The Daily Show: Ears Edition

Episode Title: Charlie Kirk Criticism Ignites MAGA Cancel Culture Spree | Jay Duplass & Michael Strassner
Release Date: September 17, 2025
Host: Desi Lydic
Special Guests: Jay Duplass, Michael Strassner
Podcast Source: Comedy Central

Episode Overview

This episode dives into the political and cultural fallout following the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, with Jon Stewart and the Daily Show team examining the ensuing online toxicity, government responses, and the rapidly escalating cancel culture within the MAGA universe. The episode subsequently shifts to a lighter yet poignant spotlight: an interview with filmmakers Jay Duplass and Michael Strassner on their new indie film, “The Baltimorans,” delving into creativity, sobriety, and unexpected paths to cinematic success.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Charlie Kirk’s Assassination and Its Aftermath

[02:25 – 13:06]

The tragic assassination of Charlie Kirk became an explosive catalyst for both online celebration and outrage, setting off a storm of vitriolic social media responses from both political camps.
Conservative activists are actively tracking, shaming, and sometimes doxxing individuals who expressed celebration or mockery over Kirk’s death.
- Desi Lydic: “Those activists have created online websites to hold accountable those behind the messages. The website claims it's received more than 63,000 submissions so far.” [04:36]
Employers, from teachers and pilots to NFL staff, have fired or suspended people based on their posts.
- Michael Kosta: “Even NFL staff are getting fired. Oh, that’s why the Giants suck.” [04:49]

Rise of Cancel Culture and Government Involvement

Conservative calls escalate, with government officials directly supporting employer crackdowns and legal consequences for hate speech.
- Desi Lydic: “Employers, you have an obligation to get rid of people.” [05:36]
- Michael Kosta: “Is this what we want? The vice president’s job isn’t to lead an online mob.” [05:53]
New lengths of “justice” considered, with Republicans suggesting social, financial, and legal penalties for online speech.
- Michael Kosta: “Congressman Clay Higgins…will use his congressional authority to get people banned for life from social media platforms, blacklist their businesses…even have their driver’s licenses revoked.” [07:01]
- Desi Lydic: “There’s free speech, and then there’s hate speech, and there is no place, especially after what happened to Charlie, in our society.” [08:00]
The government’s growing role in “cancel culture” is lampooned and critiqued.
- Michael Kosta: “You would think that the Attorney General would know that hate speech is protected by the First Amendment—even if you’re not a big reader, it is the first one, okay?” [08:04]

Satirical Solutions & Societal Critique

In a comedic repartee, Desi and Michael discuss reverting society back to the 1980s—before the internet—as a (clearly impractical) fix for online toxicity.
- Desi Lydic (joking): “If you want to fix a society poisoned by social media, the only solution is to return to before the Internet. So all of us need to pretend that it's the 1980s again.” [10:04]
- Michael Kosta: “We can't solve our issues with mass delusion. We have to address our social media, not to mention our widespread gun use, the collapse of our social bonds, mental health treatment.” [12:14]
The pair ultimately acknowledge the depth of systemic problems underlying the current crisis.

2. National Guard Deployment & New Yorkers React

[14:06 – 18:21]

President Trump’s deployment of the National Guard to various US cities, including a potential move toward New York City, is met with skepticism and characteristic New York banter.
- Desi Lydic (on the ground): “‘Are you excited that the National Guard might be coming to New York City?’”
  New Yorker: “‘That's horrific. They can put that some other state. But New York, we don't need that.’” [15:39]
New Yorkers weigh in with humor, sarcasm, and typical city spirit:
- On the National Guard’s visit: “You know, I've just never been a big fan of roommates in general.” [15:51]
- On what to do in NYC: “Eat a hot dog…I mean, we got museums, we got plays. If they're hot, I would go to the west side Highway.” [16:16]
- On what they hate more (tourists or National Guard):
  - “Tourists…I would have to say. You know, they take up the whole sidewalk. They take pictures of the dumbest things, right?” [16:57]
Concludes with classic New York hospitality:
- Desi Lydic: “We don’t want you here. That’s just genuinely just what it is.” [18:15]

3. Interview: Jay Duplass & Michael Strassner—The Power of Indie Filmmaking

[20:13 – 33:20]

Origin Story & Creative Chemistry

Michael Strassner (actor) and Jay Duplass (director) share the unconventional origins of their collaboration, which began via social media contact and evolved through quirky, authentic personal connections.
- Strassner: “I was putting up crazy comedy videos…And I saw that J. Duplass followed me, and I was like…this is the coolest thing in the world. I took my shot one day…I was just gonna DM him.” [21:29]
- Duplass: “I didn’t know what a DM was. I thought it was for sex…But I caught up on the DMs, and I saw this guy, and we started.” [22:13]
- Memorable meet-cute mythos: Michael arriving, shirtless and sweaty—“I don't have heat in my Volkswagen. And it was a hot day in LA…” [22:34]
- Michael Kosta: “What an adorably dark and disturbing meet cute.” [23:01]

The Film’s Inspiration: Recovery, Comedy, and Real Life

The opening of "The Baltimorans" is based on Strassner's real-life experience of a failed suicide attempt and journey into sobriety.
- Strassner: “That opening scene of the movie is a failed suicide attempt. And that is how I got sober… The only reason why I'm still here is because…the belt broke…and I was holding a bit of holiday weight.” [23:27]
- Turning pain into art: “I think since I've worked through that time in my life…It was really cathartic because…I was, like, finally doing, like, my art in a way that he finally took a chance on me. And it was like the coolest moment.” [24:39]
- Duplass on his motivation: “This is the most gentle, sensitive man trapped inside the body of a 1978 Chicago Bears linebacker. You know what I mean? I was like, I have not seen this before.” [25:28]
Central message: Transformation, taking chances, and resilience.

Production Stories & Artistic Process

Low budget, documentary-realist style; rapid, close-knit shoot in Baltimore over Christmas.
- Strassner: “It was a tiny movie made by 15 people. So it was kind of like going to summer camp in Baltimore in Christmas time, freezing our butts off, you know, just kind of making a movie on the streets of Baltimore.” [28:44]
Chemistry between leads (Strassner and co-star Liz Larson) developed organically; little time to rehearse, but intense mutual understanding.

Highlight: The Improv Scene

A pivotal, meticulously scripted scene captures the awkward, hilarious, and transcendent reality of comedy improv as recovery and performance converge.
- Kosta: “It was the most accurate depiction of improv that I’ve ever seen in a movie…beautiful little moments of magic and then it takes off and it was so cool to see.” [28:54]
- Duplass: “There's like seven acts to the scene…it's because of his sobriety, it's because of him being able to be in the moment that they're able to turn the corner in that scene and create something new…” [29:41]

Reflections on Success & Independent Spirit

The film, against all odds, becomes a breakout hit and symbol of indie resilience.
- Duplass: “Nobody was begging us to make a suicide sobriety menopause comedy. They weren’t banging down our door for that story. But we just did what we wanted to do. You know, we went to South By Southwest, we won the audience award. We’re in 500 theaters right now…It’s truly like unprecedented.” [31:18]
- Strassner: “I'm so happy that he took a chance on me and that also I get to share it with so many amazing family and friends…But it's the coolest, truly…I almost missed it.” [32:05, 32:54]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

On cancel culture cycles:
- Desi Lydic: “This is a pattern we've gotten used to because we live in an Internet landscape that is so toxic, even RFK wouldn't swim in it.” [04:49]
On the First Amendment vs. hate speech:
- Michael Kosta: “You would think that the Attorney General would know that hate speech is protected by the First Amendment—even if you’re not a big reader, it is the first one, okay?” [08:04]
On solving today’s social ills:
- Michael Kosta: “We can't solve our issues with mass delusion. We have to address our social media, not to mention our widespread gun use, the collapse of our social bonds, mental health treatment…” [12:14]
On indie filmmaking struggle:
- Jay Duplass: “Nobody was begging us to make a suicide sobriety menopause comedy…But we just did what we wanted to do.” [31:18]
On gratitude and resilience:
- Michael Strassner: “Again, I hate to repeat myself, but it's like I almost missed it.” [32:54]

Timestamps for Important Segments

| Timestamp | Segment | |---|---| |02:25 - 13:06 | Charlie Kirk assassination, cancel culture, and government overreach satire | |14:06 - 18:21 | National Guard deployment reactions from New Yorkers | |20:13 - 33:20 | Interview with Jay Duplass & Michael Strassner (Indie film, sobriety, improv) | |28:54 - 30:42 | The pivotal improv scene discussion | |31:08 - 32:54 | Film’s festival success and unexpected breakout |

Overall Tone & Takeaways

The episode moves deftly between satirical, rapid-fire takes on our increasingly punitive internet culture and a heartfelt, genuine conversation about art, struggle, and second chances in the indie film world. Desi Lydic and Michael Kosta bring equal parts irreverence and earnestness, while the interview segment with Duplass and Strassner offers catharsis and inspiration for anyone fighting for their own voice amid chaos.

Recommended for listeners interested in:

Political satire about cancel culture and freedom of speech
Commentary on current events and government overreach
Behind-the-scenes insights into indie filmmaking and creative risk-taking
Stories of resilience, comedy, and recovery

Referenced Works:

"The Baltimorans" (film)
South by Southwest (SXSW)

End of Summary

The Daily Show: Ears Edition

Episode Overview

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Charlie Kirk’s Assassination and Its Aftermath

[02:25 – 13:06]

The tragic assassination of Charlie Kirk became an explosive catalyst for both online celebration and outrage, setting off a storm of vitriolic social media responses from both political camps.
Conservative activists are actively tracking, shaming, and sometimes doxxing individuals who expressed celebration or mockery over Kirk’s death.
- Desi Lydic: “Those activists have created online websites to hold accountable those behind the messages. The website claims it's received more than 63,000 submissions so far.” [04:36]
Employers, from teachers and pilots to NFL staff, have fired or suspended people based on their posts.
- Michael Kosta: “Even NFL staff are getting fired. Oh, that’s why the Giants suck.” [04:49]

Rise of Cancel Culture and Government Involvement

Conservative calls escalate, with government officials directly supporting employer crackdowns and legal consequences for hate speech.
- Desi Lydic: “Employers, you have an obligation to get rid of people.” [05:36]
- Michael Kosta: “Is this what we want? The vice president’s job isn’t to lead an online mob.” [05:53]
New lengths of “justice” considered, with Republicans suggesting social, financial, and legal penalties for online speech.
- Michael Kosta: “Congressman Clay Higgins…will use his congressional authority to get people banned for life from social media platforms, blacklist their businesses…even have their driver’s licenses revoked.” [07:01]
- Desi Lydic: “There’s free speech, and then there’s hate speech, and there is no place, especially after what happened to Charlie, in our society.” [08:00]
The government’s growing role in “cancel culture” is lampooned and critiqued.
- Michael Kosta: “You would think that the Attorney General would know that hate speech is protected by the First Amendment—even if you’re not a big reader, it is the first one, okay?” [08:04]

Satirical Solutions & Societal Critique

In a comedic repartee, Desi and Michael discuss reverting society back to the 1980s—before the internet—as a (clearly impractical) fix for online toxicity.
- Desi Lydic (joking): “If you want to fix a society poisoned by social media, the only solution is to return to before the Internet. So all of us need to pretend that it's the 1980s again.” [10:04]
- Michael Kosta: “We can't solve our issues with mass delusion. We have to address our social media, not to mention our widespread gun use, the collapse of our social bonds, mental health treatment.” [12:14]
The pair ultimately acknowledge the depth of systemic problems underlying the current crisis.

2. National Guard Deployment & New Yorkers React

[14:06 – 18:21]

President Trump’s deployment of the National Guard to various US cities, including a potential move toward New York City, is met with skepticism and characteristic New York banter.
- Desi Lydic (on the ground): “‘Are you excited that the National Guard might be coming to New York City?’”
  New Yorker: “‘That's horrific. They can put that some other state. But New York, we don't need that.’” [15:39]
New Yorkers weigh in with humor, sarcasm, and typical city spirit:
- On the National Guard’s visit: “You know, I've just never been a big fan of roommates in general.” [15:51]
- On what to do in NYC: “Eat a hot dog…I mean, we got museums, we got plays. If they're hot, I would go to the west side Highway.” [16:16]
- On what they hate more (tourists or National Guard):
  - “Tourists…I would have to say. You know, they take up the whole sidewalk. They take pictures of the dumbest things, right?” [16:57]
Concludes with classic New York hospitality:
- Desi Lydic: “We don’t want you here. That’s just genuinely just what it is.” [18:15]

3. Interview: Jay Duplass & Michael Strassner—The Power of Indie Filmmaking

[20:13 – 33:20]

Origin Story & Creative Chemistry

Michael Strassner (actor) and Jay Duplass (director) share the unconventional origins of their collaboration, which began via social media contact and evolved through quirky, authentic personal connections.
- Strassner: “I was putting up crazy comedy videos…And I saw that J. Duplass followed me, and I was like…this is the coolest thing in the world. I took my shot one day…I was just gonna DM him.” [21:29]
- Duplass: “I didn’t know what a DM was. I thought it was for sex…But I caught up on the DMs, and I saw this guy, and we started.” [22:13]
- Memorable meet-cute mythos: Michael arriving, shirtless and sweaty—“I don't have heat in my Volkswagen. And it was a hot day in LA…” [22:34]
- Michael Kosta: “What an adorably dark and disturbing meet cute.” [23:01]

The Film’s Inspiration: Recovery, Comedy, and Real Life

The opening of "The Baltimorans" is based on Strassner's real-life experience of a failed suicide attempt and journey into sobriety.
- Strassner: “That opening scene of the movie is a failed suicide attempt. And that is how I got sober… The only reason why I'm still here is because…the belt broke…and I was holding a bit of holiday weight.” [23:27]
- Turning pain into art: “I think since I've worked through that time in my life…It was really cathartic because…I was, like, finally doing, like, my art in a way that he finally took a chance on me. And it was like the coolest moment.” [24:39]
- Duplass on his motivation: “This is the most gentle, sensitive man trapped inside the body of a 1978 Chicago Bears linebacker. You know what I mean? I was like, I have not seen this before.” [25:28]
Central message: Transformation, taking chances, and resilience.

Production Stories & Artistic Process

Low budget, documentary-realist style; rapid, close-knit shoot in Baltimore over Christmas.
- Strassner: “It was a tiny movie made by 15 people. So it was kind of like going to summer camp in Baltimore in Christmas time, freezing our butts off, you know, just kind of making a movie on the streets of Baltimore.” [28:44]
Chemistry between leads (Strassner and co-star Liz Larson) developed organically; little time to rehearse, but intense mutual understanding.

Highlight: The Improv Scene

A pivotal, meticulously scripted scene captures the awkward, hilarious, and transcendent reality of comedy improv as recovery and performance converge.
- Kosta: “It was the most accurate depiction of improv that I’ve ever seen in a movie…beautiful little moments of magic and then it takes off and it was so cool to see.” [28:54]
- Duplass: “There's like seven acts to the scene…it's because of his sobriety, it's because of him being able to be in the moment that they're able to turn the corner in that scene and create something new…” [29:41]

Reflections on Success & Independent Spirit

The film, against all odds, becomes a breakout hit and symbol of indie resilience.
- Duplass: “Nobody was begging us to make a suicide sobriety menopause comedy. They weren’t banging down our door for that story. But we just did what we wanted to do. You know, we went to South By Southwest, we won the audience award. We’re in 500 theaters right now…It’s truly like unprecedented.” [31:18]
- Strassner: “I'm so happy that he took a chance on me and that also I get to share it with so many amazing family and friends…But it's the coolest, truly…I almost missed it.” [32:05, 32:54]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

On cancel culture cycles:
- Desi Lydic: “This is a pattern we've gotten used to because we live in an Internet landscape that is so toxic, even RFK wouldn't swim in it.” [04:49]
On the First Amendment vs. hate speech:
- Michael Kosta: “You would think that the Attorney General would know that hate speech is protected by the First Amendment—even if you’re not a big reader, it is the first one, okay?” [08:04]
On solving today’s social ills:
- Michael Kosta: “We can't solve our issues with mass delusion. We have to address our social media, not to mention our widespread gun use, the collapse of our social bonds, mental health treatment…” [12:14]
On indie filmmaking struggle:
- Jay Duplass: “Nobody was begging us to make a suicide sobriety menopause comedy…But we just did what we wanted to do.” [31:18]
On gratitude and resilience:
- Michael Strassner: “Again, I hate to repeat myself, but it's like I almost missed it.” [32:54]

Timestamps for Important Segments

Overall Tone & Takeaways

Recommended for listeners interested in:

Political satire about cancel culture and freedom of speech
Commentary on current events and government overreach
Behind-the-scenes insights into indie filmmaking and creative risk-taking
Stories of resilience, comedy, and recovery

Referenced Works:

"The Baltimorans" (film)
South by Southwest (SXSW)

End of Summary

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Charlie Kirk Criticism Ignites MAGA Cancel Culture Spree | Jay Duplass & Michael Strassner

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Summary

The Daily Show: Ears Edition

Episode Overview

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Charlie Kirk’s Assassination and Its Aftermath

Rise of Cancel Culture and Government Involvement

Satirical Solutions & Societal Critique

2. National Guard Deployment & New Yorkers React

3. Interview: Jay Duplass & Michael Strassner—The Power of Indie Filmmaking

Origin Story & Creative Chemistry

The Film’s Inspiration: Recovery, Comedy, and Real Life

Production Stories & Artistic Process

Highlight: The Improv Scene

Reflections on Success & Independent Spirit

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

Timestamps for Important Segments

Overall Tone & Takeaways

Summary

The Daily Show: Ears Edition

Episode Overview

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Charlie Kirk’s Assassination and Its Aftermath

Rise of Cancel Culture and Government Involvement

Satirical Solutions & Societal Critique

2. National Guard Deployment & New Yorkers React

3. Interview: Jay Duplass & Michael Strassner—The Power of Indie Filmmaking

Origin Story & Creative Chemistry

The Film’s Inspiration: Recovery, Comedy, and Real Life

Production Stories & Artistic Process

Highlight: The Improv Scene

Reflections on Success & Independent Spirit

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

Timestamps for Important Segments

Overall Tone & Takeaways