The Daily Show: Ears Edition - The FBI Releases its Brett Kavanaugh Report | Riz Ahmed

Episode Date: October 5, 2018

China inserts microchips into hardware sold to the U.S., the FBI brings its investigation of Brett Kavanaugh to a close, and actor Riz Ahmed talks about "Venom." 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, coming out every Thursday. We're going to be talking about the election earnings calls. What are they talking about on these earnings calls? We're going to be talking about ingredient-to-bread ratio on sandwiches. I know you have a lot of options as far as podcasts go, but how many of them come out on Thursday. Listen to the weekly show with John Stewart wherever

you get your podcast. October 4th 2018. Central's World News Headquarters in New York. This is the data show everybody. Thank you so much for coming out and thank you to treating me and I'm tel Noah. Our guest tonight is the star of the new Venom movie Riz Ahmed is here everybody. We're having fun conversation with him, but first let's catch up on today's headlines. Gina. They make all of our computers and it turns out they've been throwing in a little something extra.

A shocking new report details how China used a tiny chip about the size of a grain of rice to infiltrate US tech giants as early as 2015. The chips allowed the attackers to create a stealth doorway into any network that included the altered machines. Investigators found that the chips had been inserted at factories run by manufacturing subcontractors in China. Wow, really? China has gone too far.

First, they hide little notes in my cookies and now this? And you realize this isn't about hacking our passwords. No, that's basic. What they're doing is, they're putting tainted microchips into the hardware at the factory, which means there's nothing we can do. Passwords don't help. I mean, we could move the factories to the US,

but then it's like introducing the new iPhone, only $6,000. And then we're like, yeah, tell tell tell tell tell tell tell tell tell tell tell tell tell tell tell the one. And here's my thing. If being hacked is inevitable, which it feels like in this day and age, maybe we shouldn't try to protect our information on our devices anymore, right? I've been thinking about this. Instead, what we should do is just surround our real information with a bunch of other junk as a distraction, you know, to throw hackers off the trail. That's my pitch. That's what I do I do on my iPhone. That's that's what I'm that's what I'm that's what I'm that's what I do. That's what I do that's what I do that's what I do that's what I do that's what I do that's what I do that's what I do that's what I do that's what I do that's what I do that's what I do that's that's that's what I do that's what I do 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 what I that's what I that's what I that's what I that's what I that's what I that's what I that's what I do I do I do I do I do I do I do I do I do I do I do I do I do that's what I do. that's what I do that's what I do. th. that's what I do. th. th. thi. that. that. that. that. that. that. that. that. that's what I that's what I that's what I that's, I don't know. I'm not going to stop taking dick picks, but what I also do is, what also do is I add a lot of other dick photos. Yeah. That way, if you ever hack my phone, you don't know which one is mine. It works. It really works. I'll give you a clue though, it's the one with the dimples. Moving on.

Last week we shared a story about people getting into accidents because they were taking selfies while hiking. But now we're learning that people die taking selfies while doing all sorts of things. The Washington Post reports on a study that says more than 250 people worldwide have died while taking selfies in the last six years. News reports were analyzed by the All India Institute of Medical Sciences.. thiiiiiiiiiiiiiii.. the the the thii. thi. thi. thi. thi. thi. thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, the the, the, the, thi, thi, thi, th. Last th, th, th, th, th, th, th, th, th, th, th, th, th, th. Last, th. Last, th. Last, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi. Last thi. Last thi. Last theiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii. Last thi, thi in the last six years. News reports were analyzed by the All India Institute of Medical Sciences. The leading cause was drowning. That was followed by transportation related deaths and falling from heights.

Okay, I get falling, but how are people drowning while taking a selfie? I don't, I mean, like, what, do they fall into the water while taking this or worse? Are they underwater trying to get a selfie? And then like dying because they can't get the perfect pick? Like, it's just people underwater, like... What are you doing? In other news, if you take care of yourself and eat right, you can live to be a hundred. And then you can eat whatever you want. Chick-Villet throws a surprise 100th birthday party for one of their top customers. Until last year, Stephen Bellissimo stopped by the Florida restaurant nearly every day for 20 years,

earning him free chick filet for her life. Mr. Steve, we want to give you chick filet for the rest of your life. So no more 50% off, you're getting free. I come here to chick filet. Yep. Why do it? That is the best gift I can ever receive. I'm gonna, instead of coming once a week now, I'm coming every day. Oh, man. That is the cutest thing of a hundred years old.

He's grateful about that. I wonder, is that the secret to living to 100? Yeah? If it is, someone get Ruth Bader Ginsburg some curly fries right away. Right away. Right away. Right away. I would say, I would say it's kind of a dick move from Chick-fillay here, right? Like, they're giving him lifetime-free, right?

Like, they're giving him lifetime-a-furtle-fiflain-fi-fi-fi-fi-fi-fi-fi-fi-fi-fi-fi-fi-flain-flain-fli-fi-fi-fi-fri-frie-frie-frie-friot-friot-friot-friot-friot thrives right right-friot thrizee thrizee thrizee thrizee thrives right-s right-s right-s right-s right-s right-s right-s right-s right-s right-s right to leave soon, right? Yeah? Like, I hope he lives another 30 years. I hope he lives another 30 years, and then Chick-fil-A managers are like, okay, that's what we're cutting you off. You should have been dead by now. Get back into your car. What do you mean you ran here? Who are you? All right, let's move on top story. For weeks now, Brett Kavanaugh's nomination to the Supreme Court has torn America apart.

45% of the country believes Dr. Ford, his accuser. 33% believes Kavanaugh, and the remaining 22% believes the Supreme Court is a nacho order at Taco Bell. And look, I'll be honest, today has been a very emotional day for many people. In D.C., protesters spent the day rallying at the Capitol and confronting senators about confirming Kavanaugh. And time seems to be running out because the FBI finished its investigation into the claims against Kavanaugh. And the bad news is, the White House loves it.

Overnight, the FBI's highly anticipated investigation of Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh delivered to the White House and Capitol Hill. The White House calling it the most comprehensive review of a Supreme Court nominee in history. The White House concluded those interviews did not corroborate sexual misconduct allegations against Brett Kavanaugh. That's right, the FBI investigation is officially complete. But I don't know if we can call a five-day investigation sufficient. Although I get why the White House thinks it is. I mean, they've never spent five consecutive days on anything. Yeah, they're probably like, this investigation was so thorough, it lasted half a scaremuchy.

And... And another thing that makes this investigation feel like a sham is how the FBI used their time. This FBI investigation was fast, it was limited, and several potential witnesses are now claiming it was incomplete. The FBI contacted a total of 10 people and interviewed nine of them. There are more than 40 people with potential information about sexual misconduct allegations against Breath Kavanaugh, who were not contacted by the FBI.

Two people who weren't interviewed, Judge Kavanaugh himself or Dr. Christine Blasey-Ford. Okay, now that seems a little strange, right? There were 40 people who said they had information for the FBI, and none of them got interviewed. This is the same FBI that came after me for duplicating a copy of Rambo 3 on VHS, but they don't have time for the Supreme Court. And by the way, they held me for four hours, but I didn't give them shit. That's right. Nothing. Nothing. Nada. I didn't snitch, Carlos. Ah, fuck. Now, unfortunately, the FBI's report is in public, right? There's only one copy which can be viewed exclusively by senators, and it's kept inside a vault in the Capitol building. Yeah, it's really top secret.

And as an extra layer of security, you can only enter after having a conversation with Eric. And it's just like, hey, do you like model trains too? You're like, you know what, I don't, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, th, th, th, I, I, th, th, th, th, I, I, th, th th th thi, thi, thi, the FBI, is the FBI's the FBI's the FBI's the FBI's the FBI's the FBI's the FBI's the FBI's the FBI's the FBI's the FBI's the FBI, the the the the the the the the the the the th th th th th th th, th th th th th th th th th th thi, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I'm, I'm, I don't thi's thi's thi's th th th th th th thi. thi. th thi. thi. thi. thi. thi. thi. thi. th Eric. And it's just like, hey, do you like Marvel Trains too? You're like, you know what, I don't care, I don't care. But this report, this report was never meant for us. The only reason the GOP allowed the FBI to investigate was to satisfy the concerns of three senators. Collins, Mikowski, and Flake. So it doesn't matter that the investigation wasn't thorough. What matters is that it gives these moderate Republicans the cover they need to vote yes.

Basically, Mitch McConnell conducted this process the same way a parent checks under their kid's bed for monsters. They're just like, all right, there's nothing there, go to sleep now. But, but what if he's in the closet? Well, then, who are we to judge, Tim Tim Tim, Tim, Tim, Tim, Tim, Tim, the, to? the, the to? the the they. they. they. they. they. they. th. th. th. th. th. th. to?? to? Well, to? Well, th th th thi. thi. thi. thi. thi. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. M. M. M. M. M. M. M. M. M. M. M. M. M. M. M. M. M. M. M. M. th. M. th. th. M. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. to. to. to. to. to. to. to. to. to. to. to. to. to. to. to. to. to. to. to. to. th to. th th th th th th who are we to judge, Timmy? And you can tell McConnell wasn't trying to find any monsters from day one. This fine nominated the Supreme Court will receive a vote in this Senate in the near future. We're going to be moving forward. I'm confident we're going to win. Judge Kavanaugh will be on the United States Supreme Court. We're going to plow right through it and do our job.

You see? This was never about process for him. It was always about rushing the confirmation through before the midterms. Yeah, McConnell approached this the same way that God made to make Mitch McConnell. You know? Yeah, the angels were like, God, you haven't finished his face. And he was like, look, I'm plowing th th th th th th th th th th th, look, look, look, look, look, look, look, look, look, look, look, look, look, look, look, look, look, look, look, look, look, look, look, look, look, look, look, look, look, look, look, look, look, I, I, I, I, th, th, th, th, th, th, th, th, th, th, th, th, th, th, th, th, th, th, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, 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. thoooooooooo. It, thi, thi, I'm plowing through this. I'm plowing through this. I have to get it gone.

I have to. But God, he has no lips. Who cares? Wait until you see this Idris Albi made. Me, damn. So it looks like, like it or not, cocaine Mitch has done it again. He successfully stole Obama's Supreme Court seats, and now he's bulldozed through the Me Too movement to get Judge Kegstand onto the Supreme Court.

And I'm an optimist, but it doesn't seem like there's much anybody can do besides wait and see. Like we may as well go out and get drunk like Brett Kavanaugh and try and forget that this ever happened like Brett Kavana. We'll be right back. Hey everybody, John Stewart here. I am here to tell you about my new podcast, the weekly show. It's going to be coming out every Thursday. So exciting you 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. Welcome to the Daily Show.

My guest tonight is an Emmy Award-winning actor, rapper, and activist who stars in the new movie, Venom. Please welcome, Riz Ahmed. Thank you for the show. Thank you for having me, man. I'm a massive fan. I love me, man. It's been a while. I've been watching you blow up. I mean, so many people were fans of you from the night, fans of yours from the night off. Many people were fans of yours, seeing you in so many different movies. You've played so many different roles and now you're in Venom playing a character that I did not like as a human being for the first time. Right. Thank you. Right. Did you. Did you enjoy it? Did you enjoy it? Did th. Did you. Did you. Did you. Did you. Did you. Did you. Did you. Did you. Did you. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. thi. 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. th. th. th. th. the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the th. th. thi. thi. thi. thi. thee. to. to. to. to. to. to. the the the. thi. the. thi. thi. thi. th I'd be in a movie like this, to be honest, you know, you grow up watching films like this, you don't necessarily see people that look like me

in them, so it felt like a great moment for me personally and, you know, you get to play with all the toys and all these great actors and I also, I think Venom's quite like timely story right. In what way? Well, it's like, it's like, tha, thia, thia, it's like, tha, it's like, thi. thi. It's like, thi, thi, thi, thi, it's like, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, like, like, that, like, that, 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, th. So, th. So, th. So, th. It's, a, a, th. It's, th. It's, th. It's, th. It's, th. It's, like, like, like, like. And, um, and like, to begin with, we'll read the comics. He's a fact. And to begin with, he tries to get rid of him, but then he realizes he can't really live without him. Right, right. So, you know, it's kind of something in there. You know, what I find interesting is the idea behind the character and what you're saying, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, th, th, th, th, th, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thin, thin, 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, th, th, th, th, th, th, th behind the character and what you're saying. You know, when you're growing up, you watch these movies, and I know specifically, like,

you know, characters who are either of Middle Eastern or South Asian descent, which saw themselves as one thing and that was like Bad Guy Number Four, terrorist number seven, right? But here you want a movie where you're playing a character who's this wild billionaire who thinks he should be king of the world, right? Very unrealistic character that we cannot see in real life. But you're playing this character. And jokes aside, what is great is you're playing a character that is a star of a movie, in a Marvel film as well, and you look the way you look, which is a powerful thing when you think of like the journey that you've gone through.

When you look at diversity and when you look at representation, how do you work towards one of the two? Are they as important to you as the other? Like it's such a difficult discussion to have right now in Hollywood. How do you deal with it? It's interesting in a way because I was thiiiiiiiiiiiiiii I was thinking, because I was thinking, because I was thi thi thi thi, because I was thi, because I was thi, because I was thi, because I was thi, because I was thi, because I was thi, because I was thi, because I was thinking, because I was thi, because I was thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, th, thi, th, thi, th, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi. thi. thi, thi, thi, thing about this backstage, is like, it's kind of weird that it's even a thing, it's weird that it's remarkable at all that I should be able to play a range of different characters. Because you think about it,

that's the basis of acting itself. But the basis of acting is, I could be you, and you could be me, it's just a circumstance, it, just, just, just, just,the same. So it's just weird if you think about it that certain people's faces or experiences are seen as universally relatable and other people's aren't. But it's obviously not true, otherwise, you know, you wouldn't be able to be moved by any art that wasn't about anyone, you know, anyone else.

So, I mean, that's my take on that. But in terms of diversity and representation I don't like to talk about diversity I feel like it sounds like an added extra right it sounds like the fries not the burger you know it sounds like something on the side you've got your main thing going on and yeah let's sprinkle a little bit of diversity on top of that and that's not what it's about for me it's about representation and representation is absolutely fundamental in terms of what we expect from our culture and from our politics. You know, we all want to feel represented.

We don't want to feel seen and heard and valued. So I prefer to talk about representation. You've done a great job of playing so many different characters on screen, just as an actor. Yeah. You've done a really great job of playing so many different characters on screen just as an actor. Like you you've gone for such a diverse set of roles, you know, that challenge you in different ways. What I didn't always know about you is that you are also a rapper, like a rapper, then it's like a rapper, then it's just a joke. Like, like an emceau.

Like an toe'n'e' thrown, like, because some people go like, I rap and then it's like, it's a joke, but no, really serious. We've actually got a clip from one of your music videos right here. But my voice, let my people off the dance bed, headlines to the headlines, yeah. Now, that song comes from a body of work that is powerful because you speak not just about what's happening in the world, but what has happened to you as a person. One of my favorite songs is 9-11 blues. Right. Tell us what 9-11 blues is about. Well, yeah, I mean, that track's called Mugambo is the track that just came out yesterday,

actually. And, you know, the message for that song is, I guess there's been a through line to my work. And in Mugambo, I'm saying it most explicitly than I've ever said it, which is that we're living at a time where I said a lot of people are feeling unheard and unvalued and just unwanted. And really the message of this song is And if you really want to get into it, let's talk about who built these societies. Empire built Britain. You know, this country was built on the backs of people who are trying, you know, people are trying to exclude those people from power now. So it's really a kind of, I just felt sick up of feeling so depressed. I just felt, I just thi thi thi th. I just th. I just th. I just th. I just th. I just th. I just thi thi thi thi thi thi thi thi thi thi thi thi thi thi thi thi thi thi thi thi 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 to to to to th. to 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 try try try try try try try try to try to to to to try to to to to thi thi of feeling despair and I said I wanted to make something defiant.

So I described this track as a kind of middle finger that you can dance to. I like that. I like that. I like that. But from the story behind that, I was a try. That was my first rap song that I recorded and it got banned as soon as I released it, which thank you for banning it because because because because because because because because because because because because it because it because it because it because it because it because it and it got banned as soon as I released it, which thank you for banning it because it was so much free promotion.

That's right, it was amazing, thank you. But you know, DJ started emailing me saying, feel like, you know, we're living in a politically sensitive environment, we can't play this track. And it was really just making fun of the post 9-11 circus of fear, this really kind of extravagant, cartoonish, you know, bogeyman kind of narrative that we had going on about Muslims. But yeah, I wrote it because the first film that I acted in, it won an award at Berlin Film Festival. We got on a plane, we all celebrating, landed back in the UK, and as soon as we landed, we got detained

by British intelligence officers. And they like, took me their their th the the thi thi thi thi thi thi thi thi thi thi thi thi thi thi thi thi thi thi thi thi thoom thoom thoom thoom tho-in tho-in tho-in' tho-in kind kind kind kind kind kind kind kind kind kind kind kind kind kind kind kind kind kind kind kind kind kind kind kind kind kind kind kind kind kind kind kind kind kind kind kind kind kind kind kind kind kind kind kind kind kind kind kind kind kind kind kind kind kind kind kind kind kind kind kind kind kind kind kind kind kind kind kind kind kind kind kind kind kind kind kind kind kind kind, th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi. We' told, too-s. We' toed too-up toed th tho-up tho-s. We we landed we got detained by British intelligence officers. And they like took me into this side room and I was like wow this shit's real, you know? Right. And they put me in all these arm locks and they were like, did you become an actor to further the Muslim struggle? And I was like, now I became an actor to get girls, but it doesn't work. Yeah. You know, it was weird because it's like, yeah, this wasn't the kind of kink I had in mind, you know, you putting me in an arm long because it isn't what I was aiming for.

And I just thought, this is such a crazy, crazy situation, you know, being intimidated like that because you're just acting, you're just expressing yourself. And I thought, you know what, I'm gonna make a kind of joke rap song about it, you know, so that's what I did. You've been amazing at expressing yourself. You are someone who is outspoken in a time when a lot of people are like, I don't wanna get involved in the politics, and that's something that's a human being.

Brexit is something that's huge. But I want I I I I I I I I I I I I th th th th th th th th tho I tho I tho I tho I tho I want I want I want I want I want I want I want I want th. I want th. I'm th. I'm th. I'm th. th. th. th. thathea thathea' th. th. th. th. th. tho. tho. th. tho. tho. tho. I'm th. I'm th. I'm th. I'm th. I'm th. I'm th. th. th. th. th. th. th. I's just just just just just just just just just, th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. It's, th. I'm, th. I'ma. I'ma. I'ma. I'ma. I'ma. I'ma. I'ma. I'ma. I'ma. I'ma. I'ma. I'ma. I'ma. I'ma. I'ma. I'ma. I is something that's huge. But I wanted to ask you, don't you feel like, I mean, I just think what you do by the way is just incredible, man, I think you're such an important voice, the stuff you say. Thank you, I'm sorry. I'm sorry, I'm sorry. Thank you. I'm trying to say, it's inspiring to watch. It's inspiring to watch. thi-I. the, the, th. th. 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. 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. th. th. th. I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I thi. I thi. I thi. thi. thi. thi. thi. thi. thi. thi. thi. thi. thi. I just, I just, I just, I just, I just, I just, I just, I just kind of think, like, I don't know if you feel this, but it's not like you chose politics. If you're born into a certain body in a certain place and time, politics chooses you. Oh yeah, you can't escape. Right.

So, you know, when I'm making rap songs, I'm not trying to make political songs. They're very personal songs. This is one person's personal songwriting will be, the gloves coming on an airport security. Right, right, right. That's my Friday night. So, it's just, it's just coming from a personal place, you know. It's a personal place you deliver it well. I'm excited to see everything that you're going to do with.

Thank you so much. Thank you so much. It's such a pleasure having to you. Venable be in the the theater. Where's I mean, everybody? That's so hard. The Daily Show with Kervanoa, Ears Edition. Watch the Daily Show weeknights at 11, 10 Central on Comedy Central and the Comedy Central app. Watch full episodes and videos at the Daily Show. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, and subscribe to the Daily Show on YouTube for exclusive content and more.

This has been a Comedy Central podcast. Hey everybody, John Stewart here. I am here to tell you about my new podcast, The Weekly Show coming out every Thursday. We're going to be talking about the election earnings calls. What are they talking about on these earnings calls? We're going to be talking about the election, earnings calls. What are they talking about on these earnings calls? We're going to be talking about ingredient-to-bread ratio on sandwiches. I know you have a lot of options as far as podcasts go, but how many of them come out on Thursday? Listen to the weekly show with John Stewart wherever you get your podcast.