Theo Von roasted after viral Joe Rogan clip shows he confused the CIA with talent agency CAA

Podcaster and comedian Theo Von unintentionally sparked a wave of online mockery this week after a clip from his latest appearance on Joe Rogan’s podcast went viral — and drew comparisons to a scene straight out of Arrested Development.

The moment in question came as the two riffed on the legitimacy of various conspiracy theories. While agreeing with Rogan that powerful institutions often act in secret, Von launched into a story he said “proved” a Hollywood connection to U.S. intelligence.

According to Von, a construction worker once told him that a high-rise going up near Hollywood would house both a major talent agency and the CIA — evidence, he suggested, that the two work hand-in-hand to mislead the public.

There was just one problem: critics quickly realised the worker almost certainly said CAA, not CIA — as in Creative Artists Agency, the massive LA-based talent firm. Cue the internet eye rolls.

Rogan kicked off the broader exchange by venting that it bothers him “when smart people are completely unwilling to recognise that conspiracies are not just real, but they’re also not rare, they’re very common.” He continued:

“They’re common, and people get away with them, especially when they’re in positions of extreme power, like running intelligence agencies,” Rogan began, adding:

“And there’s a lot of things that they do that are morally reprehensible but totally legal…”

Von responded, “But are they? Why is it our FBI and CIA are working against us? That’s what it feels like. They’re just tricking us about it.”

After more back-and-forth on intelligence operations and manufactured cases, Von launched into his now-infamous anecdote:

“And, you know, I remember one day I was walking in the Century City Mall…”

Rogan called it “a weird mixture,” while Von continued to insist Hollywood and intelligence agencies can blend fiction and reality in ways people don’t notice.

Online, though, the reaction was less philosophical and more… facepalm.

The Atlantic’s Yair Rosenberg chimed in, “Theo Von here is confusing the talent agency CAA (Creative Artists Agency) with the CIA. Don’t get your news or worldview from charismatic know-nothings! Do get some laughs at their expense.”

Podcaster Danny Gold added, “lol. he’s talking about CAA, the talent agency, whose offices are across the street from the mall. Theo Von is the perfect encapsulation of a conspiracy podcaster, just a moron all the way through.”

And that was just the beginning. Below are some additional replies: