TDS Time Machine | March Madness

Summary

---

The Daily Show: Ears Edition

Episode: TDS Time Machine | March Madness
Date: April 6, 2026
Host: Comedy Central (featuring Roy Wood Jr., Desi Lydic, Ronny Chieng, Jordan Klepper, Michelle Wolf)
Special Guest: Dawn Staley (Head Coach, South Carolina Women’s Basketball)

---

Episode Overview

This episode of The Daily Show: Ears Edition dives deep into the cultural and social phenomena sweeping through March Madness 2026, with a special spotlight on the elevation of women’s college basketball, ongoing NCAA controversies, and issues around gender equity and athlete compensation in college sports. The episode blends the trademark Daily Show satire with poignant interviews, notably with Hall of Famer and coaching legend Dawn Staley.

---

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Women’s March Madness Takes Center Stage

• Epic Rematch: Iowa’s Caitlin Clark's record-smashing performance against LSU draws widespread media attention.
  • “41 points, nine threes, 12 assists—a record breaking masterpiece...” (Ronny Chieng, 00:32)
• Media Double-Take: Coverage marvels at the overdue recognition for women's basketball.
  • “Think about how far women’s basketball has come. Ten years ago, if you went to a bar on a Monday night to watch women’s basketball, it was because you were an alcoholic. But today if you’re at a bar...it’s because you’re an alcoholic who also wants to watch women’s basketball. That is progress.” (Desi Lydic, 03:44)
• Shaq's Endorsement: Even Shaquille O’Neal claims women’s basketball is a better game this year.

Tournament Fumbles & Sexism in NCAA

• Court Mishap: A three-point line in Portland found painted six inches short on one side. The game proceeds, exemplifying the often-overlooked errors in the women’s tournament.
  • “Having the line be that short makes an enormous difference.” (Desi Lydic, 05:41)
• Satirical Take on Sexism: The panel riffs on how women's teams just "deal with it," highlighting deep-rooted inequities.
• Comedic Banter: Extended jokes about length and standards of fairness serve as metaphors for gender discrimination (05:17-06:45).

NCAA Hypocrisy & Athlete Compensation Debate

• Spotlight on Athlete Exploitation:
  • Student-athletes, like Minnesota’s Joel Bauman, lose eligibility for profiting from their own name—even outside of sports. (09:43)
  • “NCAA rules say athletes can’t profit by using their own name in a song that they wrote. That has nothing to do with sports. Don’t forget, the NCAA is giving them the gift of education.” (Jordan Klepper, 09:52)
  • Former UCLA basketball player Ed O’Bannon sues for use of his likeness in video games without pay.
• Highlight on Contradictions:
  • “I mean, you’re gonna keep wrestling, right?”
    “Yeah.”
    “Good, good...their mission is to protect college sports from the corrosive influences of commercialism...” (Jordan Klepper with Bauman, 11:14)
• Michelle Wolf's Solution:
  • “Easy. Pay the athletes. Done. Problem solved...What else you got, world hunger? Feed ‘em. Climate change? Cool it. We got two and a half minutes here and I am solution lady.” (Michelle Wolf, 15:42)
  • Challenges the myth of the “pure student-athlete.”
  • Points out double standards: everyone gets paid except the players.
  • “The NCAA is pure the same way carrot cake is healthy. It’s not.” (Michelle Wolf, 16:31)

Bracket Mania & Statistical Absurdity

• A Perfect Bracket: Only one perfect bracket after 48 games, with odds at 1 in 281 trillion.
  • “Wow. This guy had a cold and he still managed to fill out a perfect bracket...That is the worst overcoming an obstacle sports story I’ve ever heard.” (Ronny Chieng, 19:53)
• Virginia’s Redemption: The men's tournament sees Virginia winning its first title after a huge upset loss the previous year, with jokes about the university’s troubled headlines.

NCAA Gender Disparities & Public Backlash

• Weight Room Scandal: Oregon's Sedona Prince exposes the subpar gym setup for female athletes compared to male counterparts (25:03).
  • “That’s not a weight room. That’s just the rack of weights you bought in the beginning of quarantine and then never use.” (Ronny Chieng, 25:33)
• Further Inequities:
  • Men receive better COVID testing, gift bags, and even play on better courts.
  • Women’s gift bags include “a 150-piece puzzle and a towel that said NCAA Women’s Basketball. Plus an umbrella.” (Desi Lydic, 27:19)
• Coach Penalties: Coaches with infants must trade a staff member to allow their baby in the “bubble" (28:29).
  • “That baby counts inside the bubble against the total they can bring in...if they want to feed their child, [they] have to have one less athletic trainer...one less person in the traveling party.” (Desi Lydic, 28:29)

---

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Desi Lydic on Women's Basketball’s Moment:
  • “It feels like women’s basketball is having a moment this year. And you can tell by how much the media can’t stop talking about how they’re talking about it.” (01:28)
• Michelle Wolf’s Underwear Solution:
  • “Morning practice, afternoon practice, weightlifting, ice baths, trainer visits, travel days. Forget homework. I didn't even have time for my laundry. I just slipped my underwear inside out.” (Michelle Wolf, 17:12)
• Dawn Staley on Setting a Pay Precedent:
  • “Equal pay is a law. I think everybody knows that. Right. It’s a law...But it’s not just for sports, but other professions.” (Dawn Staley, 35:33)
• Dawn Staley’s Net Ritual:
  • “I decided to give a piece of my championship net to every Black female D1 coach...just to give them a ray of hope…The national championship is coaching a first generation college graduate. That’s a national championship in some people’s eyes.” (Dawn Staley, 37:00)
• Roy Wood Jr. on the Jill Biden Invite Controversy:
  • “You’re trying to turn the White House into a participation trophy. Nobody likes participation trophies. Even the kids don’t like participation trophies.” (Roy Wood Jr., 41:40)

---

Interview with Dawn Staley (30:18 – 38:10)

Segment Timestamps & Highlights:

• 30:54 – Introduction to Staley; discusses her record crowds, coaching success, and preferences for which championship was sweeter.
• 31:31 – “The second time is sweeter...this year we got a chance to play [UConn], and it felt great beating them.” (Dawn Staley)
• 32:14 – On coaching approach: “If one of our players does something terrible, I’m saying that’s terrible...if they do something great, I’m chest bumping—I give it its emotion that’s needed.” (Dawn Staley)
• 33:38 – Advocating for equal pay and challenging inequity as a platform for change.
• 36:22 – Shares her tradition of passing on championship nets: “I was able to [return the net] two years later...I decided to give it to every Black female Division 1 coach...to give them a ray of hope.”
• 38:06 – Expanding the tradition to Black men in the sport and to Black journalists “because we need black journalists in the room to give a different perspective.”

---

Trash Talk, Race, and Sexism in March Madness Aftermath

• Angel Reese vs. Caitlin Clark Trash Talk Fallout (38:56):
  • Media and social media criticized Reese for gestures that Clark herself had made in prior games.
  • “This might be the new Magic Johnson vs. Larry Bird. This might be the start of a feud that bleeds into the professional and into the WNBA.” (Roy Wood Jr., 39:24)
  • Jokes about rivalry dynamics, race, and the double standard in media reactions.
• Jill Biden’s White House Invite Gaffe (41:02–44:49):
  • Jill Biden’s invitation to both LSU and losing Iowa team draws panel debate on whether the misstep was about race, sexism, or both.
  • “You think this is racism?” (Roy Wood Jr.)
  • “A mostly white team getting an invite to the White House for losing is white privilege at its most insidious.” (Desi Lydic, 42:33)

---

Social Commentary & Satirical Reflections

• The episode’s recurring theme is how the NCAA’s structural inequities have become too blatant to defend, and how women’s sports, after years of marginalization, are now reshaping the cultural conversation.
• Satire is used to underscore gender, racial, and economic double standards.

---

Episode Highlights Timeline

| Timestamp | Topic | |----------------|---------------------------------------------------------------| | 00:17–04:13 | Women's March Madness, Caitlin Clark’s stardom | | 04:13–06:50 | Portland court mishap, gendered standards, comedic riffing | | 09:15–14:25 | NCAA hypocrisy, athlete compensation, Ed O’Bannon case | | 14:59–18:34 | Paying athletes, Michelle Wolf's solutions, sports economy | | 19:25–21:40 | Bracket statistics, Virginia’s first title | | 24:25–29:00 | NCAA disparities (weight room, food, gift bags, COVID tests) | | 30:18–38:10 | Interview: Dawn Staley on equity, coaching, net tradition | | 38:26–40:38 | Trash talk & race (LSU vs Iowa, Angel Reese vs Caitlin Clark) | | 41:02–44:54 | Jill Biden, White House invite, sexism vs racism debate |

---

Closing Thoughts

This episode captures the zeitgeist of March Madness 2026 by juxtaposing massive cultural shifts with the persistent obstacles female athletes and coaches face. Through sharp comedy, personal experience, and a landmark interview with Dawn Staley, The Daily Show team both celebrates and scrutinizes the world of college sports—making the stories accessible, entertaining, and thought-provoking for listeners regardless of their prior engagement with sports.

---

Notable Quote, Summed Up:
"The way that the women have been treated during this tournament has been disgraceful. I mean, the only silver lining is that it’s made the NCAA’s favoritism towards male athletes as blatant and impossible to ignore..." (Ronny Chieng, 30:05)

Transcript

[Roy Wood Jr.]

You're listening to Comedy Central.

[Desi Lydic]

We're in the final stretch of March Madness, that special time of year that turns every office into an underground gambling ring. And last night, all eyes were on a rematch between two of the biggest stars in the tournament.

[Ronny Chieng]

In goat fashion, Caitlin Clark led Iowa over defending champion LSU in a rematch of last year's final. For anyone who questioned her greatness, Caitlin Clark had the answer. 41 points, nine threes, 12 assists. A record breaking masterpiece that lived up to the hype of a rematch. In an epic battle of greats, Clark steps back, fires. You bet. Oh, my. From Schenectady. She's simply ridiculous. She's possessed.

[Desi Lydic]

This poor announcer, Caitlin Clark hit so many big shots that the guy was clearly running out of things to say. She's ridiculous. She's possessed. She's a witch drowner. I don't know. But honestly, honestly, what an awesome rivalry. Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese, two fierce competitors playing their hearts out, captivating the nation while they're still in college. My biggest accomplishment in college was getting a single dorm because of my ibs. Hey, if there was a sock on the door, it was an especially bad night. Point is, it feels like women's basketball is having a moment this year. And you can tell by how much the media can't stop talking about how they're talking about it.

[Ronny Chieng]

What a great thing for women's sports that we care.

[Desi Lydic]

We're talking about it tonight on CNN

[Ronny Chieng]

because people are caring, and ultimately that is good. We care. The fact that we're talking about women's basketball and any, you know, women's sports in general, I mean, this is really great.

[Desi Lydic]

I freaking love it. It's really great.

[Ronny Chieng]

I have done this for 32 years. I've never once spent five minutes of any show I've ever done anywhere talking about a great women's game last night at any level.

[Desi Lydic]

Okay, I might say more about you, but we'll take the win. We'll take it. That's right. People are excited about women's basketball right now. They're discovering it like it's the first time your mom tried sushi. Oh, my God. Have you heard about this? Spread the word. But everyone is raving. Everyone. Even Shaquille o' Neal said women's basketball this year is a better game than men's basketball. Yeah. Yeah. And he's like the most famous men's basketball player. That's like Chef Boyardee telling you he only eats SpaghettiOs now. SpaghettiOs, the official food of clinical depression. SpaghettiOs. Want to hurt an Italian person's feelings. Try SpaghettiOs. One more SpaghettiOs. You don't have to love your kids. Anyway. Think about how far women's basketball has come. Ten years ago, if you went to a bar on a Monday night to watch women's basketball, it was because you were an alcoholic. But today, if you're at a bar on a Monday night, it's because you're an alcoholic who also wants to watch women's basketball. That is progress. So this has been a hugely successful college tournament for the women. Even despite some obstacles in the women's

[Ronny Chieng]

tournament, controversy is brewing after four games were played on a court in Portland, Oregon, where the three point line was about six inches closer to the hoop on one side. The error was discovered before North Carolina played Texas in the Elite Eight. Both teams coaches decided to go ahead with the game to not delay the tournament.

[Desi Lydic]

Okay, I really relate to this. As a woman, it is so classic for someone else to up and we're like, oh, the line is messed up. It's fine. We'll just go ahead and play four games. You can fix it later or not, whatever. I'm sorry, But what exactly happened with the three point line? To get more on this, we go live to Josh Johnson at the arena. Josh, what happened down there? The line was several inches too short. That's a huge error.

[Ronny Chieng]

Well, Desi, I talked to the director of court maintenance who made the mistake, as well as several other men who were just around. And we all. We all agreed that your length being a few inches shorter than everyone was expecting is no big deal. No story here. Back to you.

[Desi Lydic]

Wait, wait, wait. That's not true. Having the line be that short makes an enormous difference.

[Ronny Chieng]

Enormous is a little mean. Plus, it's not about the length of the line. It's about how you play the game. Okay? And I think we can all agree it was a pretty good game. You know, it was good for me. I enjoyed it. And as far as the difference, the women didn't even notice. All right?

[Desi Lydic]

Even if the women said they didn't notice, trust me, they always notice.

[Ronny Chieng]

Okay? But let's give this lying guy a break. Cause when I talked to him, he swore this had never happened before.

[Jordan Klepper]

Okay?

[Ronny Chieng]

And we don't even know why it was too short. Maybe it was his first time, okay? Maybe he had been drinking. All right? Maybe the arena was cold.

[Desi Lydic]

So how does being cold make a difference?

[Ronny Chieng]

It just does. Okay?

[Desi Lydic]

Wow, you seem pretty worked up about this. Why don't we move past the length of the line?

[Ronny Chieng]

Thank you.

[Desi Lydic]

Let's talk about the curve. Cause the curve was weird.

[Ronny Chieng]

All right. Desi. Desi.

[Roy Wood Jr.]

I'm out.

[Ronny Chieng]

This is why I only play basketball by myself.

[Roy Wood Jr.]

Okay?

[Ronny Chieng]

Josh. Josh, what do you say?

[Desi Lydic]

Josh Johnson, everybody.

[Ad Sales Announcer]

Spring is the ideal time for a wardrobe reset. Moving away from a cluttered closet and focusing on fewer high quality pieces. Quince specializes in these elevated essentials, offering premium materials and thoughtful fits at a price point that actually makes sense for a long term wardrobe. Their collection features high quality staples like 100% European linen and their signature Flow knit activewear fabric. Quince's men's linen pants and shirts are designed to be lightweight and breathable, striking the perfect balance between a laid back feel and a refined polished look for those on the move. The flow knit line is moisture wicking and anti odor, engineered to be comfortable enough for an all day wear. The standout factor is Quince's business model. By working directly with ethical factories and cutting out the middlemen, they provide quality clothing at prices 50 to 60% less than similar luxury brands. You are paying for craftsmanship and durability, not a brand markup. It is high end apparel designed to make getting dressed easy and efficient. Refresh your wardrobe with quince. Go to quince.com dailyshow for free shipping and 365 day returns. Now available in Canada too. Go to Q U I N C

[Ronny Chieng]

E

[Ad Sales Announcer]

DailyShow for free shipping and 365 day returns. Quince.com DailyShow.

[Ronny Chieng]

Now Louisville's big win over Michigan Monday night ended a thrilling NCAA tournament which saw even savvy bracket prognosticators completely screwed by production assistant who I think we can all admit got completely lucky. I mean, note to self, fire Jay Franklin. But despite the NCAA's good works, there are those who would try to tear them down. Asif Manvi has more college athletes.

[Jordan Klepper]

They're princes of their schools and enjoy everything from the love of enthusiastic coaches to all the attention they get when they twist their poor little ankle out of their skin. But there are still some students, like this University of Minnesota wrestler, who would spit in the face of the NCAA and defy their perfectly fair rules.

[Ronny Chieng]

My eligibility got taken away. It got swiped. I couldn't compete for the University of Minnesota.

[Jordan Klepper]

Why did they strip you of your eligibility?

[Ronny Chieng]

I had a song and my name was on it.

[Jordan Klepper]

What made you think you could use your own name?

[Ronny Chieng]

Because it's my message and it's me.

[Jordan Klepper]

Yeah, but it's not your name anymore. It belongs to the ncaa. That's right. NCAA rules say Athletes can't profit by using their own name in a song that they wrote. That has nothing to do with sports. Don't forget, the NCAA is giving them the gift of education.

[Ronny Chieng]

I have 10% scholarship. That doesn't cover a lot. And on top of that, I cover my living expenses.

[Jordan Klepper]

And then you're also making a buttload of money on this song.

[Ronny Chieng]

Well, this song hasn't made me rich at all. I haven't even broke even. Right now. The NCAA owns the name Joel Bauman until I. Until I graduate.

[Jordan Klepper]

Let me tell you your first problem. You're rapping under the name Joel Bauman. Okay, dude, Joel Bauman is the accountant of the record label. Understandably, the NCAA must also distance themselves from Bauman's degrading gangster rap.

[Ronny Chieng]

Have you ever had a dream but were too afraid to get it? Afraid what people might think if you actually tried to live it? If you buy someone's opinion, you have to buy their lifestyle. Put your ones up if you want your dreams right now.

[Jordan Klepper]

But you're a good wrestler, though, right?

[Ronny Chieng]

Like to assume so.

[Jordan Klepper]

Good, good, good, good. I mean, you're gonna keep wrestling, right?

[Ronny Chieng]

Yeah.

[Jordan Klepper]

Good, good. Yes. This type of profiteering would sully the NCAA's image as stewards of amateur athletics. After all, their mission is to protect college sports from the corrosive influences of commercialism and to uphold the ideal of the student athlete who simply plays for the love of the sport. But ex UCLA basketball player Ed o' Bannon thinks he's entitled to more.

[Ronny Chieng]

I think college athletes should be compensated. What for? Because there is an unbelievable amount of money, billions of dollars being made off the backs of these athletes, and everyone seems to be compensated, except. Except for the ones that are doing the work.

[Jordan Klepper]

Oh, really? Billions of dollars? Well, our research shows that the NCAA's total revenue is only 6 billion, so it's not that many billions. And those One Shining Moment montages don't pay for themselves. Of course, we can't show you any of those because the NCAA won't license it to us. But instead, we bring you this. It's one shining moment. It's all on the line. It's one shining moment it's frozen in. Okay, you get the idea. But somehow, o' Bannon is still ungrateful and is suing them for using his likeness in their one minor little video game. No, not that one. No, not that one. No, the other.

[Ronny Chieng]

The other platform.

[Jordan Klepper]

No, not the one for the Xbox. Not the Wii. No. Y.

[Ronny Chieng]

Yes.

[Jordan Klepper]

This one. That one. Dude, I'm in a Video game, okay? Last Airbender. I mean, nobody's ever played it, but I'm in it. You don't see me complaining.

[Ronny Chieng]

Did you get paid?

[Jordan Klepper]

Yeah, I got paid. Yeah. I'm not a schmuck.

[Ronny Chieng]

Look, I stand by my lawsuit. I stand by the suit.

[Jordan Klepper]

I couldn't believe these detractors were slandering this upstanding and open institution. So I went to the NCAA to let them respond. I wanted to sit down with you to give you a chance to clear your good name. Okay, first question. Why am I talking to a telephone?

[Ronny Chieng]

The NCAA is not granting any on camera interviews at this time.

[Jordan Klepper]

What are you, Philip Morris? I've spoken to racist Islamophobes. I have spoken to a guy who makes asbestos. You're the ncaa.

[Ronny Chieng]

Our mission is to be an integral part of higher education and to focus on the development of our student athletes.

[Jordan Klepper]

Whoa, whoa, whoa. Are you reading a statement?

[Ronny Chieng]

Yeah.

[Jordan Klepper]

Is this even the NCAA that I'm talking to?

[Ronny Chieng]

No, this is your intern, Eric. I'm just reading a statement.

[Jordan Klepper]

But ultimately, when all is said and done, the athletes know that the NCAA will take good care of them.

[Ronny Chieng]

Yeah, I actually just came back. I've been. I was out for three months with a concussion.

[Jordan Klepper]

But the school will cover the expenses. Should these concussions lead to any medical expenses after you graduate, Right?

[Ronny Chieng]

No, the school won't do that because I won't be an athlete for them anymore.

[Jordan Klepper]

Are you kidding me? Okay, now I think I understand why they don't want to talk to us.

[Ronny Chieng]

Yeah, they're kind of douchebags.

[Jordan Klepper]

It's one shining moment.

[Ronny Chieng]

Lately when you think of the FBI, you probably think of the beef between Trump and Comey. But the bureau is working on other cases, too. And yesterday we found out that in the ncaa, some coaches are going from basketball courts to the Lord Judgey place. Damn it, I forgot the word. Uh, just roll the clip. A massive scandal rocking college basketball today.

[Desi Lydic]

The FBI announcing fraud and corruption charges against 10 people. College coaches taking cash bribes, up to $100,000 in exchange for steering NBA bound athletes toward specific financial advisors and sports agents.

[Ronny Chieng]

A top Adidas executive was also named in the federal complaint. And he's accused of conspiring to funnel six figure payments to families of three high school recruits to attend universities sponsored by Adidas. For more on this college basketball scandal, we turn now to our own former college athlete, Michelle Wolf, everybody. Michelle, big question here. What can the NCAA do to stop fraud, bribery and corruption in college sports?

[Michelle Wolf]

Easy pay, the athletes. Done. Problem solved. Yeah, what else you got world hunger, Feed em, climate change. Cool it. We got two and a half minutes here and I am solution lady.

[Ronny Chieng]

That doesn't help anyone, Michelle. I mean, this NCAA scandal is a little more complicated than that. No, it's not.

[Michelle Wolf]

There are two things I think when I watch college sports. One, athletes should get paid. Two. Michelle, stop fantasizing about these players. Some of them are teenagers.

[Ronny Chieng]

Oh, wow. Actually, I never thought about that.

[Michelle Wolf]

I think about it all of the time now.

[Ronny Chieng]

Now, Michelle, one of the main arguments against paying college athletes is that they're students and they're doing it for the love of the game. People enjoy that purity.

[Michelle Wolf]

The purity for who? You? The athletes are supposed to not get paid for you? The same guy who eats popcorn with his ball scratching hand? He wants purity. And I would buy the whole purity thing if everyone around them was doing it for the love of the game. Why is it just the athletes, everyone else getting paid? Coaches, athletic directors, TV channels, arenas. The NCAA is pure. The same way carrot cake is healthy. It's not.

[Ronny Chieng]

Yeah, but it's not like there's no compensation. Many of the athletes are really. They get to go to school for free, right?

[Michelle Wolf]

Yeah, they're getting a free education they barely have time for. I ran track in college and the schedule is packed. Morning practice, afternoon practice, weightlifting, ice baths, trainer visits, travel days. Forget homework. I didn't even have time for my laundry. I just slipped my underwear inside out.

[Ronny Chieng]

Isn't it still dirty then?

[Michelle Wolf]

Only for my pants.

[Ronny Chieng]

So yes. Uh, o. Okay, Michelle, let's say. Let's say I'm with you on this and I agree with paying the athletes. How would it work? Because remember the money schools earn from big sports? They used to subsidize the little sports. So let's say they earned a million dollars for basketball. How much do the players get?

[Dawn Staley]

All of it.

[Ronny Chieng]

Okay, but then what about, like the volleyball team?

[Michelle Wolf]

I don't know. $30? It's not like they have a place to put it.

[Ronny Chieng]

But do you see the conundrum?

[Michelle Wolf]

Okay, fine, it is complicated. But guess what solution, lady? If paying athletes doesn't work, then stop paying everyone else who makes money off of college sports. Everyone should do it for the love of the game. Make coaches work for free. Sports brands don't get paid. No more commercials. The whole thing should be like my divorced friend Maddie's jewelry business. No one makes money and everyone's sad.

[Ronny Chieng]

But if. If no one is paid, the whole thing falls apart.

[Michelle Wolf]

Exactly. Just like Maddie. But I'm tired of seeing college athletes exploited for money like I was.

[Ronny Chieng]

Wait, wait, wait. You also exploited.

[Desi Lydic]

Yeah.

[Michelle Wolf]

EA made a video game about me as a college athlete and I never got paid.

[Ronny Chieng]

And that game was called Michelle Wolf's Track and Field.

[Desi Lydic]

Yes.

[Michelle Wolf]

And everyone loved playing it. It's me, Michelle.

[Desi Lydic]

Here we go.

[Ronny Chieng]

Yay. Michel Wolf, everybody. We'll be right back. The NCAA tournament isn't even half over, but we already have an mvp. Sports Illustrated reports on the only person

[Desi Lydic]

in the world with a perfect NCAA tournament bracket. So far, the odds of that are 1 in 281 trillion. Ohio neuropsychologist Greg Nigel correctly predicted the

[Ronny Chieng]

outcomes of the first 48 March Madness games.

[Desi Lydic]

Nigel shatters the previous record streak of 39 games.

[Ronny Chieng]

I was actually pretty sick with a bad cold on Thursday. I woke up to call into work.

[Sponsor Voiceover]

I took some cold medicine and I

[Ronny Chieng]

almost just went right back to bed. But I knew I had two more brackets to fill out. Wow. Wow. This guy had a cold and he still managed to fill out a perfect bracket. That is the worst overcoming an obstacle sports story I've ever heard. Just like, move over, homeless NFL player. This guy somehow opened up a laptop with a stuffy nose. And it really is just luck, right? Because when you have this many people filling out brackets, it's bound to happen eventually. Like, if an infinite number of monkeys filled out an infinite number of March Madness brackets, eventually there would be a monkey that would be like, wait, why don't college athletes get paid. First up, next up, March Madness. Last night was the final game of the biggest tournament in college sports. And it ended in a comeback for the ages. Now to the end of March Madness. A year after becoming the first top seeded men's team to lose to a number 16, Virginia has snagged its first title. The Cavaliers won in a heart stopping fashion with an overtime thriller against Texas Tech. Yes. Congratulations, Virginia. Wow. It took more than a year, but you guys finally did it. You made the news for something other than racism, huh? That wasn't so hard, was it? All you had to do was get some young black men to work for you for free and bam. Racism sucked, baby. Done. And I must say, congratulations to Texas Tech too. They had an amazing run and honestly, the last game was really stacked against them because first of all, and this is true, Texas had to deal with Ted Cruz rooting for them. So, I mean, yeah, you know, even worse, he was collecting all their sweaty towels. What are you gonna do with those, Ted? I have my reasons. Also, I think the team would have done a lot better if the coach hadn't recruited Aunt Becky's daughter as their power forward. I have no idea why he did that.

[Sponsor Voiceover]

In a health landscape currently dominated by conversations around GLP1s and high protein diets, it's easy to feel overwhelmed by options. However, most protein products on the market focus purely on caloric int rather than how the body actually processes those nutrients. Veracity is revolutionizing health by focusing on the root cause of wellness, the metabolism. Their drug free doctor formulated Metabolic Power Protein is designed to help the body use more protein effectively building a stronger metabolic foundation rather than just adding extra calories to a diet. The formula features a key ingredient called Myovera, which amplifies the body's ability to utilize protein for muscle support and stable energy. Every two scoops provides 20 grams of plant based protein without the sugars or toxins found in traditional powders. It's a scientifically backed metabolic safety net designed for sustainable appetite. So get the protein in your diet you need and satisfy your cravings the natural way with veracity. Head to veracityhealth co and use code daily for up to 65% off your order. Once again, that's V E R A C I T Y Health Co for up to 65% off. And make sure you use my promo code daily so they know I sent you. Picture this. It's late at night and you're scrolling through your feeds when all of a sudden you see it. That one product that you've been looking for. You click on the link, add to cart, maybe even shop around a little more before finally hitting checkout. As you're filling in your address, you realize you don't have your card anywhere near you. That's when you see it. That purple pay button that has all your information saved, making checkout as simple as a simple tap on your screen. Shopify is the commerce platform behind millions of businesses around the world and 10% of all e commerce in the US from household names like Gymshark to Aviator Nation to brands just getting started. What if people haven't heard of my brand? Shopify helps you find your customers with easy to run emails and social media campaigns. Get the word out like you have a marketing team behind you. Easy to create email and social media campaigns wherever your customers are scrolling or strolling. Best yet, Shopify is your commerce expert with world class expertise in everything from managing inventory to international shipping to processing returns and beyond. It's time to turn those what ifs into with Shopify today. Sign up for your $1 per month trial today at shopify.com dailyshow go to shopify.com dailyshow shopify.com dailyshow

[Ronny Chieng]

all right, let's move on now to our top story. March Madness is the most fun way to gamble away your stimmy. This year's tournament has already seen its fair share of upsets, like Oral Roberts making it to the Sweet 16. And I'm guessing from its name, also third base. But the biggest shock of the tournament so far didn't happen on the court. It happened in the weight room.

[Dawn Staley]

The NCAA is apologizing after being criticized for the stark difference in the fitness facilities provided to the men and the

[Desi Lydic]

women competing in the college basketball tournaments.

[Dawn Staley]

Oregon's Sedona Prince gave us a glimpse of the weight room differences in a social media video last Thursday.

[Ronny Chieng]

So for the ncaa, March Madness, the

[Dawn Staley]

biggest tournament in college basketball for women, this is our weight room. Let me show you all the men's weight room. As you can see, the men were provided with a lot more equipment than the women. It did not take long for the NCAA to make changes, though.

[Ronny Chieng]

By Saturday, the NCAA sharing the new setup for the women. Prince thanking everyone who helped. Guess what, guys? We got a weight room.

[Jordan Klepper]

Yeah.

[Ronny Chieng]

Damn, that's ice cold. Because that's not a weight room. That's just the rack of weights that you buy in the beginning of quarantine and then never use. And honestly, this is surprising because usually the NCAA treats male and female athletes equally. I mean, they definitely pay them both the same amount. But to be fair, at least the NCAA made it right after the uproar, they gave the women the same amenities that the men's weight room has. More machines, more weights. And they even added the guy who always makes way too much noise when he's lifting. This is how you know that I'm strong. Now. It was upsetting enough when people saw the difference in men's and women's weight rooms. But it turns out that sexism in the NCAA is a lot like Facetune. Once you're aware of it, you start noticing it everywhere. But it's not just the weight room. The COVID tests different for the men's tournament. The more accurate PCR tests at the women's antigen test. Another complaint. A quick look at the official March Madness Twitter account. The bio reads, the official NCAA March Madness destination for all things Division 1, NCAA men's basketball. No mention of the women's tournament.

[Desi Lydic]

The men have been provided with a

[Ronny Chieng]

brand new NCAA court with March Madness.

[Desi Lydic]

The huge logo in the middle where on the women's Court, you're going to still see two lines for the men's

[Ronny Chieng]

line and the women's line for three point shots.

[Desi Lydic]

There's a volleyball court on one of the courts.

[Ronny Chieng]

It doesn't even look like an NCAA game.

[Sponsor Voiceover]

There are differences in food options for

[Ronny Chieng]

the men's and women's teams, as well as the difference in gift bags given to players.

[Desi Lydic]

The men were given a large number of custom items designed for March Madness, while the women's had a few generic Items, including a 150 piece puzzle and a towel that said NCAA Women's Basketball. Plus an umbrella.

[Ronny Chieng]

A puzzle? Yo, that is a trash gift. And what's even worse is when you complete it, it shows a picture of the men's team enjoying a free steak dinner. Seriously, how are you gonna give the players a puzzle that is not swag? People, when you look at all of this together, the differences are so stark. It almost seems less like sexism and more like the NCAA didn't even know that the women were coming. You know, it's so bad. It's almost like the women were knocking on the door and the NCAA was just scrambling. Oh, shit, the ladies are here. Do we. Do we have anything to give them? Uh, I ordered a burger for lunch. Okay, it'll work. Just chop it up and save sliders. What else do we have? Swag. Uh, I think there's an umbrella in the closet.

[Roy Wood Jr.]

Yeah, it'll work.

[Ronny Chieng]

It'll work, it'll work. So clearly, casual sexism has pervaded almost every aspect of the player experience at this tournament. But it's not just a problem for the players. It's also affecting the coaches.

[Desi Lydic]

There was also an article in the Athletic this morning about some of the female coaches who are working in the tournament and how the NCAA is basically penalizing them and their teams if they have, say, a baby who depends on them for food. That baby counts inside the bubble against the total that they can bring in. So that coach's team, if they want to feed their child, has to have one less athletic trainer, one less other coach, one less person in the traveling party.

[Dawn Staley]

Ridiculous.

[Ronny Chieng]

Okay, now that. That is positively ridiculous. No one should be punished for having children. The children are already punishment enough. Not to mention asking a coach to choose between her baby and a trainer for the team. I mean, that's a really great way to get the rest of the team to hate that baby. I mean, you could be getting deep tissue massages right now if it wasn't for little too Derek. Now, I don't know why this Seems so hard. But there's an obvious solution here. All you should do is have the baby be the assistant coach. After all, a crying baby can be very motivational. What do you want, a blanket? A bottle? You want me to win the tournament? Is that it? Okay, I'll win the tournament. Just please take a nap. Take a nap. Just take a nap. Oh, no. Stop crying. The fact is, the way that the women have been treated during this tournament has been disgraceful. I mean, the only silver lining is that it's made the NCAA's favoritism towards male athletes as blatant and impossible to ignore as that one guy in the gym.

[Roy Wood Jr.]

Does anyone want to date me now?

[Michelle Wolf]

Three.

[Ronny Chieng]

My guest tonight is basketball hall of Fame player and coach Dawn Staley. She's here to talk about her legendary WNBA career and making history as head coach of the national Champion South Carolina women's basketball team. Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome Dawn Staley. Welcome, welcome, welcome, Coach Staley. Welcome to the Daily Show.

[Dawn Staley]

Oh, thanks for having me. This is pretty cool.

[Ronny Chieng]

This is pretty cool, right?

[Roy Wood Jr.]

Yeah.

[Ronny Chieng]

You know, I mean, it's not as many people as you are normally in front of when you're coaching, but we make do. We make do, you know?

[Dawn Staley]

Well, actually, some teams only get this amount of people in the stands.

[Ronny Chieng]

Oh, wow.

[Dawn Staley]

Yeah, we average about 12,000.

[Ronny Chieng]

Oh, I mean, you got. You got 12,000. So, I mean, um, let's start with. With the most important part of the interview. Congratulations, first of all, 2022 champions.

[Dawn Staley]

Thank you.

[Ronny Chieng]

Um, I'd love to know which victory is sweeter, because the first time is like, wow, we did it. The second time is like, you said we couldn't do it, but we did it.

[Dawn Staley]

Right. I, I, I, I think the second time is sweeter only because the first time that we, that we won, we didn't play against UConn. And UConn is considered, you know, the very best. Their tradition, their history, and all of that. So it wasn't really validated in 2017, but this year, we got a chance to play them, and it felt great beating them.

[Ronny Chieng]

I mean, seriously, How do you control your urge to be frustrated? Because you are. You are a gold medal winner. You are a Hall of Famer. You've done it at the highest level. Like, surely there's a moment where you're like, give me the ball. I'll show you what I'm telling you to do. Like, how do you not do that?

[Dawn Staley]

Because I, I actually do it.

[Ronny Chieng]

Oh, you do.

[Dawn Staley]

I mean, here's the thing. It's Just like, you know, I got a dog, Champ. His name is Champ. Right. Named after our 2017 team. So, champ. I wasn't a dog. Like, I'm not really a dog person. I'm a Champ person.

[Desi Lydic]

So.

[Dawn Staley]

Yeah. So I train Champ. Like, I tell him when something's good, and I give him, you know, great, good job. Good job, my guy. And then if he does something bad. Potty in the house. No, don't potty in the house. No. So you have to flow with what's happening now. He doesn't potty in the house. He's made it to my bed. Like, we get our best sleep when he's in the bed next to me.

[Ronny Chieng]

Wow.

[Dawn Staley]

So it's the same. I don't mean to. I don't mean to say, you know, training people is like training my.

[Ronny Chieng]

No, no, no, no, no, no, no. But I understand your mentality is what you're saying, the way you have to approach what you're trying to do. I understand it's highs and lows.

[Dawn Staley]

Like, if one of our. Our players, if she does something that's terrible, I'm saying that's terrible. Like, that's really terrible. But if they do something great, I'm chest bumping, I'm pumped. I give it its emotion that's needed.

[Ronny Chieng]

I love that. You know, you don't just inspire your players, though. You have become a motivational force within the sport as a whole. I mean, first of all, congratulations on the contract renewal. Yeah, right. That is, like, one of the biggest deals ever. And what I really enjoy, what I enjoyed about it is you didn't just push for your contract. You said, I want this deal to be negotiated through my lawyers because I want to set a precedent so that female coaches earn the same as the male coaches who are also kicking ass in the sport. And it was really amazing that you did that. Cause you look beyond yourself. I wanna know why you felt it was that important to do it the way you. Cause some people just go, I've got the money. Thank you very much. You said, no. I wanna make sure that everyone in this position gets the money they deserve.

[Dawn Staley]

So just to be clear, I was actually making a. A lot of money before the contract. But timing, timing is everything. Like, I thought the time was right for me to ask for it. One was last year at the NCAA Tournament, we saw there was a lot of inequities in the women's game and the men's game. Like, we didn't get the same things our student athletes didn't get. The same things as the men's tournament student athletes got.

[Ronny Chieng]

Right? Right.

[Dawn Staley]

So I'm out there on a national level. I'm writing letters saying, this has got to change. Right. So I get home, and I'm just like, I'm out here nationally asking for things to change when they're not. They're. They're worse here at our university. So I thought with our success, that it was the best time to ask for it. And it wasn't really for me. It was more for other coaches who just. Equal pay is a law. I think everybody knows that. Right. It's a law. Like, it's a law, But it's not just for sports, but other professions. Like.

[Ronny Chieng]

I know exactly what you mean.

[Dawn Staley]

Women have been fighting for this for the longest, and if we do the same work and we're as successful, I mean, what's the difference?

[Ronny Chieng]

Right? Right. I love that. I love that you push for that. Yeah. I love that you set a precedent from the sport, and I love that you're doing your thing. You know, people love your style on the court. They go like, you'll put together outfits that people love, you know? You know, I remember there's that letterman jacket that you had, and you had, like, the Louis Vuitton. And people were like, this is the most stylish coach, and she's winning. At the same time, you advocate for other women in the industry. And what I love is that you. You. You proudly advocate for black people to succeed within the sport. You do something that's really special with. With the net that I really love. Everyone cuts that championship net, and they've got it, but what you do with it is really special. Tell, if you don't mind, would you share that with everyone?

[Dawn Staley]

I will. Well, in. In. In 2017, the first black coach that won a national championship. Her name is Carolyn Peck. Probably two years before we won, she gave me a piece of her in 1999 championship net. And she said, I want you to hold this until you win your national championship, and then I want you to return it. And then I was able to do that two years later, which was 2017. And then she said, now I want you to go find the next coach that you give your piece of the net to. And it took about two years for me to find the right coach. And then finally, I was actually just talking, talking with a reporter, and he asked me, who am I gonna give it to? And I hadn't. And I was like, okay, well, this is what I'm gonna do. I'm gonna Give it to every Black female Division 1 coach, because they're looking at me and dreaming of what I just accomplished by winning the national championship. And I bestowed that on them just to give them a ray of hope. Now, I don't think all of them will win a national championship, but the national championship is. Is coaching a first generation college graduate. That's a national championship in some people's eyes. Or if they're having a hard day, just touch that piece of nylon to give them the hope and the push to get through a hard day.

[Ronny Chieng]

I don't know what you're doing it for.

[Dawn Staley]

Yeah. Now. No. We won another national championship. So what I've promised is to give them to black men because their instinct and our in our sport, and also black journalists, because we need black journalists in the room to give a different perspective.

[Ronny Chieng]

Wow.

[Dawn Staley]

Doesn't mean it's right or wrong. It's just a different perspective where we can grow.

[Ronny Chieng]

That's why you're the coach. Thank you so much for joining me on the show.

[Dawn Staley]

Thank you.

[Ronny Chieng]

Congratulations on all your success.

[Roy Wood Jr.]

Wow.

[Ronny Chieng]

All right, people, be sure to follow the Gamecocks and check out Dawn's podcast, NetLife with Dawn Staley. We're gonna take a quick break, but we'll be right back after this.

[Roy Wood Jr.]

Thank you again. Yeah, we ain't got no dj. Let's get right into it. Now, look, I know everybody wanna talk about Trump, but first, let's talk about the opposite of Trump. Women's basketball. Last night, the LSU Lady Tigers beat Iowa in a tournament that had record breaking viewership. But. But it wasn't just who won the game that left people talking.

[Ronny Chieng]

Controversy following last night's game after LSU sophomore Angel Reese taunted Iowa star Caitlin Clark. Commentators and fans online calling Reese disrespectful and unclassy. But Reese pointed out that no one cared when Clark had made the same gesture in a previous game.

[Roy Wood Jr.]

Did you see what that black woman did to the white woman who did the same same thing to a previous woman in a previous game? Must tweet.

[Dawn Staley]

Can't resist.

[Roy Wood Jr.]

Must tweets. First off, Caitlin Clark herself was okay with the shit. She was fine with it. Cause Caitlin gets that trash talk is part of the game. And I agree. Personally, I think trash talk is good for sports. Sports is better when there's trash talk. Even better when it might start a race war. You can't see me. You can't see me. And to be honest, man, this was some good competition. Yo. Kaitlyn Clark versus Angel Reese. This might be the New Magic Johnson versus Larry Bird. This might be the start of a feud that bleeds into the professional and into the wnba. You think Caitlin Clark ain't back in Iowa right now training? You think she ain't right now dunking off the side of a barn? Hell, LSU might have met and created a monster. The last thing you want in your life is a white woman with a grudge. You seen them movies? Them white women get mad. Hey, you get a white woman mad, they keep coming and keep coming. And did y' all see Alien? That alien pissed off Sigourney Weaver one time, and then Sigourney whooped that alien's ass for four straight movies.

[Michelle Wolf]

Then.

[Roy Wood Jr.]

Then she went and sick the Predator on they ass. Earlier this week, we told you how LSU beat Iowa in the women's NCAA Basketball championship. And there was some epic trash talk this week between Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark. And tempers have been bubbling all week. But finally, finally, a peacemaker has emerged.

[Ronny Chieng]

Did First Lady Jill Biden get so excited about the women's basketball championship game, she put her foot in her as she celebrated LSU's victory over Iowa. Dr. Jill suggested both teams come to the White House.

[Desi Lydic]

So I know we'll have the champions come to the White House. We always do. So you know we'll have LSU come.

[Michelle Wolf]

But you know what?

[Desi Lydic]

I'm going to tell Joe? I think Iowa should come, too, because they played such a good game.

[Roy Wood Jr.]

Yes.

[Ad Sales Announcer]

Yes.

[Roy Wood Jr.]

No, you're wrong. She's talking about peace and unity, y'.

[Ronny Chieng]

All.

[Roy Wood Jr.]

Why shouldn't the losers be standing proud with the winners? Come on, Jill Biden. You're trying to turn the White House into a participation trophy. Nobody likes participation trophies. Even the kids don't like participation trophies. Nobody. Nobody's ever came home after school after the big game with they trophy like, yo, check it out. I struggle 12 times. For more on this story, we turn to Desi Lighter. Desi.

[Desi Lydic]

How you been, baby?

[Ronny Chieng]

Good to see you.

[Roy Wood Jr.]

Now, Desi, we've been talking about this story around the building all week, and I know you'll agree with me. The whole thing. The whole thing on this issue comes down to one word, and that word is racism. I'm sorry, but you think this is

[Desi Lydic]

racism, Roy, I know racism when I see it, and this is textbook racism. A mostly white team getting an invite to the White House for losing is white privilege at its most insidious. If I may quote Malcolm X.

[Roy Wood Jr.]

No, you. No, no, no, no, no. Yes, you may. You may not quote Malcolm.

[Desi Lydic]

Got it. Got it.

[Roy Wood Jr.]

I hear what you're saying, Desi, but this is clearly sexism. This offer. This would have never happened in men's sports, but women are expected to get along and to share the prize simply because they're women. If I could quote the great Gloria Steinem.

[Ronny Chieng]

Gloria Steinem.

[Desi Lydic]

New look, Roy, it is racist to honor white losers the same as black winners. Trust me, I have a unique perspective on race as a person talking to a black man right now.

[Roy Wood Jr.]

Deji, let me explain to you how internalized sexism works. Let me explain sexism to you, Dr. Gay. Jill Biden treated these adult women like a bunch of high schoolers who all had to be invited to the slumber party no matter what. That's not what you do. And I know what I'm talking about because I watched Handmaiden's Tale a couple seasons. That's the name of it. Is it Handmaid's or Handmaiden's Tale? Which one is it?

[Desi Lydic]

I don't know. I only watch Atlanta. Okay, look, whether it's racism or sexism, and it's racism, I think we can both agree on two things. One, I know all the lyrics to Gangsta's Paradise. And two, this was not Jill Biden's finest moment.

[Roy Wood Jr.]

Yes, Dr. Jill Biden.

[Ronny Chieng]

Yes. Yes.

[Roy Wood Jr.]

Dr. Jill Biden made a mistake. Maybe next year the White House should have Vice President Kamala Harris extend the invite. You know, another strong woman. A strong black woman who made us herstory.

[Desi Lydic]

Not to mention she knows how to kick it at the cookout.

[Jordan Klepper]

Naw.

[Desi Lydic]

I mean,

[Roy Wood Jr.]

That's right, girl boss.

[Ronny Chieng]

Yeah.

[Desi Lydic]

Yeah.

[Roy Wood Jr.]

Give it all. Desi Laddick, everybody.

[Ronny Chieng]

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.

[Roy Wood Jr.]

This has been a Comedy Central podcast.