Kash Patel Denies Excessive Drinking & Labor Sec.’s Family Plays HR Violation Bingo | Noah Wyle

Summary

---

The Daily Show: Ears Edition

Episode Title: Kash Patel Denies Excessive Drinking & Labor Sec.’s Family Plays HR Violation Bingo | Noah Wyle
Date: April 22, 2026
Host: Mike Locaska (for Jon Stewart), with Correspondents Jordan Klepper
Guest: Noah Wyle

---

Episode Overview

This episode of The Daily Show: Ears Edition, hosted by Mike Locaska, dives into the latest headline scandals—most notably, FBI Director Kash Patel's denial of excessive drinking amidst a massive defamation suit, the surreal resignation of Labor Secretary Lori Chavez Daremer following workplace scandals involving her whole family, and the delusions of young Trump supporters at a Turning Point USA rally. The episode closes with an insightful interview with Noah Wyle, star of HBO Max's The Pit, about the evolution of hospital dramas, mental health, and the desire for meaning and competence in modern TV.

---

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Kash Patel’s “Excessive Drinking” Scandal (01:25 – 07:56)

• Defamation Lawsuit & Atlantic Article:

  • FBI Director Kash Patel is suing for $250 million, disputing an article’s claims of his "excessive drinking and unexplained absences."
  • Mike Locaska: “I mean, yeah, he does always have the look of a drunk guy trying to convince you he’s sober. But I’ve never seen him actually drink.” (02:32)

• Details of Allegations:

  • SWAT team considered breaching his door after he was unreachable due to possible intoxication.
  • Frequent visits to the “Poodle Room” in Las Vegas (styled by the hosts as a notorious, possibly unsavory club).

• Mockery of Kash’s Behavior:

  • “[Patel] can’t crack the case of logging into his own computer” after a panic led him to believe he’d been fired when he only had caps lock on. (06:09)
  • Locaska argues even drunk people can “accomplish incredible things,” riffing on Tiger Woods’ infamous DUI.

• Notable Quote:

  • “I've been hungover, but I've never been so hungover they had to wake me up the same way they killed Bin Laden.” — Mike Locaska (04:08)

---

2. Labor Secretary Lori Chavez Daremer’s Family Scandal (07:56 – 13:37)

• Secretary’s Misconduct:

  • Resigned amidst numerous accusations: drinking on the job, taking staff to a strip club, using government resources for personal trips, and an alleged affair with security staff.

• Family Involvement & HR Chaos:

  • Husband banned from HQ for sexual misconduct towards staff, dad also exchanged inappropriate texts with staff, reportedly instructed by Lori herself to “pay attention” to her husband and father.
  • Locaska: “Her dad is trying to tag team his daughter’s staff with his son-in-law. Well, no wonder she’s drinking at work.” (11:11)

• Biting HR Training Satire:

  • Jordan Klepper hosts a faux HR video with the lines:
    • “No one wants to [expletive] you. No one’s going to their cabinet job thinking, ‘I hope I see my boss’s husband’s gross dick today.’” (12:10)
    • “Last time I checked, there's no 'take your horny father to work day.'” (13:16)

• Political Roast:

  • Locaska: “I'm as surprised as you are that an upstanding businessman like Donald Trump only seems to hire corrupt perverts and messy drunks. But until more Americans come to realize that Donald Trump is the human equivalent of the poodle room, we're going to be stuck with this type of representation.” (11:25)

---

3. Turning Point USA Rally: Young Republicans & Trump Worship (14:09 – 20:16)

• Jordan Klepper’s Man-on-the-Street Interviews:

  • Young Trump supporters voice unwavering faith despite contradictory facts about the “war” with Iran (“It’s not a war, it’s a conflict!” (17:57)), and display mental gymnastics to credit Trump for nearly anything.

• Highlights of Trump Loyalty:

  • “He gets to do it twice. Isn’t that amazing?” (14:57)
  • Claims that Trump posting an AI image of himself as Jesus was because “he thought he looked like a doctor…healing the sick.” (16:08)
  • Supporters want separation of church and state, but also advocate for the Ten Commandments and school prayer (17:04).

• Notable Absurdity:

  • Woman claims protesters outside are paid by the “Iranian regime”: “Look at them. They do not have teeth.” (19:01)
  • Discussion of Trump “opening the strait” (19:25), with Klepper lampooning the cyclical crisis as a manufactured win.

• Notable Quote:

  • “Are you seeing what I’m seeing? …It makes me feel crazy.” — Jordan Klepper, on the logical inconsistencies around church and state (17:20)

---

4. Interview with Noah Wyle (22:04 – 33:39)

The Pit: Realism & Emotional Impact

• Creating Immersive TV:

  • Wyle explains, “We early on wanted this to feel as immersive as possible… Everything is shot from almost a human eye level, really, to make you feel like you’re a participant…You’re in it with us.” (23:29)

• Respecting Audience Intelligence:

  • Wyle and Locaska agree post-pandemic viewers crave sophisticated, involved storytelling:
    • “People started watching content differently, more intensely, and it started to have more relevance and meaning in their lives. That old adage of dumb it down doesn’t apply anymore…” — Noah Wyle (24:40)

• Wish Fulfillment in Competence:

  • The host thanks Wyle: “Is The Pit good, or is it just that I’m so happy to see people that are good at their jobs?... All day I’m watching clips of our FBI director pound beer.” (25:19)

• Humanizing Trauma and Boundaries:

  • Wyle discusses portraying mental health authentically, especially when “we don’t always act our most graceful when we’re at our most desperate.” (27:18)
  • The show intentionally includes characters who set boundaries:
    • “[That] little bit of self care has resonated so loudly with people…” (28:13)

• Motorcycle Anecdotes:

  • Locaska and Wyle share a light moment about their mutual love of Triumph Bonnevilles and motorcycle safety. (28:29)
  • Wyle learned to ride for “Falling Skies,” warned by his orthopedic nurse mom: “She raised us, calling them donor cycles.” (28:49)

TV Landscape, Fame, and Advice

• Comparing ER and The Pit’s Audience:

  • Wyle notes today’s “fractured” but global fanbase:
    • “…Now you can scale your club globally, which is very exciting. But I’m just amazed the show can still break through and command popular attention...” (30:22)

• Advice to Young ‘Dr. Carter’ Self:

  • “Talk less, listen more, worry less, relax. It’s going to be okay…So much wasted energy worrying and obsessing about things that don’t really matter…” (31:37)
  • “Don’t think of this as a springboard. Think of this as a surfboard. If we stay on the board, this wave is going to carry us as far as it possibly can…” (32:13)

• Locaska Reflection:

  • “I think I’m going to just think about that in my life as springboard versus surfboard. Let’s go surf.” (33:24)

---

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments (with Timestamps)

• “I’ve been hungover, but I’ve never been so hungover they had to wake me up the same way they killed Bin Laden.” — Mike Locaska (04:08)
• HR Satire: “No one’s going to their cabinet job thinking, ‘I hope I see my boss’s husband’s gross dick today.’” — Jordan Klepper (12:10)
• On Trump as Jesus/Doctor:
  “I don’t think Trump thinks he’s Jesus or anything… He posted it because he thought he looked like a doctor.” — Jordan Klepper interviewing (16:08)
• Audience Media Habits:
  “That old adage of dumb it down doesn’t apply anymore. People are extremely sophisticated in their viewing habits…” — Noah Wyle (24:40)
• Advice to Younger Self:
  “Talk less, listen more, worry less, relax. It’s going to be okay. So much wasted energy worrying and obsessing about things that don’t really matter.” — Noah Wyle (31:37)
• Surfboard vs. Springboard Analogy:
  “Don’t think of this as a springboard. Think of this as a surfboard. If we stay on the board, this wave is going to carry us as far as it possibly can.” — Noah Wyle (32:13)

---

Segment Timestamps

| Segment Topic | Start | End | |-------------------------------------------------------------------|---------|---------| | Kash Patel drinking scandal / FBI debacle | 01:25 | 07:56 | | Labor Secretary & family HR disaster | 07:56 | 13:37 | | Young Republicans / Trump Rally Interviews | 14:09 | 20:16 | | Interview: Noah Wyle on The Pit, TV, & advice | 22:04 | 33:39 |

---

Overall Tone & Takeaway

Sarcastic, sharp-edged satire meets genuine human insight. The show lampoons government dysfunction and blind political loyalty, while its second half provides an authentic, heartfelt discussion on empathy, competence, and maturity in entertainment and life. If you missed the episode, you’ll walk away both better informed and a little less worried—springboard or surfboard, take your pick.

---

Transcript

[Announcer]

This episode is brought to you by State Farm. You know those friends who support your preference for podcasts over music on road trips? That's the energy State Farm brings to insurance. With over 19,000 local agents, they help you find the coverage that fits your needs so you can spend less time worrying about insurance and more time enjoying the ride. Download the State Farm app or go [e-mail] like a good neighbor, State Farm is there.

[Host Mike Locaska]

Amazon presents Jeff vs. Taco Truck Salsa.

[Correspondent Jordan Klepper]

Whether it's verde roja or the orange

[Host Mike Locaska]

one, for Jeff, trying any salsa is like playing Russian roulette with a flamethrower.

[Correspondent Jordan Klepper]

Luckily, Jeff saved with Amazon and stocked up on antacids, ginger tea and milk.

[Host Mike Locaska]

Habanero. More like habanero. Yes. Save the everyday with Amazon. You're listening to Comedy Central. From the most trusted journalists at Comedy Central. It's America's only source for news.

[Guest Noah Wylie]

This is the Daily show with your host, Michael Costa.

[Host Mike Locaska]

Yeah, baby. Welcome to the Daily Show. I'm Mike Locaska. We have got so much to talk about tonight. Cash Patel drunk dials lawyer Jordan Klepper talks to young Republicans and the labor secretary resigns to spend more time with her very weird family. So let's get into it with another edition of the Worst wing. What a bunch of losers. With Cash Patel, FBI director and man who starts every day by looking in the mirror and saying, freeze. Freeze. FBI, freeze. In his tenor as FBI director, he's almost solved dozens of cases. But this time the case is about him.

[Correspondent Jordan Klepper]

FBI Director Cash Patel is now suing for defamation over a bombshell new article. Sources told the magazine the Atlantic that Patel, quote, has a alarmed colleagues with episodes of excessive drinking and unexplained absences. He wants a quarter of a billion dollars in damages.

[Host Mike Locaska]

A quarter of a billion dollars hour. Cash Patel excessive drinking? I can't imagine such a thing. I mean, yeah, he does always have the look of a drunk guy trying to convince you he's sober. But I've never seen him actually drink. Although now that I think about it, there was that one time. Ah, yes, I remember my first 10,000th beer. I guess in retrospect, if a room full of 21 year old concussed hockey players thinks you're a good Hank, you probably shouldn't be in charge. You probably shouldn't even be in charge of the rental skates at the rink. By the way, fun fact, Cash was already in there drinking. He didn't even know the Olympics were happening. That's why he was so happy when the hockey team showed up, but so what? The guy parties when Team USA wins a gold medal that's not worth a quarter of a billion dollars. How bad are these accusations?

[Announcer]

On multiple occasions in the past year, members of Patel's security detail had difficulty waking him because he was seemingly intoxicated at one point, the article claims, even prompting a request for SWAT style breaching equipment because the director had been unreachable behind locked doors.

[Host Mike Locaska]

Okay, I mean, that sounds pretty bad. Look, I've been hungover, but I've never been so hungover they had to wake me up the same way they killed Bin Laden. What else you got? During Patel's tenure as FBI Director, the FBI has had to reschedule early meetings as a quote, result of his alcohol fueled nights, adding that Director Patel is often away or unreachable. The story also goes on to report Patel is a frequent guest of the Poodle Room at the Fontainebleau Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada. Okay, it is a little weird that a man whose job is in Washington, D.C. also frequently goes to something called the Poodle Room in Las Vegas. But I'm sure the Poodle Room is a distinguished, respectable, hypoallergenic social club where important men network and exchange ideas. So it's a Coke den. Ladies, ladies, if you want to get an STD on a circular waterbed, might I recommend meeting a gentleman at the Poodle Room? Imagine you're this guy at the Poodle Room just having a good time with your shirt unbuttoned all the way. And all of a sudden you're like, is that the FBI director throwing up on himself? And there's more in this article than just stories about Cash drinking. There's also stories about him being stupid and a little high strung.

[Correspondent Jordan Klepper]

Back on April 10, Patel had trouble logging onto an internal computer system.

[Announcer]

It was just a technical glitch. But Patel quickly became convinced he had been locked out and he panicked, frantically calling aides and allies to announce he had been fired by the White House.

[Host Mike Locaska]

Whoa, whoa. Calm down, Cash. How paranoid are you if the moment you have trouble logging into your computer, you think you got fired? Oh, no. They fired me. Get me on a plane to China. I'm going to tell them all my secrets. I hate this country and everybody else. Oh, wait, I just had the caps lock on. Everything's cool. God, I need a drink. But it is concerning that the guy who's supposed to be the country's top investigator can't crack the case of logging into his own computer. No wonder he's Pissed off. What else does he have to say about this article?

[Announcer]

We are not going to take this laying down.

[Correspondent Jordan Klepper]

You want to attack my character?

[Announcer]

Come at me.

[Host Mike Locaska]

Bring it on. Yeah, that's right. He's not going to take this laying down because then they'd have to get the SWAT team in to wake him up. But now, as a part of his lawsuit, Cash argues that under his leadership, the FBI has achieved historic law enforcement results, which, even if that were true, doesn't prove anything. People can accomplish incredible things when they're drunk. If Tiger woods can successfully park in a ditch, then Kash Patel can be like, hey, go arrest some bad guys. Hell, I'm a little drunk right now. And I think we all agree I'm nailing it. You see? Moving on. I'm really glad. Really glad you responded that way. It would have been awkward otherwise. And moving on. Let's say hello to Labor Secretary Lori Chavez Daremer. She's one of the more obscure cabinet secretaries, but it's never too late to get to know her.

[Announcer]

Lori Chavez Daremer has resigned.

[Host Mike Locaska]

Damn it. Not you too, Lori. It's always the ones you never heard of. That's right. Secretary Lori has resigned over a scandal. And if you're wondering which scandal, the answer is yes.

[Announcer]

Her departure comes amid multiple scandals and investigations, including drinking on the job, allegedly taking staff to a strip club, and using department resources for personal trips. Chavez Darimer is also accused of having an affair with a member of her security team.

[Host Mike Locaska]

What the hell was she going through her workplace anti harassment training? Like, challenge accepted. Taking your staff to strip clubs? Really? I can't think of a more inappropriate place for a government official to be spending their time. Well, maybe a strip club isn't so bad after all. But before you jackals in the media go tearing Lori down just because she knows how to party, don't forget this woman has a family. Have a little respect for what her husband is going through.

[Announcer]

Her husband also in hot water. He was banned from the department's headquarters earlier this year after two women accused him of sexual misconduct.

[Host Mike Locaska]

What? My boy was banned from his wife's office for sexual harassment. I've heard of men cheating while their wives were at work. I've never heard of a man cheating at his wife's work. This guy's unreal. And to do it all with resting. I'm gonna sniff your neck face. That's so impressive. Well, this cannot get worse for Lori. I can't imagine anything more embarrassing than your staff being sexually harassed at work by your husband. The New York Times reports that the secretary's husband, quote, exchanged text messages with young female staff members, as did her father. Holy shit. Her dad. They're saying her dad is trying to tag team his daughter's staff with his son in law. Well, no wonder she's drinking at work. This must be a misunderstanding. In an April 2025 exchange, Richard Chavez wrote to a young female staff member, quote, hearing, you are in town, wishing you would let me know. I could have made some excuses to get out and show you around. Please keep this private. Don't worry, buddy. No one's ever gonna see this. Lori's probably like, God damn it, dad, now you know how to use your phone. This is creepy and disgusting and also such a classic parent text. Even when they're being perverts, they're like, well, it would have been nice for you to give me a heads up you're coming to town, but this is crazy. There's no way Lori knew about her husband and her dad, right?

[Sponsor/Ad Voice]

Right.

[Announcer]

Some of the young women were instructed

[Host Mike Locaska]

by the Labor Secretary herself to, quote, pay attention to her husband and father.

[Correspondent Jordan Klepper]

Wow. Wow.

[Host Mike Locaska]

The Labor Secretary heard Cash Patel had a scandal and she's like, hold my beer and my wine and my stack of dollar bills and my dad's pe. Now, look, I'm as surprised as you are that an upstanding businessman like Donald Trump only seems to hire corrupt perverts and messy drunks. But until more Americans come to realize that Donald Trump is the human equivalent of the poodle room, we're going to be stuck with this type of representation. And until then, the Department of Labor is going to need to make some big updates to their HR training video, which, luckily, we have an advanced copy of.

[Correspondent Jordan Klepper]

If you've reached this part of the video, then you've completed HR training. Congratulations, new cabinet secretary. And now it's time, thanks to recent stupid events, to bring in your husband. Let's start with rule number one. No one wants to you. No one's going to their cabinet job thinking, oh, you know what? I hope I see my boss's husband's gross dick today. If you can't help yourself, There are over 20,000 bathrooms in federal buildings. Go jack off in the mint, you psycho. Okay, now send in a father. Okay, fathers rule number one, no one wants to you. How much porn do you have to watch to think, oh, yeah, I have a real shot at my daughter's co workers. Maybe one of them will get stuck in the copy machine and need me to bang them out of it. Let's do some role play. I'm you at your daughter's office. Hi, nice to meet you. Wrong. You should not have even been there in the first place. Why are you at your daughter's office? Last time I checked, there's no take your horny father to work day. If you have to off do it at the Mint with your son in law. Now please send in your pets. Who's a good boy? You're a good boy, but no one wants to you.

[Host Mike Locaska]

When we come back, Jordan Kupfer hits the rally trail again. Don't go away.

[Announcer]

Tomorrow morning is knocking. Stock your fridge now. How about a creamy mocha Frappuccino drink? Or a sweet vanilla smooth caramel maybe? Or white chocolate mocha? Whichever you choose, delicious coffee awaits. Find Starbucks Frappuccino drinks wherever you buy your groceries.

[Host Mike Locaska]

Welcome back to the Daily Show. Last week, President Trump hit the Turning Point USA conference to sell young voters on his wars with Iran and the Pope. So we sent Jordan Klepper to find out how it went.

[Correspondent Jordan Klepper]

In the midst of an unpopular war with Iran and a heated Pope fight, President Trump dropped into a Turning Point rally in Phoenix. And he brought his creepy uncle energy. So I traveled to the Grand Canyon state to see if the crowd outside was still on board the Trump train. What stuff has he done that you're proud of? Everything. America is free right now. This is the best the country's ever been. Talk to me about the accomplishments. Venezuela big, big. Border big. He originally brought gas prices down.

[Host Mike Locaska]

And he's gonna do that again.

[Correspondent Jordan Klepper]

He gets to do it twice. Isn't that amazing?

[Host Mike Locaska]

Yeah.

[Correspondent Jordan Klepper]

Some goals have been achieved.

[Announcer]

Yeah. Some have.

[Correspondent Jordan Klepper]

Ballroom face on money.

[Announcer]

Well, the ballroom is something different. And Obama put in a basketball court. So who complained about that?

[Correspondent Jordan Klepper]

Nobody. Which wing did Obama knock down to put up that basketball court? I don't know.

[Host Mike Locaska]

Probably the East Wing.

[Correspondent Jordan Klepper]

Probably the East Wing. He goes in, gets done what he

[Host Mike Locaska]

says he's going to do, and he

[Correspondent Jordan Klepper]

does what he says. Promises made, promises kept. Absolutely no new wars.

[Host Mike Locaska]

Yes. Nobody wants to go to war.

[Correspondent Jordan Klepper]

Nobody does. What do you think about the war with Iran? I don't pay attention to it. So yeah, yeah, yeah. So still no new wars. This particular rally was located at a megachurch in the heart of God's country. And Trump's holiness was on everyone's mind

[Guest Noah Wylie]

when Trump made his acceptance speech in 2015. I swear I saw the hand of

[Correspondent Jordan Klepper]

God reach out and touch Trump. Was Trump touched. Sort of like this. Recently, Trump caused a stir when he posted this AI Picture the image appearing to depict the president as Jesus, drawing backlash from many of his own supporters, some calling it blasphemy.

[Announcer]

I can see a lot of people being offended by Trump. Trump's not perfect.

[Correspondent Jordan Klepper]

He's not perfect. He's just literally breaking the very first commandment.

[Announcer]

I don't think Trump thinks he's Jesus or anything like that. I think he posted it thinking it was a beautiful picture.

[Correspondent Jordan Klepper]

Turns out Trump also denied the Jesus comparison.

[Host Mike Locaska]

It was me. I did post it, and I thought it was me as a doctor.

[Correspondent Jordan Klepper]

He posted it because he thought he looked like a doctor.

[Host Mike Locaska]

He's called making our country well again Heal the sick.

[Announcer]

He's beautiful. He looks like a doctor.

[Host Mike Locaska]

Look at.

[Correspondent Jordan Klepper]

He's got his magic.

[Announcer]

He's got his magic hand.

[Correspondent Jordan Klepper]

Do doctors traditionally have magic hands?

[Guest Noah Wylie]

Well, up to you and I, they do.

[Correspondent Jordan Klepper]

Do you know how to carve somebody

[Guest Noah Wylie]

up in the stomach and cure whatever

[Correspondent Jordan Klepper]

if they have, like, an intestinal ailment?

[Guest Noah Wylie]

Can you do that?

[Correspondent Jordan Klepper]

I'm. I'm poor with a scalpel. You're correct. Fair enough. Point maga. But Trump's brush with organized religion didn't end there.

[Host Mike Locaska]

POTUS versus the Pope. I'm not a big fan of Pope Leo blasting Leo for opposing America's war in Iran.

[Announcer]

Pope needs to stay. Just stay religion. Keep politics out.

[Correspondent Jordan Klepper]

Pope should stay out of politics.

[Announcer]

I believe so.

[Host Mike Locaska]

Yeah.

[Correspondent Jordan Klepper]

Should politics stay out of religion?

[Announcer]

Yeah.

[Correspondent Jordan Klepper]

Should there be the Ten Commandments in schools?

[Announcer]

Yes. There should be Pledge of Allegiance in school. There should be prayer. There should be prayer.

[Correspondent Jordan Klepper]

But going back to the whole thing about Pope. Stay away from politics. Politics. Stay away from religion.

[Host Mike Locaska]

Yes.

[Correspondent Jordan Klepper]

Ten Commandments. Put it in school.

[Announcer]

Yes.

[Correspondent Jordan Klepper]

Are you seeing what I'm seeing? Yes, I know what you're seeing.

[Host Mike Locaska]

Okay?

[Announcer]

Just. I know what you're saying.

[Correspondent Jordan Klepper]

It makes me feel crazy. So while they might not be devoted to the establishment clause, it was clear they remained faithful to Trump's America first policies. How do you feel about this war with Iran?

[Announcer]

I think if it needs to be

[Host Mike Locaska]

done, it needs to be done, and Trump will get it done.

[Correspondent Jordan Klepper]

You think it needs to be done if Trump does?

[Host Mike Locaska]

I do.

[Correspondent Jordan Klepper]

How do you feel about the war to Iran?

[Announcer]

I'd say bomb the shit out of them and get it over with.

[Correspondent Jordan Klepper]

Wasn't the whole thing, though? No new wars.

[Announcer]

It's a conflict.

[Correspondent Jordan Klepper]

It's not a war. Not a war.

[Announcer]

It's a conflict.

[Correspondent Jordan Klepper]

Now, who says conflict? I know. Trump calls it a war.

[Announcer]

Well, they say it's a conflict because war would be. You'd have to Declare war with. Declare war.

[Correspondent Jordan Klepper]

Right, Right.

[Host Mike Locaska]

Yes.

[Announcer]

It's a conflict.

[Correspondent Jordan Klepper]

If you go illegally around it, you can have a war and call it a conflict.

[Announcer]

Exactly. I don't count this as a war.

[Correspondent Jordan Klepper]

Even if you do count it, it's a necessary war.

[Announcer]

This is what taking out the trash.

[Correspondent Jordan Klepper]

Have we won the war? Are we winning the war?

[Announcer]

Yes. Yes.

[Correspondent Jordan Klepper]

Which one?

[Announcer]

The Iran war.

[Correspondent Jordan Klepper]

You're confident about this war?

[Announcer]

I'm confident, yes.

[Correspondent Jordan Klepper]

Once we win this war with Iran, where is Israel going to have us invade next?

[Announcer]

That I can't answer. I don't know that.

[Correspondent Jordan Klepper]

But what MAGA does know is that this war is. Is actually very close to home. In fact, Iran might be up to no good. Even in suburban Phoenix.

[Announcer]

Those people standing right there, they're all

[Correspondent Jordan Klepper]

getting paid from the Iranian regime. The protesters playing musical instruments out here are getting paid by Iran.

[Announcer]

They're getting paid by sources from Iranian regime. Look at them.

[Host Mike Locaska]

You have to go look at them.

[Announcer]

They do not have teeth. They don't have the right dress, Oliver.

[Host Mike Locaska]

Because they don't work.

[Correspondent Jordan Klepper]

How does a toothless person get money from Iran?

[Announcer]

They have connection.

[Correspondent Jordan Klepper]

Do they have a Venmo situation? Yes. These toothless Iranian sleeper cells were out in full force with their comfortable hokas and tasteful sun hats. But then big news hit on the day of the rally.

[Host Mike Locaska]

The strait of hormones is fully open

[Correspondent Jordan Klepper]

and ready for business.

[Announcer]

Straight is open.

[Host Mike Locaska]

Has a very this morning.

[Correspondent Jordan Klepper]

Who do we have to thank for that?

[Announcer]

Well, we have to thank President Trump for that.

[Guest Noah Wylie]

Yeah.

[Correspondent Jordan Klepper]

Joe Biden wasn't trying to open the straight.

[Announcer]

Exactly. He has the balls to do this.

[Correspondent Jordan Klepper]

To open. To open the straight.

[Host Mike Locaska]

Yeah.

[Announcer]

I mean, to do all this. What other president would have done this? Nobody else before him is.

[Correspondent Jordan Klepper]

Biden wouldn't open the straight. No. Obama wouldn't open the straight.

[Announcer]

Wouldn't do it.

[Correspondent Jordan Klepper]

Clinton wouldn't open the straight.

[Announcer]

Exactly.

[Correspondent Jordan Klepper]

All because the straight was already open until Donald Trump became president. So now is that the genius that, like, you can't open the straight unless you close the straight, create global pandemonium, raise gas prices.

[Host Mike Locaska]

Exactly.

[Correspondent Jordan Klepper]

And then open the straight and still no one's talking about the Epstein files?

[Announcer]

Well, that is true.

[Correspondent Jordan Klepper]

Sadly, the strait was closed again just a few hours later. But hopefully we're near the end of this terrible war. I mean, conflict.

[Host Mike Locaska]

Thank you, Jordan. When we come back, Noah Wy will be joining me on the show. Don't go away.

[Sponsor/Ad Voice]

Accessing legitimate erectile dysfunction treatment options should be straightforward and affordable. Unfortunately, many men are deterred by the high cost of brand name medications. HIMS is changing that by offering access to trusted generic options that are significantly more budget friendly. Through the HIMS platform, users can access sildenafil, also known as generic for Viagra, for up to 95% less than the brand name version. The entire process is handled by licensed healthcare providers who review information submitted through an online intake form to determine the best course of action. If a prescription is issued, the medication is delivered in discreet packaging, maintaining privacy from start to finish. HIMS removes the barriers to men's health by eliminating pharmacy lines and providing a transparent home based solution for erectile dysfunction care. To get simple online access for personalized, affordable care for erectile dysfunction, hair loss, weight loss and more, visit hims.comdailyshow that's hims.com dailyshow for your free online visit hims.com dailyshow Prescription required. See website for details and important safety information. Sildenafil is a generic version of Viagra. Viagra is a registered trademark of Viatris Specialty, llc. HIMSS is not affiliated with or endorsed

[Announcer]

by Beatrice K. Pop Demon Hunters Saja Boy's Breakfast Meal and Hunt Tricks meal have just dropped at McDonald's. They're calling this a battle for the fans. What do you say to that, Rumi? It's not a battle. So glad the Saja Boys could take breakfast and give our meal the rest of the day.

[Sponsor/Ad Voice]

It is an honor to share.

[Announcer]

No, it's our honor.

[Sponsor/Ad Voice]

It is our larger honor.

[Announcer]

No, really, stop. You can really feel the respect in this bag. Pick a meal to pick a side.

[Host Mike Locaska]

Ba da ba ba ba.

[Sponsor/Ad Voice]

Participating McDonald's while supplies last.

[Host Mike Locaska]

Welcome back to the Daily Show. My guest tonight is an award winning actor, writer and director who stars in the HBO Max series the Pit. Please welcome Noah Wylie. Wow. Wow. Wow. Huh?

[Sponsor/Ad Voice]

Wow.

[Host Mike Locaska]

Wow. Wow, wow. Wow. Thank you, man. Thank you for coming. Thank you for making the pit. It is. Wow. I just. I feel everything. I feel everything when I watch this show. And more than other shows, you know, there's a pit in my stomach and I can't think that's why you named it this, but that was the intention. Yeah.

[Guest Noah Wylie]

It was intended to hit you specifically in their hearts. That's true. And you and you and you. And hit everybody in their collective heart to show that we're not as different as we pretend to be sometimes and that we all end up in certain arenas like hospital emergency rooms where it really doesn't matter. Those lines of division that we all play under outside that arena right then and there. You just want someone to take care of.

[Host Mike Locaska]

And it is so true. When you're sick or injured or hurt, that's all you can think about. And that is very true. It's a great point. One of the things I've noticed, there's no music.

[Guest Noah Wylie]

No. We early on wanted this to feel as immersive as possible. So a couple things. Take the music out, take all those cinematic, artificial sort of techniques out. You know, we tried to not do any trick photography. Everything is shot from almost a human eye level, really, to make you feel like you're a protective participant, that you're at the same vantage point as the characters. You don't have the objectivity of looking down on it from outside the pit. You're in it with us.

[Host Mike Locaska]

I mean, I'm sometimes watching tv, then I go to the kitchen and then I hear strings or drums and I go, oh, I better watch this scene. But when I watch the pit, don't go to the kitchen.

[Guest Noah Wylie]

No, no.

[Host Mike Locaska]

Because you gotta watch. And even the phone, I'm like, this is. This is pit time. Put the phone over there.

[Guest Noah Wylie]

Because it plays in real time over 15 hours, there's all sorts of little details embedded into the narrative to make it more rewarding viewing. The more closely you pay attention, you can follow a whole storyline that's taking place just in the background of you.

[Host Mike Locaska]

I feel like so many shows are dumbing it down for us. And I feel one of the things I want to thank you and all the producers and writers for is you're actually honoring our viewers intellectual capability.

[Guest Noah Wylie]

I think something changed after Covid. People started watching content differently, more intensely, and it started to have more relevance and meaning in. In their lives. And so you know that that old adage of dumb it down doesn't apply anymore. People are extremely sophisticated in their viewing habits and in their tastes. And they really are. That water cooler conversation is back. People are banding storyline ideas and plot twists around. It's cool.

[Host Mike Locaska]

Anyone that watched my Act One knows that we don't dumb it down.

[Guest Noah Wylie]

No. This is a particularly good episode.

[Host Mike Locaska]

By the way, um, this thought did cross my mind. Forgive me if this is insulting, but is the pit good or is it just that I'm so happy to see people that are good at their jobs?

[Correspondent Jordan Klepper]

Yeah.

[Host Mike Locaska]

You realize all day, All day I'm watching clips of our FBI director pound beer. So it's just. There is a beauty in watching competent professionals.

[Guest Noah Wylie]

I think that's true. I think it's both kind of a wish fulfillment, exposure therapy. When you get there, you want to make sure that those guys are going to be good. But I think there's also an aspect of watching people do work that has real meaning and makes a difference in the world. You know, I think that's something we all kind of want in our lives, is to know that the labor that we're doing is not irrepressible, that it does have some meaning. And the pit sort of identifies that.

[Host Mike Locaska]

How do you balance the really awful, sad realities of what happens in an ER with the inspiring and hopeful things that happen in ER but also happen on tv? I mean, I. You know, I've seen some things in the pit that have had me take a second before clicking on the next episode. That's not good for TV business. But also in er, sad and bad shit happens sometimes.

[Guest Noah Wylie]

Yeah, yeah. As do really amazingly heroic and comical things, too. You find the whole human experience in there. And we try to take scenes positive, negative, so it's not just a drumbeat of misery. We try to show those quirkier aspects and mostly those resilient aspects of the human character that refuse to take in and on everything that they're seeing and choose to sort of retain a sense of humor and a sense of humanity in the face of it.

[Host Mike Locaska]

How. How did you approach playing Dr. Robbie this year? Because it's so clear that mental health was a major theme in this season, and really, who is helping the people who help people was there. And. And as it kind of went on, you. You, Dr. Robbie. You know who I'm talking about, right? Your character.

[Guest Noah Wylie]

He's the guy with the beard.

[Host Mike Locaska]

He's the guy with the beard. Yeah.

[Guest Noah Wylie]

He's really good.

[Host Mike Locaska]

He's really good. But he was. He was being shittier to people as time went on.

[Guest Noah Wylie]

True, true story. You know, we don't always act in our most graceful when we're at our most desperate. And we wanted to show what it looks like to go through a mental health crisis, honestly. And there are a lot of telltale signs, and they're not all things that would immediately trigger your empathy. Sometimes they may trigger your curiosity and they may even trigger your distaste, but those are calls for help that just take a different form. And so, yeah, Robbie was going through a tough time even before we met him in season one. And it's sort of been a revealing process to himself that he is in trouble and that he needs to find some help.

[Host Mike Locaska]

I also love the balance of the character. Joy, who leaves the er, and they say, well, what about your patients? And she goes, I'm gone. And in Some ways healthy people that don't just create but enforce boundaries, that

[Guest Noah Wylie]

was a very small detail that was given to that character. And that little bit of self care has resonated so loudly with people as they realize, no, it's okay to put a boundary up. It's okay to not have to give your all all the time to everybody, but take a little back for yourself. I think that's healthy.

[Host Mike Locaska]

I love riding motorcycles. I own a Triumph Bonneville.

[Guest Noah Wylie]

No, you don't.

[Host Mike Locaska]

Your character has a Bonneville. And so during the. This whole season, you keep saying, oh, I gotta go on the motorcycle trip. I'm sitting there going, go on your trip, man. The bike is red. The bike wants you to ride it anyways. Fun bike, fun bike. Do you ride motorcycles?

[Guest Noah Wylie]

I had to learn for a TV show I did up in Canada called Falling Skies, where we were all riding dirt bikes around in the apocalypse. My mother was an orthopedic nurse, so she raised us, calling them donor cycles and forbade all of us ever to get on one. So every time I ride, I hear my mother's voice in my head saying, you know, I'm gonna do a total hip on you.

[Host Mike Locaska]

Were you. Were you riding the bike in that first show? That was you? Okay, so that was.

[Guest Noah Wylie]

I had to take an actual training course to do that.

[Host Mike Locaska]

Right.

[Guest Noah Wylie]

That four seconds of film was eight weeks of weekend courses in a parking lot with a lot of cones. But it was super fun to learn, and that bike is really fun.

[Host Mike Locaska]

It's a fun bike. Wear a helmet. Everybody wear a helmet. I think one of the things that I'm responding to so much in the pit also, it's just so refreshing to see a big TV production. 15 episodes.

[Guest Noah Wylie]

15 episodes.

[Host Mike Locaska]

Elaborate cast set. I mean, you know, I'm just so thankful that it's being made and coming

[Guest Noah Wylie]

back on an annual coming. Not having to wait two or three years between seasons.

[Host Mike Locaska]

And you're working already on season three.

[Guest Noah Wylie]

We're back to work in the writing room on season three. We start shooting it in June.

[Host Mike Locaska]

That's great.

[Correspondent Jordan Klepper]

That's great.

[Host Mike Locaska]

You've been on two huge medical dramas. Er.

[Guest Noah Wylie]

Yes, sir.

[Host Mike Locaska]

Back in the 90s. The pit. Now, how do you see audiences absorbing the shows differently? If you see them absorbing it differently or reacting to it differently all these

[Guest Noah Wylie]

years later, More of a fractured sort of a siloed audience. As opposed to the old network days when everybody was watching the same three channels. More people were watching those channels then, but people watch more intensely now. I think that the fan bases is. It's you know, the Internet is tied what used to be a very small silo to the small silo in Italy and in Germany and the Philippines that also exist. So now you can scale your club globally, which is very exciting. But I'm just amazed that the show can still break through and still command popular attention because there's so many choices, there's so many channels that to be on something that really doesn't rely on a lot of special effects, it's a very human story. To have that connect right now feels extremely gratifying.

[Host Mike Locaska]

In ER, you play Dr. John Carter.

[Guest Noah Wylie]

Yes, sir.

[Host Mike Locaska]

And here's a picture of Dr. John Carter.

[Guest Noah Wylie]

Oh, no.

[Host Mike Locaska]

And you know what?

[Guest Noah Wylie]

Where is the little boy? I knew what.

[Host Mike Locaska]

What advice it was Fiddler for fans out there. What would you say to that man? Now, what advice would you have?

[Guest Noah Wylie]

Talk less, listen more, worry less, relax. It's going to be okay. So much wasted energy worrying and obsessing about things that don't really matter. I've had a really incredible year, but I had some less than incredible years to give me a really healthy perspective on this, this year. And so I'm just. I look back at versions of myself that I just want to go, it's okay. Like, where you are right now is good. You don't have to try so hard.

[Host Mike Locaska]

Were you trying to advance your. You were younger then, Was it. Was that. What you mean is like a kind of.

[Guest Noah Wylie]

Well, you just think. You're always thinking in terms of trajectory, and sometimes you don't really realize where you are is as good as it gets, or is it as good as it's going to be for the next 30 years of your life? So you want to take time out and smell the roses. You also want to appreciate something that's working when it's working and not necessarily want to use it as a stepping stone to get to someplace else. You know, I used an analogy with this ensemble when we first started. I said, don't think of this as a springboard. Think of this as a surfboard. And if we stay on the board, this wave is going to carry us as far as it possibly can. But if we jump off thinking that we could get higher or find better, we'll probably fall.

[Host Mike Locaska]

You shared that with the cast on the pit.

[Guest Noah Wylie]

Yeah.

[Host Mike Locaska]

That's amazing.

[Guest Noah Wylie]

Yeah.

[Host Mike Locaska]

I mean, has anybody listened to you? Because I. I mean, that's always the problem, is you get hit with great advice and you don't always.

[Guest Noah Wylie]

How do you have perspective unless you have the life experience? So it's. You know, it's that old adage that, you know, youth is wasted on the young. You have to go through the road in order to appreciate the journey. And, you know, everybody's on this cast, extremely emotionally mature for their age and experience, and they don't need a lot of advice from me. They're doing fine. But I love that. I hope that they realize how special it is. I think they do.

[Host Mike Locaska]

I think I'm gonna just think about that in my life as springboard versus Surfboard. Let's go surf.

[Guest Noah Wylie]

This is a pretty good gig you got here, man.

[Announcer]

Hey,

[Host Mike Locaska]

let's go surfing. Let's go surfing, you guys. All episodes of The Pit Season 2

[Correspondent Jordan Klepper]

are streaming now on HBO.

[Host Mike Locaska]

Max, Noah Wylie, we'll take a quick break. We'll be right back after this. Thank you, hon. Get business done with the new American Express Graphite Business Cash Unlimited card with unlimited 2% cash back on all eligible purchases. Unlimited 5% cash back on flights and prepaid hotels booked through American Express. Travel online and a flexible spending capacity that can grow with your business. You'll have the confidence to keep building. Apply today and earn a welcome offer of $1,500 cash back after you start. Spend $50,000 in qualifying purchases on your new card within the first six months of card membership terms apply.

[Sponsor/Ad Voice]

Learn more at Go Amex Graphite Eczema

[Announcer]

is unpredictable, but you can flare less with epglis, a once monthly treatment for moderate to severe eczema. After an initial four month or longer dosing phase. About 4 in 10 people taking EBGLIS achieved itch relief and clear or almost clear skin at 16 weeks, and most of those people maintain skin that's still more clear at one year with monthly doses.

[Sponsor/Ad Voice]

MGLIS Lebricizumab, LBKZ, a 250mg injection, is a prescription medicine used to treat adults and children 12 years of age and older who weigh at least 88 pounds or 40 kilograms with moderate to severe eczema, also called atopic dermatitis, that is not well controlled with prescription therapies used on the skin or topicals, or who cannot use topical therapies. EBGLIS can be used with or without topical corticosteroids. Don't use if you are allergic to ebglis. Allergic reactions can occur that can be severe. Eye problems can occur. Tell your doctor if you have new or worsening eye problems. You should not receive a live vaccine when treated with EBGLIS before starting ebglis. Tell your doctor if you have a parasitic infection.

[Announcer]

Ask your doctor about ebis and visit eblis.lily.com or call 1-800-lily Rx or 1-800-545-5979.

[Host Mike Locaska]

That's our show for tonight. Now, here it is, your Moment of Z.

[Correspondent Jordan Klepper]

Professor, what's the sock puppet?

[Guest Noah Wylie]

I heard the reference from Senator Warren.

[Host Mike Locaska]

Yeah.

[Correspondent Jordan Klepper]

What is it?

[Guest Noah Wylie]

I'm not sure. I know. I think it's that thing you stick your hand in.

[Correspondent Jordan Klepper]

Yeah. Kind of like this.

[Guest Noah Wylie]

Yes.

[Correspondent Jordan Klepper]

Are you gonna be the president's human sock puppet, Senator?

[Guest Noah Wylie]

Absolutely not.

[Host Mike Locaska]

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. This has been a Comedy Central podcast.

[Announcer]

A text says you're on my mind. A bouquet from 1-800-Flowers says you're my everything. Heartfelt moments belong in the real world, not just your phone. For 50 years, 1-800-Flowers has helped millions of people make memories that'll last a lifetime with gifts they'll cherish forever. Their expertly curated arrangements and gift baskets shipped nationwide with a 100% satisfaction guarantee. Don't wait for the next big moment. Make it when you visit 1-800-Flowers.com Spotify today, that's 1-800-Flowers.Com Spotify. IPVanish protects every device you own. Your phone, your laptop, your smart tv. If it connects to the Internet, it should be protected. IPVanish encrypts your connection and masks your IP address, helping keep your browsing private at home and on public wi fi. And with no device limits. One account covers everything. Stream with added privacy. Browse securely. Connect with confidence right now. Save 83% off the two year plan. Get started [e-mail] audio and take control of your privacy with IPVanish.

[Sponsor/Ad Voice]

When you buy LG, you get so much more than just an appliance. You get more done. More cost savings, more peace of mind and more control. Because LG appliances are designed to do more like washers and dryers with AI tech to take out the guesswork refrigerators that fit in tight spaces and keep food fresher longer or ranges with precise induction cooking and easy cleanup built in. All with the style you want and reliability you can count on so you can get more from your home every day. LG appliances, so much more make life easier with LG. See the latest models and savings [e-mail].