
The Daily Show (1996)
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Desi Lydic as Self - Host
Episodes 49
February 20, 2024 - Danai Gurira
Desi Lydic and Josh Johnson evaluate Donald Trump's sneaker line, Ronny Chieng takes advantage of Alabama's new embryo law, and Danai Gurira previews "The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live."
Read MoreFebruary 21, 2024 - Maite Alberdi
Desi Lydic covers the not-so-credible FBI informant working against President Biden, Michael Kosta visits "climate refuge" Duluth, MN, and director Maite Alberdi talks "The Eternal Memory."
Read MoreFebruary 22, 2024 - Jason Isbell
Desi Lydic analyzes Nikki Haley's so-called moderate views, Troy Iwata celebrates a day without smartphones, and Jason Isbell performs "Cast Iron Skillet" from his album "Weathervanes."
Read MoreMarch 12, 2024 - Jane Marie
Desi Lydic, Michael Kosta and Grace Kuhlenschmidt dig into a Kate Middleton mystery, and author Jane Marie discusses "Selling the Dream: The Billion-Dollar Industry Bankrupting Americans."
Read MoreMarch 13, 2024 - David Alan Grier
Desi Lydic and Michael Kosta explore the potential TikTok ban, Lewis Black complains about AI's human biases, and David Alan Grier talks about "The American Society of Magical Negroes."
Read MoreMarch 14, 2024 - Renée Elise Goldsberry
The news team explores the dubious democracy of Russia's 2024 presidential election, Miami breaks up with spring breakers, and actor Renée Elise Goldsberry chats about her show "Girls5eva."
Read MoreApril 2, 2024 - Colin Allred
Desi Lydic celebrates the skyrocketing popularity of women's basketball, Michael Kosta meets an NYC "ghost plates" buster, and 2024 Senate hopeful Colin Allred lays out his plans for Texas.
Read MoreApril 3, 2024 - Alison Brie
Desi Lydic explores conservatives' outrage over a harmless calendar coincidence, Charlamagne Tha God breaks down the flaws of DEI, and Alison Brie chats about her series "Apples Never Fall."
Read MoreApril 4, 2024 - Sebastian Junger and Ken Harbaugh
Desi Lydic explains Nebraska's crucial role in the 2024 election, Jordan Klepper and Ronny Chieng brace for the eclipse, and Sebastian Junger and Ken Harbaugh discuss "Against All Enemies."
Read MoreMay 14, 2024 - Miranda July
Desi Lydic has doubts about OpenAI's flirty new chat system Omni, The Daily Show profiles NYC mayor and "philosopher king" Eric Adams, and Miranda July discusses her novel "All Fours."
Read MoreMay 15, 2024 - Amy Ryan
Desi Lydic covers Joe Biden and Donald Trump's unexpected debate plans, Ronny Chieng and Jordan Klepper spar over the latest sports news, and actor Amy Ryan discusses "Doubt" and "Sugar."
Read MoreMay 16, 2024 - Helen Rebanks and Nick Offerman
Desi Lydic and Josh Johnson debate the pros and cons of restoring Southern schools' Confederate names, and Helen Rebanks and Nick Offerman discuss her book "The Farmer's Wife."
Read MoreJune 18, 2024 - Rosalind Chao
Desi Lydic and Ronny Chieng profile lesser-known GOP candidates with extreme views, Marlon "'Quon" Wayans grills special prosecutor Nathan Wade, and Rosalind Chao discusses "3 Body Problem."
Read MoreJune 20, 2024 - Ebon Moss-Bachrach
Ronny Chieng and Desi Lydic look at Kim Jong-un and Vladimir Putin's blossoming BFF-ship, Michael Kosta updates the Ten Commandments, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach chats about "The Bear."
Read MoreJuly 9, 2024 - Aasif Mandvi
Hosts Jordan Klepper and Desi Lydic chat with actor Aasif Mandvi from the Paramount+ series "Evil".
Read MoreJuly 10, 2024 - Elizabeth Dias and Lisa Lerer
New York Times reporters Elizabeth Dias and Lisa Lerer discuss their new book "The Fall of Roe" with hosts Jordan Klepper and Desi Lydic.
Read MoreAugust 13, 2024 - Gabby Thomas
Desi Lydic tackles Donald Trump's glitchy interview with Elon Musk on X, in which a slurring Trump announced plans to close the Department of Education, played '90s pop culture trivia with Vladimir Putin, and revealed his new celebrity crush. On an Olympics edition of Sports War, Ronny Chieng and Michael Kosta recap the biggest stories from the 2024 Paris Games, including why Australian breaker Raygun is sure to be this year's hottest Halloween costume. Also, three-time gold medalist Gabby Thomas joins Desi to discuss her big wins for Team USA, a moment she spent five years training for.
Read MoreAugust 14, 2024 - Mark Duplass
Desi Lydic watches the leaked Project 2025 training videos and discovers the secret right-wing plan for transforming government, undoing climate rules, and eliminating all pronouns from the English language. Plus, the people who made them are a little weird and have close ties to Donald Trump, despite his denials. Grace Kuhlenschmidt explores the drawbacks of having a gerontocracy by chatting with UC Irvine neuropolitics researcher Mark Fisher and visits Congressman Maxwell Frost for a younger politician's perspective. Also, actor, writer, producer, and director Mark Duplass talks to Desi about his second Emmy nomination for his role on the Apple TV+ series "The Morning Show."
Read MoreAugust 15, 2024 - Brittney Cooper, Rebecca Traister
"Indecision 2024" examines Donald Trump's rants against Joe Biden's and Kamala Harris' peculiarities (and Tic-Tacs) during an "intellectual" speech on economic policy; Troy Iwata insists different product sizes are bad signs of inflation; "The Daily Showography" spotlights JD Vance's transformations from Ohio hillbilly kid into venture capitalist, and from a "never Trumper" into Trump's running mate; Rebecca Traister & Brittney Cooper join Desi to discuss channeling election emotions into action.
Read MoreAugust 20, 2024 - Rep. Lauren Underwood
In Chicago, on the ground at the Democratic National Convention, Illinois Representative Lauren Underwood talks with host Desi Lydic.
Read MoreSeptember 24, 2024 - Aubrey Plaza
Desi Lydic rounds up male politicians' insulting appeals to female voters. Plus, Aubrey Plaza chats about Francis Ford Coppola's "Megalopolis" and who inspired her performance as a corrupt journalist.
Read MoreSeptember 25, 2024 - Rachel Agatha Keen aka RAYE
Desi Lydic dives into the latest headlines, incl. Donald Trump's refusal of a second debate. Plus, British singer-songwriter Rachel Agatha Keen aka RAYE talks about her transformative, multi award-winning year in music.
Read MoreSeptember 26, 2024 - Susanna Fogel
Desi Lydic breaks down NYC Mayor Eric Adams' shocking indictment on bribery and fraud charges. Director Susanna Fogel discusses her new film "Winner", based on the life of whistleblower Reality Winner.
Read MoreOctober 15, 2024 - Stacey Abrams
Desi Lydic dives into Trump's wild town hall, which turned into an impromptu listening party. Then Desi sits down with voting rights activist and presenter of "Assembly Required" Stacey Abrams about her new book "Stacey Speaks Up."
Read MoreOctober 16, 2024 - Jason Segel
Desi Lydic explores Kamala Harris's appeal to Black male voters, and Trump's bizarre claim of being the "father of IVF". Hollywood actor Jason Segel discusses his Apple TV+ series "Shrinking".
Read MoreOctober 17, 2024 - Kara Swisher
Host Desi Lydic interviews journalist, podcast host, and author Kara Swisher about her new book "Burn Book: A Tech Love Story."
Read MoreNovember 6, 2024 - Tressie McMillan Cottom
Desi Lydic digests Donald Trump's election win. Tressie McMillan Cottom analyses the election's deeper implications, the rise of identity politics & Trump's appeal to American anxieties.
Read MoreNovember 19, 2024 - Ronan Farrow
Desi Lydic dives into explosive allegations vs. Trump's attorney general nominee Matt Gaetz. Award-winning investigative reporter/contributing writer of The New Yorker Ronan Farrow about the new HBO documentary "Surveilled", exposing the perils of spyware.
Read MoreNovember 20, 2024 - Joey McIntyre
Desi Lydic unpacks Trump's latest celebrity cabinet choices, including Dr. Oz and WWE's Linda McMahon. Joey McIntyre of New Kids On The Block discusses his new Christmas film 'Jingle Bell Love'.
Read MoreNovember 21, 2024 - Brittany Howard
Desi Lydic breaks down the latest Washington drama, including Matt Gaetz pulling out of the Attorney General race. Grammy-winning artist Brittany Howard discusses her transformative new album, "What Now".
Read MoreJanuary 7, 2025 - Halina Reijn
Desi Lydic discusses Trump's imperialist push ahead of his inauguration, including making Canada the 51st state, renaming the Gulf of Mexico, and possibly invading Greenland. Plus, Jordan Klepper is hyped about colonialism's apparent comeback. Desi Lydic breaks down how companies like Meta, McDonald's, and Amazon are doing everything from ditching facts to bribing Melania with a documentary to get in the president-elect's good graces. "My movie is sort of a letter to myself to kind of encourage myself to be more unapologetically my authentic self, without shame." Writer and director of the new film "Babygirl," Halina Reijn sits down with Desi Lydic to discuss the questions she set out to explore through the film about shame, sexuality, and authenticity, subverting the tropes of the erotic thriller genre, and how her background as an actress informs her directing.
Read MoreJanuary 8, 2025 - Richard Reeves
Desi Lydic covers conservative media's support for Trump's Greenland invasion idea, Trump blaming Gavin Newsom for the LA wildfires, and Trump's plans for pardoning the Jan. 6 insurrectionists. Desi Lydic tackles New York's controversial new congestion pricing toll, while Josh Johnson hits the street to hear from real New Yorkers. "People say men don't have problems. They are the problem." Founding president of the American Institute for Boys and Men and "Of Boys and Men" author, Richard Reeves, sits down with Desi Lydic to initiate a national conversation about the issues facing America's young men. They discuss creating a space for dialogue about men's issues without blaming women, how the phrase "toxic masculinity" pushes men from productive conversation, increasing the amount of men in teaching and mental healthcare, and how Trump acknowledged men's issues but encouraged America to move backward.
Read MoreJanuary 9, 2025 - Marianne Jean-Baptiste
Desi Lydic tackles the historically awkward reunion between Trump and all his political enemies at Jimmy Carter's funeral. Plus, conservatives blame DEI for the raging wildfires in LA, so Michael Kosta is stepping in to help with his straight white maleness. Desi Lydic and Jordan Klepper are back with another Sports War to discuss the latest sports news: from NFL players hitting cash-out incentives to the college bowl's delicious new mascots to whether wokeness killed the NBA's ratings. Academy Award-nominated actor Marianne Jean-Baptiste sits down with Desi Lydic to discuss her critically acclaimed new film, "Hard Truths." She discusses the real-life inspiration behind her character Pansy, who's "a bit of a difficult woman," the collaborative process with director Mike Leigh on set, and gets into character with reactions to today's headlines.
Read MoreFebruary 4, 2025 - Nicole Avant
Desi Lydic covers Elon Musk's purge of USAID, Louisiana Senator John Kennedy's lust for omelets, and Trump's January 6 revenge on top FBI officials. Plus, Troy Iwata checks in to answer the burning question: Is any of this legal? If your company is sucking up to Trump by dismantling DEI initiatives, The Daily Show has you covered with this HR training video to help workers unlearn all those "woke" teachings. Acclaimed producer and best-selling author Nicole Avant talks to Desi Lydic about the true story behind the Netflix movie "The Six Triple Eight" of an all-Black, all-female battalion that contributed to a victory in WWII and describes what she learned about the Coast Guard in her former role as Ambassador to the Bahamas. She also discusses her book "Think You'll Be Happy," which tells the story of her grief and path to healing after the tragic loss of her mother, and how her mother's last words to her serve as both the title of the book and her mantra in life.
Read MoreFebruary 5, 2025 - Julia Stiles
Desi Lydic tackles Trump's proposal to take over Gaza and push all the Palestinians out to build a resort. Plus, Republicans try to spin the president's plan, and Jordan Klepper gets in on the brainstorming sesh. Don't worry about trade wars, Starbucks's bathroom policy, or egg prices breaking the bank because Michael Kosta is back with guaranteed money-making tips in a new Ko$ta Doin' Business. Emmy and Golden Globe-nominated actor Julia Stiles sits down with Desi Lydic to talk about her feature directorial debut, "Wish You Were Here." They discuss being in the "driver's seat" as a director after years of acting, working with longtime friend Vanessa Carlton, balancing the humorous love story with universal issues, and how becoming a parent prepared her for managing film crews and actors on set.
Read MoreFebruary 6, 2025 - Ke Huy Quan
Desi Lydic covers Trump's latest executive actions, including a combination walk back/double-down on his Gaza plan, a ban on trans athletes that he probably didn't proofread, and a "National Garden of American Heroes." Plus, Ronny Chieng and Josh Johnson debate which Americans are statue-worthy. Elon Musk needs Democrats to get their heads in the game and for Republicans to open their eyes before Elon Musk destroys the government like it's a SpaceX rocket. "Love Hurts" actor Ke Huy Quan joins Desi Lydic to discuss his upcoming action flick that's like "‘Die Hard' for hopeless romantics." The Oscar-winning actor shares why his character represents a different type of action star, whether co-star Marshawn Lynch went full "Beast Mode" on him, and his tearful onscreen reunion with "Goonies" co-star Sean Astin. Plus, Quan auditions for his dream role as a supervillain with some incredibly evil line readings.
Read MoreFebruary 25, 2025 - Wendi McLendon-Covey
Desi Lydic tackles Trump's continued defense of Russia to Fox News's dismay and his captivation with Emmanuel Macron's accent, despite the French president's attempts to sway him. Desi Lydic dives into the recent failures of Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency, including the "DOGE ultimatum" issued to federal workers via email. Plus, as government workers protest, Michael Kosta unpacks the symbolism in an AI-generated video circulating of Trump and, uh, Musk's toes. Actor Wendi McLendon-Covey joins Desi Lydic to discuss how her improv background prepared her for a career in comedy and the improvised sitcom pilot they worked on together years ago that led to a misguided boat purchase. McLendon-Covey also talks about the increased appreciation for healthcare workers she's gained from playing a hospital administrator on the new NBC show "St. Denis Medical," and the next fake profession she'd like to play.
Read MoreFebruary 26, 2025 - Rosebud Baker
Desi Lydic tackles Trump's first cabinet meeting, which included Elon Musk accidentally canceling Ebola prevention and RFK Jr. downplaying the measles outbreak. Meanwhile, Trump announces $5M "gold card" for wealthy immigrants. Meet Elon Musk's Body Movement Choreographer, Jean Lemón, the mastermind behind Elon's X jump and heart-to-the-crowd salute. Comedian, actor & writer Rosebud Baker sits down with Desi Lydic to discuss her Netflix stand-up special "The Mother Lode." They talk about filming the special before and after giving birth, portraying an honest journey to motherhood, why Baker's daughter is at high risk for becoming a comedian, and how kicking pigeons helps her cope while writing SNL's Weekend Update.
Read MoreFebruary 27, 2025 - Gabrielle Union
Desi Lydic rates the Democratic Party's methods of opposing Trump on the cringe-o-meter: from off-key protest chants to interpretive dance to podcasts. Plus, with so many Dems saying "F**k Trump," Grace Kuhlenschmidt thinks that might just be a great idea. As Black History Month comes to an end, Josh Johnson asks New Yorkers if they can censor Black history just as well as the White House has. "You have to be willing to do the right thing even if it makes you uncomfortable or even if it doesn't actively benefit you, because real equality and real liberation is what benefits all of us." Actor, producer, and entrepreneur Gabrielle Union sits down with Desi Lydic for a conversation about making the new film she stars in, "Riff Raff," and how she uses her power as a producer to enact positive change in the industry and uplift people who are typically overlooked. They also discuss Union's pride in her daughter Zaya's activism work for the queer community and trans rights.
Read MoreApril 8, 2025 - Mallory McMorrow
Desi Lydic covers the ongoing economic crisis from Trump's trade war, which has created tension between Trump's two favorite goons, Peter Navarro and Elon Musk. Meanwhile, Fox News's journalistic integrity is front-and-center with their top story: "Look over there!" Also, Michael Kosta reports on how the tariff pile-on with China could have American manufacturers like his grandfather screwed. In the latest edition of Everything is Stupid, Ronny Chieng reveals the perverted trend ruining art history across the globe: fondling the breasts of female statues to find love, luck, and second base. "We can all write our own future together and not have hateful people decide it for us". Michigan state Sen. Mallory McMorrow talks to Desi Lydic about her book "Hate Won't Win", which originated from her viral speech after being slandered by a political rival, and her desire to inspire others to find their own voices.
Read MoreApril 9, 2025 - Olivia Munn
Desi Lydic tracks Trump's "Tariff Day" roller coaster ride, from his shock announcement of a 90-day pause on reciprocal tariffs, to slapping even more tariffs on China. Plus, Olivia Munn explains how Trump's tariff chaos is all just brushstrokes in the art of his deal. Could resurrecting the woolly mammoth be the fix for modern climate change? Troy Iwata sits down with leading scientists and paleontologists to determine if engineering woolly mammoths could be a problem or a solution. Former Daily Show correspondent and actor Olivia Munn sits down with Desi Lydic to discuss her new Apple TV+ series "Your Friends & Neighbors." They talk about Munn's first day as a correspondent 14 years ago, bending gender stereotypes as the "fun mom," opening up about her struggle with postpartum anxiety, how a health test saved her life from breast cancer, and the role alongside Jon Hamm that brought her back to acting.
Read MoreApril 10, 2025 - Bowen Yang
Desi Lydic tackles Trump's cabinet of ass-kissers, his war on water pressure, and Kristi Noem's viral gun photo-op. Plus, Troy Iwata breaks down the White House's top issue: temperamental showers. Michael Kosta dives into America's mad money problems in the face of Trump's tariffs: panicked shopping on the rise, price hikes on everyday toys and goods, and the uncertainty around those precious iPhones. "Saturday Night Live" star and "Las Culturistas" co-host Bowen Yang sits down with Desi Lydic to discuss his new rom-com, "The Wedding Banquet." He shares the process behind his portrayals of hilarious "SNL" villains like JD Vance and George Santos, whether his pop-culture podcast has changed over the years, and why his new film feels like a "warm hug of a movie."
Read MoreApril 30, 2025 - Jon Meacham
Desi Lydic covers Trump's 100th day celebrations: inviting ABC News into the White House to misunderstand the Declaration of Independence, grooving to his famous "YMCA" dance, and putting the economy on financial Ozempic. From the dark halls of Santa Monica to the caves of the Trump administration, Stephen Miller has been working in the shadows as the White House Chief of Staff. From influencing election denial to mass deportations, can Stephen Miller's vampiric bite kill American democracy? "If we get things right just enough of the time… that's what democracy is, because it's the fullest expression of all of us." Pulitzer Prize-winning presidential biographer Jon Meacham joins Desi Lydic to discuss the impact of Trump's presidency on democracy.
Read MoreMay 6, 2025 - Glennon Doyle, Abby Wambach & Amanda Doyle
Desi Lydic recaps Trump's oblivious reaction to getting friend-zoned by Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and prepares for a summer of shitty air travel as the Real ID deadline approaches and Newark Airport spirals into more chaos. Ronny Chieng breaks down how AI chatbot romances aren't as stupid as you might guess; they're stupid in some surprising ways, too. "This is not a time for self-help but for collective wisdom, where we learn from each other". "We Can Do Hard Things" podcast hosts Glennon Doyle, Abby Wambach, and Amanda Doyle sit down with Desi Lydic to discuss their new guidebook "We Can Do Hard Things: Answers to Life's 20 Questions". They share the experience of living life "off the menu" by deviating from regulated paths, cultivating an ordinary life at home to make room for extraordinary moments, sharing a breast cancer diagnosis to stop gatekeeping information on women's bodies, and finding a lane of activism to shift our perspective in grim political times.
Read MoreMay 7, 2025 - John Green
Desi Lydic dives into Trump's ominous "big announcement," the president renames the Persian Gulf, another US fighter jet falls off an aircraft carrier, and kids swap tariff-priced Barbies for the promise of economic freedom. In honor of the conclave, Lewis Black sounds off on the Vatican's mysterious process to select a new pope, including this year's parlay options, the surprising number of cardinals taking lessons from the Oscar-nominated "Conclave" film, and the merch being sold to incompetent tourists. "This is the middle of the story, not the end of the story, and it falls on us to write a better end." John Green, an award-winning author and global healthcare reform advocate, sits down with Desi Lydic to discuss his No. 1 New York Times bestseller, "Everything Is Tuberculosis: The History and Persistence of Our Deadliest Infection."
Read MoreMay 8, 2025 - Michelle Buteau
Desi Lydic has the latest from the Vatican after the announcement of the first American pope, Leo XIV, including the world's reaction to a Chicago-style pope and Fox News immediately yelling at him to speak English. Plus, Michael Kosta celebrates America's conclave win. Following Trump's ban on transgender people in the military, Jordan Klepper met with a panel of esteemed service members to discuss the president's rejection of their qualifications, which stand in stark contrast to Trump's own bone spur excuses. "It is not only the New York that I live in, but it's also the America that I want to live in." Comedian, writer, and actor Michelle Buteau sits down with Desi Lydic to share how the Netflix series that she created and stars in, "Survival of the Thickest," began as a book of essays written just after her twins were born.
Read MoreJune 10, 2025 - Bryan Cranston
Desi Lydic has the latest updates from the L.A. ICE protests, including Trump's outsized military deployment to the city, which defies both California Governor Gavin Newsom and the... "P***y Comitatus Act"? Plus, one soldier sends a letter home from the frontlines of the L.A. war. Where does the public stand on Trump vs. Elon? Grace Kuhlenschmidt and Josh Johnson head out to ask New Yorkers to pick: Team Douche or Team Pedophile? Bryan Cranston joins Desi Lydic to discuss his new movie, "Everything's Going To Be Great," and a busy year of work, including his third film with Wes Anderson and playing a hilarious exec on "The Studio." He shares how he navigates portraying vastly different characters, why he had to really sell himself to get the role of Walter White, and his passion for live theater.
Read MoreJune 11, 2025 - Atsuko Okatsuka
Desi Lydic tackles Trump's politicized Fort Bragg rally, which screened soldiers for loyalty and waist size. Also, Trump plans a $45 million military parade for his birthday, and Ronny Chieng is pumped to sit courtside at a display of America's military might. Corporate America has been suspiciously quiet this Pride Month due to fear of backlash from the Trump administration. Desi Lydic and Troy Iwata discuss the current muted tones of Pride Month, and how the corporations will have to prove themselves when the pendulum swings back to the gays. Comedian Atsuko Okatsuka talks to Desi Lydic about her new Hulu stand-up special, "Father", including how her lack of housework partly inspired the title, as well as the intentional juxtaposition of her colorful clothes and set with the deeply personal stories she mines for levity.
Read MoreJune 12, 2025 - Jeff Hiller
Desi Lydic tackles Elon Musk's vague apology to Trump; RFK Jr. putting his conspiracy buddies in charge at the CDC; and Tulsi Gabbard getting AI to do the FBI's homework. Also, Trump celebrated deploying the military on Angelenos with tickets to "Les Misérables", so Jordan Klepper, Michael Kosta, and Josh Johnson debate whether the president is a Jean Valjean or a Javert. Stephen A. Smith is the King of Takes, but how did he begin his reign? From the Fashion Institute of Technology to Winston-Salem State University, Smith went from the basketball court to print media, ensuring that everyone knew he had all the best takes. After getting a job at ESPN, Smith taught everyone the difference between talking shit and taking shit. Actor, writer, and comedian Jeff Hiller sits down with Desi Lydic to discuss his new memoir, "Actress of a Certain Age".
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