The Daily Show: Ears Edition — “The Precap | Ronny Chieng — It’s Always Epstein Week”

Date: November 17, 2025
Host: Nicole Conlon
Guest Host: Ronny Chieng

Episode Overview

This special “Precap” edition features Daily Show writer Nicole Conlon in conversation with the week’s guest host Ronny Chieng. Broadcasting from Miami (for Ronny) and New York (for Nicole), they preview upcoming show topics and reflect on the biggest news stories of the week, blending sharp comedic commentary with genuine political insight. Topics range from the government shutdown fallout, Epstein emails, and the death of the penny to quirky viral moments and global headlines like a possible conflict in Venezuela and Mr. Beast’s new Saudi theme park.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Ronny’s Miami Musings and Becoming American

• Ronny’s Impressions of Miami (01:35–03:15):
  • Views Miami as a city of contrasts — wealthy yet shady, full of institutions but also the “underbelly” seen in pop culture (e.g. Scarface, Cocaine Cowboys).
  • Now that he’s become an American citizen, he observes US cities and politics with an “anthropological” eye.

“Miami is an interesting American city...it looks like a city of immigrants, but it’s also a city of MAGA. It’s a city of law and order…and it’s also cocaine cowboy/Scarface/Godfather II.”
— Ronny Chieng (02:04)

2. U.S. Government Shutdown: Democrats Cave, the Filibuster, and Flight Chaos

The Longest Shutdown Ever (03:33–10:42):

• General Sentiment: Both Ronny and Nicole see political apathy among the public, with only major events like the shutdown affecting regular people (e.g. air traffic control chaos).
• Democrats’ Dilemma (05:07–05:32):
  • Nicole: “So, the Democrat motto is all pain, no gain.”
• Blame Split (05:28–06:09):
  • Nicole notes poll data: 52% blame Republicans/Trump, 42% blame Democrats.
• The Filibuster Debate (06:09–07:12):
  • Ronny highlights the GOP’s surprising reluctance to end the filibuster even when they could gain an advantage, seeing it as “holding onto vestiges of institutional democracy.”
• Systemic Dysfunction (07:12–08:21):
  • Ronny references the intentional inefficiency of the US system: “America’s government is inefficient by design...no one person can quickly seize power.”
• Air Traffic and Essential Services (08:30–10:42):
  • Both agree air traffic control should be deemed essential.
  • Ronny shares his touring struggles:

    “As someone who was flying regularly during the shutdown, it was like, book five flights and see which one goes.” (09:31–10:09)

3. Epstein Email Revelations: Headline and Fatigue

New Bombshells...Sort Of (11:54–15:21):

• Reactions to the “Epstein Drop” (12:03–13:52):
  • Nicole: “They're just, like, kind of weird.”
  • Ronny: “Is it crazy enough to stop anybody? Because it seems like the American public has either a high tolerance for nonsense now or a low trust of what’s in it.”
  • Commentary on Trump’s long, public links to Epstein — none of these facts budge public opinion.
• The Never-Ending Headlines (14:12–15:09):
  • Nicole: “I used to wait for a new album from my favorite band, now I can’t wait for the new Epstein drop.”
  • Ronny: “It’s never good. It’s never profound. It just makes you sick.”

4. The Penny Is Gone: End of an Era

US Stops Minting the Penny (15:21–18:59):

• Practical Impact:
  • Ronny: “I moved to America in 2015. I have not used a single coin in 10 years.”
• International Comparison: Singapore eliminated its penny two decades ago — no public uproar.
• Green Energy Angle (17:52–18:09):
  • Nicole: “Maybe this is a move for green energy, because we need all that copper for our grid.”
• Pennies as Souvenirs (18:18–18:59):
  • They joke about policing penny-smashing machines at tourist attractions.

5. The “Fedora Detective” at the Louvre

A Viral Moment (19:03–21:28):

• Ronny and Nicole riff on a 15-year-old French boy, Pedro Elias Garzon Delvo, dressing like a noir detective and (almost, but not quite) being in the right place for a Louvre heist.

“Shout out to anyone who’s dressing up these days. Bring back some class.”
— Ronny Chieng (19:40)

• Nicole jokes: “He’s going to solve the Epstein files.”

6. Epstein Files: Will Congress Finally Release Them?

Political Theater and Partisan Branding (22:22–27:13):

• Upcoming Vote: The House is expected to vote on releasing more Epstein files after swearing in a new member.
• Republican Messaging:
  • Ronny: “It’s never infrastructure week, but it’s always Epstein week.” (23:43)
  • Nicole: “Republicans have spent…years cultivating the QAnon-type person...” (24:46)
  • The paradox: Republicans own the “anti-pedophile” issue, while Democrats failed to act when they had opportunity.
• Optimism (or Not) for Action:
  • Ronny: “It sounds like they have the numbers and the political will to release [the] Epstein files this week.”
  • Nicole and Ronny both express skepticism, given the pattern of delay and avoidance.

7. Potential US–Venezuela Conflict

Rumors of War (27:19–31:41):

• Trump and cabinet members are making noise about military actions in Venezuela, specifically to combat “narco-terrorists.”
• Ronny reflects on the futility and insanity of “extrajudicial killings,” questioning if unilateral action is justified.

“You don’t do extrajudicial killings because you don’t know who you’re killing...that’s why you kind of need the justice system.”
— Ronny Chieng (31:20)

• Nicole: “If we go to war with Venezuela, everybody will stop talking about Epstein.”

8. Mr. Beast Opens ‘Beastland’ Theme Park in Saudi Arabia

Entertainment and Safety Worries (31:41–34:41):

• Mr. Beast opens a stunt-inspired theme park requiring on-site divers, firefighters, and EMTs.
• Ronny: “I actually thought it would be pretty safe until he said that.”
• Nicole, dryly: “If I went to an amusement park and they were like, ‘Don’t worry, we have a full rescue team, including divers on staff,’ I’d be like, I'm not going.”

9. Daily Show & Tell: Recommendations

Ronny Chieng (36:01–39:51):

• Recently finished reading 1776 by David McCullough, reflecting on how recent US crises pale compared to the existential struggles the US faced in its founding.

“Whatever moment we live in that we think is the most important...in 50, 100 years, it’s going to be something else completely.”
— Ronny Chieng (39:38)

Nicole Conlon (39:59–40:42):

• Recommends the detective show Ludwig starring David Mitchell (available on Britbox/Amazon), praising his comedic and dramatic talents.

Notable & Memorable Quotes

• On Political Dysfunction

  “America’s government is inefficient by design…so no one person can quickly seize power and destroy that, take over everything.”
  — Ronny Chieng (07:25)

• On Party Politics & Messaging

  “So, the Democrat motto is all pain, no gain.”
  — Nicole Conlon (05:28)

• On Viral Fame

  “Shout out to anyone who’s dressing up these days. Like, come on. Bring back some class.”
  — Ronny Chieng (19:40)

• On Theme Park Safety

  “I actually thought it would be pretty safe until he said that [about the rescue team].”
  — Ronny Chieng (33:14)

Important Timestamps

| Timestamp (MM:SS) | Segment Description | |-------------------|---------------------------------------------------------| | 01:08–03:33 | Miami: Ronny’s impressions & anthropological perspective| | 03:33–10:42 | Government shutdown: politics, public impact, flights | | 11:54–15:21 | Epstein emails: headline fatigue, political inertia | | 15:21–18:59 | The penny eliminated: practical and cultural effects | | 19:03–21:28 | Fedora detective at the Louvre | | 22:22–27:13 | Epstein files: impending Congressional vote | | 27:19–31:41 | Venezuela: talk of military action, Ronny’s skepticism | | 31:41–34:41 | Mr. Beast’s ‘Beastland’ and safety concerns | | 36:01–39:51 | Show & Tell: Book and TV recommendations |

Final Thoughts

Blending their trademark blend of humor and sharp social commentary, Nicole Conlon and Ronny Chieng dissect the news of the week, highlighting the ironies and dysfunctions of American politics, the fatigue of endless scandals, and the small but telling changes in American life (like losing the penny). The episode closes on a reflective note about historical perspective and the fleeting nature of today’s crises — all with plenty of quotable one-liners.

For full context and comedy, catch Ronny Chieng hosting The Daily Show this week.