RFK Jr. Sparks Outrage Over Autism Remarks & Elon Musk Slides Into DMs and Wombs | Nancy Kwan

Summary

Podcast Summary: The Daily Show: Ears Edition – "RFK Jr. Sparks Outrage Over Autism Remarks & Elon Musk Slides Into DMs and Wombs | Nancy Kwan"

Release Date: April 18, 2025

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Introduction

In this episode of The Daily Show: Ears Edition, host Roy Chen navigates through a series of satirical and humorous takes on current events, celebrity antics, and cultural commentary. The episode delves into controversial statements by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Elon Musk's unconventional social media behavior, the Pentagon's policies on diversity, and a spirited sports segment titled "SportsWar." The episode culminates with an interview featuring Hollywood icon Nancy Kwan, discussing her illustrious career and perspectives on the evolving film industry.

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RFK Jr. Sparks Outrage Over Autism Remarks

Timestamp: [00:58] – [04:43]

Roy Chen opens the segment with a critique of Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. (RFK Jr.), focusing on his contentious views on health and vaccines. Chen sarcastically compares RFK Jr.'s expertise to that of a pop star, highlighting the absurdity of his anti-vaccine stance.

• Roy Chen: "He’s basically a health expert, the same way Katy Perry is a rocket scientist. [01:31]"

RFK Jr.'s recent statements on autism receive significant backlash. In his first news conference, he controversially labeled autism as a preventable disease, making disparaging remarks about autistic individuals' abilities and contributions.

• Robert F. Kennedy Jr.: "Autism destroys families. These are kids who will never pay taxes. [02:12]"

Chen mocks these assertions, pointing out their inaccuracy and insensitivity, emphasizing that autistic individuals do contribute to society in myriad ways.

• Roy Chen: "Autistic people do pay taxes. Are you thinking of art history majors? [02:22]"

The segment further scrutinizes RFK Jr.'s research credibility, citing his association with David Guyer, a discredited vaccine skeptic previously fined for practicing medicine without a license.

• Roy Chen: "You know, this guy looks like the reason second opinions were invented. [04:43]"

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Elon Musk Slides Into DMs and Wombs

Timestamp: [04:43] – [05:51]

Transitioning from political satire, Chen shifts focus to Elon Musk, lampooning his bold social media maneuvers and personal life.

Reporting from Tiffany Fong, director of the segment, it’s revealed that Musk followed Fong on Twitter and sent her a direct message expressing interest in having his child, despite them never having met in person.

• Roy Chen: "You haven't met this person and you're already trying to raw doge her? [05:51]"

Chen humorously critiques Musk's approach to relationships, contrasting it with more conventional courtship methods, and underscores the invasive nature of his online interactions.

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Pentagon's Crusade Against DEI

Timestamp: [05:51] – [09:08]

The conversation pivots to national defense, highlighting Pete Hegseth, the Defense Secretary, and his aggressive stance against Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives within military academies.

• Pete Hegseth: "The Air Force Academy... has been ordered to purge its library of books related to diversity, equity, and inclusion... [06:38]"

Chen vehemently criticizes the removal of critical literature, including significant historical texts like Hitler's Mein Kampf remaining accessible.

• Roy Chen: "This type of censorship is outrageous and un-American. [07:05]"

Comedic relief is provided by David Guyer, who parodies Hegseth's meticulousness, further mocking the administration's policies.

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SportsWar: Politics vs. Sports

Timestamp: [09:34] – [16:44]

SportsWar, a sub-segment within the episode, features Roy Chen and Michael Costa engaging in a humorous debate over sports topics, interspersed with sarcastic commentary on current sports events and controversies.

Key highlights include:

• Rory McIlroy's Golf Victory: Celebrating McIlroy's achievement of winning all four major golf championships.

  • Rory McIlroy: "Winning the Masters for the first time. [10:38]"

  • Roy Chen: "It took him 11 years to get a new green blazer. [10:55]"

• NBA Playoffs and LeBron James Barbie Doll: A satirical take on the commercialization of athletes, mocking the creation of a Barbie doll resembling LeBron James.

  • Roy Chen: "This is the dumbest toy ever. [12:19]"

• Bryce Harper's Gender Reveal: Humorously critiques the blending of personal milestones with public sports events.

  • Roy Chen: "You can't be doing gender reveals at the plate. [14:02]"

• Chesapeake Bay Sox's Logo Controversy: Lampoons the team's failed attempt to rebrand with an offensive logo.

  • Roy Chen: "This whole thing just confirms my belief that baseball teams should get rid of logos entirely. [15:25]"

The segment underscores the show's penchant for blending sports with sharp social and cultural commentary, delivered through witty banter and exaggerated scenarios.

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Interview with Nancy Kwan

Timestamp: [17:47] – [32:22]

The episode transitions to an in-depth interview with Nancy Kwan, a celebrated Hollywood actress known for her pioneering roles and contributions to Asian representation in film.

Key Discussion Points:

1. Early Career and Accidental Stunt:

   • Nancy recounts her unexpected entry into acting, initially aspiring to be a ballet dancer and inadvertently landing screen tests.

   • Nancy Kwan: "I just sit in the chair and he asked me questions... I burst out laughing like an idiot. [18:34]"

2. Impact of the Studio System's Decline:

   • Discusses the phasing out of the traditional studio system in the 1960s and the subsequent rise of independent films.

   • Nancy Kwan: "Actors were no longer under contract... it was a whole big change... [22:00]"

3. Representation of Asian Actors:

   • Highlights the challenges faced by Asian actors in securing substantive roles and advocates for more inclusive storytelling.

   • Nancy Kwan: "I wish we would have more Asian directors, writers, producers... [28:28]"

4. Evolution of Hollywood and Future Prospects:

   • Reflects on the changing dynamics of the film industry, including the rise of television and streaming services, and expresses hope for a resurgence of quality filmmaking.

   • Nancy Kwan: "Maybe one day we'll come back to that and maybe they will... [27:09]"

5. East-West Cultural Clashes:

   • Shares her perspective on the ongoing cultural and political tensions between Eastern and Western societies, emphasizing the importance of learning and adapting.

   • Nancy Kwan: "There will always be political clashes. That's what makes the world interesting... [30:14]"

Conclusion of Interview:

Roy Chen praises Nancy for her enduring legacy and contributions to Hollywood, expressing gratitude for her role in representing Asian talent with dignity and class.

• Roy Chen: "Thank you for representing all of us with dignity and class. [32:20]"

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Conclusion

The episode wraps up with a humorous take on seasonal traditions and a promotional segment encouraging listeners to explore more content from The Daily Show podcast universe. Nancy Kwan's interview serves as a thoughtful counterbalance to the otherwise satirical tone, providing insightful reflections on the entertainment industry's evolution and the importance of representation.

• David Guyer: "It's that time of year to decorate Easter eggs... [33:05]"

Roy invites listeners to continue engaging with the show through various platforms, reinforcing the podcast's presence both on air and online.

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Notable Quotes:

1. Robert F. Kennedy Jr.: "Autism destroys families. These are kids who will never pay taxes. [02:12]"
2. Roy Chen: "You’re gonna have a pretty good idea, huh? [04:11]"
3. Pete Hegseth: "The Air Force Academy... has been ordered to purge its library... [06:38]"
4. Roy Chen: "This type of censorship is outrageous and un-American. [07:05]"
5. Nancy Kwan: "Maybe one day we'll come back to that and maybe they will... [27:09]"

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Final Notes:

This episode of The Daily Show: Ears Edition masterfully blends satire, humor, and insightful commentary, addressing contentious topics with a lighthearted yet critical lens. Through sharp wit and engaging dialogue, the show challenges listeners to reflect on societal issues while providing a platform for meaningful conversations, exemplified by the candid interview with Nancy Kwan.

Transcript

[Ronnie Stag]

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, Ronnie Stag.

[Roy Chen]

Welco to the Daily Show. I'm Roy Chen. We got so much to talk about tonight. Elon is sliding into your DMs and your wombs. RFK Jr. Is on the asshole spectrum. And I watched golf so you don't have to. You're welcome. But first, let's check in with the best cabinet ever in another installment of the worst wing.

[Nancy Kwan]

What a bunch of losers.

[Roy Chen]

Let's start with Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. Seen here greeting a supporter. Always good to meet a fan. But RFK is known for his controversial health ideas like drinking raw milk and adding roadkill to the food pyramid. But the conspiracy theory that he's most known for is that vaccines cause autism. He's basically a health expert, the same way Katy Perry is a rocket scientist.

[Nancy Kwan]

You never know how much love is.

[Roy Chen]

Inside of how loved you are until the day you launch. I have a teenage dream that she shut the up. So, unsurprisingly, RFK Jr brought his anti vax policies to the administration. And yesterday he gave a speech about autism and people are pissed. Comments from Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. That are raising eyebrows. During his first news conference as the nation's top health official, he addressed rising autism rates while calling the disease preventable. RFK jr's bleak description of people living.

[Nancy Kwan]

With autism causing outrage.

[Robert F. Kennedy Jr.]

Autism destroys families. These are kids who will never pay taxes.

[Roy Chen]

Wait, that. That's. That's what you're going to lead with? Like that? That's the big tragedy for you? These poor kids will never know the joy of attaching a Schedule k to a 1040A. It's not even accurate. I mean, autistic people do pay taxes. Are you thinking of art history majors? But I mean, please give us more of your expert opinions about what autistic people can and can't do.

[Robert F. Kennedy Jr.]

They'll never hold a job. They'll never play baseball. They'll never write a poem. They'll never go out on a date.

[Roy Chen]

Wha. What do you mean they don't date? I mean, does the Kandi compound not have Netflix? Okay, because David took Abby on a safari to Africa and. Yeah, could Connor be a little more open minded about dating blondes? Sure, but couldn't we all? I mean, everything this guy said is ridiculous. Autistic will never write poems. Well, who wants kids to write more poems? That's something we should be preventing, so it's no wonder why people are pissed at him. Most autistic people can do all that stuff, and even the ones who can are still human beings who even made RFK the judge of what makes life worth living. I'm sorry. They'll never know the joy of planting bear carcasses in Central park or holding 85% of the world's mucus in their throats. But whatever. This is a huge project he's taking on. I mean, Lem spent the next two decades trying to figure it out.

[Robert F. Kennedy Jr.]

By September, we will know what has caused the autism epidemic, and we'll be able to eliminate those exposures.

[Roy Chen]

So you think you're gonna have a pretty good idea, huh?

[Robert F. Kennedy Jr.]

We will now. By September.

[Roy Chen]

By September. Wow, that was quick. And very specific. I mean, I ordered a couch that isn't gonna come by then, but good to know. When I'm watching the Wicked sequel this fall, I can focus on the plot instead of wondering what causes autism. I mean, why are you even pretending to study it? We all know you're gonna blame vaccines. Okay? This whole thing is more rigged than a golf championship at Mar a Lago. I mean, just look at who he hired to do the research.

[David Guyer]

Kennedy has tapped a previously discredited vaccine skeptic, David Guyer, as a senior data analyst. Guyer was previously fined $10,000 by the Maryland Board of Physicians for practicing medicine without a license.

[Roy Chen]

You know when commercials say nine out of ten doctors agree, this is the tenth doctor? I mean, this guy looks like the reason second opinions were invented. But enough about rfk. Let's move on to Elon Musk, living proof that autistic people can do anything, including including destroy the government. And as far as his dating life goes, Elon isn't lacking there either.

[Tiffany Fong]

According to the Wall Street Journal, Elon Musk followed cryptocurrency influencer Tiffany Fong on X and began liking and replying to her tweets. Around November of last year, Musk sent her a direct message asking if she was interested in having his child. According to people familiar with the matter, the two had never met in person.

[Roy Chen]

Elon, can you just be a normal person and send a dick pic? All right, this is why you should switch the settings on your DMs to followers who don't want to impregnate me only. I mean, you haven't met this person and you're already trying to raw doge her? Like, I. I have to work up the courage to put the moves on my own. Wife. All right, like, hey, if you're not doing anything later, maybe you could, like, I don't know, like, kiss or whatever. Never mind. It's stupid. But let's stop thinking about Elon's sperm and get back to actual government stuff. Specifically the Pentagon, where Pete Hegseth, defense secretary and guy whose tattoos are somehow embarrassed by him, just scored another victory in his war on thinking.

[Pete Hegseth]

The Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs has been ordered to purge its library of books related to diversity, equity, and inclusion, along with some topics related to race and gender. The Naval Academy library tossed out nearly 400 books, including titles on feminism, civil rights history, and the Holocaust. Speaking of, at the Naval Academy, Hitler's Mein Kampf made the cut and is still available to read.

[Roy Chen]

That's where you draw the line. Like, yeah, I don't want one of those woke social justice books. I'm looking for more of a beach read. Do you have Mein Kampf? This type of censorship is outrageous and un American. And this has got to be the most disgusting thing Pete Hegseth has ever done.

[David Guyer]

If Pete Hegseth would have a bagel with cream cheese, he would drop it, it would land upside down, the cream cheese on the floor, and he would pick it up. I'm like, wait, is there any hair on there? Oh, no, it is so gross. And he would just pop it in his mouth.

[Roy Chen]

Okay, well, I think we just found the cause of autism. This. This. This is the worst thing I've ever heard a defense secretary do. And I'm including Vi. I know he's caught in everything bagel, but you're supposed to draw a line somewhere. Okay, like, anyway, this whole anti DEI thing is getting out of control. They're pulling books about minorities out of schools, scrubbing stories about women and gay people from websites, and Disney can't even put out a new Snow White without people trying to deport her. And that's just the beginning. To take advantage of this shift in the culture war, the White House has just launched its own streaming service.

[Trump Administration]

Hey, movie fans, do you wish your favorite films had less dei? Introducing the White Tyrion Collection, a new home video service from the Trump administration. Get ready for 12 years of what have you. Marvel's Panther. And really hidden figures. They're behind the armoire and Brokeback Mountain, the inspiring story of two Wyoming cowboys who herded cattle and nothing else. And hey, sports fans, we've got all your favorite films from the gridiron and the court. Like, white men can jump the best. Remember that one Titan and Cool runnings the inspiring true story of an Olympic bobsled with no one in it. And of course, who can forget Disney's Zen Canto? You can. It doesn't exist anymore. Get your favorite Trump approved movies from the White Tyrion collection today and act now, because watching the originals will soon be considered domestic terrorism.

[Roy Chen]

When we come back, we'll fight about sports. So don't go away. 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.

[Ronnie Stag]

Get ready for battle.

[Nancy Kwan]

It's time for Sports War, brought to you by Gambling.

[Ronnie Stag]

Gambling now with better odds than the stock market.

[Roy Chen]

What's up, ball sacks? I'm Ronny Shan.

[Michael Costa]

And I'm Michael Costa. This is SportsWar, the show where we are legally not allowed to agree with each other. For example, if I say UFC needs to be more violent.

[Roy Chen]

Oh, well, then I say fighters need to settle their differences peacefully with a licensed therapist.

[Michael Costa]

Yeah, well, I'd like to introduce you to my two therapists, Sigmund Freud and Carl Jung.

[Roy Chen]

Oh, yeah? Well, I should go to therapy, seeing as how I'm obsessed with your mom.

[Michael Costa]

Yeah, man, exactly. You need to explore those feelings with a licensed medical professional. I'll send you some names. Hey, let's talk golf. Okay. Short game. Amateur handicap ball washer. These aren't just Ronnie's nicknames. They're golf terms. And this week was a historic one on the links tonight.

[Rory McIlroy]

Rory McIlroy is now one of only.

[Pete Hegseth]

Six golfers to win all four major golf championships.

[Rory McIlroy]

Winning the Masters for the first time.

[David Guyer]

The kid who grew up in Northern Ireland overcome with emotion, winning his first green jacket 11 years after winning his last major championship.

[Michael Costa]

Wow, Congrats to Roy McIlroy. It took him 11 years to get a new green blazer. And as someone currently serving a 20 year ban from the men's warehouse, I can totally relate.

[Roy Chen]

This is totally different, you idiot. Rory was trying to accomplish one of the hardest things in all of sports. You just took a dump in a fitting room. Well, they.

[Michael Costa]

They guaranteed I was gonna like the way I looked. And breaking a verbal contract has consequences. The point is, I'm happy for Roy McIlroy.

[Roy Chen]

Oh, yeah? Well, I'm not, okay? I don't wanna seem happy. Everyone knows that Irish people are at their best when they're depressed. Haven't you ever read James Joyce?

[Michael Costa]

Hell, no. I'm a Frank McCourt man.

[Roy Chen]

Well, he's Irish American Dumbass.

[Michael Costa]

Check your stats, bro. McCourt was raised in the slums of Limerick and he spoke to the soul of Ivers. Suffering like no William Butler Yates. Dumbass. Which brings to our eyes Irish Eyes. Bed of the Night. What will make Roy McIlroy cry in public next. As always, brought to you by gambling. Gambling. The only thing you're really addicted to is having a good time.

[Roy Chen]

Moving on. The NBA playoffs start Saturday. But if you're a little girl with a big imagination like Costa, you also have a reason to be excited. Move over, Ken. LeBron James is the first male athlete to be part of the new Kenbassador line of Barbie dolls. Look at them.

[Trump Administration]

The message on the back of the.

[Roy Chen]

Box says a true MVP. Our LeBron James Kenbassadors doll represents resilience, hope and pride for the city of Akron. This is the dumbest toy ever. I hope it comes with a Bronnie James doll that you're forced to play with even though it sucks.

[Michael Costa]

Wrong again, boy toy. I happen to love Le Barbie. He has what every little girl wants in a doll. Pride for the city of Akron. Now they can play until their heart's content with a middle aged man dressed like a 14 year old. No notes. They should expand this to other NBA legends like Dennis Rodman the Worm, the first doll in Barbie history with a piercible scrotum. Or my favorite, my favorite from childhood, Wilt Chamberlain. There are hundreds of different Barbies and he can have sex with all of them.

[Roy Chen]

Which brings us to our extremely random endorsement deal. Better the Week presented by joann Fabrics. Which athlete will sign the next extremely random endorsement deal brought to you by gambling. Gambling. They're doing amazing things with wheelchairs.

[Michael Costa]

Now look, let's go to the diamond. Baseball is a sport where you have to know your signs, right? Curveball, pitching change. I'll take four beers. No tip. But this week, Bryce Harper took that to the next level.

[David Guyer]

Philadelphia Phillies slugger Bryce Harper is about to take another swing at fatherhood. And he got creative with the baby's gender reveal. During last night's game, Harper asked short stopped Trey Turner to hand him either a blue or a pink bat before he went up to head as a gender reveal. He found out right before stepping up to the plate that he'll be having a baby boy.

[Michael Costa]

This is awesome. Baseball needs more medical tests revealed during games. I want to see a runner slide into home and the umpire yells, you are safe from Tay Sachs disease.

[Roy Chen]

Costa, you're out of your mind. All right, this is ruining the game. You can't be doing gender reveals at the plate. Gender reveals are supposed to be for a close group of loved ones that you're hoping to injure with explosives.

[Michael Costa]

Ronnie, I got your agenda reveal bat right here. Surprise, it's brown, since you're a piece of shit.

[Roy Chen]

Well, Costa. Yup? For those of us who've had sex, this is a disaster. All right? Baseball is the thing you think about when you're not trying to get someone pregnant. Get your family planning out of my sports, okay? Can we please see a baseball story that has nothing to do with sex?

[Rory McIlroy]

The Baltimore Orioles Double A affiliate, the Chesapeake Bay Sox, decided to unveil an alternative team identity to help them gain traction with new audiences. That included the new alternative name, the Oyster Catchers, along with a brand new logo. This logo, which at least to many, seems to depict a baseball glove catching an oyster, others interpreted a bit differently. The team took the criticisms to heart, deleting their own announcement within minutes. But later, they unveiled a new new logo showing a bird holding a bat.

[Roy Chen]

God damn it. I'm never gonna be able to slurp an oyster off a baseball glove ever again. And that's the only way I like him.

[Michael Costa]

What are you talking about, Ronny? The oyster logo is great. If anything, the new logo is the one that's perverted. That bird is clearly flying away with some guy's severed penis. And you know what? That poor guy. But those lucky baby birds. What a lunch.

[Roy Chen]

This whole thing just confirms my belief that baseball teams should get rid of logos entirely. Okay, if they're not sexualizing oysters, they're pissing off Native Americans. Every team should just name themselves after their city, like the Philadelphia Phillies, the Boston Bostonies, the Cleveland Clevelandies, the Detroit. Detroit Titties. Nothing sexual.

[Michael Costa]

Okay, I disagree, Ron. All team names should be sexual, but educational. Sex ed in this country is a joke. But if the Philadelphia Fallopian Tubes play the Cleveland Steamers, well, now we're learning. Which brings us to our 4 carat diamond bet of the week. What baseball mascot will Ronnie have a wet dream about tonight? Brought to you by gambling. Gambling? Tons of cultures sleep outside. All right, that's it for Sportswar. Join us next time when we debate what act of war Ja Morant should mind for his next celebration?

[Roy Chen]

It's gotta be hitting the nuclear button, man. You gotta hit that button. Welcome back to the Daily Show. Hey. My guest tonight is a trailblazing Hollywood icon who has written a new book called the World of Nancy Kwan, a memoir by Hollywood's Asian superstar. Please give a very big welcome to the one and only legendary Nancy Quad. Huh?

[Nancy Kwan]

Yeah.

[Roy Chen]

Thanks for coming. Thanks for coming. Antiquan.

[Nancy Kwan]

Thank you.

[Roy Chen]

Yeah, thanks for coming on the show.

[Nancy Kwan]

Hello, everyone.

[Roy Chen]

Yeah, this is the Hollywood legend. How are you doing?

[Nancy Kwan]

I'm doing fine. How are you doing?

[Roy Chen]

I'm okay. I'm okay. Yeah. So you were born in Hong Kong?

[Nancy Kwan]

Yes.

[Roy Chen]

So Malaysia chuse what's scaring the white people now? We probably should stop it from Malaysia. Yeah, yeah. We were discussing how great it is to be in the West. So you studied Hong Kong. You were born in Hong Kong. You moved then from there. That's kind of where you started acting. And you didn't even start out wanting to be an actor.

[Nancy Kwan]

No, I wanted to be a ballet dancer. I was going to the Royal Ballet, very serious about being a ballet dancer. I was back in Hong Kong for summer holidays, and they were testing, making screen tests for some of my favorite Chinese actresses, for the world of Suzy Wong in Hong Kong. So I went up to the studio to watch my favorite actress at work. And I was standing there and some. Somebody says to me, you want to do a screen test? I said, no, I'm a ballet dancer. I have nothing to do with her. I'm just here watching my favorite actresses. They said, why don't you do a screen test? I said, well, what's that? They said, well, just sit in the chair. So I said, okay. So I sat in the chair and he asked me questions how old I am. And every time he asked me something, I burst out laughing like an idiot. I mean, I laughed the whole whole way through. And then when I got home, I said to my father, I don't know, but this guy wanted me to do a screen test, and I just giggled all away. He said, well, never mind. You're a ballet dancer. Forget it. Few weeks later, my father gets a letter from Ray Stark, the producer of the World of Supervisor.

[Roy Chen]

Sorry, a letter? What's that?

[Nancy Kwan]

You know, one of those.

[Roy Chen]

Like a piece of paper?

[Nancy Kwan]

Like a piece of paper, yes. And a contract and say whether you go. Like to go to Hollywood for six months and I even get paid for it. I said, I've also been a student, so I've never been paid. I said, oh, I would love it. I would love it. I've never been to America. And that's how I started.

[Roy Chen]

Right. And so that was in Hong Kong, you went to go see your favorite actress and then you end up replacing her on the movie.

[Nancy Kwan]

Well, no, that was much later. I don't.

[Roy Chen]

Well, that's how I got this job. I was just. Yeah.

[Nancy Kwan]

Oh, okay.

[Roy Chen]

Standing around as a ballet dance, like.

[Nancy Kwan]

You know, both of us. Yeah.

[Roy Chen]

Yeah. And then that was your first time in America, Right. And then you started doing movies in America?

[Nancy Kwan]

Well, first time I came early 60s. Right. The studio system was just phasing out.

[Roy Chen]

Right. So this was Hollywood in the 60s in America, yes. Right. And what kind of drugs were they doing back then?

[Nancy Kwan]

What were you doing?

[Roy Chen]

What was I doing? Oh, I don't do. I don't do drugs.

[Nancy Kwan]

Oh, I don't do drugs either.

[Roy Chen]

Okay, good. Okay, cool. Tell me in Cantonese what drugs they do. Okay. So this was the 60s. This is like golden age, you know, once upon a time in Hollywood, like that period of movies. And you were there right in the middle of it.

[Nancy Kwan]

Yeah. No, the studio system was phasing out and independent films were coming in. Really? That was an exciting. Very exciting time.

[Roy Chen]

Okay. And kind of sounds like what's happening right now, too. But I guess history repeats, but. Sorry. Yeah. Okay, so in the 60s.

[Nancy Kwan]

Yes, that's repeated.

[Roy Chen]

So the studio system was phasing out and then.

[Nancy Kwan]

And independent films were coming in. And so. So, I mean, I was just caught in that. But Ray Stark had me under contract, so I did quite a few films for seven years, actually, under contract and different films. And at that time, you know, with Asian actors before then, Asian actors did not get the good roles, really. The roles that could.

[Roy Chen]

I guess history really advanced career. I guess history really does repeat itself because that's still the case. So we got.

[Nancy Kwan]

No, no, no, no. It's much better now. It's getting better. And hopefully.

[Roy Chen]

Tell that to my agent, man.

[Nancy Kwan]

All right, I will.

[Roy Chen]

And you were mixing with kind of Hollywood icons at this time, right?

[Nancy Kwan]

Terry Grant. That's right. That's right.

[Roy Chen]

I think you will hang out with Dean Martin.

[Nancy Kwan]

Yes. And Mr. Glenn Ford. I worked with quite a few of them. Mr. Bruce Lee, of course, my good friend.

[Roy Chen]

Your good friend, Mr. Bruce Lee. Yeah.

[Nancy Kwan]

Bruce also came from Hong Kong. And Bruce went to Lhasa, which is a Catholic school. And I went to Marino, which is a kind of a Catholic school, convent. But Bruce used to hang around Marienal just to look at the girls.

[Roy Chen]

Okay, maybe we shouldn't be talking about that part of the story.

[Nancy Kwan]

He was the Cha Cha King of Hong Kong at one time. Bruce.

[Roy Chen]

He was a what?

[Nancy Kwan]

Cha Cha King.

[Roy Chen]

Oh, yes, he was the Cha Cha King. Yeah. What was he like? Was he a cool guy?

[Nancy Kwan]

Very cool. Very nice. Good friend. And he was the one who told me. He said, actually, I worked with him on the Wrecking Crew with Dean Martin and Sharon Tate. And Sharon Tate and I had a fight scene, martial arts. So Bruce was called in to show us what to do, and that's how I met him. And when I got to know him, Bruce said to me, you know, Nancy, I'm going back to Hong Kong to become a big martial arts star. That's what I'm going to do. And I believed him. Yeah. I mean, he was so determined, and he had such energy and conviction that he was the best and he was.

[Roy Chen]

Yeah. And he.

[Nancy Kwan]

And he introduced martial arts, you know.

[Roy Chen]

Yeah. And so he wanted to go back because of a lack of opportunities in America at the time. But did you also feel that way?

[Nancy Kwan]

Well, I was under contract, so I was lucky. I was. One time, Ray Stark put me in a film where I played an English girl with English parents. So all the actors in England were complaining and said, what is this Chinese girl or the Asian playing an English girl?

[Roy Chen]

And you tell them to shut the up and.

[Nancy Kwan]

No, I didn't see.

[Roy Chen]

What did you do?

[Nancy Kwan]

I did the film. Got reviews. Good reviews.

[Roy Chen]

I got reviews, yeah. Do you remember what film it was?

[Nancy Kwan]

The Wild Affair.

[Roy Chen]

This is. This is why I was so excited to have you on, because you're one of the rare persons in Hollywood and in the world who actually has this perspective on Hollywood. Because you've been there for quite a while now, and you've seen many different eras.

[Nancy Kwan]

A long while.

[Roy Chen]

Yeah, a long while. And you've seen kind of, you know, I guess. Has it. Did you. Have you recognized any patents appearing in terms of the business? I know.

[Nancy Kwan]

With Asian actors? And I have a lot of good Asian friends who are actors, very good actors that never got a chance to really show their talent.

[Roy Chen]

I'm trying my best.

[Nancy Kwan]

All right, keep trying. Keep trying.

[Roy Chen]

She meant that as a nice thing. You guys read it like she was talking shit. She was saying, keep going. It was encouraging. Okay. Anyway, but what are the patterns? Because. Okay, here's the thing. Like, I think, like, we're all in 2025 now. Is it 2025, Benny?

[Nancy Kwan]

No, no, no, it's not 25.

[Roy Chen]

Okay. Okay. But whatever year we're in, we're in a period where we keep thinking of the past. We kind of romanticize the past in terms of films. You know, we're like, oh, you know, this era of films kind of sucks. The 90s was when the peak of Hollywood, you know, and then we go back to the 80s was when things were cool. And we keep thinking that way. I mean, you are one of the few people who actually lived through it all. Is it true that we live in the worst era right now? Or is it. Or has it always been the case that we always look back with rose tinted glasses?

[Nancy Kwan]

I think you're right. Both. Both.

[Roy Chen]

Oh, so we suck and we also don't suck.

[Nancy Kwan]

Yes, that's right. Exactly right.

[Roy Chen]

Okay.

[Nancy Kwan]

Yes.

[Roy Chen]

So what sucks about now other than that?

[Nancy Kwan]

Have you seen the films?

[Roy Chen]

Yeah, I mean, have I seen them. I'm in some of them, so. Yeah, but what do you. I mean, you don't want to talk shit about anyone. But like, what is, like, what do you think is your main problem right now? If you have to say in general. In general.

[Nancy Kwan]

I don't think it's main problem. I think audience have changed, you know, the thought. I mean, in the old days. Okay. I mean my days in the 60s, the early 1500s. That's mean.

[Roy Chen]

Yeah, no, it's a comedy show. Oh, you got sense of humor. We got.

[Nancy Kwan]

No, but they. I mean, my favorite director was David Lean who did great films. Bridge on the River Kwai, Lawrence of Arabia. They don't do that kind of films anymore. They really don't. And I wish they would come back to that and maybe they will because everything goes around. That's life, isn't it?

[Roy Chen]

Sure. Buddhist. Buddhist, very cylindrical. But. But is that. I don't put you on the spot, but, like, do you think there's a reason you could point to why that's the case? That they don't make it like that anymore?

[Nancy Kwan]

No, it's not a reason. I think it's just a phase. Maybe one day we'll go back to it, but now it's just.

[Roy Chen]

Well, what do we need to do to get back to that? Do we need people to put down their phones or what? What is it? What, what? What?

[Nancy Kwan]

I wish I knew.

[Roy Chen]

Okay, so we don't know.

[Nancy Kwan]

I mean, they're trying their best to do films and films are not. I mean, television's taken over and, you know, people don't go to movies in a movie house anymore. They don't.

[Roy Chen]

Yeah.

[Nancy Kwan]

You know, so that's another reason too.

[Roy Chen]

It's their problem. That's a them. That's a. That's a them problem. But. Okay, and then you, you said, you said that's kind of like the problem. Like you said, that's why we're not good in a good era. Why are we in a good era then? Because. Yeah, because you Said, you know what? Currently it's both. What era are we in? We're in an era that's bad. And it's also good.

[Nancy Kwan]

I think it was. I mean, this too shall pass. And how do you know? Maybe some great directors, producers will come up with some great ideas and we'll start again another kind on another level.

[Roy Chen]

Okay, well, let me put it this way then, because we romanticized the past, what sucked about the past. So let's get it on the record. You know, what was bad about it? Like, what was bad about the era that you were coming through? You know, what did you not like about it?

[Nancy Kwan]

I didn't think it was bad.

[Roy Chen]

Oh, okay. It was perfect. Okay, great.

[Nancy Kwan]

So, yeah, no, it wasn't perfect, but I thought they did very interesting films during my time anyway. And I got a chance to play non Asian roles. I mean, I played an American Indian and a Western, you know, and I played English girls, I said, or a circus performer with no nationality. So at least I had a chance to do that. Unfortunately for Asian actors, they're not there yet. You know, I wish we would have more Asian directors, writers, producers, writing for Asians, making films for Asians with great roles for them to play. There's so many talented Asian actors out there.

[Roy Chen]

Yeah, yeah, yeah, for sure. Yeah, yeah. And sorry I cut you off a little bit. You're kind of explaining the studio system was ending when you were. So what does that mean? Like, well, they didn't.

[Nancy Kwan]

Actors were no longer under contract. They were, you know, getting their agents together, being handled by lawyers, making their own deals. So it was a whole big change in that time. And I don't know if it's good or bad, but I think it's just another phase in life that we go through and hope, you know, maybe. Maybe things will come back again better. Better movies, more interesting movies.

[Roy Chen]

Okay, so the last thing I want to ask you was, like, you were born and raised in the east and you've been working and living in the west for a while now, much like myself. And do you have any comment on this current kind of civilizational clash between the east and west right now? Is there, like, what is your perspective on this thing?

[Nancy Kwan]

I think there will always be political clashes. That's what makes the world interesting and.

[Roy Chen]

Okay, well, then we are in a very interesting period then, because shit is.

[Nancy Kwan]

Going down right now and, you know, you never know what comes up, so.

[Roy Chen]

Oh, okay, so there's a. You're saying there's a silver lining to this end of civilization?

[Nancy Kwan]

I didn't say it was end of civilization or silver lining.

[Roy Chen]

Okay.

[Nancy Kwan]

I just think it's going through changes.

[Roy Chen]

Okay.

[Nancy Kwan]

Like life.

[Roy Chen]

Okay.

[Nancy Kwan]

You're going through changes, aren't you?

[Roy Chen]

I am. Yes, I am.

[Nancy Kwan]

What kind of.

[Roy Chen]

I think my voice is breaking. I don't know. I don't know. All right, so.

[Nancy Kwan]

And what are you smoking and what kind of drugs?

[Roy Chen]

Yeah, I'll tell you in Cantonese after the show. Yeah, promise. So what is your perspective on this east, west thing? Like, is there anything can speak to anything that America continues to misunderstand about the east or vice versa?

[Nancy Kwan]

You know, I think it will always be so. I mean, I really even like you talk about the east, you know, you come from Malaysia, I come from Hong Kong, and there's Thailand and there's all these Southeast Asian countries. We're not, not everyone gets on all the time. They don't get along, but we learn to live with each other. And I think it's like the West. I mean, we have to. We will go for phases and political things, bad or good, but we learn from it, hopefully. And from those lessons, you know, something good will come out of it, I hope. I mean, I like to look at the good side of things. I really am not a negative person.

[Roy Chen]

So. Okay. I think you might be in the wrong error because this is.

[Nancy Kwan]

Yin and yang, you know, so both.

[Roy Chen]

I know. Yeah. Okay. So I was really hoping for. You're saying that this is. You've seen it go up and down and that will come back and we'll be friends again in always. Okay. Okay. Okay. I hope you're right.

[Nancy Kwan]

I hope so, too.

[Roy Chen]

I hope you're right.

[Nancy Kwan]

I mean, I like to think of the positive. So.

[Roy Chen]

Yeah. Okay. I gotta say, thank you so much, Nancy Kwan. I think you're the best. Thank you for representing Asian people in Hollywood. Thank you for making the films that you made and thanks for coming on the show. And thanks for representing all of us with dignity and class. I really appreciate everything you do. Hey, the award of Nancy Kwan comes out April 22nd. It's available to pre order now. Nancy Kwan, everybody. We're going to take a quick break. We'll be right back after this. Hey, that's our show for the night. Now here it is, your moment of Zen.

[David Guyer]

It's that time of year to decorate Easter eggs. But with egg prices soaring, some families are turning to substitutes. How about rocks? Yup, rocks from the yard. Just paint them and you've got Easter, eg, egg rocks.

[Ronnie Stag]

Explore more shows from the Daily show podcast Universe by Searching the Daily Show Wherever you get your podcasts, watch the Daily show weeknights at 1110 Central on Comedy Central and stream full episodes anytime on Paramount plus.

[Nancy Kwan]

Paramount Podcast.