game against the Denver Broncos, wrapping up on the road against the Raiders.
It wouldn’t be all that surprising if Rudd showed up at the Christmas game.
The Kelce brothers are big fans of Rudd, who was their first guest on “New Heights” in 2022.
“Our guest today is an actor, producer and screenwriter from the University of Kansas,” Jason said in his enthusiastic introduction.
“You know him from ‘Knocked Up,’ ‘This Is 40,’ ‘I Love You, Man,’ ‘Anchorman,’ ‘Parks and Rec,’ ‘White Hot American Summer’ and his upcoming movie, ‘Anaconda.’
“He’s the guy who made ‘Ant-Man’ cool, a diehard Chiefs fan and the 2021 Sexiest Man Alive, and the first-ever guest on ‘New Heights.’”
Rudd corrected the perception that “Anaconda” is a reboot of the campy 1997 action horror starring Jennifer Lopez, Owen Wilson, Ice Cube and Jon Voight that followed a National Geographic film crew hunting for the world’s deadliest snake — until they become the prey.
“People think it’s a remake of ‘Anaconda’ but it’s really not,” Rudd said. “It’s these idiots that try and remake ‘Anaconda.’”
He and Black play buddies in Buffalo facing midlife and mid-career crises who decide to remake their favorite movie from their youth. Black plays a frustrated wedding videographer (Doug). Rudd (Griff) is a struggling actor on bad TV shows.
With two other friends in tow they head to the Brazilian rainforest to film an indie remake of “Anaconda” and find life’s passion again. A giant snake has other plans for them.
Thandiwe Newton, as Black’s childhood sweetheart, Steve Zahn and Selton Mello also star.
Rudd said he was gung-ho to do the movie when he read the script, then heard Black was interested in the project, too. “I love Jack,” he told the Kelces. “He’s the greatest, as we all know.”
He said when people see Black in public they freak out. “It’s like meeting a Beatle or something,” he said.
Rudd said in their first conversation about the movie, he and Black didn’t realize they both wanted to play Duff, but in the end Black suggested Rudd play the other leading role.
“So we made this decision, never consulting the director,” he laughed. “But that’s how it happened and I think we were both excited about working together. ... I’m the No. 1 Jack Black fan.”
Jason asked Rudd about a phrase from the movie: “Buffalo sober.”
“Is that real … did you guys invent that?” he asked.
“Yeah, we’re living in Buffalo,” in the movie, said Rudd. “Steve Zahn plays a guy who has maybe wrestled with some demons. He decides to really clean up his act. I ask if he’s sober. He says, ‘Yes, Buffalo sober, which means just beer and wine and maybe a few of the liquors.’”
“I kinda want to go Buffalo sober,” Jason laughed.
“What would be the equivalent of Kansas City sober?” Travis asked Rudd.
“Just Boulevard (beer),” Rudd said.
“And Rieger (whiskey)” said Travis.
“Only local brews,” said Rudd.
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