The Daily Show: Ears Edition - Ziwe - Celebrating & Enabling Icons

Episode Date: May 17, 2022

“I don’t make it awkward on purpose. I’m just a little strange.” Comedian Ziwe discusses how she turns her interviews into iconic moments, her very specific brand of comedy, and the difference between herself and the character “Ziwe.”See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You're listening to Comedy Central. Please welcome Zeewe! Yeah. Welcome to the show, Zewin. Thank you for having me. I'm beyond excited to be here. You're beyond excited. I am enthralled by everything that you're doing, genuinely because you have what has quickly become like people's favorite show on TV. Wow.

Yeah, because I mean we just saw in that clip, you've created a show that is uniquely you in that you, you've created a show that is uniquely you in that you'll interview people and it's like the most awkward interview of all time. People would say that I don't make it awkward on purpose, I'm just a little strange. Okay, okay. But here's the thing. So I remember when you first started this. This was, it was on YouTube originally, right? And then it really blew up on Instagram, like during the pandemic. And I would I, it, it, it, it, it, it, it, it, it, it, it, it, it, it, it, it, it, it, it, it, it, it, it, it, it, it, it, it, it, it's like, it's like, it's like, it's like, it's like, it's like, it's like, it's like, it's like, th like, it's like, it's like, it's like, it's like, it's like, it's like, it's like, it's like, it's like, it's like, it's like, it's like, it's like, it's like, it's like, it's like, it's like, it's like, it's like, the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the th. It's like, th. It's like, th. It's like, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi's like, the most like, the most like, the most like, the most like, the most like, the most like, thi's like, thi's like, the most like, this was, it was on YouTube originally, right? And then it really blew up on Instagram, like during the pandemic. And I would watch people and they would talk to you on Instagram, like the biggest celebrities, they'd be like, oh, I'm gonna let Zewa interview me.

And they looked like idiots sometimes, and then other times they just look like they didn't know what was going on. And I was like, why, why, why, why, why, why, why, why, why, why, why, why, why, why, why, why, why, why, why, why, why, why, why, why, why, why, why, why, their. And, their. And I was like, they. they. they. they. And, they, they, they, they their, their, their, their, their, their, their, their, their, their, and I was. And, and I was. And, their, their, their, their, their, their, their, their, their. their. And, their. And, their. And, their. And, their. And, and I. And, and I. And, like, and I. And, like, their. And, their. And, their. And, their. And, th. And, th. And, th. And, th. And, and, th. And, and, and, th. And, the. And, and, and, the. And, and, the. And, they. And, they, how do you get the people to keep talking to you? Well, I celebrate icons and I enable icons to say iconic things. Oh, I love that. Oh, man. So, when people come to the show, do they know the vibe ahead of time? Yes. The episodes are available for streaming. But it seems like they don't expect it sometimes. Like they feel, you know, like we love it as the viewers. Yeah. And then we watch like your guess and it seems like they've just been hit by like a 10-ton truck. I think, well so I am very personable and so I connect with them and maybe that's surprising that I'm so kind and hospitable. I also love that the show has like all these these segments that you've

created that have gone not just viral but it's like into people's hearts so you know you we've got the guest segments where you interview people you also have the music which there's gonna be an album at some point yes yeah yes definitely I identify as a pop star yeah yeah yes music, which there's going to be an album at some point, yes? Yeah? Yes, definitely, definitely. I identify as a pop star. Yeah? Yes.

Because I love, what was, don't be poor? Stop being poor, yes. That's a bop. Thank you. Thank you. And do you guys, are you guys living by Reaganomics, it today? It's a very powerful song. It's a, 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, the, the, the, the, th. th. the, 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. to, to, to, to, to, to, to, to, to, to, to, to, to, to, to, th. th. to, th. to, to, to, to, to, to, to, to, to, to, to, to, to, to, to, to, to, to, to, to, to, to, yeah. Yeah, I like, I just think that trickle-down economics, it works. And I think if you look at yourself in the mirror and say, stop being poor, eventually it'll happen.

And that's why couldn't have made years and years ago. It's so unique, it's so you, it's so specific, it's loved by people who know exactly what the show is about. Like, do you think you could have always done this? Has this always been like your brand of comedy? So can I have always done this? No, because this show pulls from like real housewives and Eric Andre and Colbert so these things didn't exist 15 years ago. Right.

But the brand of comedy is consistent. Again, this is my personality. It's a hyperbolic character, but there's a kernel in there. This is you, like deep down inside. I mean, I Z-Way am kinder than the character Z-Way. You are also, you are also supremely talented, not just as the character Z-Way, but as yourself. I mean, writing, like creating, performing, the whole, you have like a very specific vision for what you want. Some people don't get it at all.

Like I heard that your parents don't get what you do. No, they have no understanding of what I do. Do your parents know what you do? No, they have no understanding of what I do. Do your parents know what you do? Well, my mom sort of, she goes like I talk to people I guess, she sort of, but I, but but yeah, she gets, I think she gets a little bit more, you know what I mean? My parents think that I just talk to Gail King for a living. So like once a year, they see me on CBS, that, they're like, they're thathea, that, that, that, that, 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, 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, I. I. I. I. I. I. I. I. I, I, I'm, I'm, I'm, I'm, I'm, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I'm, I, I, I, I'm, I, I'm, I'm, I think, I think, I think,ir kids do any, like Nigerian parents are just like you're crushing it, whatever you're doing. So are they proud of what you're doing? They're definitely proud of what I'm doing? Although they do wish that I was a doctor, but it's a little late.

That's what I was wondering. Yeah. Because Nigerian parents have that vibe very much like, who we are. Wow. Wow. So you have all these guests on the show. You have, I mean, like in that clip, for instance. So for people who don't understand the context, Chet Hanx, yes. Tom Hanks's son. Yes.

He like, he like, the're appropriating Jamaican culture. And it was a really interesting story, though, because Jamaicans were like, we love this guy. He's doing it properly. He understands our culture. This is our vibe. And the people in America were like, this is disgusting, don't do it. And Chet was like, this is disgusting, don't do it. And chett was like, I don't give so I tried to book him from my Instagram live, and he did not want to do that. And then we had a guest dropout.

He was, we were texting. He was congratulating me for whatever. And I asked again, and he flew in two days later. That's amazing. You just were like, come in, Chet. Yeah, yes. Great. It's, it's, thank you, thank you. I got Hacks. No, it's, it was great. I mean, he asked if we could promote his fitness app,

which we do on the show, so there's about 20 minutes of chat in the next episode. I like that. Yeah, Chester of Marlonne Hanks, you gotta love him. You also interviewed a Charlemn the Gaud, Yes. Lennard. Lennard oh, he's just doing his thing. Was that like a clash of the Titans for you? Was it a clash of the Titans?

No, I like to think that I'm embracing every single one of my guests, giving them a warm hug. they, that they have this feeling, you know? Who do you think has been your favorite guest, like of season one at least? It's hard to, ever, it's, guests are like children. You can't pick a favorite. But you can. You can. You can.

But like, friend Leevoets is so different than Phoebee Bridgers. Yeah, yeah, but you can pick. But every th every parents, th, th, th, th, th, th, th, th, th, th, th, th, th, th, th, th, th, th, the, the, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, th. th. th. thi, th. thi, th. th. th. th. th. th. th. they's, th. th. th. th. the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, thi. thi. thi. thi. thi. thi. thi. thea. thea. to to to to thea. toea. toea. toea. to to thi. thea but you can pick. Every parent knows. Every parent deep down inside knows knows. They say they don't, but they know. You're an only child, that's why you say that. No, no, no, no. I've got, I've got two brothers and my mom knows. I mean, it's like every parent knows. It's like, it's like every parent knows. thi thii. to thi, it's like, it's like, it's like, it's like, it's like, it's like, it's like, it's like, it's like, it's like, it's like, it's like, it's like, it's like, it's like, it's like, it's like, it's like, it's like, it's like, it's like, it's like, it's like, it's like, it's like, it's like, it's like, it's like, it's like, it's like, 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, it's, it's, it's, it's, it's, it's, it's, it's, it's, it's, it's, it's like, it's like, it's like, it's like, it's like, it's like, it's like, it's like, it's like, it's like, it's like, it's like, it's like, it's like, it's like, it's like, it's like, it's like, it's like, it's like, it's like, it's like, it's like, it's like, it's like, it's like, it's like, it's like, it's like assumes it's them, by the way, but I think every parent knows. But do they say? Oh, okay, so you won't say, but you know. So don't say it, just look at me and I'll know. Just look at me and think of your favorites.

Now I know. Now I know. Yeah, I know. I can feel that. I know. I know. I can feel that. I know now. I know. The show has become a critical smash hit. You've turned portions of it into like a live performance as well.

You've created something completely new, completely different. What do you plan to do for the future? Like, where's Zira going to go from this? I mean, obviously you're going to keep doing the show, hopefully. And then what do you want to do? The White House, the presidency. Oh like the actual, oh wow. All right, so then let's talk about, so zero becomes present. What are some of your policies? Stop being poor. Yeah, okay. Powerful. Nobody has thought of that. I like that. No one has said I don't think there's any politician who's thought of that as a, it may work, very powerful. Any other ideas to fix the country? the the. the. the. the. the. the. the. the. thiiiiii. thi. thi. thi. thi. thi. thi. thi. thi. thi. thi. thi. thi. thi. thi. thi. thi. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. thi. So, thi. So, thi. So, thi. So, th. So, th. So, th. So, th. So, th. So, th. So, th. So, th. So, th. So, th. So, th. So, th. th. th. th. the. the. the. the. the. the. the. the. thea. thea. thea. thea. thea. then, thea. thea. thea. thea. the. So, the. So, any other ideas to fix the country? Get rich, myself. Yes, okay, okay. Okay, all right.

Anything in addition to that? Um, Brad's dolls for every human, an American. Wow. These are powerful, powerful policies that you're putting forward. Thank you. I haven't thought about my platform, but you don't really need a platform anymore. You just got to be. Famous. Oh man. All right, people don't forget. New episodes of Z-Ware stream Fridays on Showtime.

The Daily Show with Trevor Noah Ears Edition. Subscribe to the Daily Show on YouTube for exclusive content and stream full episodes anytime on Paramount Plus. This has been a Comedy Central podcast.