First American Pope Makes History and MAGA Catholics Already Have Issues | Michelle Buteau

Summary

Summary of "The Daily Show: Ears Edition" – Episode: "First American Pope Makes History and MAGA Catholics Already Have Issues | Michelle Buteau"

Release Date: May 9, 2025

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1. Breaking News: The First American Pope

The episode opens with host Desi Lydic and co-host Michael Costa announcing a historic event from the Vatican: the election of the first American Pope, Robert Francis Prevost, who has taken the name Pope Leo XIV. The news is met with a mix of excitement and skepticism about an American leading the Catholic Church.

Notable Quotes:

• Desi Lydic [02:35]: "That certainly looks like smoke and white smoke."

• Michael Costa [02:42]: "We have smoke and it is white smoke."

• Desi Lydic [03:14]: "We have the first American Pope. And let me just say, as an American, are you sure about this?"

The hosts humorously critique the cultural clash, highlighting concerns over maintaining the Church's gravitas with an American potentially bringing a more relaxed and culturally specific demeanor. They poke fun at the Pope's personal interests, such as his fondness for the Chili's "Baby Back Rib" song, questioning how these might influence his papacy.

Desi Lydic [04:21]: "Robert Francis Prevost of Chicago taking on the name of Pope Leo XIV."

2. Political and Cultural Implications: MAGA Catholics and Transgender Service Members

The discussion shifts to the intersection of the new papacy with contemporary political climates, particularly focusing on MAGA (Make America Great Again) Catholics and the Trump administration's policies regarding transgender individuals in the military.

Notable Quotes:

• Desi Lydic [07:24]: "This one is directly rebuking J.D. Vance, the new pope. Pope Leo XIV said J.D. Vance is wrong."

• Transgender Service Member 2 [14:27]: "If I'm in a foxhole, I don't want to know whether this guy next to me is wondering if he's a woman or a man or flip back and forth."

The hosts and guests delve into the controversial executive orders banning transgender service members from combat roles, exploring arguments from both sides. Transgender service members present their qualifications and challenge the administration's stance by highlighting their dedication and readiness to serve.

Transgender Service Member 3 [15:05]: "They've paid for nothing for my transition. I paid out of pocket because I wanted to be mission-ready as fast as possible."

The segment emphasizes the ongoing culture wars within the military and religious spheres, questioning the policies' impact on unit cohesion and effectiveness.

3. Interview with Michelle Buteau

In the latter half of the episode, host Desi Lydic welcomes comedian and actress Michelle Buteau. They discuss Buteau's work, including her Netflix series "Survival of the Thickest," her creative process, and her recent accomplishments.

Notable Quotes:

• Desi Lydic [22:03]: "I am such a fan of yours and I'm so happy that you're here. Congratulations on the second season of your show."

• Michelle Buteau [26:22]: "It feels damn good. Yeah, it feels really good."

Buteau shares insights into her show's creation, emphasizing the importance of diverse voices and representation. She reflects on breaking barriers, such as being the first female comedian to film a special at Radio City Music Hall, and offers advice to aspiring comedians about perseverance and embracing creative freedom.

Desi Lydic [29:04]: "Dance break. I want to talk about your standup. And first of all, you were the first female comedian ever to film a special at Radio City Music Hall."

Buteau highlights the significance of body positivity and inclusivity in her work, aiming to inspire women and marginalized communities through her humor and personal experiences.

4. Concluding Remarks

The episode wraps up by reiterating the importance of addressing current social and political issues with humor and empathy. The hosts encourage listeners to engage with diverse perspectives and remain informed about developments within influential institutions like the Vatican and the U.S. military.

Desi Lydic [32:15]: "Season 2 of Survival of the Thickest is streaming on Netflix now. Michelle Buteau."

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Closing Notes:

This episode of The Daily Show: Ears Edition masterfully blends timely news, political commentary, and uplifting interviews. By addressing the election of the first American Pope and the contentious policies affecting transgender service members, the show provides a comprehensive look at significant societal shifts. The inclusion of Michelle Buteau adds a lighter, inspirational dimension, celebrating achievements in entertainment and fostering a message of resilience and positivity.

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Notable Timestamped Quotes:

• Desi Lydic [02:35]: "That certainly looks like smoke and white smoke."

• Michael Costa [07:24]: "This one is directly rebuking J.D. Vance, the new pope."

• Transgender Service Member 2 [14:27]: "If I'm in a foxhole, I don't want to know whether this guy next to me is wondering if he's a woman or a man or flip back and forth."

• Michelle Buteau [26:22]: "It feels damn good. Yeah, it feels really good."

---

This summary encapsulates the episode's key discussions on religious leadership, military policies, and cultural representation, providing a thorough overview for listeners who seek to understand the episode's main themes and insights without tuning in.

Transcript

[Podcast Announcer]

You're listening to an iHeart podcast.

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[Jordan Klepper]

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[Podcast Announcer]

You're listening to Comedy Central. From the most trusted journalists at Comedy Central. It's America's only source for news. This is the Daily show with your host, Desi Lyt.

[Michael Costa]

Welcome to the Daily Show.

[Desi Lydic]

I'm just excited. We've got huge breaking news out of Italy tonight that puts the holy in. Holy shit. Let's get into the headlines now. If you've been waiting to hear back from the Vatican about that resume you sent in, bad news. The position has been filled and I.

[Michael Costa]

Think we see it. Sorry.

[Desi Lydic]

There we go. That certainly looks like smoke and white smoke.

[Michael Costa]

Hold on.

[Podcast Announcer]

We have smoke and it is white smoke.

[Transgender Service Member 1]

There would appear to be a white smoke.

[Desi Lydic]

White smoke. We have a Pope.

[Michael Costa]

We are watching and everyone to breathe.

[Desi Lydic]

It in the white smoke. Breathe it in. I didn't know we were supposed to hotbox the Pope smoke. But white smoke means there's a new Pope. And wait till you get a load of where he came from. History at the Vatican. The first ever American Pope.

[Michael Costa]

Holy shit.

[Desi Lydic]

We have the first American Pope. And let me just say, as an American, are you sure about this? We don't really have the gravitas that you associate with Popeyness. We're less somber procession and more monster truck rally. I just think it's a Little bit weird that the holiest man in the world probably knows all the words to the Chili's Baby Back rib song. Kind of weird. In fact, I was trying to come up with a way to express why the idea of an American Pope feels like such a contradiction. But I think the way the news broke here kind of sums it up.

[Michael Costa]

What is going on here?

[Desi Lydic]

Your son was sleeping with your fiance, and your fiance was sleeping with your son.

[Transgender Service Member 1]

That is correct. When I found that out, I confronted Andrea. She.

[Instagram Advertiser]

This is a Fox News special Report.

[Desi Lydic]

Wait, what happened with Andrea? Go back to the gross love triangle. I love that stuff. But the votes are counted, and the Vatican doesn't have a January 6th, so there's no going back. Let's find out more about this American Pope. Excuse me, Pope Americano. Born in 1955 in Chicago, Robert Francis Prevost has been a cardinal for only two years. He's big into tennis.

[Michael Costa]

He's affectionately known as Father Bob.

[Desi Lydic]

A Cubs fan, he loves to cook.

[Transgender Service Member 1]

Italian media has referred to him as the least American of the Americans because of his quiet, humble way.

[Desi Lydic]

Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa. So you're telling me that you think all Americans are loudmouth jackasses? Well, you humble, humble. I'm the most humble bitch you've ever seen. But let's get back to the Pope. Of course, the first job of every new Pope is to pick a pope name, which we all know is supposed to be the name of your first pet and the street you grew up on. But he went a different way.

[Podcast Announcer]

Robert Francis Prevost of Chicago taking on the name of Pope Leo xiv.

[Desi Lydic]

Leo xiv. Did he choose it the way we pick a new email address? Desi Lydic is taken. Okay, what about desi lydic? Two? Really? Three? Really? Four? Fine. Desi lydic, 14. But yes, Robert Prevost's new name is Leo XIV, which sucks for him because he just got his real id.

[Instagram Advertiser]

Damn it.

[Desi Lydic]

So close. Now, I've always found this odd. The church is so conservative on gay issues, but then they turn around and make its leader choose a drag name. And make it quick. We gotta get you to your gown fitting. You're gonna look so fierce. But after he picked his pope name, he came out and gave his first speech in both Italian and Spanish about the need for unity and peace on Earth. So cue peace and unity. In 3, 2, 1.

[Podcast Announcer]

I would have loved for the first pope from America to say something in English.

[Desi Lydic]

I was a little surprised that a.

[Transgender Service Member 1]

Chicago native not say a few Words in English.

[Podcast Announcer]

He's talking Spanish. He's an American. And he didn't even speak in English. He spoke in Latin, Spanish and Italian. Did not speak English. He did not speak in English. I mean, I don't know how you claim that this is an American Pope if you won't even speak in a native tongue. That, to me, was very disturbing.

[Michael Costa]

Yes. Yes.

[Desi Lydic]

How dare you? If English was good enough for Jesus, it's good enough for the Pope. Shame. Shame on you. Come on. Does it really matter what language he speaks? It's church. You're gonna be sleeping through it anyway. And besides, there's gonna be plenty of other stuff for conservatives to throw a tantrum about.

[Podcast Announcer]

There's some tweets that. When the Pope was still a cardinal.

[Michael Costa]

That are getting a lot of attention.

[Podcast Announcer]

Online, that are politically charged.

[Desi Lydic]

This one is directly rebuking J.D. vance, the new pope. Pope Leo XIV said J.D.

[Michael Costa]

Vance is wrong.

[Desi Lydic]

The new pope does not like J.D. vance. He really is an every. Be careful, though, Father. If you piss off JD Vance, he's gonna pay you a visit. We don't want that. For more on the new Pope, let's go to the Vatican with Michael Costa. Michael, what's your analysis?

[Podcast Announcer]

I'll tell you my analysis. Usa. Usa. Usa.

[Michael Costa]

Man.

[Desi Lydic]

Hey, I take it you're excited the Pope is American.

[Podcast Announcer]

Is the Pope Catholic and American?

[Michael Costa]

Yup.

[Podcast Announcer]

We won the Conclave, baby. Suck it, rest of the world.

[Michael Costa]

Woo.

[Podcast Announcer]

The Pope's from Chicago. America's number one city in terms of mustard consumption. Now let's shotgun this communion wine.

[Michael Costa]

Hells yes.

[Transgender Service Member 2]

Body of Christ.

[Desi Lydic]

Pasta. Costa, calm down. I don't think it was a competition between countries.

[Podcast Announcer]

Oh, sure, now that we won, they'll say it wasn't a competition. They said we couldn't do it. They said our cardinal roster didn't have the depth that we'd have to rebuild for years before we got a Pope. Well, guess who's kissing our ring now, Mother. Okay.

[Michael Costa]

Yeah.

[Podcast Announcer]

Hey, Cardinal Matteo Zuppi. Tell me how my ass tastes.

[Desi Lydic]

Michael, you're at the Vatican. Stop.

[Podcast Announcer]

Oh, you're right. My bad. Shit. So sorry. I'm so pumped. I'm so pumped.

[Desi Lydic]

Are you even Catholic?

[Podcast Announcer]

Am I Catholic? No, I'm not. But I'm American, okay? Which means I get really excited when we win stuff. Conclaves, space races, Toyota Thons, Academy Awards. Hey, Bong Joon Ho. Tell me how my ass tastes.

[Desi Lydic]

All right, look, I appreciate your patriotism, but this could have been a chance to have a Pope from underrepresented countries. There's never been a Pope from Africa or Asia.

[Podcast Announcer]

Oh, yeah, well, you know, there's never else. You know where else there hasn't been a Pope before today? America. Okay? And what country is less represented on the world stage than America? Do you know there's never been an American Queen of England? Think about that.

[Desi Lydic]

Okay, can you actually give me some analysis here? What is Pope Leo gonna bring to the papacy?

[Podcast Announcer]

Yeah, well, you know, the Pope has very important responsibilities. He's got that hat. He rides in that car that you can see through. He's got that magic scepter, and he's like, you shall not pass.

[Desi Lydic]

That's Gandalf. You don't know anything about the papacy, much less what an American will bring to it.

[Podcast Announcer]

Look, I don't know what he's going to bring to the papacy, but the thing about us Americans is that we're not sticklers for the rules. So it'll be nice to have a Pope who's not going to be a hard ass for every single little commandment, you know? I mean, this whole can't say the Lord's name in vain. Jesus Christ. Give me a break.

[Desi Lydic]

Michael. Stop swearing.

[Michael Costa]

Desi, stop it.

[Podcast Announcer]

Who cares, okay? I'm getting into heaven no matter what. You want to know why? Because I know a guy.

[Desi Lydic]

All right. All right. Michael Kosta, everybody. Oh, my God. When we come back, Jordan slept. And listen to the latest culture war. So don't go away.

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[Desi Lydic]

All right, buckle up. Good job.

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[Desi Lydic]

Welcome back to the Daily Show. The U.S. military is the fiercest fighting machine to ever exist, not counting Andre the Giant. But now the Trump administration is banning a select group of soldiers from entering combat. Jordan Klepper has more.

[Transgender Service Member 2]

The US Military, the most powerful and respected organization in the entire world. Few have what it takes. The discipline, the strength, the bravery, the sacrifices made to serve our country. But according to the Trump White House, there's an enemy within.

[Podcast Announcer]

Everything's transgender. Everybody transgender.

[Desi Lydic]

That's all you hear about. The Supreme Court will allow the Trump administration to begin enforcing a ban on transgender service members.

[Podcast Announcer]

No more pronouns. No more dudes in dresses.

[Desi Lydic]

We're done with that shit.

[Transgender Service Member 2]

And I had some hard hitting questions. So as the Daily show senior war correspondent, only I had the guts to.

[Michael Costa]

Oh, paper cut. Ah.

[Instagram Advertiser]

Ah.

[Transgender Service Member 2]

Once recovered, I met with some transgender individuals to hear their unqualifications.

[Desi Lydic]

My name is Lieutenant Ray Timberlake. I'm in the United States Navy and I've been serving for about 17 years.

[Michael Costa]

My name is Clayton and I've been trying to go for a pararescue PJ in the Air Force, and it's a special warfare career field.

[Transgender Service Member 1]

I'm second Lieutenant Nicholas Talbot with the United States Army Reserve. I've been in for a little over a year.

[Transgender Service Member 3]

I'm Joe Ellis. I'm a chief warrant officer too in the Virginia Army National Guard. I've served for 15 years. I fly the U860, which is a Blackhawk.

[Transgender Service Member 2]

I don't want to swap war stories, but I've flown Spirit Airlines twice, so I know danger. They seem qualified to me, but there are others who think they're weakening our military.

[Podcast Announcer]

They can't go to sea. They can't fly airplanes in combat. They can't deploy with the army into combat areas.

[Desi Lydic]

We should never allow anyone in the.

[Transgender Service Member 3]

Military to undergo transition surgery, which would.

[Desi Lydic]

Make them medically unqualified to deploy. This idea that we spend years of being non deployable is just simply untrue. I've never missed a deployment. I can fight tonight.

[Transgender Service Member 3]

They've paid for nothing for my transition. I paid out of pocket because I wanted to be mission ready as fast as possible. In six weeks, I was deployable again, and I'm deployable today. They spend many times More on Viagra than they do on gender affirming care.

[Transgender Service Member 2]

If we don't have Viagra in the military, then who is going to take care of Pete Hagseth's whiskey dick? That's not how I want to serve my country. Turns out the US military spends eight times more on Viagra than gender affirming care. Over 37 million more, to be exact. And on top of that, replacing transgender troops could cost an estimated $960 million in recruiting and training, which ain't easy.

[Transgender Service Member 1]

It's very physically intense after going through a pretty extensive medical exam to even get into the military. Going to basic training, it's a lot like what most people think it is. Boot camp. Yeah, it's boot camp.

[Transgender Service Member 2]

I did theater camp. It's tough. My tour duty was South Pacific. Elly Hawaii's calling belly high. Is that haltway?

[Desi Lydic]

Yeah.

[Michael Costa]

All the trans people that are serving go above and beyond the standards, and they do their job every day.

[Transgender Service Member 3]

But it's interesting to hear that we are too strong for sports, but too weak for the military, being too weak for both.

[Transgender Service Member 2]

I was curious why anyone would want to kick out these dedicated individuals.

[Podcast Announcer]

If I'm in a foxhole, I don't want to know whether this guy next to me is wondering if he's a woman or a man or flip back and forth.

[Transgender Service Member 2]

Because everyone knows when you're fighting on the front lines, the real enemies are the preferred pronouns of the person next to you.

[Transgender Service Member 3]

So I go by rank and last name. If someone uses a pronoun that I don't prefer, I really don't care. To me, it's a distraction, like my job is to fly the helicopter.

[Transgender Service Member 2]

I'm curious what the reaction has been to you being trans in the military.

[Michael Costa]

I received an outpouring of support when I came out.

[Transgender Service Member 3]

They're my family, and they have my back.

[Transgender Service Member 1]

At the end of the day, I. All anybody cares about is whether I can perform my job when I have that uniform on.

[Transgender Service Member 2]

Must be nice to have respectful co workers. I work with this guy Ronnie, who's a total dick. He's just a dick. So if the people in the military itself don't care, then why did the administration impose an executive order stating an.

[Desi Lydic]

Adoption of a gender identity inconsistent with.

[Michael Costa]

An individual's sex conflicts with a soldier's.

[Desi Lydic]

Commitment to an honorable, truthful, and disciplined lifestyle.

[Transgender Service Member 1]

I was named an honor graduate at basic training. So I would say, you know, at least someone out there agrees that I have some honor and some discipline in me.

[Transgender Service Member 2]

Would you leak war plans on signal. Are you that disciplined?

[Transgender Service Member 1]

I don't have any plans to do so.

[Transgender Service Member 2]

Good to know.

[Transgender Service Member 3]

If more people met trans people like us, then there would be no issue.

[Transgender Service Member 2]

If the world's on fire, these are the folks I want in the foxhole, but would they want me? Do you guys think I would be an asset in the US Military?

[Desi Lydic]

How many push ups can you do?

[Transgender Service Member 2]

It's sort of like jazz. It's all about the push ups you don't do. And right now, I'm not doing millions.

[Transgender Service Member 1]

How fast can you run two miles?

[Transgender Service Member 2]

Well, I can drive it in under 40 seconds.

[Desi Lydic]

Yeah.

[Transgender Service Member 1]

So I was at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, for basic training. It was about 120 degrees Fahrenheit most days.

[Transgender Service Member 2]

Yeah, that's not going to work for me. If I'm in the sun for more than seven minutes, I get a heat rash just like that.

[Desi Lydic]

Have you ever tried an mre?

[Transgender Service Member 2]

Yeah, and they told me that it was just a little fracture in my foot.

[Transgender Service Member 3]

I think that you're talking about mri. No, MRE is a meal that's ready to eat.

[Transgender Service Member 2]

Yeah, military shit. While lawsuits are still pending and the fight's not over, I imagine these troops have lost the appetite to fight for a country that refuses to acknowledge they even exist.

[Transgender Service Member 3]

President Trump is my commander in chief, and I will gladly answer the call if he calls me up to act.

[Transgender Service Member 1]

America is my home. This is my country. This is where I want to be and who I want to fight for.

[Michael Costa]

I'm willing to serve, I'm able to serve, and I can get the job done.

[Desi Lydic]

I'd say come to the fleet, come to the field. Come see what the thousands of transgender service members do every day in support of our nation's defense.

[Transgender Service Member 2]

Sounds like patriotism to me. But what do I know? I didn't serve because of bone Straight.

[Jordan Klepper]

Thank you, Jordan.

[Desi Lydic]

When we come back, Michelle Buteau will be joining me on this show, so don't go away.

[Instagram Advertiser]

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[Desi Lydic]

All right, buckle up. Good job.

[Instagram Advertiser]

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[Jordan Klepper]

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[Desi Lydic]

Welcome back to the Daily Show. My guest tonight is an actor, writer and comedian who created and stars in the Netflix series Survival of the Thickest. Please welcome Michelle Buteau. Hi.

[Michael Costa]

What's going on? Ooh, this is nice.

[Desi Lydic]

This is nice. This is nice. I feel like we need more dance breaks.

[Michael Costa]

We do with ties. We gotta get it. We gotta get it in tie.

[Desi Lydic]

Twins.

[Michael Costa]

Yes. Instead of Magic Mike, it's like Magic Michelle.

[Desi Lydic]

Is this a tearaway suit?

[Michael Costa]

No, not yet.

[Desi Lydic]

Mine is really. I'll show you later. They're like, no, my eyes don't do that. Oh, I'm sorry.

[Michael Costa]

You're beautiful. Come on now.

[Desi Lydic]

Stop it.

[Michael Costa]

And you're amazing. You're so funny. So just everything I. No notes. No notes.

[Desi Lydic]

I am such a fan of yours and I'm so happy that you're here. Congratulations on the second season of your show.

[Michael Costa]

Thank you so much.

[Desi Lydic]

You got season two. You had a recent special out. You're about to go on tour.

[Michael Costa]

Yes.

[Desi Lydic]

You're the mother of twins.

[Michael Costa]

Yes.

[Desi Lydic]

First question.

[Michael Costa]

Yes.

[Desi Lydic]

Yeah. Would you like to go take a quick nap in my dressing room?

[Michael Costa]

No. You know what? I'm sleeping right now. You wouldn't know. You know what I mean? You find the moments. Yeah. I mean, yeah. It's a nice part about like not being on your phone all the time to take those breaks, you know, to actually see your children living in the world, crossing a street, being like just so cute and grown, having time to be creative. I'm just. You guys put your phones down and start like pick a book up. Yes. I can't say it enough. It's like healing to create stuff. Yeah.

[Desi Lydic]

Excellent advice. Especially when they're little like yours. You have six year old. They're six, right?

[Michael Costa]

Yes. Yeah.

[Desi Lydic]

I love the way you describe your daughter, Hazel.

[Michael Costa]

Oh, my God.

[Desi Lydic]

Having the vibes of a 53 year old woman who works at the DMV.

[Michael Costa]

Yes. A 53 year old black woman that works at the DMV. You know what I mean? Cause, well, you know, you know the specificity. Because she rolls over the playground and she's like, is this what y' all meant to do? I'm like, hazel, then you be nice.

[Desi Lydic]

I love her. You know, I love that energy.

[Michael Costa]

I love it, too. I mean, I want them to be honest, just not with me all the time.

[Desi Lydic]

You know, hold back a little bit.

[Michael Costa]

Just a little bit. She told me my elbows look old. I was like, girl, eat your peas.

[Desi Lydic]

What does that even mean?

[Michael Costa]

I mean, my elbows look a little haunted. They're a little gray. They look the top of a pigeon's head. We don't have to get into it. Let's talk about the show.

[Desi Lydic]

Let's talk about the show. I do want to talk about your show. This is season two.

[Michael Costa]

Yeah.

[Desi Lydic]

You. Your character, Mavis, explores dating all kinds of relationships, building this beautiful budding career.

[Michael Costa]

Yeah.

[Desi Lydic]

You're now in a phase of your life where you have this booming career. You're married, you have kids. Is this your opportunity to go back and get a do over, do some things differently?

[Michael Costa]

Kind of. So, you know, Mavis is the name of my grandmother, and she was my person. She was my soulmate. I think you could have more than one soulmate, and you don't know how they're gonna come and, you know, and so it's so nice hearing her name on set all the time. But, you know, I wrote this book, Survival of the Thickest. And when I brought the twins home, I'm like, I'll have time to write a book now. I don't know what I was thinking. Yeah. And my husband was just like, are you going to finish this book? I was like, that feels like a loaded question. And he found Joan Rivers old desk at Housing Works or some sort of, like, place. Yeah. Yes. Some sort of vintage shop. And brought the desk home. I wrote the book on the desk. There was, like, legit energy in this desk. Wrote the book, and I'm like. I did this, like, artist thing where I was like, who's gonna read this book? Why should I even write it? And I'm like, write it for you. Just to get something done right. And I couldn't have ever imagined that it would turn into two seasons of a show. And so what was really fun was working with my co creator and showrunner, Danielle Sanchez Witzel, who has done the Carmichael show and has worked on New Girl. And so she has, like, amazing experience with unique voices. And it was pulling these stories, these essays from like, 15 to 35, 42, and putting them in a world that I wanted to see on television. You know, a New York that reflects My New York with fat, black, brown, queer, non binary voices. And I feel like we've done a bang up job doing that. Yes, we have. This season we have. You know, spoiler alert. If you haven't seen it, you need to see it. If you've seen it, need to see it, watch it again. Episode 6.

[Desi Lydic]

Agree.

[Michael Costa]

The category is love. We have a beautiful trans wedding. You know, Peppermint, who's a beautiful black trans woman who's also a drag performer, gets. And it's just. It is not only the New York that I live in, but it's also the America I want to live in. What are all those questions?

[Desi Lydic]

I want to talk about the fact that you are wearing all the hats on this show you mentioned, you created, you write, you produce, you star in. What does it feel like to have that kind of creative freedom and also responsibility?

[Michael Costa]

Gosh, I mean, it feels damn good. Yeah, it feels really good. And I will say, you know, I've been doing standup comedy for over 20 years and, you know, doing projects with a lot of friends, including a producer on your show, Devin. Like, we've done a lot of stuff together. And the thing is, we do, like a lot of stuff for free for so long. And so when people come to me and they ask me, how do I start making money, how do I get to the next level? I just say, keep doing it. Be so good. By the time you get in that seat, by the time you get that job, you can't mess it up because you've done it for 10, 12, 15 years for free. So you already know all the things that could happen. You know what I mean? And also, like, admit what you don't know.

[Desi Lydic]

Yes.

[Michael Costa]

You know?

[Desi Lydic]

Yes. Tell that to the administration. One guy needs that message. I will pick that up.

[Michael Costa]

Noted. At a time.

[Desi Lydic]

Then this season two is real steamy when it comes to the sex scenes.

[Michael Costa]

Yeah. Did you see it?

[Desi Lydic]

Yes.

[Michael Costa]

Okay.

[Desi Lydic]

Very steamy. Very. And I'm just wondering, was that your call? And how do I.

[Michael Costa]

Of course.

[Desi Lydic]

As it should be. How do I push for more sex scenes here at the Daily Show? I get none.

[Michael Costa]

I'll talk to the administration.

[Jordan Klepper]

Thank you.

[Michael Costa]

Yeah, you know, this is a body positive show, you know, and I'm positive we all got a body. And it was really important for me to show my silhouette and other silhouettes being loved down, you know, because we are worthy of love at any size or shade or shape. And even down to, like, you know, not even down to, like, not wearing a lot of makeup. I want to show Especially young women. You are beautiful the way you are. You deserve to be loved, however that looks, you know. So it was so important too, to work with a very diverse cast and crew and you know, 70% of the heads of our department are female and. Cause, you know, we get stuff done.

[Desi Lydic]

Yeah.

[Michael Costa]

And so it was really important as a plus size actor to be, you know, working with women who know how to light, you know, the biscuits when there's Thanksgiving dinner on the table. You know what I mean?

[Desi Lydic]

Gotta light those biscuits. You gotta light em good. That bucket of chicken, they gotta be seen.

[Michael Costa]

Yes. The legs and the thighs. What am I talking about? One blazer. I don't know who I am.

[Desi Lydic]

Dance break. I want to talk about your standup. And first of all, you were the first female comedian ever to film a special at Radio City Music Hall.

[Michael Costa]

Yeah.

[Desi Lydic]

What does it feel like to break that beautiful glass ceiling?

[Michael Costa]

Oh my goodness. That was. I think if it's not a little scary, then why are you not doing it? Does that make sense? Like, it should be a little scary. You should be a little excited. You should push yourself. You know, no matter what you have on your resume or what you have in your bank account, or what you think you can or cannot do, just try, you know, because you're just gonna end up in the same position anyways if it doesn't work out. And so I thought, you know what, let's see. It's really crazy that a woman has not filmed there. And I'm like, this isn't even about me, it's about them, you know, and the only reason why I even thought I could play Radio City Music hall is because years ago I opened for Jonathan Van Ness, you know, so that's, that should be the name of the game. We should be helping each other up, you know, uplifting, diverse voices. And so A Beautiful Mind at Radio City Music hall was. It was really. It was so special. I was like more excited than my wedding.

[Desi Lydic]

Oh, yes, you should be.

[Michael Costa]

Yeah.

[Desi Lydic]

That's your husband. But that's a huge accomplishment.

[Michael Costa]

Yes.

[Desi Lydic]

And you really are inspiring to so many women out there. One thing that strikes me as so special about you is that you infuse so much joy and positivity in your comedy and in all of your work. You are so excellent at these, like, hard, assertive, very funny, powerful jokes. But you never lose touch with your humanity. Do you ever find that challenging when times are tough? Like, how do you channel that energy? Asking for a friend?

[Michael Costa]

No, it's. I'm a joyful person. You know, and so apparent, not only my mom and my grandma Mavis and my great grandma Hazel, like all these women in my family, everybody in my family has had to really fight for their joy and their peace. And they fought so I could be here. And so that's not lost on me. And, you know, when you start from a place of like, let's have fun, you know, how can we find comedy on the other side of pain? Then I do believe that I will always be okay, you know? Cause sometimes it is perspective and we have to be aware that things are happening and there is injustices. But, like, how do we. Like, how do we find our joy in that day? You know what I mean? Because then if we're not happy, then they've won, right?

[Desi Lydic]

That's right. That's right. You are so inspiring. It's such a joy to be around you. Thank you for being here. Congratulations.

[Michael Costa]

You shut up.

[Jordan Klepper]

You shut up.

[Desi Lydic]

Season 2 of Survival of the Thickets is streaming on Netflix now. Michelle Buteau.

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[Jordan Klepper]

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[Podcast Announcer]

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