
Border? I hardly knew her! Join us as Lovett or Leave It journeys to the Great White North, where the kisses are French and the bacon ham, for Montreal’s Just For Laughs Festival. This week, Donald Trump’s friendship with Jeffrey Epstein sketches us out, Mike Johnson shutters the House early to stop the release of the Epstein Files, and the DOJ hops on a plane for Ghislaine. Meanwhile, Zach Zucker stops by for some stage time; Roy Wood Jr. and Gianmarco Soresi talk late night and the good fight, and Cat Cohen and Mary Beth Barone get a little cozy with Canucks. And we end the evening with a spin of the American apology wheel, taking us all out in a blaze of sorry. Upcoming shows: crooked.com/events
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John Lovett
Love it or Leave it is brought to you by Bombas. Summer's here and we're all chasing something to break a goal, a vibe. Let's not let bad socks and blisters ruin it. Bombas make socks that keep up with whatever your summer looks like, whether you're running a marathon or just a few errands. Seriously, you know that song that makes you want to go fast? Bombas running socks are like that. They wick sweat, help you keep cool and fight blisters. And it's not just running. They make specialized pairs for hiking, tennis, golf, you name it, they do. They have grip socks if you want to do like Pilates. I know that about that because I had them. They even make socks that can make international flights bearable. We're talking Bombas compression socks to help curb aches and keep those legs energized for all the sightseeing ahead. I'm going on an international flight and I have these very socks. I don't know what they're for exactly, but people recommend them, so I'll try them.
Roy Wood Jr.
Miracle workers.
John Lovett
I don't know. I'm in my 40s. Time for some compression socks. Next thing I'll know, I'll get those thick Velcro shoes. What was this an ad for? Socks. With wedding season in full swing, you're going to want to see the ruffle and dress socks that make you the best dressed guests. Best of all, they don't feel good. They do good. One purchased equals one donated to someone who needs it. You can also get Bombas abroad. That's right. Along with the US they now ship internationally to over 200 countries. I'm a huge fan of Bombas. I really do wear them all the time. I have the quarter socks that have a stripe, like vintagey. I have the Pilates ones. I have a ton of Bombas socks. They really are the best. Highly recommended. Head to bombas.com and use code love it. For 20% off your first purchase. That's B O M B A S.com, code love it at checkout bombas.com and use code LOVE IT. MSNBC Films presents season two of the hit series from NBC News studios Leguizamo Does America, hosted by John Leguizamo. We're gonna connect with some Latinos, eat some food and do a little dancing. Join him for six new episodes as he explores the Latino experience in six more iconic American cities. I'm here to meet with some exceptional Latin people leading the way. So come on, let's go Leguizamo does America. All new episodes Sunday at 9pm Eastern on MSNBC. Hello, Montreal. Lovely to see you all. Thanks for coming out. Bonjour. Hi, everybody. Great to see you all at the Just for Laughs Comedy Festival. We made it across the border. Now we gotta get back in. It's like, is that what I want? I had a bagel here. It's okay. I went dining out on those bagels. We've got a fantastic show for you tonight. This afternoon, Roy Wood Jr. Is here, John Marco Cerese is here, Mary Bethrone is here, Kat Cohen is here, and Zack Zucker is here. And what a show it will be. But first, let's get into it. What a week. This is our first show back. And boy, are we back with a bang. Specifically the bang of a giant binder filled with Epstein evidence landing in the dumpster behind the Department of Justice. On July 7, the Justice Department and FBI released a memo and it said that actually. And it's an interesting development. Investigators hadn't found an Epstein client list or evidence they blackmailed prominent people and they found that Epstein had actually killed himself and that no further documents related to Epstein would be made public. It was all pretty cut and dry. They even had a signed affidavit from Jeffrey Epstein confirming that he killed himself. As a reminder, Trump campaigned on declassifying the Epstein files. He picked to lead DOJ and FBI, Pam Bondi and Cash Patel, who had pledged to release the so called Epstein files. I mean, it's the number one reason I voted for the guy. To refresh your memories, here's what Attorney General Pam Bondi said in response to a question about the Epstein files. Just in February, the DOJ may be releasing the list of Jeffrey Epstein's clients. Will that really happen?
Zack Zucker
It's sitting on my desk right now.
John Lovett
To review in February, it was sitting on her desk to review in July. Doesn't exist now. Here we are. And the only thing sitting on Pam Bondi's desk is a gift from Donald Trump. An exquisite Chaican handcrafted by master sword maker Masumone, crafted during the late Kamakura era in 13th century Japan. Card was blank. Of course. As a result of this, Trump's base went nuts. Nuts. Their days of being extremely normal came to an abrupt end. Give us the Epstein list now.
Gianmarco Cerese
It's a baseline question that every U.S. citizen has a right to an answer on.
John Lovett
What the hell was this? How many of you are not satisfied with the results of the investigation? I wouldn't read too much into that. If you ask a crowd of Trump supporters if they're satisfied with their appetizers, you'll get the same response. Of course they're not satisfied. That's what got us here. On July 17, with the Maga revolt in full swing, the Wall Street Journal reported that Trump had contributed a to an album for Epstein's 50th birthday in 2003, at the request of Ghislaine Maxwell. On the letter that Trump signed, someone had drawn the outline of a naked woman with Trump's signature placed to look like pubic hair. Trump, of course, strongly denied that he would have anything to do with a woman with pubic hair. The letter is formatted like a script and includes the line voiceover. There must be more to life than having everything. The letter. The letter goes on with Donald saying, yes, there is more to life than having everything. But I won't tell you what it is with Geoffrey responding, nor will I, since I also know what it is. The text of the letter concludes, happy birthday, and may every day be another wonderful secret. Signed, your friend, always. Donald J. Trump, pedophile. Trump denied that he wrote the letter, telling the Wall Street Journal, I never wrote a picture in my life. I don't draw pictures of women. It's not my language, it's not my words. I never wrote a picture in my life. He's like Yogi Berra if Yogi Berra were trying to hide a friendship with a pedophile. And not that this was a watertight defense anyway, but Trump has written pictures. Several of them have sold for thousands of dollars at auctions despite looking like this. There's another one. Now, I've seen people jokingly compare Trump's doodles to Hitler's failed art career, but I think we can all agree that that's going too far, because look at this painting by Hitler. Look, this painting has no soul, no life. But there's technique, there's practice, there's time, there's discipline. Also, I'm not an art critic or anything, but, like, where are the pub? Of course, Trump threatened to sue the Wall Street Journal if the report was published and filed a suit for $10 billion the next day, also suing Rupert Murdoch and the two reporters who wrote the piece. And, man, is Rupert going to be pissed the next time he resurfaces from his nutrient dense pool of black goo. Now, if Trump was hoping to intimidate other reporters, he failed. This week, CNN found a photo of EPSTEIN Attending Trump's 1993 wedding to Marla Maples. What's that sound near the eighth green at Trump Bedminster. The sound of Ivana spinning in her grave. Here's an interesting tidbit. The way CNN was able to identify Epstein in the 1993 Trump wedding video is they cross referenced his image from the 2025 Bezos wedding. I was proud of that one and I knew it wouldn't work and I don't care. It's a good joke. It's a thinker. Not like a belly laugh, but it's still good. It's good work. Then on Wednesday, the Wall Street Journal was back with another bombshell. In May, Pam Bondi and her deputy informed Trump that his name appeared multiple times in the Epstein files, along with many other high profile names, which must be very bittersweet for Trump. He loves being mentioned. Then Midas Touch dug up this video of Jeffrey Epstein from a 2010 deposition. Have you ever socialized with Donald Trump in the presence of.
Roy Wood Jr.
Females under the age of 18?
John Lovett
Though I'd like to answer that question, at least today I'm going to have to assert my 5th, 6th, and 14th amendment right, sir. And you know what? What's that amendment about quartering troops? I'm gonna need that one, too. That's how fucked up what we did was. So now Trump is in a bind. MAGA has spent years fanning the flames of a conspiracy that a powerful cabal of elites, Democrats, billionaires, movie stars, deep state operatives, Jews, were part of a global pedophilia ring. And Trump was a threat to that ring because he would expose it all. And while Trump himself was never all that excited about releasing the Epstein files, for some reason he said he would and saw the value of having MAGA influencers and supporters beating that drum. Which is how you end up with Trump in the Oval Office saying this. I didn't know that they were going to do it. I don't really follow that too much. It's sort of a witch hunt, Just a continuation of the witch hunt. While at the same time interesting. Suddenly that's a witch hunt. Always a red flag when Trump calls something a fucking witch hunt. While at the same time you have Deputy Attorney General Tom Blanche saying on Monday that the DOJ was going to meet with Ghislaine Maxwell again. He said, and this is a quote, justice demands courage. For the first time, the Department of Justice is reaching out to Ghislaine Maxwell to ask, what do you know? Now, I have a few questions about this statement. Why do you need courage? What are you afraid of? Who are you afraid of? Interesting. And how can it be the first time DOJ is asking her these questions? Presumably, these questions came up when she was being investigated, charged, tried, convicted, and sentenced and sent to federal prison where she currently resides. She was charged, by the way, in 2020. And while I know we're in Canada, perhaps you all remember who was president in 2020. He was the one suggesting we inject bleach into our veins to treat Covid. Is Todd Blanche suggesting that the Trump Attorney General, Bill Barr, is in on it, that he was afraid of justice? I agree. So here's where we're at. Trump fanned the flames of a conspiracy that the US Government is covering up the evidence of Jeffrey Epstein's crimes to protect powerful, wealthy figures, which may or may not have been true before, but is very much true right now, because that's exactly what Trump's DOJ is doing for him, and it's not working. On Wednesday, the House Oversight Committee subpoenaed Maxwell, who will sit for a deposition at a federal correctional facility in Tallahassee. That should be happening as we're recording this. And who better to put conspiracy theories to rest than a woman who chased vulnerable girls around New York City with a big net for Epstein, currently in prison for sex trafficking, who prosecutors said, and I quote, lied repeatedly about her crimes, exhibited an utter failure to accept responsibility, and demonstrated repeated disrespect for the law and the court. And who also, by the way, imagines there's a pardon in her future if she plays her cards right. And. And, yeah, it's a novelty deck of cards with boobs on them. Meanwhile, Trump has been trying to distract his base the same way my mom tried to distract me at the pediatrician's office by releasing the MLK files. Trump announced that the Coca Cola company had agreed to switch from high fructose corn syrup to cane sugar and Coca Cola. Finally, soda is healthy again, said a man whose legs are always beet red. And Trump threatened to derail a deal for a new stadium unless the Washington commanders changed their name back to the Redskins. Just dangling a bunch of racist keys to see if he can get the baby to stop crying. And then came Trump's piece de resistance. That's for you, Montreal. It means last thing. A report by Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard saying that Obama officials planned a treasonous conspiracy in 2016 aimed at subverting Trump's election victory. Trump also shared an insane AI generated video of Obama being arrested, set to YMCA by the Village People. He did what? Said Obama Almost falling off his wakeboard.
Gianmarco Cerese
Excuse me. Excuse me.
Mary Beth Barone
Sorry.
Gianmarco Cerese
I'm so, so sorry.
John Lovett
I'm sorry. I'm hearing something out. Hi.
Gianmarco Cerese
Is this. Sorry. I'm so. Oh, my God.
John Lovett
Wow.
Gianmarco Cerese
Everyone's looking at me. This is so crazy.
John Lovett
Stop.
Gianmarco Cerese
I'm just a. I'm just a model. I'm not even a performer. Oh, my God. Wait, this is just for laughter.
John Lovett
Yeah. I'm sorry, I can't see who's out there. Who is that?
Gianmarco Cerese
I don't know, but someone just confused me for someone who is way more famous than I am.
John Lovett
Wait, is that Zack?
Gianmarco Cerese
Oh, my God, it's me.
John Lovett
Hey, everybody.
Gianmarco Cerese
How we doing?
John Lovett
Is that Zack Zucker? What? Look, you know I love you, but. What are you. You're interrupting. We're kind of in the middle of the.
Gianmarco Cerese
Oh, I just. I just, you know, obviously, I think you guys know, Just for Laughs is like an amazing festival, and it celebrates new acts and people who do stand up and characters, and I just felt like I didn't get really a chance try that this year. And, you know, there's a room full of people here, and I thought, why not?
John Lovett
So you just. I mean, that's not really. I mean, you could have. You can't just interrupt it. You're just in the. We're just in the middle of something.
Gianmarco Cerese
Also, can I smoke in here? It's France.
John Lovett
You can't. I don't think you can. All right, so. So you. So you went to. So you. Great. You think just because you could speak a little French because you went to literal clown college in France.
Gianmarco Cerese
I did. And I also went to massage school on the Epstein. I mean, sorry.
John Lovett
Allegedly. Okay, so what do you want? What are you doing here?
Gianmarco Cerese
It's also just great to see you. I haven't seen you in a long time. You look handsome, John. Sorry, why? Did I just bomb right there? No, I thought this was jfl, not the jflq, but I. I just like, whatever.
John Lovett
Whatever happened with us, that doesn't need to come out. We don't need to deal with that here.
Gianmarco Cerese
I just want to say, I don't know if you guys knew this, but John and I have been lovers for years. And then I come here and I shake his hand and I see a ring on his finger. I mean, I thought we said the.
John Lovett
No, no. Yeah.
Gianmarco Cerese
I bet you like this view, don't ya?
John Lovett
Sure. Yeah. Brings back memories, that's for sure. Martin.
Gianmarco Cerese
Ye time we used a ring, it didn't go on the finger, John. So I.
John Lovett
All right, look, you well, if you want to come up, come. You want to come up?
Gianmarco Cerese
Of course I do. I've been at your door trying to let you to come. I want to come in. I will go come anyway. Sorry.
John Lovett
Just. Just you. You do something. You want to do your. You want to do your. Your. Your. Your showcase or your.
Gianmarco Cerese
I'd love to do if I do a few characters for you guys.
John Lovett
Just. Yeah, make it quick.
Gianmarco Cerese
That was never a problem before. Wow, this is crazy. The French people here are so beautiful. Okay, so that was my first character of, like, Liar. Trying to get the room on his side. I've always wanted to do this.
John Lovett
Really good. Thank you. Do you have any characters you could use? Does anybody want to call out something that Zach could do?
Gianmarco Cerese
I'm kind of like an impressionist king.
John Lovett
You know, like, get out of the window. Okay.
Gianmarco Cerese
No one knows that one.
John Lovett
Get out of the wee.
Gianmarco Cerese
What was that? Jon Lovett.
John Lovett
Yeah.
Gianmarco Cerese
John do love it, but I. Next. Here's my John Lovett.
John Lovett
Okay.
Gianmarco Cerese
Obama walked into the grocery store the other day and he saw Donald Trump.
John Lovett
And Donald went, hey, what the hell, man? Okay, that kind of hurt a little bit.
Gianmarco Cerese
Oh, wait. Someone call out, like, a real character. I could do. It's hard for me to do impressions of my lovers, but I can do people. I don't know. What was that?
John Lovett
J.D. vance.
Gianmarco Cerese
J.D.
John Lovett
Vance. Jd Vance.
Gianmarco Cerese
Not my lovers. I don't know who that is. Oh, she's the one who's always like.
John Lovett
Get out of the window.
Gianmarco Cerese
This crowd sucks.
John Lovett
A chicken.
Gianmarco Cerese
What was that?
John Lovett
A chicken.
Gianmarco Cerese
A chicken.
John Lovett
Hey, have you guys ever heard of impressions? I've heard someone in the room and chicken. What on earth?
Gianmarco Cerese
You guys are so political. Let's, like, lighten it up a bit, you know? Someone give me something I can do, like a chicken or, you know, something easy. What was that? Cosby there. We thank you. Okay.
John Lovett
All right.
Gianmarco Cerese
Sorry we can't honor the Ozzy.
John Lovett
That makes more sense.
Gianmarco Cerese
Ozzy Osbourne, 1948. Ozzy Oz died three days ago, so you really fucked me there. Okay. But also kind of quick.
John Lovett
Okay. Zack Zucker, everybody, for the showcase. Hi. Hi. Hi. All right. Get out of here. Unbelievable. Zack Zucker, everybody. I'm not looking behind myself. I'm not looking. It's got. All right. Ready for the best transition of your fucking lives. Meanwhile, in Congress, friend of the show Ro Khanna introduced a resolution, together with Republican Thomas Massie to require the Justice Department and the FBI to release all government documents on Epstein. He finally did it. Jeffrey Epstein united this country just like he always said he would. Then on Thursday, the House Oversight Committee voted to subpoena the DOJ for the Epstein files, with three Republicans joining Democrats to pass the resolution 8 to 2. Republican House member Kevin Spacey and Bill Cosby were the no votes. Do people in Canada know that Kevin Spacey and Bill Cosby are Republicans in Congress now? Safe districts. Adults in America are also attaching little dolls to their backpacks. Do you know about that strange time. Last week, House Speaker Mike Johnson took a rare field trip out of Trump's asshole and suggested that he agreed with the calls for the files to be released. I'm for transparency. We should put everything out there and let the people decide it. But don't worry, Johnson went right back up in there because on Monday, that position barely lasted a weekend. He said he would not hold a vote on the Epstein files before the August recess. And the only way to do that on behalf of Trump was to shut the House down entirely. That's right. America's Congress has begun its August recess in July or juillet. It's hard to believe that this is Trump's biggest scandal. Not adding $3 trillion to the debt to pay for tax cuts for the rich, or not cutting a trillion dollars from our health care system, or canceling foreign aid or continuing to fund Netanyahu's war crimes in Gaza or putting tariffs on the whole world or trying to annex Canada or grab. Which we're against. Stick with me here for a second. It's basically just like a. Politically, it's like all of a sudden there's like a bunch of people with universal health care voting in the Senate. I don't. I'm not sure it's good for you, and I'm not even sure it's good for Trump. I think it's good for me. Forget that he's the one that suggested it. What if Barack Obama suggested it? A good idea can come from anywhere. Still no. Still no. Still no. Still no. All right. No. None of these other forays have been Trump's biggest scandal. It's this conspiracy theory now. It will always be hard to describe to future generations how the Trump era was both so stupid and so dangerous. He's basically a clown with a gun in one hand and like a seltzer sprayer in the other, and he sprays you with the seltzer long enough, you forget about the fucking gun for a minute. But he's still got a gun. It's like, ha, ha, gun. As Trump was dealing with the Epstein fallout at the end of last week, we learned that more than 250 Venezuelans that Trump had kidnapped and sent to a brutal prison camp in El Salvador were being released to Venezuela after 125 days of torture as part of a prisoner swap orchestrated by the Trump administration. One of those people was Andre Hernandez Romero, a gay makeup artist who followed the rules and applied for asylum legally in the US and was sent to rot in that hellhole because he had tattoos that said mom and dad. But lawyers at the Immigrant Defenders Law center in the US Fought for him. People around the world didn't stop talking about him, didn't let him and the other innocent people held hostage by Trump be erased, and didn't let Andre's story fall to the bottom of the pile of mounting horrors. Here, at long last, is Andre reuniting with his family. When I was coming into Montreal, I told the border agent that I was here for the festival. And she said, oh, a lot of Americans are coming in for that. And I said, oh, don't worry, we won't stay long. And she said, oh, no, no, no. We like you. And I said, thanks. Just know that we're sorry. And a lot of us tried to stop this. And she looked at me kind of strangely, and I said, oh, I'm sorry. We're sorry. And then she got it. All right, let's do this comedy show. We have an awesome show for you tonight. Coming up Next, Roy Wood Jr. And John Marco Cerese are here.
Gianmarco Cerese
Hey, don't go anywhere.
Mary Beth Barone
There's more of Love it or Leave it coming up.
John Lovett
Love it or Leave it is brought to you by Oneskin. What does your skincare routine look like? Mine's very Hailey Bieber. Like, you can find me on TikTok. Wow. Yeah. Tommy does his ASMR nighttime routine. Glow Glazed Donut. Kind of. Lot of layers. A lot of layers. He's doing the beef tallow thing. Yes, yes. The people with the beef tallow. Hey, hey. Beef tallow does go on your face. It's natural. So is uranium. A lot of things are natural. You don't put them on your face. Did you hear what goop is doing with that beef tallow? What are they doing with it? Oh, I see, I see. Upgrade your skincare regimen without complicating your routine. Oneskin offers dermatologist tested products backed by extensive scientific research to keep your skin looking healthy, hydrated, and resilient. One Skin's proprietary OS1 peptide is the first ingredient proven to switch off the damaged senescent cells that cause lines wrinkles and thin crepey skin free from over 1500 chemicals and preservatives that can make skin red, irritated or itchy. Their products are certified safe for sensitive skin, dermatologically tested and approved by independent testing platforms like Skin Safe. Founded and led by an all women team of skin longevity scientists, Oneskin's products are backed by extensive lab and clinical data to validate their efficacy and safety on all skin types. They've got over 6,300 five star reviews. OneSkin's multipurpose products prove you don't need a complicated routine to achieve healthier skin. Their cleanser and topical supplements can all be used with other products or treatments and easily fit into your current routine. Oneskin's the world's first skin longevity company. By focusing on the cellular aspects of aging, Oneskin keeps your skin looking and acting younger for longer. For a limited time, try one skin with 15% off using code love it at OneSkin co. That's 15% off. OneSkin co with Code Love It. After your purchase, they'll ask you where you heard about them. Please support our show. Tell them we sent you. Give your skin the scientifically proven gentle care it deserves with one skin. You gotta try it. It's great. It's Carl's Jr's new Queso Crunch Burger. Tortilla strips and queso on a burger. A queso creamy masterpiece. A queso pepper jack cheesy queso Crunchy crunchy queso Mind blowing charbroiled Queso Crunch burger combo with fries and a frozen drink for just 9.99.
Zack Zucker
Okay, so what are you waiting for?
Roy Wood Jr.
I'm not waiting.
John Lovett
The new Queso Crunch Burger. Only at Carl's Jr available for a limited time at participating restaurants. Tax not included. And we're back. Please welcome to the stage a man of many fathers and a man with just one father. But he talks about him constantly on stage. It's the hilarious Roy Wood Jr. And the also hilarious Gian Marco Cerese. Hi. Good to see ya.
Roy Wood Jr.
Hello.
John Lovett
Hi, buddy. Hi. Welcome.
Roy Wood Jr.
You want us right here together?
John Lovett
John Margot likes to stretch out.
Roy Wood Jr.
He doesn't like sitting next to black people. It's fine.
John Lovett
That's what I.
Roy Wood Jr.
We've talked about it in the past. They look good, man. Thank y' all for being here, man. Thank you for having me.
John Lovett
It's been good to see you again. The last time we spoke, you were on our show in New York with Hillary Clinton at Tribeca.
Roy Wood Jr.
Yes.
John Lovett
With Hillary Clinton.
Roy Wood Jr.
Yes. That was a good time. Good, good, good. Walk breeze. Hillary Clinton, you know when people walk past you, that breeze, the after breeze, she had a good after breeze. Wasn't a lot of perfume, wasn't a lot of must. It was just a good breeze. A good breeze. A breeze you could trust.
John Lovett
Yeah, that makes sense.
Roy Wood Jr.
See, now it sounds like I smell women every time they walk past.
John Lovett
It does sound creepy.
Roy Wood Jr.
No, that's not what I did.
John Lovett
You've introduced a concept none of us had, which was post woman breeze.
Roy Wood Jr.
No.
John Lovett
And so it does lead us to wonder if you're smelling them because you just. It was the first thing you brought up. It was that the smell that followed Hillary Clinton.
Roy Wood Jr.
Well, it's a thing that started back at the Daily show. Whenever the guests would come down the hallway to get last looks before they would go out to do the interview with Trevor. And we would just always just rate whoever. Just like, oh, that's a good cologne. A good breeze right there. So how'd you get a good breeze, do you think?
Mary Beth Barone
Did Hillary write one of the poems in the Epstein book, do you think?
John Lovett
I think.
Mary Beth Barone
Did I just spray on the pages? I'm just curious.
John Lovett
Well, it sounds like there might be. I'm sorry, was that too rough?
Mary Beth Barone
They were showing off Hitler's paintings before, and I said, you know what? Maybe we can go a little unhinged today.
John Lovett
It does sound like. I believe there are reports, and correct me if I'm wrong, that there might be a Bill Clinton entry in the binder or the album, the bound album of birthday secrets.
Mary Beth Barone
He probably composed a song in the sax, I would imagine.
John Lovett
Yeah, no, I think. Well, I think it was audio. Visual. Yes, I think his was a pop up. I don't understand how but his O unfolded. You know, here's my question about all this. Hey, everybody. This scandal's been around a long time. Conspiracy theories aside, why are we finding wedding videos now? Just go dig around. There's videos coming up now. He's been dead a while, probably.
Roy Wood Jr.
Yeah. We do all agree he's dead, right?
Mary Beth Barone
I think it would be fun if Colbert did a remote interview with him, wherever they're hiding him.
Roy Wood Jr.
Some of that Geraldo in the Egyptian pyramid tomb action. Like he's down in a dark room with Epstein.
John Lovett
Yeah. Go down in that pyramid. He's down there with the pharaohs, with the pharaoh's bones. Roy, you also host a political quiz show. CNN's have I Got News for you. Yes, returning September 6th.
Roy Wood Jr.
Good times.
John Lovett
Gianmarco, your job doesn't strictly require you to keep up with current events. And yet you seem to do.
Mary Beth Barone
So anyway, yeah, I just do it so I can talk shit here when you have me. So I stay up to date.
John Lovett
You do stay up to date. Yeah.
Mary Beth Barone
I mean, I saw some great Hunter Biden interviews recently, too.
John Lovett
They'll come up. They'll come up. They'll come up. What do you think about Hunter Biden?
Roy Wood Jr.
Just honest. I was like a very open and honest.
Mary Beth Barone
I just. I just. At the end of the day, I think he's just a white millionaire living off the legacy of his connection to Obama. 16 years ago.
John Lovett
The question was about Hunter Biden.
Roy Wood Jr.
I can tell you this much, it got me real curious about crack. Sure.
John Lovett
That was, to me, a fascinating moment.
Roy Wood Jr.
Cause everyone I know that has smoked crack is like, don't do it. You don't ever want to do it.
John Lovett
Young.
Roy Wood Jr.
I mean, he's like, well, you know, the molecular bond, and you cook it. And then he took. He made his crack at the house. Like he.
Mary Beth Barone
They're just saying, don't do crack because they want it for themselves. I mean, it looks like he looks fantastic. He's eloquent.
Roy Wood Jr.
He said crack was so good. He doesn't even want to completely describe how good it is because it'll make him go back to doing crack. Do you understand? I've never had anything that delicious before.
John Lovett
All right, which brings us to a segment we call News it or lose it.
Roy Wood Jr.
Okay.
John Lovett
Quiz Roy and Gianmarco about the week's news, crack related and otherwise. First question, Roy. Which American University paid $221 million this week to reinstate their federal funding that the Trump administration blocked in March?
Roy Wood Jr.
Oh, it's. Which one is sucking them off now? There's a couple. It's Columbia. Yes, it's Columbia.
John Lovett
That's correct, yeah.
Roy Wood Jr.
Please, sir, can we have more federal funding?
John Lovett
Like a little boy, like all of them.
Roy Wood Jr.
I don't have a spine anymore, sir, Please. I'm running a business.
John Lovett
It's so embarrassing. These institutions, Harvard, Columbia, that have billions and billions of dollars, that have cultural cachet, that have an incredibly powerful alumni network, that have the best lawyers that money can buy. These are the people that aren't willing to fight. You have the immigrant lawyers that are fighting every day and not capitulating, but the biggest institutions in the country, they don't have the spine.
Roy Wood Jr.
Do you think. Do you think that we're so taken aback at how these institutions respond to demands from the administration because we look at them as institutions and not businesses? Because it's still a business, and most businesses are going to acquiesce to whatever maintains profit and the ability to stay open of morals.
John Lovett
I think that's right. Well, what I.
Mary Beth Barone
It's hard for me to feel bad for these Ivy League institutions when they're the ones who produced all the politicians who are ruining our country.
John Lovett
Well, no, I think that's. I've said that like I've always. That Harvard Law School and Yale Law School have been basically putting out the two sides of our political civil war and we've been just battling for a draw ever since. But yeah, no, I think there, I think that what Trump is exposing. What Trump is exposing with a lot of these companies. It's true about what's been happening with the media too, is these are not liberal institutions. They pretend to have liberal values. Like a school that on the one hand claims to be a bastion of intellectual enterprise and freedom of inquiry, but at the same time has these basically scam degrees that saddle people with debt that they don't really need, that don't really prepare them for the world that they probably should recognize, actually leaves a lot of people worse off and they don't get the jobs in the fields they're supposed to get.
Roy Wood Jr.
Assuming you were admitted into the school even though you had all the grades and the requirements, that's the other thing.
John Lovett
That pits high school children against each other like the fucking Thunderdome to try to get slots in these institutions and fucking relish in it. A whole institution that's built on like we find the best 17 year olds. You know what it reminds me of? Jeffrey Epstein, do you agree Columbia is like a pedophile?
Mary Beth Barone
Yes, yes, 100%.
John Lovett
Gianmarco, next question. To your point earlier, we turn our faces to the heavens and cry out for the only man who can help us, Hunter Biden. In a wide ranging interview, Hunter Biden attacked a lot of people, including Pod Save America, a show I co host, explaining the difference between crack cocaine and cocaine, and blamed what medication for former President Joe Biden's disastrous debate performance last June.
Mary Beth Barone
He said that he had Ambien the night before the debate and that that's what did it. Yeah, but it seemed like it took Ambien right before the debate itself. I would have gone with that, I think.
John Lovett
Have you ever taken Ambien by mistake in the middle of the day?
Roy Wood Jr.
Roy Wood Jr. No, I got sleep apnea. I can go to bed anywhere at any time. I don't need a pill.
John Lovett
That's cool.
Roy Wood Jr.
Always tired.
John Lovett
That's what I thought Joe Biden's vibe was as well. Let's Roll the cl. I know exactly what happened in that debate. He flew around the world. Basically, the mileage that he could have flown around the world three times. Yeah. He's 81 years old. He's tired as shit. Give him Ambien to be able to sleep. He gets up on the stage, and he looks like he's a deer in the headlights. It doesn't make sense, in part because that trip was over a long time before this, and also when you're tired, that's exactly when you don't need Ambien to. Roy's my theory. One of my theories is that there's a doctor in the White House that got the Provigil, which is the pill that keeps the pilots awake and an Ambien, confused, gave him the wrong one the morning of the debate, and will just fucking die with the secret no one's gonna ever know. He just reached in, grabbed. He thought he was handing him a Provigil, which is a medicine for keeping pilots awake, and then realizes he's like, wait a second. I got one extra Provigil, and I'm missing an Ambien. And he was like, fucking wipe that memory.
Roy Wood Jr.
I'm with you on that theory, but I've always been of the belief that it was Nancy Pelosi setting up the saboteur mode and getting the doctor to do the swap on purpose.
John Lovett
Wow. Wow.
Roy Wood Jr.
Put him to sleep on stage, make him look bad, and then, boom, we have an open conv. Oh, shit. Kamala's here. Like that. She got thwarted on the backside. Didn't get the open convention, but, yeah.
John Lovett
I couldn't close it. Couldn't close it.
Mary Beth Barone
But anyway, if you're gonna compete with Trump, you gotta get on Adderall, too.
John Lovett
Yeah.
Mary Beth Barone
I mean, we need to do drug testing before the debate and at least be on the same playing field.
John Lovett
No, I think that's right. I think that's right. And make sure they're both on Adderall. Yeah, Just test them to make sure it's in there.
Mary Beth Barone
Yeah. I want a president who knows what drugs to take when it matters.
John Lovett
Roy, you have a book coming out called the man of Many Fathers about becoming a father and appreciating the men who acted as a F to you. Any fatherly advice for Hunter Biden.
Roy Wood Jr.
To his daddy or his kids? Like, that's.
Mary Beth Barone
Wait, Hunter has kids, does he?
John Lovett
Including, I believe, one he's not acknowledging to check the facts on that. But I think there was a scandalous part of that story.
Roy Wood Jr.
I don't think that Hunter And Joe are probably having a lot to chit chat about right now. But he's still your dad, so you still gotta love him, even if you're mad at him.
John Lovett
Well, that's. I mean, there was a moment where there was a release of a voicemail that Joe Biden had left for Hunter Biden when Hunter Biden was in the deepest throes of his addiction. And the right was like, look, see, he's been encouraging his son. It's a beautiful message. Like, Joe Biden seems to have been tried to be a great father to Hunter. Even when Hunter was doing things that were obviously politically detrimental to his father, whether it was the outcome of the addiction or the being on the board of fucking Burisma and all the rest, it seems like throughout he was really just genuinely worried for his son, which is a good quality Joe Biden has. I don't know that having that person, Hunter Biden, as one of your chief advisors sure was a good decision.
Mary Beth Barone
Listen, I feel like we're like in the middle of a war right now. We're just on the sides. I mean, you know, Hunter, how do you feel about what Hunter said?
John Lovett
I think to what we were describing earlier, what Hunter is saying about the election is just not true. There wasn't some elite turn on Joe Biden, but the people wanted him.
Mary Beth Barone
That's insane. We all saw the debate. I had centrist friends texting me after the debate. He says he has to step down. The idea that it wasn't a matter of public opinion. If anything, it was the people in power who were taken too fucking long to respond immediately. He said in that video himself, he was 81. He was old as. That's what he said. That was the fucking problem.
John Lovett
I just, of course, I just. Here's what I feel about it is that like you can be angry at George Clooney or Nancy Pelosi or Barack Obama or a podcast. The truth is the country had turned on Joe Biden. That debate was his last chance to tell the country to assuage the country's concerns. It did the opposite. And not only did he fail to step down long before as he should have, given that this was a problem that wasn't going away. He waited so long after the debate as well. And that wasn't because he ultimately doesn't step down because he's getting pressure from all these people. They were seeing data that he was gonna lose 400 electoral votes. I mean, it was a desperate situation. He had to step down and give us a fighting chance by the way we have an even smaller Senate majority, we would have been obliterated even further in the House. Like there were just. It would have been an epic disaster. Like the fact that we did that. Joe Biden stepped aside. He did the right thing, didn't do it soon enough. But I feel almost bad about it because this argument is over. The last people making it are fucking Hunter Biden. Which I understand why. Where he's really expert, where you see the wisdom that's not just because he's a Biden is when he is talking about crack. Because that's not because you're trading on your father's name. That's experience, that's expertise. That's living a life and bringing your knowledge to an interview. That's the beautiful distinction. I'm more interested in what he has to say about crack than I am about what he has to say about politics because he earned his place in the debate about crack.
Roy Wood Jr.
Flames.
John Lovett
This week, the nation reeled as CBS canceled the Late show with Stephen Colbert, which will end next year. The announcement came on the heels of Trump's settlement with CBS's parent company, Paramount. And Donald Trump took to Truth Social to gloat, saying, I absolutely love that Colbert got fired. What were Stephen Colbert's three words in response to the President? Gianmarco. You take it.
Mary Beth Barone
Fuck you, Trump.
John Lovett
It's incorrect.
Roy Wood Jr.
Go fuck yourself.
John Lovett
That's correct.
Mary Beth Barone
That's so harsh. I feel like Trump is Colbert's most loyal viewer. I mean, it's such a case of sore winning. I feel like Trump would want Colbert there. I mean, Colbert let people like my mom blow off steam. Once that show's canceled, my mom's gonna be like, fuck. I guess I have to storm the Capitol now. Did anyone see the south park episode last night? So this is what happened. He's such a sore winner. He gets rid of Colbert. Now south park, who just secured a $1.5 billion deal with Paramount plus, released an episode where they just talk shit about Trump and how small his penis is for the entire episode. It ends with a 2 minute AI generated video of Trump walking through the desert stripping down fully nude. And then his penis saying, this message is endorsed by Donald Trump. And now Paramount plus can cancel their deal, but they still have to pay $1.5 billion. You should have stuck with the enemy.
John Lovett
You knew, Roy, you've been in the late night game for a long time. What was your reaction to the Colbert News?
Roy Wood Jr.
It was, you don't do it like that. If it's about budget, you get an opportunity to trim fat and find solutions. Colbert was not given that Jimmy Fallon's facing budget issues. They go to four nights a week. Seth Meyers faces budget issues. They got rid of the 8G ban. Jimmy Kimmel and them. They have their issues. And so Jimmy takes more time off during the summer. I know a lot of that. It's about the stress of late night in politics and wanting to be around his son more. But it still helps the budget if you have guest hosts. So to say that Colbert is over budget and then you just immediately go, we're going to cancel it. That means that either you hate the man or you just really do not have a plan. And I know that late night's at a tough pinch because this is still the same network. To Paramount's credit, Corden leaves you replace it with Taylor Tomlinson with After Midnight, which is a much, much cheaper show to do. And when Taylor decides to not come back, rather than look for a new host, rather than replace her on the cheaper show, they just said, fuck it, we're not even gonna replace that. And they air literally episodes of Comics Unleashed with Byron Allen from 15 years ago in that time slot, which just shows you what they think of the value proposition of that time slot. And that's not a dig at Byron Allen. I'm just saying that they're content with just whatever the fuck is. Just. I could put it up there. We're talking about episodes of TV still in standard the square shit. So are they trying to abandon late night as a format? I think that they definitely are trying to figure out a way to do it a different way, but I don't know that they have the solution. I don't know if they are young enough.
Mary Beth Barone
The solution's name is Greg Gutfeld. I mean, late night's a lot cheaper when you don't have writers. You know what I mean?
Roy Wood Jr.
Yeah.
Mary Beth Barone
Have you ever seen that? Have you ever seen Gutfeld?
Roy Wood Jr.
Yeah, I've seen Gutfeld.
Mary Beth Barone
It's got the jokes.
Roy Wood Jr.
I thought they had writers.
Mary Beth Barone
They do, but, you know, they're not putting their own control.
Roy Wood Jr.
Gutfeld is technically a primetime show, and I'm tired of people categorized. If we're going to get. Pardon us for a second. The sag aftra talk right now. Yeah, it doesn't come on after 11:30, so technically it's not a late night show. But he keeps saying he's the king of late night. But you're not. You're the king of prime time unscripted. That could be late night. If it were on an hour fucking later. It's not. Stop lying to the people. And. And I'll say that, like, even shit like Gutfeld makes me laugh sometimes. But it's still as.
Mary Beth Barone
Wait, what does it make you laugh?
Roy Wood Jr.
There are punch lines every blue movie.
Mary Beth Barone
Oh my God. There's more editing in that than an Epstein prison.
Roy Wood Jr.
My point is, the network television clearly does not have a solution for how to create a profitable product at 11:30 or 12:30. So much so that rather than brainstorm something, we'll just air something from the vault in the meantime. And I feel like next year, or I think in two years when, when the rest of the boys contracts are up across the networks, it's gonna be interesting to see what happens. I think we'll end up seeing something that is very similar to what is happening in sports. If you watch sports television, they go, oh, you got a good podcast. Here's four years 80 mil. Pat McAfee, just come do that shit over here. That's easier than developing a show. And I think you'll see something similar like that, you know, like a show that maybe has three pink couches that already has a following that could.
John Lovett
They know where to find me. And yet they never seem to look. But the plan was for this always to be a podcast for a decade now. That was the plan from the fucking beginning. The Late show loses apparently $50 million in its current formation, but there's $1.5 billion for South Park. So $50 million in the grand scheme of things is a rounding error for Paramount, which is a $30 billion revenue business. The fact that they have decided that the Late show brand, a marquee historic legacy institution, which we do not make more of. We don't make more of these globally known brands in media that are from before social media. Whether it's the fact that all of our Movie stars are 60 years old or the fact that we don't make them anymore, and the fact that they can't find a way or don't want to find a way to get the value out of the Late show, which still gets millions of views on YouTube, which still could be something that exists on streaming, that could do all they have chosen, that they don't want to find a way to make this worse because they don't want the headache because all of these big companies that kind of sucked up the NBC's, Disney owns ABC, Comcast buys NBC, Paramount owns CBS. All these companies sucked up all these American icons and institutions because they saw synergies, because they saw prestige because billionaires thought it would be fun to talk about or to go to the premieres back when there was no risk because there wasn't a president who exploited and abused his office to put his thumb on the scales to try to get coverage he liked. Right. And so all those threats about how dangerous corporate media would be have become true. And when these guys are finally tested because it actually costs something to have a comedian on every night making fun of the president, they just don't care.
Mary Beth Barone
But I do think we have to acknowledge the fact that a lot of late night, and I understand that in reaction to Trump, it felt like the entertainment had to become as partisan it could be. Cuz it felt like there was something so, so evil that you had to focus all your attention on it. That I did think did not criticize power in general. It criticized one side of power. And the problem with that is I did think you created a partisan late night that did turn off a lot of people. And I'm not saying you that that they should have been nicer to Trump by any means. In fact, I think they should have been meaner to all people in power or more apolitical one of the two you choose. But I do think there's a reality where you late night people love to talk about how Carson was apolitical and that allowed him to host any award show and everyone could enjoy it and allowed him to be a kind of figure in American culture that everyone could enjoy. Now, you could argue that with someone as, as fascistic as Trump that you shouldn't have anyone who isn't just targeting him every single time. But I do think comedy and comedians in general lean too hard into focusing on one particular thing that they lost a lot of people. What's so interesting about south park going this hard is because they have a lot of credit where they never really pandered to anyone. And I do think late night and comedy and political comedy in general has to step back and look at how we critique not just one side of things, but that you're constantly so you can bring in more people. I don't think you have a tent for shows the same way political party has tent. You need to build a tent around making fun of those in power, whether it's Hillary Clinton, whether it's Trump, whether it's Nancy Pelosi, whether it's convenient to the moment, or whether you feel that an election is coming up. The moment you start isolating and you push people away and then you never bring them in and then you never sway anyone's mind. And your entire audience are people who just are being pandered to and kind of get some steam off every night. And I do think there's a consequence to that. And I'm not saying Colbert should have been canceled. And obviously I think the reasons are just to pander to Trump for this deal. But I do think Late night has to take comedy, has to take accountability of what it is in the face of something that feels so evil to still criticize the people that enabled him. Because it's not just him, it's the people who enabled him. And a lot of those are Democrats.
Roy Wood Jr.
But what you're talking about is noble. It's very noble. But it's not maximum profit. Because if you've created a show that has somehow one day woken up this far on the left side of every issue to stand in the pocket and do exactly what you're talking about, well, now you're gonna rankle the one couple of people that are giving you a ratings bump at a time where TV is dying. Jon Stewart, to his credit, the first day Jon Stewart came back last year, he called Joe Biden old. That was like literally 30 seconds into the episode. And they were all, oh, how could you?
Mary Beth Barone
That's why he's one of the greats.
Roy Wood Jr.
And now look, now it's like, well, shit, he was old. And even the crackhead agreed. And I think where Trey Parker and Matt Stone differ is that they have never had to taste the dopamine of public adulation. And that is a difficult drug to fucking turn off and go, I'm gonna stand in this pocket and be hated. And I'm okay with that.
Mary Beth Barone
Well, you know who's good at helping you get off drugs? Hunter Biden.
John Lovett
And that is a great place to leave it for now. Thank you to Roy and John Margot.
Roy Wood Jr.
Thank you.
John Lovett
Tune in to John Margot's podcast at Downside, wherever you get your podcast. Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you. It was great. And Roy's memoir, the man of Many Fathers hit store on October 28th. And I have got news for you. Return to CNN on September 6th. Next up, Zack Zucker, Kat Cohen and Mary Beth Barone. Learn about Canada. Hey, don't go anywhere.
Mary Beth Barone
There's more of Love it or Leave it coming up.
John Lovett
Love it or Leave it. Brought to you by Helix. I love Helix mattresses. I sleep on a Helix mattress every night. I got a Helix mattress and on top of that, I got this mattress pad that another sponsor does where it cools you down. Then on top of that I got sheets from another sponsor. Then on top of that, there's me famously comfortable bed. You know the bed in the Exorcist? Uh huh. Helix. Wow. Yeah. And eventually she gets a good night's sleep on it. Once the devil's out of there. Once I get the devil out. Helix knows there's no better way to test out a new mattress than by sleeping on it. That's why they offer a 100 night trial and a 10 to 15 year warranty to try out your new Helix mattress. Everybody's unique. Everybody sleeps differently. That's why Helix has several different mattress models to choose from. Each design for a specific sleep position and feel preference. So how do you know which Helix mattress works best for you and your body? Take the Helix sleep quiz and find your perfect mattress in under two minutes. I took the quiz, got the dawn luxe. It's plush but firm. What are you looking for in a bed in a relationship? You know Your personalized mattress is shipped straight to your door free of charge. Helixleep.com love it for 27% off sitewide that's helixsleep.com love it for 27% OFF site wide. Make sure you enter our show name after checkout so they know we sent you. Helixsleep.com loveit Join Vanguard for a moment of meditation.
Zack Zucker
Take a deep breath. Picture yourself reaching your financial goals. Feel that freedom. Visit vanguard.com investinginu to learn more. All investing is subject to risk.
John Lovett
And we're back. Please welcome to the stage. They put the cult of ass in cultural ambassadors. I don't know what that means. It's Kat Cohen and Marybeth Barone. Hi. Yes. Oh, hi. Good to see you. Hi.
Kat Cohen
Thank you for being here. Montreal. What the hell is up?
John Lovett
Kat, you're the co host of Seek Treatment. It's true with Pat Regan front of the show. We love who we love. Mary Beth, you've got Benito Skinner playing passenger princess on your podcast ride.
Zack Zucker
It's true.
John Lovett
Like me, you two, we talk for a living.
Zack Zucker
Yes.
John Lovett
Unfortunately, that's one American stereotype that is 100% true.
Kat Cohen
Oh yeah.
Zack Zucker
Do they have Canadian podcast hosts?
John Lovett
Do you have podcasts here?
Kat Cohen
You guys have, you know what they, you know, I love Canadians have really good true crime podcasts. The C, the CBC. Yeah, we're gonna find them. Yeah.
John Lovett
That'S E.C. here we have. And also returning, it's Zack Zucker. Oh yeah. Zack is going to be in the audience helping us facilitate because we're going to do a cultural exchange. We are going to ask you questions about Canada. And Canadians in the house ask us questions about America. Okay? So if you are a Canadian, please raise your hand and ask a question about America you've always wanted to know the answer to. Start thinking. Start thinking. And we'll have questions for you as Americans.
Kat Cohen
Wow, that is so beautiful.
John Lovett
I think it's a beautiful thing.
Kat Cohen
How lucky are we?
John Lovett
We're so lucky.
Kat Cohen
Oh, at the Soda Club.
John Lovett
The club Club Soda.
Kat Cohen
Club Soda. That's my American twist on it. The old Soda Club in a segment we're calling Poutine.
John Lovett
Our differences aside, so.
Zack Zucker
And the crowd goes wild.
Kat Cohen
So that's actually the funniest thing we've ever heard.
John Lovett
All right, is there a Canadian with a question?
Gianmarco Cerese
Ilya. Un Canadiana vacant question.
Kat Cohen
I had no idea.
Zack Zucker
This isn't inclusive.
Kat Cohen
Yeah, I had no idea. Zach's bookfront either.
Zack Zucker
I can't.
John Lovett
Zach's coming through. Oh, my God. What the hell? How does he fit?
Gianmarco Cerese
He's so thin. What's your name?
John Lovett
My name is Lauren.
Gianmarco Cerese
Are you in the industry, Lord?
John Lovett
Not at all.
Zack Zucker
Lauren or Lauren or Lauren.
John Lovett
Lauren. Definitely not Lord like Lauren Michael. Exactly.
Kat Cohen
What was.
Gianmarco Cerese
Who is Canadian?
John Lovett
Oh. Oh, that makes sense. That makes sense.
Kat Cohen
No one likes me singing a lord.
John Lovett
Lauren, do you have a question about America?
Kat Cohen
Okay, sorry, sorry.
John Lovett
How do you eat a New York bagel without your jaw hurting from having to chew through it? Wow.
Kat Cohen
So you're coming for our bagels, I would say.
Zack Zucker
Well, I. Okay. So I've been sucking dick since I was 16.
Gianmarco Cerese
I see you, girl. I see you.
Zack Zucker
So I guess, like, just years of practice. Keep the jaw open, use it frequently, and then your bagels go down like butter.
Kat Cohen
Totally.
John Lovett
How do you think Jews got to Montreal? Do you think they. They just emerged here from eggs? They came via fucking New York City.
Kat Cohen
Yeah.
Gianmarco Cerese
I also didn't get here because of my talent. I, as a Jew, also know how to unhinge my jaw, if you know what I mean.
John Lovett
Je sus le bid.
Kat Cohen
What does it mean?
Zack Zucker
I don't know. We'll never know.
John Lovett
I suck dick.
Kat Cohen
Aw, so do I. I think I'm not on occasion.
John Lovett
Do you have any questions for Canadians?
Kat Cohen
Oh, I thought you'd never ask. Hey, I just thought of this question. What's the worst thing you've ever seen an American tourist do in public? Anyone got a kooky answer?
John Lovett
Oh, behind. Right there. Zach, behind you. Over there.
Gianmarco Cerese
Here we go. It better be something hilarious.
John Lovett
No shade to America. But I did see this happen in Kyoto in Japan. There was a woman dressed in traditional Japanese garb. And five baby boomer American women dressed in, like, sweatpants with their phones out as this woman was walking down the street, zooming in on her face and asking her to smile. It was disgusting.
Gianmarco Cerese
Oh, okay. So you were spying on my family vacation.
Mary Beth Barone
Rude.
Gianmarco Cerese
Hot, creepy.
Kat Cohen
That's. I'm sorry to hear that.
John Lovett
I'm sorry that happened to you. And in Kyoto.
Kat Cohen
So you're saying you've been to Kyoto?
Zack Zucker
I. I heard that Japan has to, like, stop people from going there. So I guess you're kind of part of the problem. Maybe you shouldn't have been there.
John Lovett
Does anyone else have a question for.
Kat Cohen
Oh, totally.
John Lovett
What do you mean? Wait. Sorry. You just spoke without a mic. So interesting. Your question was. I think.
Kat Cohen
I think they should crawl on up here.
John Lovett
Why do Americans say the say the city and say. Then how is it supposed to be pronounced? Wait, sorry. It's supposed to. It's Montreal.
Kat Cohen
Wow.
Zack Zucker
I do say. I had no idea. I do say Montreal.
Kat Cohen
Really? Yeah.
John Lovett
I want to tell you something, so I'm learning this in real time. I'm not. You're telling me that I am in the city of Montreal? Yeah.
Gianmarco Cerese
John, this is a disgrace.
John Lovett
I had me, a French Canadian, telling.
Gianmarco Cerese
You it is Montreal.
Kat Cohen
I had no idea.
John Lovett
We had no idea. No one told us. Maybe when we. Thank God I came, you could tell us. You know what? That speaks to your fucking problem. Yeah, maybe if you weren't so fucking nice all the time.
Gianmarco Cerese
Yeah.
John Lovett
We've been coming here for forever saying Montreal. Montreal. Sorry, we're saying your city name wrong. I didn't know it was Montreal. I'll say it correctly from now on. Did you know it was that?
Zack Zucker
I did know that because one of my best friends from high school went to McGill, so I've spent a lot of time in Montreal.
John Lovett
Wow.
Zack Zucker
I also know that I think they like when you say it like Toronto, not like Toronto. It's like Toronto.
John Lovett
Toronto. Toronto. Yeah.
Zack Zucker
Toronto, from what I understand.
John Lovett
Wow.
Kat Cohen
Well, I humiliated myself last night at my show, Montreal. How are you feeling tonight? Oh, my God, I'm mortified. Yeah, Montreal, how we feeling tonight?
John Lovett
Mary Beth, do you have a question about Canada?
Zack Zucker
Sure. I guess I could ask what is the worst part about Canada?
John Lovett
Some shouts of Alberta.
Zack Zucker
I didn't hear that, but the crowd loved it. What was it?
Kat Cohen
You killed?
John Lovett
Can someone who is fluent in both America. American and Canadian geography right here. Alberta is to Montreal. Texas. Florida. Texas. Oh, wow. That's so interesting. That's so interesting. I didn't know that. Okay, that was Interesting.
Kat Cohen
I couldn't hear a single thing.
John Lovett
It was like Florida and Texas. Alberta is their Florida.
Kat Cohen
Well, you know, guess what is from Texas.
John Lovett
Wow.
Kat Cohen
I know it's not all bad. I know I don't stand behind a lot that's happening, but I'm.
John Lovett
Yeah. Any other questions about America?
Gianmarco Cerese
Oh, here we go. This is going to be hilarious. I can feel it. This one's going to be the one that like all festivals, like, you remember that question. No pressure, buddy.
John Lovett
Yeah. Thanks for not. Thanks for not hyping it up. I'll give you a trigger warning because it's about cheese curds.
Mary Beth Barone
And I know every time you can't call them that.
John Lovett
You're right. I mean, it is Quebec, but I know every time you go to Wisconsin, you gain 10 pounds from eating cheese. And I'm wondering, have you needed Canadian strength Ozempic to keep yourself from gaining 10 pounds on cheese curds here?
Zack Zucker
No. I have an eating disorder, so that's how I stay slim. I've never done the Ozempic thing. It's not for me.
John Lovett
Well, so I've often said that an eating disorder is the Manjaro of the mind. Yeah. In a sense, it's a GLP one inside of your own consciousness when you think about it.
Gianmarco Cerese
Manjaro.
John Lovett
Like Manjrio.
Kat Cohen
I have. I have the bad eating disorder binge. So I'm definitely going to dive into some curds later. And I will watch. Thank you, honey.
Zack Zucker
I will hold your hand throughout.
Kat Cohen
I'm supporting women.
Gianmarco Cerese
I'm also here for male visibility with eating disorders. I also have one, so just. Sorry, we're not always what we seem.
Zack Zucker
Which one do you have?
Gianmarco Cerese
The one where I don't eat for a while. And then sometimes if I do, I go, mm, I don't want this in here anymore. And I throw it up.
Zack Zucker
Oh. So it's kind of like a double whammy.
Gianmarco Cerese
Yeah. Again, really, really trying to get it from. But I feel like I. Again, I kind of switched the tone of the. Remember the cheese curd thing? That was fucking fun.
Zack Zucker
Don't ask questions you don't want the answer to.
Gianmarco Cerese
Yeah.
John Lovett
Cheese curd. I'm gonna get. I'm gonna get. I'm gonna go to one of your delis, and I am gonna get deli style poutine. Where they just do that. Yeah. What is your problem? You said no to that. You're gonna yuck my fucking yum. I can't get. I can't get. I can't go to Schwartz's and get pastrami and cheese on fries. What'll happen? No, we want that for you badly. Just, I wanna make sure that, you.
Mary Beth Barone
Know, you don't put on weight before the wedding.
John Lovett
Cause, you know, the suits. Jesus. Hey, you know what? You know what? Don't police my body. Yeah, yeah, you tell him, babe. You tell him, babe. No, he's. He knows how well.
Kat Cohen
Beautiful Montreal.
Zack Zucker
Yes. I'm not getting a body positive vibe. No, I would have thought Canada would be very body positive.
Gianmarco Cerese
No, that's their trick. They pretend to be, but they're a bunch of munts, if you know what I mean. It's cunt with an M. And you.
John Lovett
All stop speaking French when we leave. That's a bit you're doing. We were talking about this. That it feels like a very long running. Bitch.
Gianmarco Cerese
What are you talking about? John?
John Lovett
Does anyone else have a question about America? Oh, there's one up here.
Gianmarco Cerese
Here we go. I see you. Oh, sorry. Hey, Zack Zucker, 6ft, 16 years old, ready to act. Nice to meet you. Always networking.
Kat Cohen
Hi.
Zack Zucker
So we had an election recently. Luckily our conservatives did not win, but we do have a bit of a problem, which is our own kind of weaselly conservative leader, Poliev, who I have compared in the past to J.D.
Kat Cohen
Vance.
Zack Zucker
Have you any advice on how to keep him out of office? Having experienced some of this yourself, because it looks bad down there.
John Lovett
I don't know if you're paying attention. I don't know if you keep up with American politics, but we're not particularly good at keeping them out of office. We're actually insanely bad at it. We lost two thirds of our elections against Donald Trump, which is a very bad. In baseball, that means you're the worst team, I believe, and not really a sports guy. So, no, we don't have any advice. You managed to defeat your conservatives in part because Donald Trump helped you. So that's cool for them.
Zack Zucker
We're happy for you.
John Lovett
No, really.
Kat Cohen
We're really happy for you. No, really.
Zack Zucker
Good job. Good job.
John Lovett
Mary Beth, you're on the show Overcompensating, which is fantastic. Thank you.
Zack Zucker
Filmed in Toronto.
John Lovett
Filmed in Toronto. Toronto. Toronto.
Zack Zucker
Toronto.
John Lovett
Toronto. The 6. I overcompensate by doing this show. How do you overcompensate?
Zack Zucker
My classic overcompensation. I put my foot in my mouth a lot. Like I say something and I'll accidentally offend someone. So if that happens at a social gathering, I will spend the rest of the night trying to get them back on my side by being overly nice. And I don't know if it's clockable, but it's definitely my least favorite part of my personality is that I just have to get that person back on side. And so that's really hard, and it takes a lot of effort. And then I'm really tired.
John Lovett
It's interesting. I do the same thing. And what is it that it's like. What is it that makes us so uncertain of our own sense of self that it disappears? It's not like we're doing it. It's not like you're doing it, because if you don't, you'll still be the same person whether you like them or not. But it doesn't feel like that's true.
Zack Zucker
I know. I think also what's important is, like, no one remembers, like, 99% of what you say. So to spend your whole evening after, like, saying one thing that someone didn't like to try to, like, win them back, it's like they will not remember that. But, like, I will forever, for the rest of my life, I'll remember the thing that I said that was bad.
Gianmarco Cerese
Do you remember one that comes to your mind?
Zack Zucker
I do, but I wouldn't repeat it.
Kat Cohen
Lesson learned.
Zack Zucker
Repeat it. It was just, like. It was just bad. Sometimes I don't think it's bad, but, like, okay, so something I've been doing a lot recently is, like, just, I think a guy is a gay guy, and then I'll be, like, talking to them like they're a gay guy, and then they'll say they have a wife. And then I have to be like, but I had. But I had just been talking to you like you were a gay guy.
John Lovett
When did you meet the vice president? Little politics, some stuff.
Zack Zucker
That was good. That was a good. That was good. But no, it's tough. It's tough. You don't always know when people are gay, so just keep that in mind.
John Lovett
You don't always. You don't always know. And sometimes they're not.
Zack Zucker
Like, what are you?
John Lovett
I honestly. Honestly. That's a hard question.
Kat Cohen
Check your notes.
John Lovett
Say. Doesn't even say.
Gianmarco Cerese
Doesn't even say it.
Zack Zucker
Doesn't say.
John Lovett
No. The show. I remember when I was in the closet, though, and they never let me be on any sports teams. Who? Anyone.
Zack Zucker
You didn't.
Kat Cohen
That was really effed up.
John Lovett
Yeah, I think they knew, but it.
Zack Zucker
Wasn'T because they thought you were gay. It was because of just the, like, sort of athleticism.
John Lovett
Yeah, that's right. That's right. They thought I was the shape I was in. And they Saw the way that I walk, my strange gait.
Zack Zucker
They saw your aptitude and they said no.
John Lovett
They said no.
Zack Zucker
That could be really tough. What sport would you have played had you been allowed?
John Lovett
Oh, well, I don't know, like badminton, chess, something like that. Do you consider esports? Sports? Esports? You know, video games.
Gianmarco Cerese
Le sport de E.
Kat Cohen
Do I consider video games a sport?
John Lovett
Yeah.
Kat Cohen
No. But I'm thinking of getting into video games in my 30s.
John Lovett
Yes. Oh cool.
Kat Cohen
I want an activity that's not eating.
Gianmarco Cerese
You should be a huge streamer.
Zack Zucker
The problem is the consoles take up space.
Kat Cohen
I know.
Zack Zucker
And in New York it's like, it's, you know, the living spaces are small. So just think about that when you're thinking about like having like a black plastic like thing with a green X on it like in the middle of your apartment all the time.
Kat Cohen
It could really throw off the vibe.
Zack Zucker
It could throw off the vibe.
John Lovett
I'm gonna get you both into video games. We're gonna talk about what you should be playing after. I'm very excited about. That's where we're gonna go.
Kat Cohen
You know, the Sims raised me. I used to be a real gamer. Oh, did y' all like the Sims?
John Lovett
You like the Sims?
Kat Cohen
I was obsessed.
John Lovett
Woo woo. They had the Sims here. Wow.
Kat Cohen
Oh my God. My little green thing is getting so full talking to y'.
John Lovett
All. Mary Beth Barone. Yes. Do you have any thoughts, final thoughts before we let you go? Because you have to go on. Because you're. Because you're one to watch.
Kat Cohen
Oh you are.
Zack Zucker
I have to go change into a gown and then go to a cocktail. Cocktail party. That's what I actually like. I have to do it. It's like I actually. This might be like more just chatting, gabbing with my gals is probably more fun. My final thoughts, I'm like, I guess I'd be curious because a lot of this conversation was about American politics. Right. But you guys are super invested. I think we need to learn more about your guys shit.
Kat Cohen
Totally.
John Lovett
And just help me understand what percentage of your day to day life is about bartering with beaver pelts. Still, is it a lot of beaver pelt stuff? Are you constantly thinking, I don't know if beaver pelts to get the bread and the oats or is it not really beaver pelt based anymore? I just don't know. I don't know your culture beaver pelt wise. I know that it's important to you. I know you think about them a lot, but how much you actually can't say that. That's really offensive. It's Mary Beth Barone, everybody. Thank you, guys.
Zack Zucker
I love you.
John Lovett
Bye. Kat's Mary Beth on Prime video is overcompensating in her podcast ride. She's gone. And Kat, you'll stick around?
Kat Cohen
Oh, I'm staying.
John Lovett
Kat stays.
Kat Cohen
Oh. So what's next?
John Lovett
I'll tell you what's next. Everybody's gonna listen to Kat's podcast. Seek treatment with Pat Regan, and you'll be the Edinburgh. Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Edinburgh. It's like, you know what? At a certain point, at a certain point, don't worry so much, all right? Don't have to correct me for Scottish places.
Gianmarco Cerese
We get it. Scotland's in England.
Roy Wood Jr.
Cool.
John Lovett
And we'll be right back. Kate.
Gianmarco Cerese
Don't go anywhere.
Mary Beth Barone
There's more of Love it or leave it coming up.
John Lovett
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John Lovett
And we're back. One note, if you're in la, come see Love it or leave it live. Do that. We have great shows lined up, including Alice Wetterland, Peppermint Ken Jennings, Amy Schneider, Kristin Johnson, and so many more yay crooked.com events. Also, vote Save America has launched a brand new pilot program to recruit candidates from Arizona, North Carolina and Texas. We're talking school boards, city council, state legislature, races that shape our communities and build a bench. Look, 20, 26 could be a turning point, but if no one's running, we can't win. That's where you come in. It's the best, most effective way to get involved. Over a thousand people have signed up. It's more than that now. And Vote Save America has great partners on the ground to help you figure out and identify the races that need candidates. That's how we flip states and that's how we fight back. So you can be a candidate. If you're hearing this, you can sign up. Run for office. Sign up@votesaveamerica.com Run. This is how to your question earlier. This is how slowly but surely we fight our way back south of that long line we drew. Paid for by Vote Save America. You can learn more@votesaveamerica.com this ad has not been authorized by any candidate or candidates committee. All right, please welcome Roy Wood Jr. Back to the stage. Yes, Roy's back.
Roy Wood Jr.
Okay.
Kat Cohen
I love your sweater.
Roy Wood Jr.
Why, thank you. I wanted to be radiant today.
Kat Cohen
It looks gorgeous.
Roy Wood Jr.
This is what I wear when I go through customs. Make them think I'm nice and shit. I am not in Canada to cause trouble. Do you not see the color gradients?
John Lovett
How could anyone have a problem with a guy in this sweater?
Roy Wood Jr.
It worked. I got in.
John Lovett
That's cool. That's a good idea. All of us on stage are American. And America's done some fucked up shit lately and before lately. And so it's time for a segment we're calling Sorry, not sorry. All right, let's spin the wheel.
Kat Cohen
Oh, God.
John Lovett
Kat, what's something you're sorry for? Could be for America or for yourself.
Roy Wood Jr.
Oh.
Kat Cohen
Oh, well, I'm. I feel bad. And I'm sorry because sometimes I don't flush the toilet at night because the Sound scares me. And my boyfriend's been really mad about that, and so I wanted to say sorry to him, to you, to everyone here. I'm sorry for being disgusting and for letting my pee pee rest in the toilet overnight.
John Lovett
Apology not accepted. That's not wrong. Keep doing that. What's the fucking problem?
Kat Cohen
You like that?
John Lovett
Leave it. Who cares? Middle of the night.
Kat Cohen
Love it. You can wait till the morning.
John Lovett
Oh, Royce doesn't like that.
Kat Cohen
You don't like that. You don't like that. You're upset with me.
Roy Wood Jr.
The aroma of unflushed. Have you smelled unflushed piss before? Like, the breeze.
Kat Cohen
But think about this. I'm incredibly well hydrated. Yeah, it's basically water.
Roy Wood Jr.
Oh, so you like. Light yellow piece. So it's not the strong.
John Lovett
No, that's like. It's not after a marathon piss. It's just a clear. You know, drinking a lot of water.
Kat Cohen
Many marathons lately, but never say never. Yeah.
Roy Wood Jr.
Okay, so. So what if you. Then? Is that. Are there exceptions?
Gianmarco Cerese
Well, no, I never.
Kat Cohen
I'm sealed up like a Barbie.
Roy Wood Jr.
Okay.
Kat Cohen
And so I don't have to deal with that.
Roy Wood Jr.
That's my bad. I'm sorry. I'm asking.
Kat Cohen
Thank you for following me.
John Lovett
Spin it again, Roy. What's something you're sorry for?
Roy Wood Jr.
I'm sorry to y' all for the tariffs, if that's still happening.
John Lovett
We have a. We have a writer. We have a writer that says there's always a bottle of vodka and bourbon whenever we do a show. Love it or leave it or Pote. America, they don't have bourbon. Cause it's fucking American. So I got whiskey. Some scotch whiskey in this very quick.
Roy Wood Jr.
Well, then I'm not sorry. How dare you disrespect American whiskey bankers. These are good, hardworking people. We drink your syrup and shit.
John Lovett
That's right. We do. Yeah, we drink it right up.
Roy Wood Jr.
Yeah. I'm here to be a bridge for international relations. That's why I agreed to do the festival this year.
John Lovett
Yeah, you're a cultural ambassador.
Roy Wood Jr.
Well. Cause that's what you feel like as an American when you travel now. You just feel like you're on some sort of weird pr. You're like a PR rep for the country now. Like, didn't want to be. And now it's just immediate. Like, I tell people I'm from England. I be trying to do accents and shit. Mid giblers in a job, loving over the world.
John Lovett
Yeah, no, that's really good. That was awesome. I thought I was like, is King Charles here?
Gianmarco Cerese
Oh, this United States is well wicked in it.
John Lovett
Who booed at that?
Gianmarco Cerese
That first off, that was a perfect British person. You're not picturing them up. Teeth, Never eaten a vegetable. You know, like, okay, we love.
Mary Beth Barone
I forgot you're part of the Commonwealth.
John Lovett
Sorry, we're insulting your king. Let's spin it again.
Kat Cohen
I wonder who it's gonna be.
John Lovett
Zach, what's something you're sorry for?
Gianmarco Cerese
I'm sorry for attacking you guys right there. I really thought we. I thought you understood me by now. I'm just a fun guy, you know, I'm just trying to come in here and make you guys laugh, you know, I feel like I've done remarkably better than I thought. And that laughter from this part of the room confirmed it.
John Lovett
And, Zach, you have a late show in this room. You have a show tonight.
Gianmarco Cerese
I do have a show tonight in this room. I have a show here tonight and tomorrow. And I had one last night. And let me tell you what a difference it makes when the room is full. I think there's a saying you guys have here in Quebec, and that was the tickets are not selling. But it's a lot of fun. It's a very political show. It's very racial. Again, some of you think I'm kidding. No, it really is about nothing. And I guess I'm sorry for bringing that show here.
John Lovett
Go see Zach's show tonight. Thank you.
Gianmarco Cerese
It's called Stamp Town.
John Lovett
Check it out. Best guy. Well, wait.
Gianmarco Cerese
Sorry.
John Lovett
We have such a. He's my favorite ex.
Gianmarco Cerese
John, baby.
John Lovett
You really mean it's done? It's done.
Gianmarco Cerese
Never say never. Like Celine Dion once said, you can.
Roy Wood Jr.
Always fall in love.
John Lovett
Let's spin it again. I have something I'm sorry for. When I was in about 20 years ago, I went to Japan. And when I went to Japan, my last night in Japan, I didn't book a hotel room to save money. I stayed up overnight. I got drunk. I went to an Internet cafe. Then I went to the fish market and went to the tuna auction, the Tsukiji Fish Market, back when they allowed you to go to the tuna market. I walked through the detritus of all these giant tunas, observed the selling of the. The fish, my feet covered in chum and so forth. Then got drunk, went directly to the airport, took an Ambien and sat in 42J next to some poor soul, passed out for 12 hours. I didn't have a great breeze, Roy.
Roy Wood Jr.
No breeze.
John Lovett
That was 20 years ago. That's not what I'm sorry for. I spent two weeks eating my way across Italy and then I flew back and I'm sorry to all the people on that plane.
Mary Beth Barone
Why.
John Lovett
And that's our show. Thank you so much to Zack zucker, Roy Wood Jr. Gianmarco Cerese, Kat Cohen and Mary Beth Barone. We'll see you next week at Dynasty Typewriter in Los Angeles. Thank you to Club Soda. Thank you to the Just For Laughs festival. There are 465 days till the midterms. Have a great night and have a great yeah yeah, yeah. If you're already scrolling endlessly, which we know you are, don't forget to follow us at Crooked Media on Instagram, Tik Tok and all the other ones for original content, community events and more. You can also find Love it or leave it on YouTube for videos of your favorite segments and other YouTube exclusive content. And if you want to type our praises or rip us a new one, consider dropping us a review. Finally, you can join Crooked's Friends of the Pod subscription community for ad free Love it or Leave it and Pod Save America episodes, subscriber exclusive pods and more. Sign up@crooked.com friends love it or Leave it is a Crooked Media production. It is written and produced by me, John Lovett and Lee Eisenberg. Kendra James is our executive producer, Bill McGrath is our producer and Kennedy Hill is our Associate producer. Hallie Keefer is our head writer, Sarah Lazarus, Jocelyn Coffin, Peter Miller, Alan Pierre and Will Miles are our writers. Jordan Kanter is our editor, Kyle Seglin and Charlotte Landis provide audio support. Stephen Colon is our audio engineer. Our theme song is written and performed by Chercher. Thanks to our designer Sammy cadearna Rees for creating and running all of our visuals which you can't see because this is a podcast. And thanks to our digital producers David Tulls, Claudia Shang, Mia Kelman, Delon Villanueva and Rachel Gajewski for filming and editing video each week. Our Our head of Production is Matt De Groot, our Head of Programming is Madelyn Herringer, and our production staff is proudly unionized with the Writers Guild of America eas.
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John Lovett
Are you on the right track? What do you want to be remembered for? Is this really all there is? Asking big questions about your life can feel overwhelming, but the Hidden Brain Podcast, hosted by me, Shankar Vedantam, is here to help you get started. All through the month of July, Hidden Brain will bring you our your 2.0 series with a special focus on purpose, passion and meaning. If you're feeling adrift, alone or burned out, this series is for you. Join us.
Lovett or Leave It – Episode Summary: "Epstein Files Didn’t Kill Themselves"
Episode Title: Epstein Files Didn’t Kill Themselves
Release Date: July 26, 2025
Host: Jon Lovett
Podcast: Lovett or Leave It
Host Organization: Crooked Media
The episode opens with Jon Lovett delving into the recent developments surrounding the Jeffrey Epstein case. On July 7, the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the FBI released a memo declaring that no substantial evidence was found to suggest Epstein blackmailed prominent individuals. This memo confirmed Epstein's death as a suicide and stated that no additional documents related to his case would be made public.
Lovett highlights the initial promises made during Donald Trump's campaign, where Trump pledged to declassify the Epstein files as part of his commitment to transparency. However, as of the episode's release, these files remained undisclosed.
Notable Quote:
Gianmarco Cerese [05:25]: "It's a baseline question that every U.S. citizen has a right to an answer on."
Jon Lovett critiques Donald Trump's handling of the Epstein files, pointing out the discrepancy between Trump's campaign promises and the DOJ's actions under his administration. He recounts a Wall Street Journal report revealing that Trump contributed to an album for Epstein's 50th birthday in 2003, a gesture that has resurfaced amidst ongoing investigations.
Trump vehemently denied writing any incriminating letters or supporting Epstein's nefarious activities, likening his denials to Yogi Berra trying to hide a friendship with a pedophile.
Notable Quote:
John Lovett [05:25]: "Trump is in a bind. MAGA has spent years fanning the flames of a conspiracy that a powerful cabal... were part of a global pedophilia ring."
The discussion shifts to media reactions, particularly the cancellation of Stephen Colbert's "Late Show." Lovett explains that CBS decided to end the show, a decision influenced by financial settlements with Paramount and Trump's public disdain for Colbert. Trump celebrated the news on his social platform, Truth Social, prompting a sharp retort from Colbert.
Additionally, Lovett touches on South Park's provocative episode mocking Trump, where an AI-generated video depicted Obama being arrested, blending humor with political commentary.
Notable Quote:
Roy Wood Jr. [43:46]: "If it's about budget, you get an opportunity to trim fat and find solutions. Colbert was not given that."
A significant segment covers the release of over 250 Venezuelan detainees from a brutal prison camp in El Salvador, orchestrated through a prisoner swap by the Trump administration. Among the released was Andre Hernandez Romero, a gay makeup artist unjustly imprisoned for his tattoos advocating for his parents.
Lovett emphasizes the international community's role in advocating for Romero's release, highlighting the ongoing humanitarian efforts against Trump's policies.
Notable Quote:
John Lovett [05:25]: "Here at long last, is Andre reuniting with his family."
The conversation shifts to Hunter Biden, focusing on his recent interviews where he discussed his struggles with addiction and criticized his father's administration. Hunter blamed Ambien for Joe Biden's subpar debate performance, sparking debates about the President's age and mental acuity.
Lovett and Roy Wood Jr. analyze these claims, speculating on potential ulterior motives and the broader implications for Joe Biden's political standing.
Notable Quote:
John Lovett [35:28]: "What Hunter is saying about the election is just not true. There wasn't some elite turn on Joe Biden, but the people wanted him."
Jon Lovett and Roy Wood Jr. engage in a critical analysis of the current state of late-night television. They discuss the challenges faced by shows like "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert," emphasizing the difficulties in balancing political satire with network expectations.
Wood Jr. critiques Paramount's decision-making, suggesting a lack of strategic planning in replacing established shows with more cost-effective alternatives, such as Byron Allen's "Comics Unleashed."
Notable Quote:
Roy Wood Jr. [45:36]: "The network television clearly does not have a solution for how to create a profitable product at 11:30 or 12:30."
In an interactive segment, Jon Lovett facilitates a cultural exchange between American hosts and Canadian guests. The conversation humorously explores differences in language pronunciation, cultural practices, and stereotypes, highlighting the camaraderie and comedic chemistry among participants.
Notable Quote:
John Lovett [57:46]: "How do you eat a New York bagel without your jaw hurting from having to chew through it?"
The episode wraps up with a mix of humor and reflection. Jon Lovett underscores the complexities of political scandals, media responsibilities, and the interplay between public figures and governance. He encourages listeners to stay informed and engaged, emphasizing the importance of transparency and accountability in political institutions.
Notable Quote:
John Lovett [41:59]: "The truth is the country had turned on Joe Biden. That debate was his last chance to tell the country to assuage the country's concerns. It did the opposite."
Key Takeaways:
This episode of "Lovett or Leave It" provides a thorough exploration of the intertwined dynamics of politics, media, and personal narratives, all presented with Jon Lovett's signature blend of analysis and humor.