The Daily Beast Podcast: "Trump, Sex, Usha and Max Mutchnick & David Kohan"
Release Date: March 20, 2025
Hosts: Joanna Coles and Samantha Bee
Guests: Sean Wu (Legal Correspondent), Max Mutchnick & David Cohan (Creators of Mid Century Modern)

1. Opening Remarks and Current Events ([01:09] – [03:59])

Samantha Bee kicks off the episode with her characteristic enthusiasm, highlighting a mix of political and pop culture topics. She expresses profound admiration for Elon Musk’s accomplishment in safely returning astronauts from space, emphasizing the emotional impact of the event:

Samantha Bee ([02:54]): "I almost cried. I haven't cried for 25 years, but I was almost moved to tears yesterday."

Francesca Ramsey responds with a dose of skepticism about the role of dolphins in the SpaceX landing, sharing a personal anecdote about witnessing dolphin behavior that fuels her mistrust:

Francesca Ramsey ([03:04]): "What if the dolphins were there to eat them? You don't know what goes on in the mind of dolphins."

The hosts then transition to discussing the upheavals surrounding the Kennedy Center, Chuck Schumer’s canceled book tour, and the enigmatic topic of "President Trump post sex," setting the stage for deeper political discourse.

2. Sara Wynne Williams’ Book and Facebook Censorship ([06:00] – [09:21])

The conversation shifts to the controversy surrounding Sara Wynne Williams’ new book, which Facebook purportedly tried to suppress due to alleged violations of a non-disparagement clause in her severance agreement. Francesca Ramsey passionately defends the book, criticizing Facebook's efforts to silence dissent:

Francesca Ramsey ([07:52]): "The author is not permitted to promote the book. Well, I purchased the book and I love it."

Samantha Bee elaborates on Facebook's antagonistic stance towards Williams, drawing parallels to her own experiences with Facebook's censorship during her time on Full Frontal:

Samantha Bee ([07:00]): "They completely shut it down the day before we were set to air. The network wouldn't let me say the things that I wanted to say about Facebook."

The hosts delve into the broader implications of Facebook's actions, discussing the company's mission versus its actual practices of data harvesting and lack of accountability.

3. President Trump and Constitutional Concerns ([15:26] – [31:44])

A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to discussing the potential constitutional crisis surrounding President Trump. Samantha Bee introduces the concept of Trump being "post sex," a euphemism suggesting his presumed fulfillment of personal needs, allowing him to focus more on executive actions:

Samantha Bee ([16:45]): "The assumption is that our current president is post sex, which I think means he has more time to focus on other things."

Francesca Ramsey interprets this metaphor differently, suggesting a possible blockage in Trump's administrative processes:

Francesca Ramsey ([17:08]): "I interpret it as though people are saying that the plumbing is backed up and somebody needs to get in there and release the valve."

The discussion intensifies as the hosts bring in insights from Sean Wu, a former federal prosecutor and legal correspondent. Wu clarifies the definition of a constitutional crisis, emphasizing that it occurs when different branches of government are at severe odds, potentially leading to an outright breakdown of the system:

Sean Wu ([Delon Grant]) ([20:50]): "A constitutional crisis... occurs when the system's really completely breaking down, meaning the different branches of government are literally at loggerheads."

Delon Grant, co-hosting with Francesca Ramsey, adds depth by analyzing Trump's actions as stress tests on the constitutional framework. He opines that while the system is under significant strain, it hasn't yet reached a full-scale crisis:

Delon Grant ([21:07]): "To me, we're not yet in a crisis. It's certainly a stress test. The system has been failing... but it's not a crisis for the constitution."

The hosts and Wu explore scenarios where Trump might defy judicial orders, the role of the Supreme Court, and the mounting intimidation against judges. They express concerns over the erosion of checks and balances, the potential for misuse of military power, and the chilling effect on the judiciary:

Samantha Bee ([23:26]): "Taking the judges and saying they're radical left wing... what are we living in?"

Francesca Ramsey voices fears of a possible descent into authoritarianism, underscoring the fragility of democratic institutions:

Francesca Ramsey ([25:17]): "Checks and balances are like the bedrock of democracy. If he ignores the judiciary and Congress won't act, what are we living in?"

The conversation concludes with a somber reflection on the current political climate, the role of the judiciary, and the uncertainty of future developments:

Francesca Ramsey ([31:40]): "I think waiting for the courts to do their thing and for things to play out slowly is just not really... It could happen very fast and we won't exactly know what the next step is."

4. Beasts of the Week: Interview with Max Mutchnick & David Cohan ([36:03] – [53:30])

Transitioning from political discourse, the podcast welcomes Max Mutchnick and David Cohan, the Emmy-winning creators of Will & Grace and the upcoming sitcom Mid Century Modern. Joanna Coles introduces the guests, setting a lighthearted tone:

Joanna Coles ([36:32]): "Max and David are the Emmy Award-winning creators and executive producers of the much-beloved show Will and Grace. And their new comedy series, Mid Century Modern, starring Nathan Lane, Matt Bomer, Linda Lavin, and Nathan Lee Graham, premieres March 28th on Hulu."

Max Mutchnick and David Cohan share candid moments about the production process, including the emotional impact of actress Linda Lavin passing away during filming. They discuss how the creators incorporated her death into the show, maintaining authenticity and honoring her legacy:

Max Mutchnick ([46:15]): "Linda's passing was so jarring and so shocking for us. We wrote the episode where she dies to reflect our true experience of loss."

Joanna Coles describes Linda Lavin as an incredibly beloved and empathetic figure, highlighting her impact both on and off the screen:

Joanna Coles ([46:11]): "She was universally beloved. She was also body and funny and smart and empathetic..."

The creators delve into the unique aspects of Mid Century Modern, such as its approach to traditional multicam formats and the incorporation of real-life experiences into the narrative. Max emphasizes their commitment to authenticity and the evolution of sitcom storytelling:

Max Mutchnick ([40:50]): "We wanted to address the world that we were writing about in a very real way. That's why in that first scene, we're talking about that they had lost people to AIDS."

The discussion also touches on the creative process, script adjustments during live filming, and the balance between maintaining audience engagement and addressing serious themes. David Cohan recounts the improvisational nature of their writer's scrum, ensuring the show remains dynamic and responsive to both the audience and real-life events:

David Cohan ([42:34]): "We have to ride fast and we have to replace fast. It's about saying no in rapid fire succession."

The interview concludes with heartfelt thanks and congratulations, acknowledging the importance of laughter and storytelling in turbulent times:

Samantha Bee ([52:09]): "We need something to laugh at. We need this kind of storytelling."

5. Closing Thoughts and Final Remarks ([53:46] – [57:56])

The hosts wrap up the episode by encouraging listener engagement through comments and subscriptions. They share personal anecdotes about writing letters as a form of expression and connection, reinforcing the podcast’s commitment to building a community:

Samantha Bee ([54:55]): "I used to write letters to my favorite authors, and they would often write back. So I appreciate it when people reach out to us."

Francesca Ramsey underscores the importance of community feedback and the shared experience of navigating complex societal issues:

Francesca Ramsey ([56:00]): "Get out there and be the beast."

The episode concludes with a nod to the upcoming show Mid Century Modern and a final reminder to engage with the podcast across various platforms.

Notable Quotes:

• Samantha Bee ([02:54]): "I almost cried. I haven't cried for 25 years, but I was almost moved to tears yesterday."
• Francesca Ramsey ([03:04]): "What if the dolphins were there to eat them? You don't know what goes on in the mind of dolphins."
• Delon Grant ([21:07]): "To me, we're not yet in a crisis. It's certainly a stress test."
• Samantha Bee ([16:45]): "The assumption is that our current president is post sex, which I think means he has more time to focus on other things."
• Sean Wu ([20:50]): "A constitutional crisis… occurs when the system's really completely breaking down."
• Max Mutchnick ([46:15]): "Linda's passing was so jarring and so shocking for us."
• Joanna Coles ([36:32]): "Their new comedy series, Mid Century Modern, starring Nathan Lane, Matt Bomer, Linda Lavin, and Nathan Lee Graham, premieres March 28th on Hulu."

Conclusion

In this episode, Joanna Coles and Samantha Bee navigate a mix of urgent political issues and heartfelt conversations about the creative process in television. From scrutinizing Facebook's censorship tactics and contemplating the potential constitutional crisis under President Trump, to celebrating the resilience and creativity of television creators Max Mutchnick and David Cohan, the podcast offers a comprehensive and engaging exploration of contemporary societal dynamics. Notably, the episode balances critical analysis with personal narratives, providing listeners with both informative content and emotional resonance.

Note: This summary is based on a fictional transcript provided and does not reflect real events or actual podcast content.