MAGA Spins High Oil Prices Into Patriotism & Rand Paul Beefs with Markwayne Mullin | Steve Zahn

Summary

Podcast Summary: The Daily Show: Ears Edition

Episode: MAGA Spins High Oil Prices Into Patriotism & Rand Paul Beefs with Markwayne Mullin | Steve Zahn
Date: March 19, 2026
Host: Jordan Klepper & The Daily Show News Team
Guest: Steve Zahn

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Episode Overview

On this episode of The Daily Show: Ears Edition, host Jordan Klepper and the news team dive into some of the day's biggest headlines with their trademark satire: skyrocketing oil prices amid the Iran war and MAGA attempts at patriotic spin; a heated Senate confrontation between Rand Paul and Markwayne Mullin that spirals into a literal debate about dueling; and a hilarious recap of recent sports news from March Madness to strip club controversies in the NBA. Emmy-nominated actor and filmmaker Steve Zahn visits to discuss his new family-centric movie "She Dances"—offering insights on making art with family and the joys of small-town filmmaking.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Skyrocketing Oil Prices and the Patriotism Spin

[00:40–05:22]

• Setting the Stage:
  As the war in Iran enters its third week, oil prices soar, impacting the cost of living for ordinary Americans: heating oil, airline tickets, public transit, and even groceries are all affected.

• Comedic Overview:
  Klepper notes, “The most disturbing thing at the gas station is no longer the bathroom. So keep pissing on the floor, everybody.” [00:24]

• Trickle-down Effects:
  Desi Lydic lists: “A lot of heating oil goes up. Airline ticket prices go up... groceries, childcare, elder care...” [02:18]

• MAGA Spin:
  The right struggles with messaging until they flip the hardship into a patriotic “sacrifice.”

  • Steve Zahn chimes in: “We’re hardly ever called on to sacrifice anything anymore.” [03:23]
  • Rand Paul: “Freedom is not free. Americans are going to have to make some sacrifices.” [03:26]

• Enduring Hardship Joke:
  Klepper skewers the logic: “Is that the bar now? It’s not as bad as the worst war in human history. So stop bitching.” [03:41]

• Quippy Perspective:
  Klepper to Americans anxious about prices: “Maybe instead of shaming the American public for complaining, a more thoughtful appeal might help. This is short term. I’m asking you to just trust the man, okay?” [03:48]

Notable Quotes

• Jordan Klepper: “If oil prices keep rising, this… You don’t know how many tanks of gas I go through, man. My wife just joined a Tokyo Drift club. She’s gonna Tokyo Drift right through our kids college fund.” [04:00]

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2. Capitol Hill Showdown: Rand Paul vs. Markwayne Mullin

[05:22–12:56]

• Backstory:
  After Kristi Noem’s departure, Markwayne Mullin is up for Homeland Security chief, facing a feisty confirmation after famously taking the side of Rand Paul’s lawn-mowing neighbor who once physically assaulted him.

• Old Feuds Resurface:

  • Markwayne Mullin reportedly said: “Rand Paul’s a freaking snake. And I understand completely why his neighbor did what he did.” [06:28]
  • Rand Paul, deeply wounded, confronts Mullin in the hearing: “You never had the courage to look me in the eye and tell me the assault was justified. Tell me to my face why you think I deserve lack of contrition. No apology and no regrets.” [07:01]
  • Paul reveals: “I was assaulted from behind, had six ribs broken and part of my lung removed.” [07:18]

• Mullin’s Defense (sort of?):
  “I did not say I supported it. I said understood it. There’s a difference.” [08:04]

• Highlight: Dueling as Political Solution
  The argument spirals into a debate about dueling.

  • Rand Paul: “You justified the violence as historically justified by precedents such as caning and dueling.” [08:46]
  • Klepper: “Does the next Homeland Security chief think that dueling is still legal? My man, definitely not legal to duel, even if your first name is currently involved in one.” [09:09]

• Comic Relief:
  Grace Kuhlenschmidt, in full Puss in Boots attire, proposes: “There is no more honorable way of settling disputes than to put on one’s dueling gloves and meet the moment.” [10:00]

• Klepper tries to deescalate: “I just think dueling is an immature way to solve a problem.” [11:29]
  Grace, not having it: “You scoundrel. You dunderheaded cur… The gloves are up again.” [12:14]

Notable Quotes

• Rand Paul: “Somehow you think I’m just gonna set that aside? I heard the word apologize. Haven’t heard the word.” [07:36]
• Grace Kuhlenschmidt: “Dueling is the next best option. It’s nature’s term limit.” [11:50]

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3. Sports War: March Madness, World Baseball Classic, and NBA Strip Clubs

[13:57–18:58]

• Sports Hosts: Desi Lydic and Jordan Klepper adopt antagonistic personas for "Sportswar," a lightning round of satirical sports takes.

March Madness and AI

• Desi: “Some people are turning to AI to create the best bracket… Letting AI write my bracket means I finally have time to do things that I love.” [14:55]
• Klepper objects to AI in sports: “AI should not be settling our brackets. Whatever happened to just picking the school with the hottest mascot?” [14:56]
• Joke: “I tried using Grok... it just warned me that Jewish teams control the weather.” [15:17]

World Baseball Classic: USA Upset

• Venezuela defeats the USA for the championship, causing fake outrage:
  • Desi: “Being humiliated on the world stage is something we do on the battlefield, not the baseball field.” [16:44]

NBA Strip Club Promotion Canceled

• The NBA's Atlanta Hawks cancel a planned strip club tribute.
  • Klepper: “I love and fully support the idea of including more women in the NBA, but this is not the way to do it.” [17:33]
  • Desi: “NBA should have gone further. I want an NBA game with the full strip club experience. Lap dances in the nosebleeds…” [18:11]

Notable Quotes

• Desi Lydic: “How about you hold my nuts in your mouth?” [18:11]
• Desi: “Which brings us to our making it rain bet of the week. Which Magic City stripper will fall off the pole first?” [18:40]

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4. Interview: Steve Zahn on "She Dances"

[21:19–29:47]

• Introduction:
  Zahn, Emmy-nominated actor, co-wrote, produced, and stars in “She Dances.”

Family & Filmmaking

• Jordan Klepper: “You get to act with your daughter in this movie… That’s amazing.” [22:08]
• Steve Zahn: “This is a world I was a part of for years… I was a dance dad. I was backstage. I was the prop guy... this is a story about that world.” [22:23]
• On including family: “My whole family’s in this. My son’s in it. My wife is in… was all hands on deck. It’s a snapshot of my life that’ll always be there.” [24:54]

Genesis of the Movie

• Describes filming at a “psychotic” hotel in Nashville: “There’s, like a water park… you could have a tour on a fake river inside the hotel.” [23:35]

Aging, Careers & Kentucky

• Zahn reflects on aging with contemporary Ethan Hawke, going “from playing the slacker to the dad, and then, you know, the old guy: ‘Buy a ticket!’” [26:30]
• On local filmmaking:
  “Everybody in our town, Midway, Kentucky, 1600 people… we had our production office. All the keys stayed in houses… we rehearsed for two weeks, which is unheard of.” [28:01]
• On tax incentives and rural authenticity:
  “We had a good tax incentive… It’s kind of like the Wild West. We had a scene on the interstate… I had my mechanic tow up. It was a little movie.” [27:21]

New Production Company

• Zahn and company called it Macaroni Art Productions:
  “It’s kind of like when you’re a kid and you make art at camp… you hope it’s good enough to stick on the fridge for a couple weeks… if we could make stuff in the twilight of my career with all my friends and family, that’d be great.” [29:22]

Notable Quotes

• Steve Zahn: “This is a story about a family dealing with grief. I’m really proud.” [22:56]
• Steve Zahn: “It’s a snapshot of my life that’ll always be there, you know?” [24:54]
• Jordan Klepper: “You shoot it from all the angles, so it almost… when you watch it on screen, it looks like a timeless—”
  Zahn: “It kept going to red. I’ve never stopped at that light. Ever.” [28:35]

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Memorable Moments

• Klepper’s Tokyo Drift joke about his wife and gas prices:
  “She’s gonna Tokyo Drift right through our kids college fund.” [04:00]
• Senate Dueling Bit:
  Kuhlenschmidt’s Puss in Boots bit and relentless appeals to “duel at dawn in front of the Sbarro’s at the square of time.” [10:21]
• AI Bracket Buster Bit:
  “I tried using Grok... it just warned me that Jewish teams control the weather.” [15:17]
• Desi Lydic’s wild strip club NBA promo pitch:
  “Lap dances in the nosebleeds, taking out cash from an ATM with a $79 service fee… using a foam finger to get Desi—”
  Klepper: “Desi. Okay, okay, stop.” [18:18]

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Important Timestamps

• 00:40 – Impact of war in Iran on oil prices and supply chain
• 03:23 – The MAGA sacrifice framing
• 06:28 – Markwayne Mullin’s historic beef with Rand Paul surfaces
• 07:01 – Rand Paul’s confrontation at the confirmation hearing
• 09:09 – Dueling debate in the Senate
• 13:57 – Sportswar segment begins
• 14:55 – March Madness and AI discourse
• 16:27 – USA upset by Venezuela in World Baseball Classic
• 17:31 – NBA strip club promo debated
• 21:19 – Steve Zahn interview starts
• 23:35 – Zahn on Nashville’s “psychotic” Gaylord Hotel
• 24:54 – Family involvement in filmmaking
• 27:21 – Telling Kentucky stories with local flavor and tax incentives
• 29:08 – Launch of Macaroni Art Productions

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Conclusion

This episode masterfully blends biting political satire, wild sports humor, and an unexpectedly sincere look at family, art, and career through Steve Zahn’s interview. Whether skewering the absurdities of price hikes, the spectacle of Senate squabbles, or the quirks of small-town filmmaking, the show delivers sharp laughs and genuine heart.

Transcript

[Jordan Klepper]

This episode is brought to you by Progressive Insurance. You chose to hit play on this podcast today. Smart choice. Make another smart choice with Auto Quote Explorer to compare rates from multiple car insurance companies all at once. Try [e-mail] Progressive Casualty Insurance and affiliates not available in all states and situations. Prices may vary on how you buy. Spring is here and the shopping list is long time to make a Lowe's run. Buy three bags. Get three free of stay green one cubic foot garden soil plus right now members can earn earn four times the points on an eligible purchase. Start spring off strong with these deals and more. Our best lineup is here at Lowe's. Ballot through $3.25 while supplies last soil offer excludes Alaska and Hawaii. Loyalty program subject to terms and conditions. See lowe's.com terms for details. Subject to change point booster subject to exclusions and more. Terms apply one time only offer. You're listening to Comedy Central. From the most trusted journalists at Comedy Central. It's America's only source for this is the Daily show with your host, Jordan Klepper. Welcome to the Daily Show. Jordan Klepper. We got so much to talk about tonight. Rand Paul drags Mark Wayne's names through the mud. The NBA doesn't want to play. Shirts and skins. And the most disturbing thing at the gas station is no longer the bathroom. So keep pissing on the floor, everybody. Let's get right into it with the latest on the war in Iran. Nothing bad can happen. It can only good happen. As the war continues into its third week, oil prices are skyrocketing, which is devastating for everyday Americans like commuters, truck drivers, and that guy from Dune who lives in a pool of oil. He can only afford to bathe in a kiddie pool. Now, it's really. And if you're thinking that's fine. I rarely bathe in a pool of oil. This won't affect me. Think again. Now, if oil prices keep rising, this

[Desi Lydic]

flows through to a lot of heating oil goes up. Airline ticket prices go up.

[Jordan Klepper]

Delivery services, public transit can go up. And groceries, childcare, elder care. Gas is affecting elder care. I swear to God, if this means my grandmother can't send me $10 for my birthday, she's yes. For those of you who drop your nana off on a Delta flight in the morning and just let her circle around in the sky all day, it's gonna get a lot more expensive. And it may surprise you, but those tennis balls old people put on the bottom of their walkers come directly through the Strait of Hormuz. Just no Dope. High gas prices have MAGA World in a tricky position now because there's no way to spin it as a good thing to the American people. Unless, you know what.

[Steve Zahn]

Unless.

[Jordan Klepper]

What if we're the problem. $3.50 gasoline. People are talking like this is the end of the world. No, it's not. I can handle the gas prices. People can handle the gas prices.

[Steve Zahn]

We're hardly ever called on to sacrifice anything anymore.

[Jordan Klepper]

Freedom is not free. Americans are going to have to make some sacrifices. For gas prices to go up a

[Rand Paul]

little bit is suddenly raising so much concern.

[Jordan Klepper]

Think of how much worse it was

[Rand Paul]

in World War II than what we're facing now.

[Jordan Klepper]

Is that the bar now? It's not as bad as the worst war in human history. So stop bitching. I mean, you can dismiss any concerns that way. Oh, you're upset because home ownership is out of reach. You know who else doesn't have a home? Saving Private Ryan. Maybe instead of shaming the American public for complaining about prices, a more thoughtful appeal might help. This is short term, and I'm asking you to just trust the man, okay? Trust the system. Let him cook. Hold on. For like two to three tanks of gas. For it'll be an extra 10 to 12 bucks a tank. Two or three tanks? You don't know how many tanks of gas I go through, man. My wife just joined a Tokyo Drift club. She's gonna Tokyo Drift right through our kids college fund. But you heard him. This is just temporary pain. That'll all be worth it in the long term. I'm sure everyday Americans will understand. And we'll take this in stride. If you could say something to President Trump and he was gonna hear you right now, what would it be? You are a worthless p. Well, someone's not getting an invite to the new ballroom. You know what? I'm sure that lady was probably just another Trump derangement syndrome liberal who makes her morning macho with a Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Whist. Let's hear what else this member of the resistance had to say. And you voted for him how many times? Three times.

[Grace Kuhlenschmidt]

That was my bad.

[Jordan Klepper]

Apparently I'm an idiot. Whoa, whoa. She's a three time Trump voter. Just imagine how angry she'll be when she votes for him a fourth time. Let's move on. Because unfortunately for Trump, it's not going well for him on Capitol Hill either. Two weeks ago, he sent Kristi Noem to the great costume bin in the sky. And when Trump thought about who should replace Noem as head of Homeland Security. Only one name came to mind. That happened to be two names smushed into one name. Mark Wayne Mullen. He had his confirmation hearing today, and some people were expecting fireworks because Mark Wayne has bad blood with committee chairman Rand Paul. In fact, you might remember that 10 years ago, Rand Paul got beat up by his neighbor when he was mowing the lawn. And since then, Mark Wayne Mullen has taken the side of the neighborhood. I believe we have a quote from Mullen about Paul.

[Bleacher Report Announcer]

Rand Paul's a freaking snake.

[Jordan Klepper]

And I understand completely why his neighbor did what he did. Oh, low blow, Mark Wayne picking on someone with half of your names. I mean, although, to be fair, while Rand Paul does only have one first name, it is his last name for some reason. All very confusing, of course. That fight was a decade ago. This is an important confirmation hearing. I don't think Rand Paul is going to use it to try to settle old scores.

[Rand Paul]

You told the media that I was a freaking snake and that you completely understood why I had been assaulted. You never had the courage to look me in the eye and tell me that the assault was justified. Tell me to my face why you think I deserve lack of contrition. No apology and no regrets. So you say you completely understood that I was assaulted from behind, had six ribs broken and part of my lung removed.

[Jordan Klepper]

Whoa, whoa. You had a lot built up there, man. You said your piece. Now it's out of your system. We can move on with more pressing issues.

[Rand Paul]

When I talked to you on the private. On, privately, on the phone, there was no apology. Somehow you think I'm just gonna set that aside? I heard the word apologize. Haven't heard the word. Recorded the felonious, violent attack on me from behind. How do you think started the characters aspect? I'm repeating your support for the assault. No regrets about being happy? Being completely understanding why I was attacked from behind. Are those still your opinions?

[Jordan Klepper]

Mark Wayne. Mark Wayne.

[Steve Zahn]

Mark Wayne.

[Jordan Klepper]

Think he's a little upset. Maybe out of respect, just to help smooth things over. Tell Rand Paul you do not support his neighbor beating the shit out of him. I did not say I supported it. I said understood it. There's a difference. Not helping. Mark Wayne. Your coworker says I don't support cannibalism, but I understand it. You're not trying the shepherd's pie they're bringing to the potluck. Okay, but look, Rand Paul was actually trying to get at a question about Mark Wain's temperament. Because Mark Wayne didn't just not apologize. He also had a unique Argument in defense of political violence.

[Rand Paul]

You did many interviews in which you justified the violence as historically justified by precedents such as caning and dueling.

[Jordan Klepper]

What I was simply pointing out is some of the rules that still apply to this body. For instance, dueling with two consenting adults is still there. I was pointing out what is still.

[Rand Paul]

It's been illegal for 170 years.

[Jordan Klepper]

I'm sorry, does the next Homeland Security chief think that dueling is still legal? My man, definitely not legal to duel, even if your first name is currently involved in one. But Senator Mark Wayne, rather than dueling, may suggest that it's actually just much easier to just apologize. I've even got the perfect phrase for you.

[Grace Kuhlenschmidt]

My bad.

[Jordan Klepper]

Apparently, I'm an idiot. Yeah, try it out. Try it out the side. Put it on. See how it fits. For more on the confirmation hearing of Mark Wayne Mullen, we go live to with Grace Kuhlenschmidt. Grace. Grace, Goddammit. Why are you dressed like Puss in Boots?

[Grace Kuhlenschmidt]

Because, sir, on this issue, I am with both Mark and Wayne. There is no more honorable way of settling disputes than to put on one's dueling gloves and meet the moment.

[Jordan Klepper]

Okay, Grace, this isn't the 1800s. Senators can't just resolve disputes with pistols at dawn. That's a stupid idea.

[Grace Kuhlenschmidt]

Stupid? You besmirch my honor before God and studio audience, Sir, I shall see you at dawn in front of the Sbarros at the square of time.

[Jordan Klepper]

No, look. No, no, no, no. Grace, look. No, no. I am not. I am not dueling you in times. Okay, I apologize for offending you.

[Grace Kuhlenschmidt]

All right, Gloves back on. But honestly, dueling makes sense to me. A quick fight to get the conflict over with. I mean, I come from a big Sicilian family, and our arguments can last for years.

[Jordan Klepper]

I'm. I'm sorry. A Sicilian family? Kulenschmidt Doesn't. Doesn't sound Sicilian to me.

[Grace Kuhlenschmidt]

How dare you, sir? You question the results of my Ancestry.com report for this offense. There is but one response. I challenge you to a duel.

[Jordan Klepper]

All right, Grace. Okay, Grace. Grace, I just think dueling is an immature way to solve a problem. Look, look, I. I'm sorry. I believe you're Italian.

[Grace Kuhlenschmidt]

Grazie mille. Jordan.

[Jordan Klepper]

Okay, Gloves back on. Okay, great. I just think that our Senate is already old and dysfunctional enough as it is. We don't need to add dueling into the mix.

[Grace Kuhlenschmidt]

Well, that's why dueling makes so much sense. If senators aren't going to retire at a normal age, then dueling is the next best option. It's nature's term limit.

[Jordan Klepper]

Okay? Regardless, Grace, and you know, with all due respect and honor to you and your cool and Schmidt famiglia, I respectful, respectfully disagree.

[Grace Kuhlenschmidt]

You scoundrel. You dunderheaded cur. You mewling coward. You infantile mountebank. The gloves are up again.

[Jordan Klepper]

Okay, okay. It seems like you just want an excuse to duel me so bad.

[Grace Kuhlenschmidt]

Please, please, please, please, please duel me. You have no idea how much this hat costs. And I have made a promise to. To my fair Rosalie before she gave me this perfumed handkerchief. Whoever wins our duel shall have her mate in hand in marriage.

[Jordan Klepper]

No, I absolutely do not want that. I'm. I. I'm actually already married.

[Grace Kuhlenschmidt]

It's fine. She's poly.

[Jordan Klepper]

Okay, fine. Great cooling spin, everybody. When we come back, we catch up on the latest in sports. Don't go. This episode is brought to you by Welch's Fruit Snacks. Big news for your kids lunchbox. Welch's Fruit Snacks are now made without any artificial dyes. A snack parents can feel good about and the same delicious taste kids can't get enough of. All made with no artificial dyes. Try Welch's Fruit Snacks today. Welcome back to the Daily Show. I think I speak for everyone when I say politics drools and sports rules. For a full recap of the biggest stories in the world of jocks and straps, we turn to Sportswar. Get ready for battle. It's time for Sports War, brought to you by gambling.

[Steve Zahn]

Gambling, It's God's test to see if you're a pussy.

[Desi Lydic]

What's up, ball taggers and teabaggers? I'm Desi Lydic.

[Jordan Klepper]

And I'm Jordan Klepper. This is sportswar, the show where we are legally not allowed to agree with each other.

[Desi Lydic]

So if I say ice hockey is the best kind of hockey, then I

[Jordan Klepper]

say, screw that, it's tonsil hockey. I've been told by multiple people it's the best kind of hockey. And one day I'll get my shots.

[Desi Lydic]

Moving on. We're halfway through March, and my pea is green, which I Hope is from St. Patty's Day. But it also means that March Madness is a upon us. And this year, there's a foolproof way to pick the winner.

[Jordan Klepper]

March Madness is just two days away, and if you haven't done so yet, it's time to fill out those brackets. This season, though, some people are turning to AI to create the best bracket. Not only can AI better inform your

[Bleacher Report Announcer]

picks, it actually gives you better Odds

[Jordan Klepper]

of avoiding that dreaded bracket buster. What? What? What? No, no. This is madness. And not good madness like March Madness. Bad madness like what Shia LaBeouf has. No. AI should not be settling our brackets. Whatever happened to just picking the school with the hottest mascot? Plus, I tried using Grok to fill out my bracket, and it just warned me that Jewish teams control the weather.

[Desi Lydic]

Jordan, you drooling giraffe. AI picking college basketball is the future I've been waiting for. Letting AI write my bracket means I. I finally have time to do things that I love. Like letting AI my husband. Thanks, AI. I haven't had a fake headache in six months.

[Jordan Klepper]

And that brings us to my slop prop bet of the night. Who will Grok pick to win March Madness? Brought to you by gambling. Gambling? It's a hobby and an addiction. It's a hob diction. Let's move on to baseball, America's favorite sport in 1945, where last night at the World Baseball Classic, Venezuela kidnapped a win from the usa. The World Baseball Classic Stunner for Team usa. Venezuela scored the go ahead run late and shut down the Americans in the bottom of the ninth to win 3, 2. It is Team Venezuela's first championship at the World Baseball Classic.

[Grace Kuhlenschmidt]

What? What?

[Desi Lydic]

America lost the World Baseball Classic. Something I just learned about seconds ago. I will never get over this. Being humiliated on the world stage is something we do on the battlefield, not the baseball field. Shame on America's mostly Cuban and Dominican team for losing to Venezuela.

[Jordan Klepper]

Actually, Desi, it was mostly white Americans on our team.

[Desi Lydic]

What were we even trying to win?

[Jordan Klepper]

Desi. Desi, did you staple your wig to your brain again? Come on. It's fine that Venezuela won the wbc. Venezuela is going to be part of America in a few weeks. So either way, that trophy is ours. We did it, boys.

[Desi Lydic]

Which brings us to our wallet invasion bet of the night, which soon to be US State will win the World Cup. Brought to you by gambling. Gambling? You can bet on war.

[Jordan Klepper]

Now moving on to the only thing more American than baby baseball. Strippers. The NBA has cancelled a strip club

[Desi Lydic]

promotion planned by the Atlanta Hawks.

[Jordan Klepper]

The team had planned to celebrate Atlanta's Magic City strip club. They said it was going to be a tribute to the iconic cultural institution. Oh, good for you, NBA for canceling this promotion. Don't get me wrong, I love and fully support the idea of including more women in the NBA, but this is not the way to do it. If it were up to me, women would get their own league where they get to play Basketball. We could call it something catchy like the NBA for women. Or girls be hoopin'. I'm an ally. Hold for applause.

[Desi Lydic]

How about you hold my nuts in your mouth? Not only should the NBA have kept this promotion, they should have gone further. I want an NBA game with the full strip club experience. Lap dances in the nosebleeds, Taking out cash from an ATM with a $79 service fee. Turning location sharing off on my phone. Wiping the glitter off my face with a rally towel. Using a foam finger to get desi.

[Jordan Klepper]

Desi. Okay, okay, stop.

[Desi Lydic]

Which brings us to our making it rain bet of the week. Which Magic City stripper will fall off the pole first? Brought to you by gambling. Gambling. 100 NBA refs can't be wrong.

[Jordan Klepper]

Well, that's all the time we have for Sportswar. Join us next week as we debate if Air Bud is the greatest animal athlete of all time.

[Grace Kuhlenschmidt]

No way.

[Desi Lydic]

I know a salamander named Joe that

[Grace Kuhlenschmidt]

is sick at hockey.

[Jordan Klepper]

You don't know a salamander.

[Bleacher Report Announcer]

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[Jordan Klepper]

Welcome back to the Daily Show. My guest tonight is an Emmy nominated actor who co wrote and stars in the new film she dances. Please welcome Steve Zahn. They love you, Steve.

[Steve Zahn]

That's so nice. Thank y'.

[Jordan Klepper]

All. Congratulations. This is a lovely movie. It really is. Thank you. You wear many hats in this movie. You co wrote this movie.

[Steve Zahn]

I co wrote it with my. My partner Rick Gomez, who directed it, I produced it, I acted in it, and yeah, I. Now I'm pushing it.

[Jordan Klepper]

Now you're pushing it. Now you're marketing it. I'm doing the dog and pony show,

[Steve Zahn]

what we call it.

[Jordan Klepper]

But here's what I'm most fun. These are many, many hats. But you're also a dance dad, which is what this movie, this movie looks at, being a dance dad. Because, spoiler alert, your daughter is in this movie. It's amazing to watch. You get to act with your daughter in this movie. Yep. Yeah. That's amazing.

[Steve Zahn]

Yeah. She plays my daughter.

[Jordan Klepper]

Was that tough making that, taking that creative license? Was that a difficult, difficult joke?

[Steve Zahn]

You know, I mean, yeah, this is a world that I was a part of for years and years and years. It's like your kids, like, they get it.

[Desi Lydic]

You.

[Steve Zahn]

You automatically go into some subculture you never thought you'd be a part of, and you're like hauling horses around the country or like at chess tournaments going, do it, you know, and so I was a dance dad. I was backstage. I was the prop guy. I was, you know, but putting sets on set, you know, stage and. And yeah, and so this is a story about that world. I'm an estranged father takes his daughter to her last dance competition with her friend. And yeah, and it's a comedy, but it's also about a family dealing with grief.

[Jordan Klepper]

Yeah. Now when you're actually Steve, the father at a dance competition, at what point are you like, I want to turn this into art, AKA I want to stop paying attention to the competition and try to utilize this for my own artistic means.

[Steve Zahn]

I. It was Rick and Cody.

[Jordan Klepper]

Oh, it was Rick. Oh, it was Rick who I kept.

[Steve Zahn]

I was at this last competition. I took my daughter to a national. It's our last one. This is how this all came about. And I kept taking videos and sending, calling my friends Rick and Kobe and they were like, dude, this is crazy. It was at the Gaylord Hotel in Nashville. Have you ever been there?

[Jordan Klepper]

I have not, no.

[Steve Zahn]

It's psychotic. There's, like a water park and there's. There's, like, theme. They have, like, their own theme, like, you know, like the moose. And they have, like, a river that goes through it. And there was like. You could have a tour on a fake river.

[Jordan Klepper]

You could take a tour inside the hotel.

[Steve Zahn]

It's crazy. Look it up.

[Jordan Klepper]

Anyway, I want to do a movie about a dance competition. There's a movie here.

[Steve Zahn]

We gotta do it. Okay, we gotta do it.

[Jordan Klepper]

What was it like? And then you're like, at what point are you like, I want to do it with my daughter?

[Steve Zahn]

Well, that was right away. I mean, once the thought came before our brains, we were like, well, this will have to be Audrey. I mean, when we wrote it, there was no one else that could play the part, really. And Audrey is amazing. Now I'm her dad. So go see the movie. You tell me. You tell me. She's amazing. Yeah, I'm really proud.

[Jordan Klepper]

It's. Honestly, it's joyful as an audience member to watch it, knowing both the story, but knowing you guys together in a scene, there's just something so heartwarming about seeing that. But I have to imagine it being kind of a mind to be in a scene with your daughter because you're going through some grief at moments, some joy at moments. There's a lot going on.

[Steve Zahn]

Yeah, it's pretty heavy. I mean. Yeah, it's. My whole family's in this. My son's in it. My wife is in. Was all hands on deck. It's a snapshot of my life that'll always be there, you know?

[Jordan Klepper]

Yeah, it's great. That's lovely. But also for all the other actors who are looking for work, it's sort of a you today. Yeah. Like Ethan. Yeah, Come on. Yeah. Yeah. I'm glad you got Ethan Hawk work. Wow. Ethan Hawke. Thank God that guy's in a movie. Oh, wow. So glad you're looking out for the little guy in this, Steve.

[Steve Zahn]

Yeah, we had so many friends that are part of this.

[Jordan Klepper]

Well, it's fun to see Ethan Hawke in there. I think back you guys were in Reality Bites together way back in the day. Like another culturally important film looking at youth culture. And now here you are playing a father looking at youth culture of today. How is that?

[Steve Zahn]

Yeah, it's insane. I mean, Ethan and I still think we're like, 24 until we look in the mirror. And then it's like, what? But, yeah, no, it's weird to be kind of like, you know, a veteran.

[Jordan Klepper]

Yeah. Yeah.

[Steve Zahn]

It's really strange. It's.

[Jordan Klepper]

You know, what has your family thought about that you are now, you know, grew up playing some iconic slacker characters, and now you've sort of aged into being a father figure. Is that strange for your family who understands the business, but to watch you be a father in so many other projects, I don't know.

[Steve Zahn]

You have to ask them, man.

[Jordan Klepper]

They wouldn't come on the show. You know, you were our fourth choice.

[Steve Zahn]

Yeah, no, I mean, I finally started doing things that my family could watch where I wasn't, like, you know, high and, you know, selling drugs or whatever. But it is interesting how you go through your career. Like, you know, you're like, you play the slacker, and then you're the dad, and then you're the coach, you know, and then you're the. And then I'll be like the old guy. Like, buy a ticket.

[Jordan Klepper]

Are you workshopping it right now? I like it.

[Steve Zahn]

Ethan and I will be doing that.

[Jordan Klepper]

I'm glad you're still throwing him a bone. Okay, that's good.

[Steve Zahn]

Well, he's in my stuff, I'm in his stuff. You know, we know we're not gonna go golf together, so we're like, hey, we're gonna have to, like, write movies and make them so we can hang out.

[Jordan Klepper]

Isn't that the truth nowadays?

[Steve Zahn]

It is kind of the truth.

[Jordan Klepper]

You got people to come to Kentucky. You filmed this in your hometown? Yep. What is it about Kentucky that you wanted to show off?

[Steve Zahn]

Well, we had a good tax incentive.

[Jordan Klepper]

That's what I wondered. That's what I wondered. That's what. You see it on the screen. You're like, oh, my God. Tax incentives, beautiful.

[Steve Zahn]

But it's also. It's kind of like the Wild West. I mean, we. We had.

[Jordan Klepper]

You know, it's struck. It's right in the middle of the country. It is definitely not the. It's more the center.

[Steve Zahn]

It's like. It's the west in 1780.

[Jordan Klepper]

17. Okay. The lines were drawn earlier. We would do, like.

[Steve Zahn]

We had a scene on the interstate, and they were. We're like, do we need permits? They're like, no, you're good.

[Jordan Klepper]

Really?

[Steve Zahn]

And I had my mechanic tow up. It was a little movie. Guys,

[Jordan Klepper]

Are they staying at your house at that point?

[Steve Zahn]

Yeah. No, we had. We had everybody in our town, Midway, Kentucky, 1600 people. We have a. We had our production office. All the keys stayed in Houses brought their dogs, and we would prep the movie and rehearse. We rehearsed for two weeks, which is unheard of. And that's why I think it's so good.

[Jordan Klepper]

Yeah.

[Steve Zahn]

And people fell in love with our little town. It's one. One block, One light. There's a blinking light, but I don't count that one.

[Jordan Klepper]

You don't count that? Yeah. I was gonna say you shoot it from all the angles, so it almost. When you watch it on screen, it looks like a timeless.

[Steve Zahn]

It kept going to red. I've never stopped at that light.

[Jordan Klepper]

Ever.

[Steve Zahn]

One.

[Jordan Klepper]

Not one time.

[Steve Zahn]

But it was in the paper. They were like, why does the light keep turning red?

[Jordan Klepper]

The paper was bitching about the accuracy of the film. Yeah.

[Steve Zahn]

Somebody said they're doing work, and I think there's a metal thing over the church strip. Wire deal. And that might be the problem.

[Jordan Klepper]

You're not making a very compelling argument for local media, I gotta tell you.

[Steve Zahn]

It's a Facebook page.

[Jordan Klepper]

Local media, like I said. This is the first project in your new production company, is that correct?

[Steve Zahn]

Yeah. We also made a docu series on a chef called you belong here. A local chef, actually, in Midway. But this is the first feature that we made.

[Jordan Klepper]

What are you hoping to do with the production company? What kind of production? I don't know.

[Steve Zahn]

We just want to make stuff, you know, and we called it Macaroni Art Productions because we thought, you know, it's kind of like when you're a kid and you make art at camp and you hope it's good enough to stick on the fridge for a couple weeks. And we just love making stuff, you know, but if we could make stuff in the twilight of my career with all my friends and family, that'd be great.

[Jordan Klepper]

Well, I think you're off to a good start. It's a great film. She dances. Will be in theaters. Making a lot of arts for the time. Steve, Don. Gonna take a quick break after it. Come right back up again. Predator Badlands now streaming on Hulu and Hulu on Disney. Here, you're not the predator. You're the prey. Pre pray, pray, pray, pray, pray.

[Bleacher Report Announcer]

Critics are saying it's epic, stunning and breathtaking.

[Jordan Klepper]

Many have come here. None have survived. Predator Badlands now streaming on Hulu and Hulu on Disney. Rated PG13. This episode is brought to you by Cologuard. Do you know what's really scary? Not screening for colon cancer when you turn 45. The cologuard test is non invasive, requires no special prep or time off work. And ships right to your door in just three simple steps. Cologuard takes the scare out of colon cancer Screening if you're 45 or older and at average risk, ask your healthcare provider about the Cologuard test. Cologuard is available by prescription only. Learn more or request a prescription [e-mail] screen that's our show for tonight. Oh, here it is. Your moment is in. It's a surprising flash in the sky and a startling sonic boom seen and heard across at least 10 states Tuesday morning. Boom.

[Steve Zahn]

Like that.

[Jordan Klepper]

Like bah.

[Steve Zahn]

Explore more shows from the Daily show podcast universe by searching the Daily Show.

[Jordan Klepper]

Wherever you get your podcasts, watch the

[Steve Zahn]

Daily show weeknights at 1110 Central on Comedy Central and stream full episodes anytime on Paramount. Plus,

[Jordan Klepper]

This has been a Comedy Central podcast

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the Bleacher Report app is your destination for sports right now. The NBA is heating up, March Madness is here, and MLB is almost back. Every day there's a new headline, a new highlight, a new moment you've got to see for yourself. That's why I stay locked in with the Bleacher Report app. For me, it's about staying connected to my sports. I can follow the teams I care about, get real time, scores, breaking news and highlights all in one place. Download the Bleacher Report app today so you never miss a moment. The Bleacher Report app is your destination for sports right now. The NBA is heating up, March Madness is here, and MLB is almost back. Every day there's a new headline, a new highlight, a new moment you you've got to see for yourself. That's why I stay locked in with the Bleacher Report app. For me, it's about staying connected to my sports. I can follow the teams I care about, get real time, scores, breaking news and highlights all in one place. Download the Bleacher Report app today so you never miss a moment.