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John Oliver
Introducing Instagram Teen Accounts. A new way to keep your teen safer as they grow. Like making sure they've got the right gear for writing.
Michael Costa
Knee pads. Check.
Trevor Noah
And helmet. Done.
John Oliver
See you, dad. New Instagram Teen Accounts. Automatic protections for who can contact your teen and the content they can see. Seeking the truth never gets old. Introducing June's Journey, the free to play mobile game that will immerse you in a thrilling murder mystery. Join June Parker as she uncovers hidden objects and clues to solve her sister's death in a beautifully illustrated world set in the Roaring Twenties. With new chapters added every week, the excitement never ends. Download June's Journey now on your Android or iOS device, or play on PC through Facebook games.
Trevor Noah
You're listening to Comedy Central. So I made a bet with a gentleman by the name of Jalen Brunson. He's a basketball player for the. We call him the New York Knickerbockers. He's a point guard for our New York Knickerbockers. He and I made a bet about two months ago. His bet was, if the New York Giants lose to the Philadelphia Eagles in the regular season, I have to wear a Saquon Barkley Eagles jersey to Madison Square Garden. I accepted this bet even though this bet is an inevitability. Like, the Giants suck. Like, the Giants won three games this year and the Eagles are in the Super Bowl. And that was. It's not like that surprised me. It didn't sneak up on me. Like, when he asked me, I was thinking in my head, like, but the Giants suck. But I didn't say, like, give me points. I just went like, okie. And so Saturday night, this Saturday night, I went to the Knicks game in a Saquon Barkley Eagles jersey and an Eagles bucket hat. And I was in my home arena, booed relentlessly. And by the way, like, not just in the arena, on the street, like, walking by pretzel guys who were like, you. So that was my weekend. So good luck in the Super Bowl.
Correspondent
Question over here in the back. Yep. Over there. Yep. How did you find your interview character? Some guy just like, like, skid on the floor. When you were singing, what'd you say? Oh, what are you doing? This never happens by the.
Michael Costa
So I just walked backstage.
Trevor Noah
I'll speak loudly because I'm not wearing a mic now, but they said that.
Correspondent
You'Re very excited today because today you.
Michael Costa
Just found out that you have become an American citizen.
Correspondent
Thank you so much. Thanks so much.
Trevor Noah
It's a crazy.
Correspondent
It's a crazy day.
Trevor Noah
Yeah.
Correspondent
Thanks, man. Thanks so much. Thank you. Thank you. You're the best. You're the best.
Trevor Noah
All right.
Correspondent
Worst interview ever. Just wouldn't leave. Yeah, it is a crazy experience to become a US Citizen the same day you're supposed to interview Bill Murray. So I guess that's a. It's been a long day. I had to go for the interview. They asked you like 100 questions. It's questions which I bet none of you could answer. And I had to memorize how many colonies there were. And there was like a state and who's the president right now? It was very difficult.
Trevor Noah
Now I'm gonna bring out somebody right now who has also been through a lot. He is a correspondent on the show, but he hurt his foot. Yeah, he heard his fifi. He tripped on a curb. So I'm gonna bring him out now very slowly, but I want you to give him encouragement. Michael Costa, ladies and gentlemen. Oh, yeah. How's the beat? Feels great. Thank you, everybody. All right, hold on. You want to see? Here's my favorite thing about this. His crutches are my height.
Michael Costa
I'll tell you what I mean.
Trevor Noah
How you feeling?
Michael Costa
I really did a number on my ankle.
Trevor Noah
Do you want to tell them the story? So can I. Can I tell? Michael is like an actual, like real kind of world class athlete, to be honest. Like, it's kind of unusual for comedy. Like, he has a functioning body and face. So when he came in, I thought this was. Michael was like a world class tennis player. And so I thought it was that. Yeah, and it was.
Michael Costa
I fell off a curb. My wife and 4 year old went skiing. I was in charge of the two year old, so I took her to a water park. No one else got injured except for me. I was the only one not doing anything. And I fell on a curb. And I'm at that age, John.
Trevor Noah
I'm at the age where if I had fallen on a curb, I would no longer be working in show business.
Michael Costa
Well, and also selfishly, people came over to check on me. I thought, they're really checking on my child, so.
Guest
Right.
Trevor Noah
You had your child with you?
Michael Costa
I had my child with me and she was crying, but she was more crying. Like, how did you fall on the curb anyways?
Trevor Noah
It was a cry of disappointment. But you're okay now. Are you X rayed? Is it broken?
Michael Costa
I'm not X rayed. I know, it's super swollen. I also have to host this week and I just. I get annoyed that you get so much attention on Mondays.
Trevor Noah
Yeah.
Michael Costa
So I wanted to Hurt myself. But you, you play collegiate soccer.
Trevor Noah
I did play collegiate soccer, but I will not to be self effacing. It was in the 80s when soccer, I mean the level of we could still use our hands. It was really at that, at that point American soccer was more like elevated kick.
Correspondent
What made you want to do entertainment like late night tv?
Michael Costa
Well, there's like the bullshit answer of, you know, it's important to question societal's rules and. And there's the real answer, which is I'm the youngest of four kids. I'm still trying to get my parents attention. My mom tells this story that we would sit at this dinner table in Michigan and when the sun would go down, the glass door would become reflective and I could never sit in this one seat because I would just stare at myself the whole time like. And I was like, well, yeah, that's because you guys never looked at me. So I had to stare at myself. I love comedy. Holy shit, do I love comedy. We get to make people laugh. Once your guard is down, we can maybe sneak an important message in, maybe not. It feels good to laugh for once you feel present moment when you're laughing. There's very few rules in comedy. If I say something brilliant, it's like, holy shit. He's an excellent journalist. If I say something stupid, it's like, relax, I'm a comedian. It's like, it's amazing that people get mad when comedians say things that are truthful and not as mad when politicians do. This is just such a wonderful. I grew up in Ann Arbor, Michigan, which is a wonderful Midwest town of sensibilities of both sides, very educated. And I just think it just fits perfectly for me and I'm thankful for that and also how I ended up here. Holy shit. This is like. There's very few places like this. I love late night. I told you when we first met, we came in today, there's no show. There's no show. There's a blinking cursor on a blank computer and we create the show. We, meaning me, I write the show. No, there's two. There's a lot of people, but it's very fun. And here's the thing that's also fun is that no matter how today went, tomorrow there's a show too. So we'll be back.
Trevor Noah
Because we've already paid for it with our subsidies. Are you fucking safe? Come on. I'll be going to the hospital soon. You know, it's important to remember who the real heroes are. So my favorite thing out of all that sort of Indy 500 pit stop. Trying to keep the car on the road was. And I'm not even sure where who said it, but they just go, you want some duct tape on that? Old electrician's. Old electrician's trick. I'm like, sure. For those of you who watched the show for many, many years, you will know this is the second time that I have going for physical comedy. Cut myself to the point where I need stitches. When did we do it? The last time I saw Margarita Blender with you and Oliver, it was a Margarita Blender with me and Oliver. And I hit it down and, like, just drew blood. And Oliver couldn't have been happier. I'd never seen anything like it. He sat there gleefully watching. And that was more of an artery that was just spurting everywhere. And at one point, he yells at me, it's just a flesh wound. Stop making such a big deal of it. That's not good. I'm probably gonna need to go to the hospital.
Guest
And as for you, Stuart, and your visibly, visibly injured hand, that's a genuine problem. That's a genuine problem. Don't.
Michael Costa
That's.
Guest
That's.
Trevor Noah
Yup. We better hurry up this bit. Cause I am bleeding out.
Guest
Mot. John. That's it. Toss it in. He can swab himself down. You're fine, you're fine.
Trevor Noah
Thank you all very much for being here. There's no dignified way to do this, really, is there? And by the way, the story that I'm going to tell my wife and children when I get home, very different than the one that there I was on 54th and 10th, an old woman being hounded by thugs and Bulgarians. I swung my fist.
Correspondent
Was there ever a moment of empathy that stuck out with you at one of those rallies?
Guest
A moment of empathy that stuck out with me.
Correspondent
Something like timing.
Guest
No, that is a good question. You know what? There is one of the last round. One of the. Well, not even last. This last election cycle. I went to a rally in Green Bay, Wisconsin, and it was terrible weather. And we were talking to people in the morning. And as I was talking to people, there's this guy who dresses in a brick suit. Suit. It's a bespoke suit that looks like Trump's wall. And he has a handlebar mustache, and he dresses like the wall. And he's one of the first people in line. And Trump often brings him up on stage, so he's a mini celebrity there. And he started hounding us at this rally, and he was live streaming, and he Was saying, fuck these guys. Don't talk to these guys. These guys are fake news. And to be fair, he's right. But he sort of trolled us for hours that day. He literally took out a phone and he stuck it into a wall. He's obsessed with walls to try to capture something. Our crew was on a smoke break, and he wanted to try to capture something to get them in trouble. And it was a long, hellish day of filming, and it was a snowstorm, and so we rushed to the airport, and we got snowed into Green Bay, Wisconsin, for the night, because we usually try to leave. And so we stay in Green Bay, and the next day, we all leave on different flights. And I go to the airport alone, and I show up at the airport, and my flight is delayed 3 1/2 hours. And who is there but Brick suit man. And this is the Green Bay airport, so nobody else is there. And he looks at me and he says, do you want to talk? And obviously I'm like, no, I don't want to talk. This is a nightmare. And this is before I'm traveling with four security guards, and real talk, security protocol has changed since the story. But I sat down with him, and for the first half hour, we're all sort of feeling each other out. But then once we got past this. This fear one, his fear that, like, I got a camera crew trying to catch him, and my fear that he's trying to have some sort of gotcha moment with me as well, we started talking about shit. I started to learn about him. I started to learn about me. I asked him about things I thought were BS about Donald Trump. He was open and vulnerable about things, and the weaknesses he saw in Donald Trump. Like, there wasn't a middle ground that we found, but there was a softening in those relations. And I'd like to tell you that, like, Brick suit guy was crazy, and he's not. He was a smart guy. He was an ideological guy. He was a conservative guy, more libertarian. Loved to be a shit poster on the Internet, but he wasn't an idiot. We talked for three and a half hours, and as we walk, we literally get on the plane. We walk. We're talking all the way up to get on the plane, and I show my ticket to the ticket taker, and she goes, oh, you're in an exit row. And I'm like, oh. And she says, do you accept the responsibilities of being in the exit row? And I say, yes, I do. And then I turn to Brick suit guy, and I say, I hope this freaks you out, and then you know what happens. HE laughs. And to me, that is. That is the whole thing. Like, he wasn't offended. He didn't take it personally. He found humor in that moment. And I'm like, I find optimism in that. I don't know how to recreate three and a half hours in a Green Bay airport with a nemesis of yours, but I know that, like, there's a softening when you remove the cameras, when you move, the fear that this conversation isn't just transaction for a gotcha moment, but an actual conversation about the things that you care about and things you're uncovered. I think that kind of vulnerability, that kind of uncertainty is paramount in any kind of situation that you hope to find any kind of humanity or common ground. And so I think that is there. I don't think we live in a media environment that cultivates that situation, but I think we are humans that necessitate it. And so that has not been erased by Donald Trump, but it has been pushed to the sides of the conversation. And so if we can find a way to allow that conversation to not exist only on the periphery, but somewhere in our own lives, I think we're gonna get through that. Cool. Let's do some zed. Yeah.
Correspondent
What do you say to your critics who are saying that you're being light on the fascist message recently?
Trevor Noah
Oh, I tell my critics, shut up. You're a fascist. No. So I do appreciate that, because I understand the desire, but, like, I'm very big on. And I know it's annoying, but specificity and nuance, and I think if you cry fascism at every administrative overreach, even the ones that are constitutionally okay, you will find yourself out of fascism bullets when the time really comes to remind people of. Because you will. I think what the media has done over the last 10 years is cry wolf to the point where they numbed everybody. It was an anesthetic, and it got to where. What was the thing they litigated throughout this campaign? He's a fascist. He's a terrible person. Democracy is on the ballot. Guess what lost at the ballot. If you told us democracy's on the ballot, well, guess what? Democracy got its ass kicked by a majority vote. So I'm very cautious about when to know. Like, yeah, hopefully I won't do it the night after Kristalnacht. I'll get it. Like, but it's like, when do you put your dog down? Like, it's one of those things, like, you're not quite sure, but. But I do understand how annoying that is.
Correspondent
I was just wondering, you know, how do you maintain a sense of hope and levity when times. How do you keep laughing through all that?
Trevor Noah
Right. How old are you?
Correspondent
I'm 19.
Trevor Noah
19 years old. And the world's already beat the shit out of you and that. It's always the young dudes that are like, I have a quick question. I'm 19 years old. When hope is gone, when the darkness slowly creeps down. I'm 61, so I'm already in injury time, like, so I'm good. I'm actually weirdly always optimistic. We go. I think maybe that is the horizon of history. I came up at a time in the 60s where we had all these great leaders and we killed all of them, every single one. And then we went to Vietnam and Law and then Watergate. Like, shit was just unraveling. So I do think it gives you a sense of, oh, it's always a mess, like, and what that makes you realize is, oh, so it's just. It's just. That's the game. We buckle down, you got a lunch palette and you carry through like you're 19. Like, you'll someday when you're 61. And people be saying, like, how do you maintain optimism and be like, you have no idea what it was like when I was a kid. Like, you will be that guy to be able to say, like, you think it's bad now and obviously, look, it is. These are tenuous times and maybe even we'll talk a little bit about that on the program tonight. Terrible time. Thanks. No, but because part of the issue is, like, you just want someone to talk to you like you're a human, like you're an adult. Not like it's a work, not like it's. They're spinning you or any of those. That's my biggest complaint with all of us. Nobody expects perfection. Everybody knows that the obstacles and. And all the things that are going to be thrown in front of us are going to be arduous. That's life. Like, it's life is hard, you know, but you just want someone to not bullshit you when what you know you see in here is what you see. Like, that's all that. That you can really do. But how do you maintain you're night. So you're 19, so are your friends optimistic or pessimistic or do they not talk about it or are they just on discord being racist? What is going on?
Correspondent
I think a lot of people are pessimistic. I mean, how Do I maintain optimism? Yes, I try to laugh. I watch the Daily show.
Trevor Noah
Sir, here's the only thing I would say. I'm glad you do that. But really, we write it for 8 year olds, so 19 is a little above our A pay grade, but is it? I do, I do remember 19. Like that age, there is a certain existential anxiety that creeps in because the world does listen. It feels out of control. You probably know more about it now than we did when we. I think one of the things that's probably harder for kids now is you are the amount of information that you absorb is probably. But I would imagine hopefully your brains will evolve to, you know, because when I was a kid like TV happened and everybody's like that will, don't sit in front of the TV and eat and just watch tv. And now you'd be so happy if your children would do that. Like, you'd just be like, don't send pictures of your dick to people like.
Michael Costa
Explore more shows from the Daily show podcast universe by searching the Daily Show. Wherever you get your podcasts, watch the Daily show weeknights at 1110 Central on Comedy Central and stream full episodes anytime on Paramount plus Paramount Podcasts.
John Oliver
Seeking the truth never gets Old Introducing June's Journey, the free to play mobile game that will immerse you in a thrilling murder mystery. Join June Parker as she uncovers hidden objects and clues to solve her sister's death in a beautifully illustrated world set in the Roaring twenties. With new chapters added every week, the excitement never ends. Download June's Journey now on your Android or iOS device or play on PC through Facebook games.
The Daily Show: Ears Edition – "After the Cut - 2025 Part 1" Summary
Release Date: May 3, 2025
Introduction
In the May 3, 2025 episode of The Daily Show: Ears Edition, host Trevor Noah navigates a blend of comedy, personal anecdotes, and insightful political commentary. The episode delves into lighthearted bets between celebrities, personal mishaps, interactions with the public, and reflections on maintaining hope in challenging times. This summary captures the essence of the episode's key discussions, notable quotes, and the overall flow of conversations.
Comedy and Personal Anecdotes
The episode opens with Trevor Noah sharing a humorous bet he made with Jalen Brunson, a point guard for the New York Knicks. The bet centered around the outcome of a football game between the New York Giants and the Philadelphia Eagles.
Trevor recounts attending a Knicks game in an Eagles jersey, facing boos from the crowd and even derogatory remarks from fans, highlighting the intense rivalry and his lighthearted acceptance of the bet's consequences.
Michael Costa’s Injury and Banter
The segment transitions to correspondent Michael Costa, who humorously discusses his recent ankle injury and the challenges of interviewing while nursing a hurt foot.
Michael explains how he fell on a curb while taking his children skiing, leading to his current predicament.
Trevor responds with empathy, sharing his disbelief that an injury as minor as a curb fall could jeopardize a career in show business.
Their playful exchange underscores the camaraderie and humor that The Daily Show fosters among its team members.
Interviewing Public Figures and Empathy
A significant portion of the episode focuses on Michael Costa's experience interviewing a fervent supporter of former President Donald Trump, known colloquially as "Brick Suit Man" due to his distinctive attire resembling Trump's border wall.
Costa narrates a transformative three-and-a-half-hour conversation that led to unexpected mutual understanding and humor, despite initial tensions.
This encounter highlights the possibility of finding common ground even in polarized environments, emphasizing the human capacity for empathy beyond political divides.
Political Commentary: Addressing Criticism and Fascism
Trevor Noah addresses critiques regarding his approach to discussing fascism and authoritarianism in recent episodes.
Noah elaborates on the importance of using precise language when discussing political threats, cautioning against overusing terms like "fascism" to maintain their significance.
This segment underscores Noah's commitment to responsible political discourse, advocating for nuanced conversations over sensationalism.
Maintaining Hope and Levity in Challenging Times
In a heartfelt dialogue, Trevor engages with a 19-year-old correspondent about sustaining optimism amidst societal and personal challenges.
Noah reflects on his own experiences and the broader human struggle to find hope amidst chaos.
The conversation delves into generational perspectives on hope, emphasizing the role of humor and authentic connections in navigating difficult times.
Conclusion
The "After the Cut - 2025 Part 1" episode of The Daily Show: Ears Edition masterfully intertwines humor with meaningful discourse. Through personal stories, candid discussions, and political insights, Trevor Noah and his team provide listeners with both laughter and thoughtful reflections. The episode reinforces the show's commitment to addressing relevant issues while maintaining an engaging and entertaining format, making it a valuable listen for both regular followers and newcomers alike.
Additional Resources
Listeners interested in more content from The Daily Show: Ears Edition can explore various shows within the podcast universe by searching "The Daily Show" on their preferred podcast platforms. For full episodes and extended content, tune in weeknights at 11/10c on Comedy Central or stream on Paramount+ and Paramount Podcasts.