TikTok Shutdown Looms, Israel - Hamas Ceasefire Agreement, and Trump-Style Lawyers | ALOK

Summary

The Daily Show: Ears Edition – Episode Summary

Title: TikTok Shutdown Looms, Israel - Hamas Ceasefire Agreement, and Trump-Style Lawyers | ALOK
Release Date: January 16, 2025
Host: Jordan Klopper, Michael Kosta, and Alok
Guests: Alok (Comedian, Actor, and Poet)

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1. Introduction

The episode kicks off with Jordan Klopper introducing the show and its hosts, Michael Kosta and Alok. The trio sets the stage for a night filled with pressing global issues, technological upheavals, political drama, and an exclusive interview with Alok about his new comedy special.

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2. Historic Ceasefire Between Israel and Hamas

Alok opens the discussion with the groundbreaking news of a ceasefire and hostage deal between Israel and Hamas, emphasizing its historical significance.

Alok [00:30]: “At long last, I can announce a ceasefire. And a hostage deal has been reached between Israel and Hamas. Whoa. Yeah. What a historic moment.”

Michael Kosta highlights President Joe Biden's adept handling of the situation, suggesting it positions him favorably for upcoming elections.

Michael Kosta [00:30]: “Joe Biden articulately got through a sentence and also a ceasefire. And the timing couldn't be better for Biden. There's still time for him to win Michigan.”

The team underscores the importance of closely monitoring the developments of this ceasefire, signaling its potential long-term impact on regional stability.

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3. TikTok Shutdown and Emerging Alternatives

The conversation swiftly transitions to the looming federal ban on TikTok, set to take effect imminently, raising alarms among millions of American users.

Alok expresses his disdain and highlights the absurdity of banning such a popular app.

Alok [01:46]: “TikTok is the hottest app in the US and next week, it's gone.”

Jordan Klopper provides the factual backdrop, mentioning the Supreme Court's anticipated support for the ban's constitutionality.

Jordan Klopper [01:54]: “A federal ban on this popular Chinese-owned app is set to take effect on Sunday.”

Michael Kosta elaborates on the government's rationale, accusing TikTok of posing national security threats by allegedly stealing user data.

Michael Kosta [01:58]: “The argument from the US government is that TikTok presents a national security risk and that the Chinese-owned company is stealing user data.”

Amid speculations of a ban, the hosts discuss potential American buyers who might save TikTok by acquiring it. Names like Elon Musk and Mr. Beast come up as frontrunners, injecting a mix of hope and humor into the scenario.

Alok [03:15]: “Mr. Beast has joined the bid to buy TikTok.”

Alok [03:31]: “I actually heard myself say, man, I hope that TikTok goes to someone sane like Mr. Beast.”

Michael Kosta introduces additional potential buyers, including former Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin and Shark Tank star Kevin O'Leary, adding layers to the unfolding saga.

Michael Kosta [03:19]: “Former Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin previously launched an effort to buy it.”

The discussion takes a satirical turn as Alok speculates about Donald Trump's unexpected role in potentially saving the app, despite his previous attempts to ban it.

Alok [03:38]: “The wild card, Donald Trump. Now, he tried to ban TikTok during his first term, but he's now trying to save the app.”

TikTok Users’ Reactions and Migration to Alternatives:

As the ban approaches, users flock to alternative Chinese apps like RedNote and Lemon8. Alok mocks the irony of Americans adopting platforms with ties to the Chinese Communist Party.

Alok [05:48]: “You told Americas they couldn't see China anymore, and now they're running off to Vegas with it.”

Michael Kosta notes the cultural resilience he observes among Chinese users on RedNote, contrasting it with American society's struggles.

Michael Kosta [06:56]: “Most of these Chinese people, they look so much less traumatized than most Americans.”

The hosts humorously compare commodity prices in China versus the U.S., using corn prices as an example to highlight economic disparities.

Michael Kosta [07:38]: “Corn on the cob, 94 cents. What would it be here in America, you might ask? $7?”

Jordan Klopper introduces a fictional TikTok alternative, Psyop, satirizing concerns over data privacy and governmental surveillance.

Jordan Klopper [09:00]: “It's called Psyop, and it's the best app yet.”

The segment concludes with playful banter about the perceived invasiveness of these new platforms, blending humor with critical commentary on data privacy issues.

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4. Special Prosecutor Jack Smith's Report on Trump

The show shifts focus to the political arena, delving into Special Prosecutor Jack Smith's damning report on former President Donald Trump’s attempts to overturn the 2020 election results.

Alok summarizes the gravity of Smith's findings, asserting that Trump attempted to retain power through illicit means.

Alok [12:06]: “Smith writes, quote, when it became clear Mr. Trump had lost the election and that lawful means of challenging the election results had failed, he resorted to a series of criminal efforts to retain power... No man in this country is above the law.”

Despite the serious revelations, the hosts employ humor to critique the legal and political ramifications, suggesting that Trump’s maneuvering might inspire similar strategies among law firms.

Alok [13:13]: “It's a strategy that law firms might start picking up soon.”

Michael Kosta promotes a fictional service, "James and Carino," poking fun at the legal industry's potential for exploiting political chaos.

Michael Kosta [13:13]: “If you're in legal trouble... call James and Carino. We'll keep you out of prison a better way by getting you elected President.”

The segment satirizes the intertwining of law and politics, highlighting the absurdity of circumventing legal accountability through presidential aspirations.

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5. Exclusive Interview with Alok on His Comedy Special "Biology"

The latter half of the episode features an in-depth interview with Alok, whose new comedy special, "Biology," takes center stage.

Celebrating "Biology":

Jordan Klopper welcomes Alok and congratulates him on his debut special.

Alok [15:44]: “Welcome. First of all, congratulations on your first comedy special. How's it feel?”

Alok shares his mixed emotions, blending humor with personal anecdotes about preparing for live performance while dealing with illness.

Michael Kosta [16:12]: “I just look at myself and I'm like, bitch, yeah. Yeah, you did it. It also feels kind of traumatizing because I have a yellow tongue in it from taking cough drops before.”

Exploring Themes of Vulnerability and Humor:

Alok discusses the delicate balance of showcasing vulnerability on stage, emphasizing the therapeutic role of humor in confronting personal and societal issues.

Alok [17:03]: “We should be talking about the fact that we're all gonna die. Yeah. Talk to me about that death. Is it real?”

Philosophical Underpinnings:

Drawing inspiration from existential philosophy, Alok reflects on the human condition and the role of absurdism in fostering empathy and resilience.

Alok [19:43]: “If I were to make a pretentious reference, Albert Camus would talk about imagining Sisyphus happy...”

Humor as Resistance:

Alok eloquently articulates how humor serves as a form of resistance for marginalized communities, transforming oppression into comedic material that fosters survival and joy.

Michael Kosta [20:21]: “What's really frustrating is most people think that trans people are just snowflakes, humorless, hypersensitive...”

Combatting Authoritarianism with Laughter:

The conversation delves into the challenges posed by entities like Meta, with Alok contemplating the impact of hate speech and authoritarian influences on digital platforms.

Michael Kosta [23:36]: “What I started to realize is this was actually really brave because Meta is accusing us of misgendering a corporation...”

Collaboration with Christopher Guest:

Alok shares an anecdote about collaborating with renowned director Christopher Guest, highlighting the sacredness and dedication involved in creating his comedy special.

Michael Kosta [26:04]: “I was blown away.”

Alok [26:25]: “Christopher Guest to thank for that.”

Final Thoughts:

Alok concludes by emphasizing the transformative power of comedy, likening it to a sacred ritual that turns pain into beauty, and reinforcing the importance of authenticity in performance.

Michael Kosta [22:43]: “And so I actually think we just need to start being honest. We cannot combat a world that ritualizes lying with more lying.”

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6. Conclusion and Closing Remarks

As the episode winds down, the hosts recap the key discussions and encourage listeners to explore more content from "The Daily Show" across various platforms, including Comedy Central and Paramount+.

Jordan Klopper [28:20]: “Explore more shows from the Daily show podcast universe by searching the Daily Show...”

The episode concludes with a brief promotional segment for future content and support initiatives, maintaining the show's signature blend of humor and timely commentary.

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Notable Quotes with Timestamps:

• Alok [00:30]: “At long last, I can announce a ceasefire. And a hostage deal has been reached between Israel and Hamas. Whoa. Yeah. What a historic moment.”

• Alok [03:15]: “Mr. Beast has joined the bid to buy TikTok.”

• Alok [05:48]: “You told Americas they couldn't see China anymore, and now they're running off to Vegas with it.”

• Alok [09:00]: “It's called Psyop, as in psychological operation? What? No.”

• Alok [12:06]: “Smith writes, quote, when it became clear Mr. Trump had lost the election...”

• Alok [20:21]: “What's really frustrating is most people think that trans people are just snowflakes, humorless, hypersensitive.”

• Alok [26:25]: “Christopher Guest to thank for that.”

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Final Thoughts:

This episode of "The Daily Show: Ears Edition" masterfully intertwines humor with critical analysis of contemporary issues, from international conflicts and technological disruptions to political controversies and personal storytelling. Through engaging dialogue and sharp wit, hosts Jordan Klopper, Michael Kosta, and Alok provide listeners with a comprehensive and entertaining take on the events shaping our world.

Transcript

[Jordan Klopper]

You're listening to Comedy Central.

[Michael Kosta]

From the.

[Jordan Klopper]

Most trusted journalists at Comedy Central. It's America's only source for news. This is the Daily show with your host, Jordan Klopper.

[Alok]

Welcome to the Daily Show. We got so much to talk about tonight. Joe Biden gets a win, Jack Smith drops his receipts, and Americans are on the brink of losing their favorite way to waste time on the toilet. So let's get into headlines. Let's kick things off with the big news of the day. At long last, I can announce a ceasefire. And a hostage deal has been reached between Israel and Hamas. Whoa. Yeah. What a historic moment. Joe Biden articulately got through a sentence and also a ceasefire. And the timing couldn't be better for Biden. There's still time for him to win Michigan. So now we're in the early stages of figuring out what this means, and we'll be following it closely. But for now, let's talk about another crisis just as serious as what's happening in the Middle East. I'm talking about TikTok, aka the reason your thumb is so frickin jacked. I find that genuinely disturbing. TikTok is the hottest app in the US and next week, it's gone.

[Michael Kosta]

First, a story that is on a lot of people's minds this morning. The looming shutdown of TikTok here in the U.S. yeah.

[Alok]

A federal ban on this popular Chinese.

[Jordan Klopper]

Owned app is set to take effect on Sunday.

[Michael Kosta]

The argument from the US government that.

[Alok]

TikTok presents a national security risk and.

[Michael Kosta]

That the Chinese owned company is stealing user data. Y'all, we are so indescribably cooked.

[Alok]

I know. The government's argument is, oh, we wanna protect your data. You and the data bitch. The United States has done a lot of stupid things. This has to be number one. That's the number one worst thing. I mean, we did slavery in America. I mean, let's at least call it a tie, shall we? TikTok users are upset, but there's not much they can do. Congress passed a bill, the President signed it, and the Supreme Court seems ready to rule that the ban is constitutional, which I don't think we can be surprised by because this is not exactly TikTok's core demographic. They're more of a Walgreens app type of crowd. They're old and sickly is what I'm saying. I mean, the last time the Supreme Court heard the sound tick tick was when death was following RBG around. Although there's still a chance that TikTok can be saved before The Costco guys are euthanized on Sunday, so TikTok would be allowed to keep operating if it's sold to an American owner. And there's no shortage of interest.

[Michael Kosta]

New names are surfacing as potential buyers for the platform, including Elon Musk.

[Alok]

Mr. Beast has joined the bid to buy TikTok.

[Michael Kosta]

Former Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin previously launched an effort to buy it. And Shark Tank star Kevin O'Leary says he and other investors are also making a play.

[Alok]

Yes, there is still a chance TikTok could be sold to one of America's many rich weirdos. Apparently, Lex Luthor wasn't available. So this is the best America has to offer. I mean, I actually heard myself say, man, I hope that TikTok goes to someone sane like Mr. Beast. I mean, can't there be one cool potential buyer? Shaquille O'Neal, I'm talking to you. Stop buying so many Papa John's franchises and get real about your investment future. The trad wives and the big headed bitches with the trench coats buttoned up to the top need you. But if no American buyer emerges, there's still one more wildcard. The wild card, Donald Trump. Now, he tried to ban TikTok during his first term, but he's now trying to save the app. And you'll. You'll never guess why he had a change of heart.

[Michael Kosta]

I have a warm spot in my.

[Alok]

Heart for TikTok because I won youth by 34 points. And there are those that say that TikTok had something to do with that. I was on TikTok for the election and I won the young people by 36 points. I'm not opposed to TikTok. That's right. TikTok helped Trump. So now TikTok is good. And by the way, if you're wondering whether Trump won the youth vote by 34 points or 36 points, the answer is he lost the youth vote by 11 points. Slight. Just a slight discrepancy right there. Basically the same thing. All this is up in the air, but TikTok users are not waiting around to find out how this is going to play out.

[Michael Kosta]

Amid fear a TikTok ban could take effect later this week, some Americans flocking to Chinese apps like RedNote, I'm a TikTok refugee. And Lemon8, both apps have similarities to TikTok. And Lemon8 shares a parent company, ByteDance. RedNote is owned and operated by the Chinese Communist Party, and users must agree to adhere to the Chinese constitution, practice socialist values, and promote the traditional culture of China.

[Alok]

Yeah. Good job, U.S. government. You told Americas they couldn't see China anymore, and now they're running off to Vegas with it. I mean, this has gotta be so frustrating for Kamala. She just spent a whole election fighting accusations that she's a socialist, and now every American is like, I would literally pledge to be a Chinese socialist for a good TikTok replacement. Now the question is, why would Americans be so cavalier about the threat of China spying? Maybe it's because after years of receiving monthly emails about how every American company has lost or stolen our data, we've become cynical about the concept of privacy. Or maybe we actually get off on knowing China is spying on us the whole time. Maybe it's gotten so bad, I can't even enjoy a cat video anymore unless I know Xi Jinping is watching me from some digital cuck chair in the corner. So, looks like this new app, RedNote, is exploding. And the last time something from China went this viral was it's not important. When do you see what people are discovering once they're on it?

[Michael Kosta]

One thing that I've noticed since being on rednote for like the last two days is how much more advanced the Chinese culture is than what I had in my brain. Most of these Chinese people, they look so much less traumatized than most Americans. I am no longer convinced that we are living in a first world country. While lurking on Red Note, I found out about this car.

[Alok]

We can't sell this car because it's Chinese. Look how cute it is. They sell in Pink.

[Michael Kosta]

It's like $15,000, which is affordable.

[Jordan Klopper]

I made a new bestie.

[Michael Kosta]

She ended up going to the market and sent me a picture of her local market. Corn on the cob, 94 cents. What would it be here in America, you might ask? $7? Is this what they don't want us to know?

[Alok]

That's not a good sign for America. I was made to think a communist dictator was bad, but check out these corn prices. Daddy likey. Come on, America, fight back. If Chinese people show you their cheap corn, you show them our robust free press, ok? Or you show them our fair and impartial justice. Not that. Okay, Dave and Busters. Show them our Dave and Busters. Hell yeah. In your commie faces. For more on all the TikTok alternatives, let's go live to Beijing with Michael Kosta. Michael. Michael. What do you think about apps like Lemonade and Red Note?

[Jordan Klopper]

Jordan, those apps are as useless as Grindr. None of the dudes I met on Grindr even knew how to grind Pesto at all. Great sex, though. Luckily, I found a new TikTok alternative. It's called Psyop, and it's the best app yet.

[Alok]

The app is called Psyop, as in psychological operation? What? No.

[Jordan Klopper]

Why do people keep asking that? It's just a great app that my camp counselors here have assured me is all for fun.

[Alok]

What is that about a camp?

[Jordan Klopper]

Well, the app is a bit complicated, and there is a learning curve, of course. So I had to educate myself, which is why I'm here at the Psyop Re education camp for a few weeks to learn the user interview interface and the brilliant philosophies of Chairman Mao.

[Alok]

Kosta. Kosta. You're clearly being groomed into a spy.

[Jordan Klopper]

You know, they told me the haters would say that. But, Jordan, don't be such a Wong ba Dang. They're just showing me how to use the app, and they're teaching me English.

[Alok]

No. You already speak English?

[Jordan Klopper]

No, it turns out there's tons of words I didn't know. Strychnine, ricin, hydrogen cyanide. And this is all helping me to become a better influencer so I can make funny dances. Take down the electrical grid.

[Alok]

Take down the electrical grid?

[Jordan Klopper]

I didn't say take down the electrical grid. The point is, forget TikTok. Everybody needs to get on PSYOP now. I mean, it has the best features, it's easy to upload, and you can record anytime because the mic never shuts off. It keeps track of your location data and all the conversations you've had with elected officials. It's very convenient if you're a busy dad like me who's swamped with soccer practice and taking down the electrical grid.

[Alok]

Acosta. Acosta. Buddy, you've lost your mind.

[Jordan Klopper]

On the contrary. Corrupt capitalist swine. I haven't lost my mind. I've gained tons of followers. Commandment Ping, First Lieutenant Yao, Katy Perry. Hold on. Just gotta block her. Hold on.

[Alok]

Michael. Michael, don't you want a social media platform that isn't stripping you of all your personal information and influencing you into carrying out the agenda of authoritarian rulers? Hmm.

[Jordan Klopper]

You're right. I guess I'll get back on X and Facebook and Instagram.

[Alok]

You know what? Nevermind. Tell me more about this app.

[Jordan Klopper]

Oh, dude, you gotta get on. Jordan. We can be friends. Ben shizhi xiangshi. Zhang Gao shi ji.

[Alok]

What is that? Is that Mandarin? What's that mean?

[Jordan Klopper]

I don't know, but the voice in my head keeps yelling it.

[Alok]

Okay, yeah. Michael Costa, everybody. When we come back, we bring Donald Trump to justice. Don't go away. Welcome back to the Daily Show. Donald Trump becomes president on Monday, but that hasn't stopped Jack Smith, the special prosecutor and son of Kevin McAlister's scary neighbor. Yesterday, he released this, his special report on Trump trying to overturn the results of the 2020 election. And it's very damning. Special counsel Jack Smith, in a new report, is calling out President Elect Trump.

[Jordan Klopper]

And bluntly stating he brought the case.

[Michael Kosta]

Because he believed he would have gotten a conviction.

[Alok]

Smith writes, quote, when it became clear Mr. Trump had lost the election and that lawful means of challenging the election results had failed, he resorted to a series of criminal efforts to retain power, suggesting that Trump's actions warranted prosecution, saying that no man in this country is.

[Michael Kosta]

So high that he is above the law.

[Alok]

That's right. You hear that, Mr. Trump? No man, and I mean no man, is above the law. Jack Smith resigned Friday night, and there will be no prosecution. All right, one man is above the law. But that doesn't mean this report is useless. No, we can. We can frame it and we can put it on our wall, and we can pretend it had meaningful results, like we do with our liberal arts degrees. And is democracy wildly unstable? Sure. You know what isn't? A wobbly table after I jam this report under one of its short legs. But it seems like Trump's election has allowed him to avoid accountability for all of his crimes. It's a strategy that law firms might start picking up soon.

[Michael Kosta]

Are you in legal trouble? Are you facing life in the slammer? Is your lawyer trying to win your case in court? Then ditch that loser and call James and Carino. We'll keep you out of prison a better way by getting you elected President.

[Alok]

Of the United States. Here's how it works.

[Michael Kosta]

Step one, we gather evidence. Step two, we toss that shit in the trash and get you on a plane to Michigan. We'll get you lawn signs, campaign rallies, national TV ads of you hugging your family. Don't have a family.

[Alok]

We'll get you one. And while you run for president, we'll.

[Michael Kosta]

Use your campaign to delay your trial. Your Honor, my client is preparing for a national debate. He does not have time for this parking ticket. This case is for murder. Murder, ticket. Whatever.

[Alok]

He's busy.

[Michael Kosta]

And if somehow you aren't elected president, we'll just get you pardoned by the President. He's a former client, so stop trying to beat the law and start putting yourself above it.

[Alok]

Councillor, your client is clearly guilty. Well, well, well.

[Michael Kosta]

Looks like we just won Pennsylvania, you're free to go. Call 1-800-BE-Prez today we'll get you out of the big house and into the White House.

[Alok]

We come back. Alok will be joining me on the show don't go away.

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[Alok]

Welcome back to the Daily Show. My guest tonight is a comedian, actor and poet whose new comedy special is called Biology. Please welcome Alok. Welcome. First of all, congratulations on your first comedy special. How's it feel?

[Michael Kosta]

You know, it feels quite funny.

[Alok]

Does it?

[Michael Kosta]

I just look at myself and I'm like, bitch, yeah. Yeah, you did it. It also feels kind of traumatizing because I have a yellow tongue in it from taking cough drops before.

[Alok]

Oh, I thought that was a creative choice, you know.

[Michael Kosta]

No, I am a person of color, but I tend to go that far.

[Alok]

It's not that it feels like a vulnerable choice to show that you carry sickness into performance and you let us see that part of you.

[Michael Kosta]

Well, actually I was sick right before taping this and so I texted all my friends like, what do you do when you're sick and you have to be on live television? Maybe you'll be one of those people I text in the future.

[Alok]

Uh huh.

[Michael Kosta]

And everyone said like, go get an infusion.

[Alok]

Really?

[Michael Kosta]

So I just went to go get an infusion. They're like, what do you want to put in it? And I'm like, okay, give me the ego of a white man who thinks AI can end climate change. Like, put that in right there. Give me the confidence to do this.

[Alok]

Yeah. And then. And you perform with that kind of confidence and privilege. It's very nice.

[Michael Kosta]

Okay, Science matters.

[Alok]

I want this. You didn't. You didn't Necessarily come from a comedy background. Is that fair to say that?

[Michael Kosta]

Just ask me where I came from.

[Alok]

Oh, boy.

[Michael Kosta]

In this political climate.

[Alok]

I know, I'm sorry.

[Michael Kosta]

Are you going to ask me about my genitals next?

[Alok]

Well, that was. That was the four. I was gonna warm up to the genitals. I always like to end with a good classic genitals question. You know, everybody likes that.

[Michael Kosta]

That was just me kidding with you. I just know that your community is so worried about getting it wrong and potentially getting canceled.

[Alok]

Yes. We're just trying to be allies.

[Michael Kosta]

I can't imagine how difficult that must feel for you.

[Alok]

Do you understand the difficulty I'm having right now just trying to walk the road?

[Michael Kosta]

You're doing a really good job.

[Alok]

Thank you very much.

[Michael Kosta]

Your discomfort is valid. We're just afraid of being murdered. It's not the same. And I don't want to say that it's not the same.

[Alok]

You don't think I'm afraid of being murdered? I go to Trump rallies every other weekend. Come on. What I find really refreshing and interesting about this special. You deal with big issues. Yeah. But you also, you have a quota here. You said transphobia is merely a distraction from our shared humanity.

[Michael Kosta]

Yeah.

[Alok]

We should be talking about the fact that. That we're all gonna die. Yeah. Talk to me about that death. Is it real?

[Michael Kosta]

I don't know how else to tell you this, but, like, I'm gonna die and you're gonna die.

[Alok]

That's true.

[Michael Kosta]

And we've created an entire society that pretends that that's not the case, which is just ridiculous. So people keep on thinking that if they imbibe the blood of their, like, 18 year old son, that's gonna stave off death or find the next cryptocurrency or something. But you're gonna die. You know what I'm saying? So actually, the real biological truth in our society is our mortal. We're erasing biology. We're erasing biology. I'm like, mm, okay, maybe, but just. You're pointing to the wrong thing.

[Alok]

Yeah.

[Michael Kosta]

And so, from the perspective of death, I believe that all living is just standup comedy because death's kind of looking at us being like, oh, my God, that's so funny and so cute that you think that, like, that new shoe is gonna prevent you from dying.

[Alok]

Yeah.

[Michael Kosta]

Silly little bitch. And so I kind of wanted to make a show that was basically about having to reckon with the fact that we waste so much of our time with absurd antics like hating other people, judging other people, when at the end of the day, we're all human, which means we're gonna die. And if we remember that, then we have the potential for profound empathy because we're all in this together.

[Alok]

Yeah, I love that. I love that there's something unifying about that absurdism.

[Michael Kosta]

Yeah.

[Alok]

Like, if I were to make a pretentious reference, Albert Camus would talk about imagining Sisyphus happy, that it's an absurd life that we lead. Can you just give me my space? Will you give me my space?

[Michael Kosta]

Sorry.

[Alok]

Camus would say, imagine Sisyphus happy as he pushes this rock up, because all of existence is inherently meaningless. And so reckon with that and then connect with your neighbors.

[Michael Kosta]

I identify as a pretentious piece of shit.

[Alok]

So do I.

[Michael Kosta]

You are speaking my love language right now. I'm like Kamui the goat, you know?

[Alok]

I want to quote you back at yourself, and I want you to talk about this, too. You also say humorlessness is what loses any campaign for social change. Talk to me about that.

[Michael Kosta]

What's really frustrating is most people think that trans people are just snowflakes, humorless, hypersensitive. But if you spend a couple of centuries surviving attempted eradication, you get kind of bored with being depressed. It's just a major buzzkill, you know? So then you just have a lot of time on your hand to do something else. And so you start, like, cracking jokes or whatever to survive. And then you begin to realize, actually, maybe part of the oppression is keeping you miserable, because whenever you're in a space that's comedic, that's a space of possibility and expansion. And so what I started to realize in my own life was there are powers that be that want me to hate myself and to be sad. And what's profoundly rebellious when you're a marginalized person is recognizing that people might have the ability to take your rights, they might have the ability to take away your safety, but they can't take away your joy. And so what humor has become for me is a practice of resistance, of saying, oh, you're oppressing me. Thank you so much for the comedic material. You are gonna keep me gainfully employed.

[Alok]

You see that? It's no secret. A lot of people do feel scared right now. They feel like it's a time for social change activist movements, and I think they can be called. They don't see a space for humor. Do you fear that the people who are looking to make a change in the next regime, whether it's this next administration or just the time that we're in, that they will Lose that sense of humor and, in fact, lose some power with that.

[Michael Kosta]

Hmm. Yes, I do fear that.

[Alok]

Yeah.

[Michael Kosta]

But then I hang out with my friends, and I think that there's two conversations happening in this country. There's the conversation we're having with the people that we love, and then the performance bit we have to put on. And what I noticed in my own career is I was afraid that people would not take seriously the critiques I had if I showed how funny I was, which is so ironic. Like, here I was of being like, I came out of the closet when I was 18, and then I was closeted as a funny person, which is way harder, actually. You just constantly have to repress yourself. And then I started to realize this is dishonest, because with my friends, humor is the first point of activation on how we process our worlds. And so what my standup became was an imprint of the jokes. I was templating first with my friends. It's so annoying. I take out my iPhone, I'm like, I am really funny. I just said this, and then I don't remember the context with which I said that, and it's no longer funny.

[Alok]

Right.

[Michael Kosta]

And so I actually think we just need to start being honest. We cannot combat a world that ritualizes lying with more lying. The only way is to operate at a different frequency. And what I think is so honest to the human condition is that at every funeral, someone cracks a joke, and that joke allows people to feel deeper. And if we forget that truth, we forget who we are.

[Alok]

You speak about that. You speak about death a lot. It's funny you say this. Eric Idle was here from Monty Python a month ago saying that exact same thing. The humor that you find in death in funerals is sort of our humanity. Looking at the news right now, places like Meta, we see what's happening with Mark Zuckerberg and the threat of a mag administration, and they're removing any kind of guardrails they had towards hate speech. How do we combat something like that in your mind?

[Michael Kosta]

So I'm really honest with you. You've caught me in January, and I take New Year's extremely seriously. So I listen to a lot of white women podcasts. What they have been teaching me is I need to manifest what I want to see in the world. And I don't really have space for negative vibes, like, no bad energy.

[Alok]

Okay. Mm.

[Michael Kosta]

So I read that news, and I was like, it's not why is this happening to me? It's why is this happening for me? You know? And so what I actually started to realize is this was actually really brave because Meta is accusing us of misgendering a corporation, which is extremely serious business. And when you really think about it, it's kind of trans. They're like, who you see me as is not who I actually want to be. Oh, it's like a gender reveal, actually.

[Alok]

Uh huh. Okay.

[Michael Kosta]

And, like, that is so powerful in this political climate. I was like, whoa. But then I started to do some research, and I found out that Meta is technically only 20 years old, and that's kind of young to be making such a serious decision. It might be.

[Alok]

That is. That is very. Yeah, I mean, they might not have the. They might not really know who they are at this point.

[Michael Kosta]

It might cause irreversible damage to democracies across the world. And usually I support freedom, except when it comes to that. You know, I was okay with the name change. You know, call me Meta. I was. Okay, I can do that. But this. This just feels like too much.

[Alok]

Yeah.

[Michael Kosta]

But then back to the podcast. I was like, no, no, no. Positive thinking. Positive thinking. No space for negativity. I was like, Mark Zuckerberg is saying masculine energy. Imagine a white man 40 years ago saying masculine energy. Okay. Masculine energy. That is the accomplishment of the transgender movement. All right. We are setting the terms of the debate.

[Alok]

Sure.

[Michael Kosta]

I feel like he lifted that from a Tumblr post of mine from 2011. Masculine energy. Like, what the. What the does that mean? All right. So then I started to realize, like, we might not be winning the short term thing, but we're winning the long term thing, because even the rhetoric and the language they're using to oppress us is our own. And that's kind of sweet. Like, what? My hope for the Trump administration is that they're gonna take this trend and they're gonna not deport migrants. They're gonna make migrants hold space for the lyrics of Proud to be an American.

[Alok]

Wow. You have really an optimistic eye towards what's gonna happen these next few months.

[Michael Kosta]

I'm just saying.

[Alok]

Tell me. There's a name on here that's very exciting to see as well. Your special is executive produced by Christopher Guest.

[Michael Kosta]

Yes.

[Alok]

How did that come about?

[Michael Kosta]

Okay, so here's the thing. I asked him to direct, and he said, alok, we both know you could do a better job directing than me, which is the first time in history that a British man has ever said that to an Indian person. Yeah.

[Alok]

Wow. Sure.

[Michael Kosta]

I was blown away.

[Jordan Klopper]

My God.

[Michael Kosta]

Yes. I felt like my ancestral. He. I was like, whoa, I will take.

[Alok]

It from you, Chris.

[Michael Kosta]

And so I said, but, like, I want to learn from you. Like, I want to, like. And he's like, I have nothing to teach. And so I said, okay, tell me stories about what it was like to be on set. And then that's where the wisdom came. It's just from his storytelling.

[Alok]

Yeah.

[Michael Kosta]

And when he was speaking to me, he really, I think, spoke to something I truly believe, which is the kind of sacredness of comedy, that comedy actually is a sacred ritual where we can alchemize and detoxify things that are so profoundly painful and turn them into something beautiful and bountiful. And he said to me, there's gonna be a knowing in you that a lot of people are going to doubt, but only you can make that decision. Which is how I justified spending hundreds of hours making every single editing decision in my own special. I was looking at every single camera angle and making every single choice, and my manager was like, do other things. And I was like, this is anti religious because this is a sacred practice for me right now. So I have Christopher Guest to thank for that.

[Alok]

Well, it's a truly remarkable special. I hope people go out and see it. Biology is available now to Stream [e-mail] Alok we're going to take a quick break. Be right back after this. That's our show for tonight, but before we go, please consider supporting the California Fire Foundation. They are on the ground working with local fire agencies and community organizations to provide support to impacted residents. If you can, please donate at the link below. Now, here it is. Your moment is end.

[Michael Kosta]

Just a solito asking why users can't just take to a different app. You know, I'm just wondering whether this is like somebody's attachment to an old article of clothing. I mean, I really love this old.

[Alok]

Shirt because I've been wearing this old.

[Michael Kosta]

Shirt, but I could go out and buy something exactly like that, but no, I like the old shirt.

[Alok]

Is that what we have here?

[Jordan Klopper]

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.

[Alok]

Paramount Podcasts.