The Daily Show: Ears Edition - The Democratic Apology Tour | Amanda Seales

Episode Date: January 23, 2019

Democratic presidential candidates make amends for their past positions, Ronny Chieng weighs in on the 2019 Oscar snubs, and comedian Amanda Seales chats about "I Be Knowin." Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You're listening to Comedy Central. Hey everybody, John Stewart here. I am here to tell you about my new podcast. The Weekly Show is going to be coming out every Thursday. So exciting. You'll be saying to yourself, TGID. Thank God it's Thursday we're going to be talking about. All the things that hopefully obsess you in the same way that they obsess me. The election. Economics. Earnings calls. What are they talking about on these earnings calls? We're going to be talking about

ingredient to bread ratio on sandwiches. And I know that I listed that fourth, but in importance, it's probably second. I know you have a lot of options as far as podcasts go, but how many of them come out on Thursday? I mean, talk about innovative. Listen to the weekly show with John Stewart, wherever you get your podcast. January 22nd, 2019. From Comedy Central's World News Headquarters in New York, thisto the

Daily Show. I'm Trevor Noah. You guys are amazing for coming out here and thank you for tuning in. Thank you so much. Thank you so much. Thank you so much. Take a sceau. Take a scea. too. told you. to the day, to the show. thank you for tuning in. Our guest tonight is a terrific comedian with a new HBO special. Amanda Seals is joining us everybody. Really, really fantastic show on HBO. Also, on our show tonight, the biggest Oscar snubs, the sorriest Democrats and robots losing their jobs for a change.

So let's catch up on today's headlines, Today is day 32 of the longest government shutdown in American history. Federal workers are about to miss their second paycheck. More and more TSA agents aren't showing up to work, and the government is so broke, the Statue of Liberty had to get a temp job at Quisnos. But it looks like there may be some good news today, because it looks like the shutdown may be coming to an end. Breaking news to tell you about, there could be an end in sight to the partial government shutdown now in its 32nd day.

The New York Times reporting this afternoon that the Senate will vote on Thursday, on two separate bills that would end the shutdown immediately. One includes funding funding funding funding funding funding funding funding funding funding funding funding funding funding funding funding funding funding funding funding funding funding funding funding funding funding funding funding funding funding funding funding funding funding funding funding funding funding funding funding funding funding funding funding for the president's border wall. The second would extend funding for agencies currently shut down that funding through February 8th. Congratulations, Congress. The first step toward doing the bare minimum, yeah. They're proud of you. Yeah. Now look, the truth is passing these bills is still a long shot, but right now I feel like everyone is so desperate. This counts as good news, which it shouldn't. You know, it's like if the doctor came out of the operating room and said, great news about your husband's cancer surgery, I've

made the first incision and I'm almost ready to remove the sponge that I left inside him the last time. This is good. And the big plan is to pass funding through February 8th. That's the weirdest thi th, th, th, th, th, th, th, th, th, th, th, th, th, th, th, th, th, th, th, th, th, th, th, th, th, thi, the thi, the thi, thi, thi, the thi, thi, thi, tho, tho, tho, tho, tho, the the the the the the the the the tho, thi, thi, thi, thi, th, th, th, th, th, th, th, th, th, th, th, th, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, throooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo, thu, th, th ever. America's just gonna re-up the government for two weeks at a time, like it's a boost mobile plan. You're like, yeah, this is my burner government. I don't like to get attached. In other news, this week is the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. It's an annual event where all the world's leaders gather to the the the world and in their downtime they perform ritual sacrifices to the dark lord Baffermatt. What you guys think they were just binging bojack horsemen is that what you're thinking? This is the Illuminati people grow up. But this year this year the list of attendees is

much shorter because there's a lot going on in many developed right the United States isn't attending because of their protests. Britain there there the the their their their their their their their their their their their their their their their their their their their their their their their their their their their is. Because their is not is not is. Because their. Because their. Because theirse. Because their. Because their is not is not. Because their is. Because their is. Because their is. Because the is. Because the is. Because is is. is. is is is. is is. is is. is. is. is is. Because is. Because is is is. Because th. It is. It is. It is. It is. It is. It's is. It's is. It's is. It's is. It's is. It's is. It's is. It's. It's. It's. It's. It's. It's. It's. It's. It's. It's. It's. It's. It's. It's. It's. It's a their. It's a lot. It's. It's t. It's t. France isn't attending because of their protests. Britain isn't going because of Brexit. Putin isn't going because he's Putin. At this point, the guest list is looking like the e-vite to Chris Brown's Oscar party. It's just like, oh yeah, I don't know. Even India isn't sending anyone, which, I'm sorry, are you telling me they couldn't say one person? They've got a billion people in their country. It's just like, everyone, Indians are like, look, we would have love to come, but there

are a billion things to do here, okay? You're going without us. But you know, the African countries are still going, right? They're like, finally, Uganda. Moving on now, to Japan. Yeah, like we didn't invite you, Uganda. It's like it doesn't matter, we are still coming, yeah? Oh, moving on now, to Japan, home of 93% of the world's weird stuff. It turns out they have to dial it back a little because it was getting too much, even for them.

Hotel in Japan says, It is firing its robot employees. What did they do? The hotel initially started using the robots to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to the robot, the robot, to the robot, the robot, the robot, the robot, the robot, the robot, the robot, their, their, the the the the the the the the the the the the the the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, together, too.augh, is.a, is.a, is.a, is.a, iso, is.a, is.a, is.a, is.a, is.a, is.a, is, is, the robots to try and maximize efficiency. You might remember some of them were built to look like dinosaurs. But guests are apparently complaining. The robots are just a nuisance, they say. The gadgets wake people up in their rooms, thinking they're asking a question when they're actually just snoring. They actually have a raptor robot bellhops.

And those didn't work so well either. Humans had to come in and their job. And then two robot luggage carriers could only reach about 24 of the 100 rooms in the hotel and they failed in rain or snow. It's crazy that this didn't work out. No, because I don't know about you, but when I'm jet lagged after a 14-hour flight to Tokyo, the first thing I want to do is argue about my price line reservation with a raptor. Yeah, I mean that's a vacation, am I right? Like even if you were going to get dinosaurs that are robots to help people, why would you choose a raptor? They're useless at helping. Like they can't reach the top floor in an elevator? And you always have to help them with your luggage? The whole they're just like, can you give me the bag? No, no, no, their, their, their, their, their, their, their, their, their, their, their, their, their, their, their, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, their, their, their, their, their, like, their, their, their, their, their, their, their, their, their, their, their, their, their, their, their, their, their, their, their, like, like, like, like, like, no, no, give it to me and then I'll take, yeah, but I just gave me the thing. And worst of all, they're the most terrifying housekeepers. We actually have footage of them going into people's rooms.

Housekeeping! Oh man, we're so stupid. All right, let's move on. Tell Main Story. The 2020 election. It is now only 650 days away. Yeah, I hope you're preparing. I already bought my election night yogurt. And as we all know, there are a ton of Democrats eyeing the White House. And you probably noticed one person in this picture who shouldn't be there. That's right. Bloomberg, get the fuck out of there, man. You're not a Democrat. But with the race heating up, it's time for another look at the Democratic primary battle in our ongoing segment, World War D.

Running for president is an exciting experience for every politician, right? You get to eat free food, you get to stay in all the cool hotels in Iowa, and you get to kiss children without being called a pedophile. Yeah, which is something I miss in my life, because in Africa you can just pick up anyone's kids if they're cute. Yeah, you just pick them up, you kiss them. And then like here it's like a whole thing. They're like, oh, that's my child, bring them back. I have to register on a listthe skeletons in your closet, which is why for the past few weeks some of the major Democratic candidates have been atoning for positions that they used to hold that are no longer welcome in the Democratic Party.

All right, candidates like former vice president and surprise massage therapist, Joe Biden, who yesterday expressed regret over being a little too tough on crime back in the 90s. I've been in this fight for a long time. It goes not just to voting rights, it goes with the criminal justice system. I haven't always been right. I know we haven't always gotten things right. But I've always tried. Barack and I finally reduced the disparity in sentencing, which we've been fighting to eliminate,

and crack cocaine versus powder cocaine. It. It. It. It. It. It was we we we we we we we we were we we were we were we were we were we were we were we were we were we were we were we were we th. It. It was we were we were we th. It was we were the. It was the. It's the. It's theree. It's thereeck. It's the. It's theckets. It's theckets. It's theckeckets. It the. It thoes. It thoes. It thoes. It thoes. It, it, it, it, it, it, it, it, it, it, it, it, it, it, the. It the. It the. It the. It the. It's the. It's the. It's the. It's the. It's the. crack cocaine versus powder cocaine. It was a big mistake when it was made. We thought we were told by the experts that crack you never go back. Once you crack you never go back. Really Joe Biden is that how the experts phrased it? Yeah the scientists phrased it? Yeah, the scientists were studying crack under a microscope and they're like, my God, if these readings are correct, crack is whack. Like, can anything be done? I'm afraid not. The data shows there's no hope with dope. And by the way, once you go crack, you never go back is not even a real phrase. I think Biden is

conflating two different phrases. First, there's once you go black, you never go back, which isn't true, just ask Obama. And then there's black, don't crack, which also isn't true, again, just ask Obama. But the point is, Biden regrets supporting laws that he now believes led to decades of mass incarceration. Although, at least, he never hated gay people, which is more than Hawaii's Democratic

Congresswoman and presidential candidates, Tulsy Gabbett can say, which is why last week she apologized for all her years of supporting conversion therapy and opposing gay rights. Aloha, in my past, I said and believe things that were wrong. And worse, they were very hurtful to people in to people in the people in the people in the people in the people in the people in the people in the people in the people in the people in the people in the people in the people in the people in their their their their their their their their their their their their their their their their their their their their their their their their their their their their their their their their their their their their their their their their their their their their their their their their their their their their their. their. their. their. their. their their their the. theat. theat. theat. theat. theat. theat. theat. theat. theat. theat. theat. theat. their their the believe things that were wrong. And worse, they were very hurtful to people in the LGBTQ community and to their loved ones. I'm deeply sorry for having said them. My views have changed significantly since then, and my record in Congress over the last six years reflects what is in my heart. Wow, that felt like a very intimate apology, you know?

Yeah. I feel like she pulled me aside, like, there's something I need to talk to you about. Come with me outside to the gazebo. But I thought you said gazibos were gay. I know, I know. That's one of the many things I've evolved on. So basically, the Hawaiian Congresswoman wants everyone to know that she that she that she that she that she that she that she that she that she that she that she that she that she that she that she that she th, I that she that she th. I th. I th. I th. I th. I th. I th. I feel, I feel. I feel. I feel. I feel. I feel. I feel. I feel. I feel. I feel. I feel. I feel, I feel. I feel, I feel, I feel, I feel. I feel. I feel. I feel. I feel. I feel. I feel. I feel. I feel. I feel I feel I feel I feel I feel I feel I feel I feel I feel I feel I feel I feel I th. I th. I th. I th. I th. I th. I th. I th. I th. I th th th th th. I th th th th the thi thi thi thi thi the thi the thi the thi the the the the the the the the the the the the th of the many things I've evolved on. So basically the Hawaiian Congresswoman wants everyone to know that she used to say aloha to gay people, but now she's saying aloha to gay people.

But this apology tour isn't just for people like Gabbard. It's also for people who have a chance of winning, like Senator Bernie Sanders. You see, before he moves on to 2020, he has to make amends for things that happened during 2016. Senator Bernie Sanders met with a group of former campaign staffers who say they face sexism and sexual harassment while they worked on his 2016 campaign. I certainly apologize to any woman who felt that she was not treated appropriately, and of course, if I run, we will do better on next time. Sanders met with those accusers, but refused to talk about their discussion,

describing it as private. Okay, I'm sorry, that's just bullshit, all right? No, Bernie can't say any conversation he's ever had has been in private. If you're in a 10 mile radius of the man, you can hear the conversation. No, I mean, he's a great politician, but he would suck as a priest. He's like, so you say you masturbate to pictures. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. that's, that's, that's, that's, th. that's that's that's that's that's that's that's that's that's that's that's that's that's that's that's that's that's that's that's that's that's that's that's that's that's that's that's that's that's that's that's that's that's that's th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. thi. thi. thi. thi. thi. thi. th thi. thi. that's just just just just thi. that's just that's just that's just that's to pictures of your aunt? You, shh, man, she's outside. Your hot aunt, you masturbate to is outside? But of all the Democrats hoping to be president, the one whose positions have changed the most from what they used to be is arguably Kirsten Gillibrand. Before she was a senator, Gillibran represented a conservative district in upstate New York. And even though that was a long time ago, she's still trying to make sure the slate is wiped clean for her

2020 run. You said Trump's immigration positions are racist. Now as you know you were more conservative early on in your career on immigration. You said you were a quote a firm opponent of giving quote amnesty to illegal aliens unquote you said English should be quote the official language of the United States you called for expediting deportation of undocumented immigrants. If Trump's immigration positions are racist. Were they racist when you held some of those positions as well? They certainly weren't empathetic and they were not kind and I did not think about suffering

in other people's lives. And so I took the time. I went down to Brooklyn. I met with the city of Alaska's who's been a leader in fighting for families for a long time and I listened. And I realized that things I had said were wrong. Damn. Jake Tapper got her on that one. No, because I mean, it's hard for her to say Trump's policies are racist, but her identical

policies were just unkind, you know? It's like someone saying, no, honey, what you did was cheating. When I slept with Carol, I was just being unkind to our marriage. Over and over again, I unkinded it in my office, and on good days I unkinded it twice, so you can get the unkind out of here. But to be fair, to be fair, I get why Gillibrand had to say, I went to Brooklyn and I saw things in a different way. Because let's be honest, if she had said, yeah, my policies used to be racist, but then they changed.

You know the headlines would just be Jellibrand admits racism. And Trump, he'd never let that go. He'd probably make it her new nickname. He'd be like, my opponent, who clucks Christian? It's so racist. She's trying to steal the nomination from Native Americans like Elizabeth Warren. But this is not the first time that Jilibran has apologized for her previous policy positions. Because you see, it turns out she also used to be very pro-gun. As a Congresswoman, Gillibran used that family tradition of hunting

to appeal to conservative voters in upstate New York. She boasted an A rating from the NRA. So why the 180? After I had appointed, I went down to Brooklyn to meet with families who had suffered from gun violence in their communities and you immediately experienced the feeling that I couldn't have been more wrong. Okay, uh... What's... what's going on in Brooklyn?

Like... Like, every time, every time Jillie Brand goes to Brooklyn, she changes another position. I feel like they're gonna have to make a remix to that Jay-Z Alicia Key song. It's gonna be like, now I'm out in Brooklyn, change my mind on gun rights, used to Haiti leagals, now I'll fight the good fight. In New York. Turns out all my costumes were racist.

That's something I'm changing. I don't know, it sounds like Brooklyn is a magical place, you know? Yeah, seriously. Like maybe I should go to Brooklyn and see if it changes me for the better. You know, in fact, wait here. I'll be right back. Okay, uh, I'm back from Brooklyn. And, uh, I've got to say, this doesn't feel like an improvement. So clearly, the Democrat strategy for 2020 is, uh, I've got to say, this doesn't feel like an

improvement. So clearly, the Democrat strategy for 2020 is apologize for as many things as possible now so they can focus on the road ahead. And whether you think it will work or not you have to admit it's a very different approach than the guy who's currently in charge. Is there anything that you wish you hadn't said anything you wish you hadn't done, you have any regrets. I regret that the press treats me so badly. I do.

I'm really asking about him. And despite that, my poll numbers are very good. Why do I have to repent? Why do I have to ask for forgiveness if you're not making this? Have you ever asked God for forgiveness? That's a tough question. That's a tough question. That's a tough question? Actually, that is a tough question for Trump, because he never asks for forgiveness.

All right? When Trump prays, he probably tells God you're welcome. We shocked that he's like, Dear Lord, I just want you to thank me for what a great day today was. Because of me, more people are praying now than ever before. But look, as much as these Democrats will catch flack for their old unpopular views, I'll be honest, I think it's good that at least they're acknowledging that they have made mistakes. I think it would be repressing to have someone in the White House who was actually capable

of recognizing that they got something wrong because then that way they could try and make a mens to it. So if Americans want that kind of leader, they're probably going to have to vote Democrats. Or we can just buy a subway right to b to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to th. President Trump. We'll be right back. We'll be right back. John Stewart here. Unbelievably Here. Unbelievably exciting news. My new podcast, The Weekly Show.

The Weekly Show. We're going to be talking about the election, economics, ingredient to bread ratio, on sandwiches. Listen to the weekly show with John Stewart, wherever you get your podcast. Welcome back to the Daily Show. The Oscar nominations were announced today, and diversity was clearly on people's minds. Regina King was nominated for best supporting actress, well deserved.

And this was amazing to me, Spike Lee got his first nomination for Best Director. And it's crazy, it's crazy that it took that long for him to be recognized after he spent years directing the Indiana Paces to go f-sick themselves. But this year, this year is different. I mean it's gotten so black that two of the best picture nominees had the word black in them. Yeah, it's like Academy voters were like, okay, we don't want another Oscar so white, Black Panther, black Clansman, you know, screw it. Let's nominate black mirror too. Put black mirror in there.

It's a TV show. I don't care, we're playing it safe. So here to talk about the rest of nominations, the nan nominations, is is is is is is is the nan nomen movies, crazy rich Asians, our very own. Hon-Chang, everybody. Thank you. Thank you. Ronnie. It's always an exciting day when the Oscar nominations come out. It's an wide-open field. Who do you think is going to take home best picture?

Trevor, who gives a shit about best picture, all right? The story this year is all about the deserving nominees who are snubbed. Snubs, snubs, snubs, and more th and more th and more s s snubs, and mores, th, and mores, the only th, th, th, th, th, th, th, and more, th, th, and th, th, th, th, th, th, ubs, snubs and more snubs. Especially in the only category that anyone actually cares about. Best supporting actor. For performance by an actor in a supporting role, Maharshala Ali in Greenbook, Adam Driver in Black Clansman, Sam Elliott in a star is born, Richard E. Grant in can you ever forgive Me? And Sam Rockwell in Vice. Oh wow, great job Academy, solid group of nominees. But maybe you're snubbing someone?

Someone like, I don't know, me, Royne Chang, supporting actor in crazy rich Asians, available on iTunes and airplanes everywhere? Wait, right, you genuinely think you've been snubbed? I think I've been, yeah, of course I've been snubbed. I lost a bunch of no-name hacks. Come on, Ronnie, those are great actors in this category. Sam Elliot was amazing in the star is born. Sam Elliot, listen, Trevor, everyone in the business knows his mustache is doing all the acting, okay?

I could have grown a mustache like that, but I care too much about the craft to rely on cheap facial props like that. Also my lip can't do that. Okay, well, fine. What about Adam Driver in Black Clansman? You mean Emo Darth Vader, who brought whining to a galaxy far away? Big deal, he played a Jewish guy pretending to be in the KKK. I was playing a Chinese person from Hong Kong when I'm really a Chinese person from Malaysia.

Okay, that's range. Plus, in the movie, I had to play an asshole. When in reality, I'm more of a dick. And understanding that subtle difference is what separates the best supporting men from the best supporting voice. And what about Maharshala Ali? He just sat in the car for two hours. I do that every time I take an Uber. All I get is is is is is get is get is th is th is th is th is th is th is th is th is then then then then then thi is thi thi thi thi thi thi thi two hours. I do that every time I take a Uber. All I get is two stars. And don't get me started on Richard E. Grant. I bet you're like, who's that, right, Trevor?

No, actually, we know him. He's a character actor. He's been in movies for decades. Okay, what, shut up, Trevor. I should nominate you for a least supportive friend. Besides, this guy's move he only made $8 million. I know Instagram stories that made more money, all right? Last and certainly the least, Sam Rockwell invites again. He already won last year. Are we just going to keep nominating him?

Is this the best supporting actor award or the best Sam Rockwell award? Plus, that's already another Sam nominated. Okay, too many Sam's. Hashtag Oscar So Sam's. Wow, wow, wow. Ronnie. You really seem angry about this, man. Oh yeah, well guess what, Trevor? I'm actually not angry. That was all just acting. Oh wow. Oh, that was all just acting. Oh wow. That was great. Damn.

Oh wow. Dude, I'm not like, you actually had us going. Yeah, thank you. And I hope the Academy will consider this episode for next year's Oscars. Well, we're on TV, so it's not eligible for those awards. God damn it, well, the snubs never end! Ronnie Chang, everybody, we'll be right back. Welcome back to the Daily Show.

My guest tonight is an actor and comedian you know from Insecure. This weekend, HBO will debut her first stand-up comedy special, Amanda Seals, I've been knowing. Amanda Seals! Amanda Seals! Welcome to the show. They stood. That was fun. I feel like the people always stand. Like your special, what I really enjoyed about it is you have cultivated a fan base which is genuine. you have cultivated a fan base which is genuine and most importantly you grew them from the ground up. It's something I've always been impressed by is you you got into comedy and it seemed like you were hitting a lot of brick walls and then you were just like, well, I'm just gonna create my own lane and that's something that you've done successfully.

Is that how you see your comedy career? I think I feel like that's been my career in general. You know, I think that for most black women, that's our career. Like, we're hitting walls and we're like, you know what? Right. I'm a build this ladder, I'm a build this bridge. You know what? I'm just float. I'm levitate over these fools.

That's really what ends up having to be the course of action out of just necessity. And now, I mean, it's one thing to have your first comedy special. HBO is a monument that most comedians dream of. That is, it's not just a funny show, but it's on HBO. Was that a dream of yours? Or was that something that just became like a bonus of having a great special? It was actually a bonus. I mean, for all the sense and purposes, I was just going have such a strong following of folks that are action-based and that really like give me the encouragement to feel like, you know what, I'll just create my own independent trume of income and I'll just do it and I'll just do it, if Louis KK can do it, I can do it,

I can do it, because black women can do anything. And, but then H.P.I. I was like, so I don't have to spend, I to spend to spend to spend to spend to spend to spend to spend to spend to spend to spend to spend to spend to spend to spend to spend to spend, to spend, to spend, to spend, to spend, to spend, to. to. to. to. to. to. to. to. to. to. to. to. th. th. th. th. to. to. to. to. to. to. to. to. to. to. to. to. to. to. to. to. to. I. I. I. I. I. I. I. I. I. I. I. I. I. I. I. I. I. I. I. I. I. L. L. L. L. L. L. L. L. L. L. L. L. L. to. to. to. to. to. to. to. th. to. th. to. th. to. to. to. to. to. to. to.. to.... to.. to my mama house? Great. Let me ask you this. The special is something that is 100% Amanda, right? And one thing that I've seen many people say about you, which I completely agree with is you speak in, it's like your voice is unfiltered, untampered with. It is like, it is the trueest essence of what many comedians wish they could do when they're on stage. Is this something you always had when you're a comedian? Or? OK, Trevor. No, but. Public props. Public props?

You know, people give you props in your DMs, but it's one thing to do it like on the TV. Right. But you're really good, though. Thanks, guys. Yeah, I mean, my mother. I feel like I come from a family, a a th, a th, a th, a th, a th, a th, a family, a family, a family, a family, a family, a family, a family, a family, a family, a family, a th. that, a that, a that, a that, that, that, that, tho, that, that, that, th. I, th. I, public, public, public, public, public, public, public, public, public, public, public, public, public, public, public, public, th. Public, th. Public, th. Public, th. Public, th. Public, th. Public, th. Public, th. Public, th. Public, th. Public, th. A, th. A, th. A, th. A, th. A, th. A, th. A, that, that, that, that, that, that, public, like, like, like, like, like, like, public, like, like, like, public, like, public, public, like, public, public, public, public, public, public, public, public, public, like, public. Public, mean, my mother, I feel like I come from a family of people who, I wouldn't say we're unfiltered, I think we just have different filters. I think for a lot of people, fear is the filter.

And for me, that's just not the case. I'm not really afraid of if people will like me. I'm more fearful that I would be misinterpreted as saying something other than what I really mean. Wow. Do you think your mom encouraged that? Because I've seen you post stories, you know, you post stories on Instagram, you share a lot about your life. And I remember you had like a series about you as a young child and how your mom encouraged you to do things that were outside of your world. Do you think a lot of that to be able to form and help broaden your own right so I mean early on I was doing a lot of different activities and my mom just really operated under the banner of if she wants to try it and I can make it

let it try it right if I want her to try something and she's against it she gonna try it you know that was but I think that that's that's the kind the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the. the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the to the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the try. try. try. try. try. try. try. try. try. try. try. the the the the the the the the the the the the the the try something and she's against it, she's going to try it. You know, that was... But I think that that's the kind of person that I became because I'm not afraid to take risks. Because I've tried so many things and I liked and I didn't like them, but I always knew that I got back up and I could do something else. When you have these conversations online, you're not afraid to to talk theyteaaaehern. I's their their their their to talk. I's from race to conversations in and around gender, to what's happening in politics. And what I've always loved is how people will jump into your mentions and they'll say things like, oh, why are you speaking on this? What do you even know about this?

And you'd be like, well, I have a master's degree in. Like a whole master's degree. Right, a whole master's degree. Like a whole one. How much do you think that's informed your stand-up? Oh my gosh, I would say it's the cornerstone. Because so much of my stand-up is about not just laughing, but learning while laughing. And so much of stand-up is about talking about what you know. So my passion for black culture and the black experience is not just in my own existence as a black person,

but in the actual academic study that I've done about black people across the diaspora. So it really is rooted in that, as much as it's rooted in my own personal stories of getting beat with a box on a train. But that's a whole other situation. I've always been fascinated because I never know which way you're going to go on a subject or an issue. For instance, the other day, there was a story, thapap, tho, th, th, th, th, th, th, th, th, tho, tho, tho, tho, tho, tho, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thr, thi, thi, thi, thi, tho, tho, tho, tho, tho, thr-a, thr thr thr thr thr tho, tho, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, th, thi, is really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really thr, is thr, is thr, is thr, is thr, is a thr-s, is a thrown, thrown, throoooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo, thr... day there was a story about, you know, this, I think it's a film Cleopatra and then people were angry about who's going to play Cleopatra. They're like, why are they're not getting a black woman to play Cleopatra?

This is racism, this is you, and you came out and you were like, oh, people need to, oh, people need to stop complaining because clear p. And I was like, well, she's she she she she she's, she's, she's, she's, she's, she's, she's, she's, she's, she, she, she, she, she, she, she, she, I. Well, I. Well, I. Well, I. Well, I. Well, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, they. Well, I, they, they, they're, they, they're, they're, they're, they're, they're like, they're like, they're not, they're not, they're not, they're not, they're not, they, they, they, they, they, they, they, they, they, they, they, they, they, they, they. they, why, why, why, why, why, why, why, why, why, why, why, why, why, why, why, why, why, why, why, why, why, why, why, why, they're not, they're not, they're not, they're not, they're not. they're not. they're not. they're not. they're not, they're not, they're not, why, why, why, they're not was, according to historical reference, many say that she was the descendant of Ptolemy and like Macedonian, like, but she was not like, Nefertidi's cousin, sister's best friend, you know? And I think that's what a lot of people thought. As far as I'm concerned, like, I'm just a fact-based person. Right. In the same way that, like, I don't know how we are even kind even kind even even even even even even even even even even we we are even we are even we are even we are even thu thu thu thu that we are even thi that we are even thi thi thi that we are even thi thi, like, like, like, like, like, thi, thi, thi, thi, the fact, thi, thi, to, to, to, to, the fact, the fact, the fact, the fact, thi, the fact, the fact, their, their, their, their, their, their, their, the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the thi, the thi, thi In the same way that I don't know how we're even kind of defending our Kelly. Because the facts is he's trash. That's that.

So I don't know. I don't know how we're like talking about other people or how we're like having these like nuanced discussions. He's trash. You know like, one of my favorite things about you is you have this dictionary of words that you have come up with. So like for instance, like what do you say that you said she's not European, she's brown appearance? Brown apian, I don't know. And then I remember you you had? She's not European, she says she's brown appearing? Brown appeaer? I don't know. And then I remember you had one of my favorite things where you talked about the difference

between someone being white, a white person and someone who happens to be white. Strong distinction. Why did you feel the need to make that distinction? Because, partially because, because I feel like a lot of white people don't just they don't have a distinction amongst their group right and I think that there's a lot of folks who are like wait but not all but not all it's like okay here's something for you right but I also think that the we don't care about the not all you know like, but not all it's like, okay, here's something the. Right. there's the, the, there's so many there's there's there's there's there's there's there's there's there's there's there's there's there's there's there's there's their their their their their their their their the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, their their there's their their their their their their their their their their their their their their, their, their, their, their, their, their, their, their, their their their their their their their there's their their their their their their their their their their the, the, the, the, the, the, the, their their the, their their their their the, their their the, their their their there's thethink that we don't care about the not all, you know, like, but not all because there's so many doing the BS.

Right. Right. So when I make that distinction, it's also for folks who have allies and who know allies to be able to point out, this is an example of what you should be, you know, and I think that is important because you can complain, complain, but if you can th, th, th, th, th, th, th, but th, but th, but you can't, but you can't, th, but, but you can't, but, th, but, but you can't, but, th, but, but, but, thi, but, but, but, but, but, but, but, but, but, but, thi, thi, but, but, but, but, but, but, but, but, but, but, but, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, their, their, their, their, their, their, their, their, their, thi, their, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, their, their, their, their, their, their, their, their, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, and thi.i.i.i.i.i.i.i.i.i.i.i. thi.i. thi. their, their, their, this is an example of what you should be. You know, and I think that is important because you can complain, complain, complain, complain, but if you can't identify like a version of what it is to be on the right side of something, then it's hard to point people in the right direction. People who happen to be white, people who have to be white, you know what, watch the special, I explain it. That's a nice, that, that's a nice, that's a nice, that's a nice, that's a nice, that's a nice, that's a nice, that's a nice, watch, watch, watch, watch, watch, watch, watch, watch, watch, watch, watch, watch, watch, watch, watch, watch, watch, watch, watch, watch, watch, watch, watch, watch, watch, watch, watch, watch, watch, watch, watch, watch, watch, watch, watch, watch, watch, watch, watch, watch, watch, watch, watch, watch, watch, watch, watch, watch, watch, watch, watch, watch, watch, watch, watch, watch, watch, watch, watch, watch, watch, watch, watch, watch, watch, watch, watch, watch, watch, watch, watch, watch, watch, watch, watch, watch, watch, watch, watch, watch, watch, watch. That's that. That's a great hook.

You've got the special. You've got your podcast as well. You've got a show, small doses. You've got a show that's really successful around the country that you've been doing. And it's not just a comedy show, it's smart, funny, and black. It's a live music comedy game show experience. Right. But the game show elements is what makes it really interesting and people love that. Explain the game show to the audience at home because you want to go catch the show if you can. What is the game show element of this about? So we bring on two

funny folks so it doesn't have to be comedians but to people who are notable and have a sense of humor and I write games that games that test their knowledge of black culture, black history, and the black experience. Within that format, we have a moment of ebony excellence. We have musical sing-alongs. We have information points of view, etc. And so it really is just about edutainment. That's what it's really about. It's finding a creative way to bring information and education into a space that is lively and entertaining

and at the same time empowering and enriching. Is that something you identified from your master's degree in African-American studies? Was there something where African-American studies is the disconnect between how America tells its story and the story of black people in America being excluded from that? Oh, you're trying to get knowledgeable to get to get to get to get to get to get to get to get to get to get to get to get to get to get being excluded from that? I was you trying to get knowledgeable, okay. Okay, we showed up. Okay. Here's one thing about black folks. We love entertainment. Right. Okay. If there were DJs at every voting booth, I mean this situation never would have happened.

Okay. You got to know your culture, you got to know your people. Yes. You you know your people. You know, okay, okay, okay, okay, okay, okay. Okay. Okay. Okay. Okay. Okay. Okay. Okay. Okay. Okay. Okay. Okay. Okay. Okay. Okay. Okay. Okay. Okay. Okay, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, their their their their their their their their their their th th th th th to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to get to get to get to get to get to get to get to get to get th, th, th th, okay, okay, okay, okay. Okay. Okay. Okay. Okay, okay, th th th th th th th th, th th th th th, th th th th th thi thi thi thi thi thi thi thi thi thi thi thi thi thi thi thi to to to thi to to thi to to to thi thi thi thi thi. thi. mean, the situation never would have happened. Okay, you got to know your culture, you got to know your people. You know what I'm saying? And so when I say that, it's like, we really thrive in that space. And so if I can use that space to also empower us and enrich us, then what's the hurt, right? But I think that there's a disconnect often just in terms of the amount of negative imagery of black folks that we're getting, and I wanted to create a celebratory space. I wanted to create a safe space because we don't have a living color anymore. We don't have deaf comedy jam anymore. We don't have the show anymore.

So Smart Funny and Black, I've kept it as a live show because I'm in control of it. That's what helps to keep it safe. Because once you put it on the TV, then people get in control of it that don't have black empowerment as their bottom line. Is that your dream, then, to grow into a space where you can create that type of content in a way that you can curate the way you want it to be to be to be to be to be to be to be to be to be to be to be to be to be. Because I

Commerce has never been the root of my work. It's a byproduct. Just like fame has never been the root of my work. It's a byproduct So I always create art that speaks for me and hopefully speaks and helps people. So being able to do that without having to Answer to like, well white people like this is incredibly important and that is a question. I was asked thi. that is a question. I was a the question. the thous. that is th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. tho. thi thus, thus, tho tho tho the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the th. the th. the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the thousand thousand thoooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo. the the the to do that without having to answer to like, well, white people like this is incredibly important. And that is a question I was asked several times, both times that I sold this show and took it back. Wow, well, I'll tell you this. Black people will like the show. And I think white people love it as well. It's super funny.

Congre. authentic. Anyone who loved, anyone who loved the show. Congratulations, thank you for being on the show. I've been knowing for me is January 26th at 10 p.m. an HBO. It's really special. Amanda Seals everybody. Thanks. The Daily Show with Cover No. Ears edition. Watch the Daily Show weeknights at 11. Ten Central on Comedy Central and the Comedy Central and the Comedy Central app. Watch full episodes and videos at the Daily Show. to the Daily Show on YouTube for exclusive content and more.

This has been a Comedy Central podcast. John Stewart here. Unbelievably exciting news. My new podcast, The Weekly Show. We're going to be talking about the election, economics, ingredient to bread ratio on sandwiches. Listen to the weekly show with John Stewart, wherever you get your podcast.