Trump Dumps Toxic Ballroom Debris on Golf Course & DJ Marco Rubio Loves 90s Rap | Marla Mindelle

Summary

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The Daily Show: Ears Edition – Episode Summary

Episode Title: Trump Dumps Toxic Ballroom Debris on Golf Course & DJ Marco Rubio Loves 90s Rap | Marla Mindelle
Date: May 7, 2026
Host: Comedy Central (with Desi Lydic, Michael Kosta, Troy Iwata, and others)
Guest: Marla Mindelle (Tony-nominated star and co-creator of Titanique)

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Episode Overview

This episode of The Daily Show delivers its signature sharp, satirical take on the latest U.S. headlines, focusing on Trump’s controversial ballroom project and its environmental consequences, Marco Rubio’s penchant for 90s rap references in diplomacy, and ethics scandals in Congress. Later, the team hits the streets to discuss the upcoming national time capsule, reflecting Americans’ cynicism and hope. Finally, Broadway’s Marla Mindelle joins to discuss “Titanique,” her musical parody mashing up Titanic and Celine Dion. Throughout, the tone is irreverent, witty, and self-aware.

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Key Segments & Discussion Points

1. War with Iran – “A One-Page Memo”

[01:28 – 04:19]

• The U.S.-Iran war, initially projected as brief, drags into week nine.
• White House claims a "one page memo" might end the war. Satirical confusion over the brevity and efficiency:
  • “How can Trump end a war with less paperwork than it took me to end my Planet Fitness membership?” – Comedy Central Host [02:23]
• Concerns about Trump’s trustworthiness in deals are lampooned.

Notable Quotes:

• Michael Kosta (as Marco Rubio):
  “The time's come for Iran to make a sensible choice … because the top people in that government are, to say the least... they’re insane in the brain.” [03:15]

• Comedy Central Host:
  "Really, Marco, a little inappropriate to be quoting old rap lyrics while you're talking about war." [03:29]

• Extended jokes about Rubio’s habit of peppering foreign policy statements with awkward 90s rap quotes:
  “They should check themselves before they wreck themselves. … We are dealing with people … that have spent most of their lives living in a gangster paradise.” – Michael Kosta as Marco Rubio [04:02]

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2. Trump’s Billion Dollar White House Ballroom & Toxic Fallout

[05:10 – 06:16]

• Senate Republicans seek $1 billion taxpayer dollars for Trump’s new White House ballroom, under the guise of “security enhancements.”
• Public disgust is a recurring punchline:
  • "People didn't even want the ballroom when he was building it for free. Now Trump's like, okay, I hear you, but what if it cost a billion dol." [05:17]
• Toxic soil from construction is dumped on a D.C. public golf course, posing health risks.

Notable Quotes:

• Comedy Central Host:
  "I can't believe I'm saying these words, but the toxic waste the president has dumped onto public grounds … could be very dangerous for golfers." [05:49]

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3. Capitol Scandal: Chuck Edwards’ Ethics Investigation

[06:26 – 11:30]

• Congressman Chuck Edwards is under investigation for inappropriate relationships with much younger female staffers.
• Details include gifts (jewelry, designer bags, a custom Adam Sandler puzzle) and awkward love letters.
• The hosts lambaste the misconduct, with satirical perspective on the nature of political creeps.

Notable Quotes & Highlights:

• Comedy Central Host:
  “A complex chapter in his heart. What a sophisticated way of saying me horny.” [07:27]
• Desi Lydic:
  “A creep who takes the time to make a custom puzzle of the Cobbler star, Adam Sandler isn’t just thinking with his penis. He’s thinking with this, his chest penis.” [09:38]
• Comedy Central Host:
  “I don’t think being a creep is okay as long as you give gifts.” [10:32]
• Satirical Report:
  “Normally this type of thing is dick pics, strip clubs … but a creep who makes a custom puzzle of Adam Sandler isn’t just thinking with his penis. He’s thinking with this—his chest penis.” [09:38]

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4. America’s 250th Birthday & the Time Capsule Project

[12:29 – 16:50]

• Troy Iwata hits the streets to ask what 2026 should preserve for future Americans in a new time capsule.
• Responses are mostly cynical or absurd—recommendations include feces, Lena Dunham’s memoir, a burning Cybertruck photo, and survival gear.
• The hosts joke about America’s possible decline, with nods to current events and pop culture references.

Notable Quotes:

• Street interviewee:
  "Why is 2026 the best year in American history to preserve for future generations?"
  "Because it's... It's not." [13:22]
• Comedy Central Host:
  "I'd say it's the worst.” [13:30]
• Troy Iwata:
  “Let’s be honest, they’ll probably bust this thing open in 65 years in desperate search for food.” [15:32]
• Collective 'apology letter' for the time capsule:
  "Dear future Americans … We're sorry that we made mistakes..."
  “We used to have trees.” [16:18]
  "Things can get better." [16:41]

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5. Interview: Marla Mindelle (“Titanique”)

[18:39 – 25:27]

• Marla Mindelle details “Titanique”—a musical parody combining Titanic and Celine Dion, recently landing four Tony nominations.
• Joyful discussion of how the show emerged from LA dinner theater, improvisation, and love for Celine.
• The cast includes Deborah Cox, Jim Parsons, Melissa Barrera, Constantine Rossuli, Ty Blue, Frankie Grande, and John Riddle.
• The show’s improvisational nature keeps it fresh, with new pop culture references each performance.

Notable Quotes & Moments:

• Comedy Central Host:
  “The show is so funny, particularly right now in this moment in time. It's an over the top, fun, hilarious party. Only it takes place on a sinking ship.” [20:11]
• Marla Mindelle on her Celine Dion impression:
  "She has, like, such a specific language ... She does a lot with the fingers ... She likes to conduct. She's always in disbelief. Oh, my God, it's good to see you. She'll find the camera. Oh, hey, girlfriend. It's me, Celine Dion." [21:22]
• Marla Mindelle on improvisation and origin:
  “We have a whole section of the show that is kind of fully improvised. … people would come back like 10, 12, 15 times because there’s a whole section that’s completely different, which is very different than a typical Broadway show.” [24:51]
• On working with friends:
  "I feel so blessed every single day that not only have I written something, but it's with all of my best friends ... coming to work is an act. Absolute joy." [24:05]

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Notable Timestamps

| Segment | Description | Timestamp | |----------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------|-------------| | Trump-Iran peace “memo” | One-page memo lampooned | 02:12–02:23 | | Marco Rubio’s 90s rap diplomacy | Rubio drops rap references, hosts react | 03:15–04:19 | | Trump ballroom toxic soil scandal | Health risks, satire on golf course fallout | 05:10–06:16 | | Chuck Edwards ethics scandal | Gifts, puzzle, “chest penis” gags, analysis | 06:26–11:30 | | America’s 250th time capsule | Street interviews, dark optimism, the apology letter bit | 12:29–16:50 | | Marla Mindelle ("Titanique") interview | Parody musical origin, Celine Dion impression, cast, joy | 18:39–25:27 |

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Memorable Moments & Quotes

• On politics & pop culture colliding:
  “We are now in week nine of our four week war with Iran and it hasn’t been going great. But this morning there was some unquestionably good news for anyone. Insider trading, the oil markets.” – Comedy Central Host [01:57]
• On government waste:
  "The toxic waste the president has dumped onto the public grounds from his demolition of the White House could be very dangerous for golfers. I hope everyone in the D.C. area keeps a safe distance." [05:49]
• Street-level American pessimism:
  “I was thinking like a pile of shit maybe.” – Interviewee (on what to put in the time capsule) [13:44]
• On surviving the present for the future:
  “Let’s be honest. They’ll probably bust this thing open in 65 years in desperate search for food.” – Troy Iwata [15:32]

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Tone & Style

• The episode is fast-paced, self-referential, and blends political satire with absurdist humor.
• Hosts riff off each other, maintaining a blend of biting commentary and playful banter.
• The interview segment provides a dose of sincere joy amid the cynicism, as Marla Mindelle’s passion and humor shine.

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Conclusion

For listeners seeking a rundown of the latest American absurdities—politics, scandals, environmental mishaps—seasoned with satirical bite and capped by a gleeful celebration of Broadway parody, this episode delivers. Even as the team mocks the chaos of 2026, their humor is sharp, their banter lively, and their optimism for the power of comedy infectious.

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Transcript

[Desi Lining]

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[Commercial Announcer]

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[Desi Lining]

You're listening to Comedy Central. From the most trusted journalists at Comedy Central. It's America's only source for news. This is the Daily show with your host, Desi Lining.

[Comedy Central Host]

Welcome to the Tammy Show. I'm Jesse Lydic. We've got so much to talk about tonight. Trump commits golf on golf crime. Marco Rubio gets his lamest job yet. And America's building a ballroom. And Mexico's paying for it. Just kidding. We're paying for it. We're always paying for it. But first, let's get into the latest in the war on Iran.

[Desi Lining]

Nothing bad can happen. It can only good happen.

[Comedy Central Host]

We are now in week nine of our four week war with Iran and it hasn't been going great. But this morning there was some unquestionably good news for anyone. Insider trading, the oil markets.

[Desi Lining]

And we do have breaking news this morning.

[Troy Iwata]

White House officials believe, quote, the U.S. and Iran are closing in on a one page memo to end the war.

[Comedy Central Host]

I'm sorry, a one page memoir. How can Trump end a war with less paperwork than it took me to end my Planet Fitness membership? Whoever wrote that memo, can you please organize all bachelorette trips? Can we actually, can we see a copy of this memo? I. I don't know. I don't know. I mean, is that really him? Yes. Okay, that's him. That's definitely him. Now, obviously this is far from a done deal since Iran does not seem to trust Donald Trump. Some say that's because Trump famously never honors his agreements, while others say, yup, that's it. What? The first guy said. But Secretary of State Marco Rubio has a more sophisticated explanation.

[Michael Kosta]

The times come for Iran to make a sensible choice, and it's not easy for them to do that, obviously, because the top people in that government are, to say the least. You know, they're insane in the brain.

[Comedy Central Host]

Really, Marco, a little inappropriate to be quoting old rap lyrics while you're talking about war. I mean, imagine your doctor telling you, if you're looking for the tumor on this scan, whoop, there it is. I'm afraid it's actually spread from the windows to the wall. The sweat dropped down my. But if you've been watching Marco Rubio for a long time, first of all, what is wrong with you? And second, you know that this is kind of his thing.

[Michael Kosta]

Every day, the Department of War lets the drummer get wicked over every portion of Iran. They should check themselves before they wreck themselves. If you don't know, now you know. We are dealing with people over there that have spent most of their lives living in a gangster paradise.

[Comedy Central Host]

I'm sorry. We're getting breaking news that rap is no longer cool. Marco, you've got to drop this. You're the Secretary of State, for Christ's sake, not some lame wedding dj. Marco Rubio clocking in for a shift as a wedding DJ over the weekend. Yeah, okay. All right. How is no one in this administration busy? Marco Rubio's DJing. Kash Patel is partying in locker rooms. RFK is working out with Kid Rock. Donald Trump has skipped scheduled nap times in the middle of meetings. Guys, you have to focus. We need to end this war. It is costing us billions of dollars a week. Surely there are more important things we could be spending money on.

[Commercial Announcer]

Senate Republicans are working to secure $1

[Comedy Central Host]

billion in taxpayer money for President Trump's

[Commercial Announcer]

White House ballroom, saying the money is for security enhancements.

[Comedy Central Host]

Ugh, not the ballroom again. People didn't even want the ballroom when he was building it for free. Now Trump's like, okay, I hear you, but what if it cost a billion dol. And if this ballroom story is making you sick, don't worry. It can also make you literally sick. Health concerns growing from President Trump's ballroom project. A new report showing soil taken from the White House construction project has tested

[Commercial Announcer]

positive for toxic chemicals.

[Desi Lining]

So that soil is dumped near one of the three golf courses at East Potomac.

[Comedy Central Host]

Oh, my God. These poor golfers. First, they can't even clap normally, and now this. I can't believe I'm saying these words, but the toxic waste the president has dumped onto the public grounds from his demolition of the White House could be very dangerous for golfers. I hope everyone in the D.C. area keeps a safe distance.

[Desi Lining]

D.C. news now is Daniel Hamburg joining us live at the golf course there in Southwest.

[Comedy Central Host]

And, Daniel, are there health and safety

[Commercial Announcer]

concerns at this point?

[Troy Iwata]

There are. Susan and Chris. Sure are.

[Comedy Central Host]

Susan and Chris, the toxic site you sent me to is indeed toxic. Really? Seems like the kind of thing we could have talked about in the studio. Anyone else taste blood? But let's move on from the golf course to something equally toxic. Chuck Edwards, North Carolina congressman and guy who's not bald, so stop asking. Turns out he's an big trouble.

[Commercial Announcer]

Yet another member of Congress facing a House Ethics Committee investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct. What sources described to me was inappropriate conduct that crossed the line. Representative Chuck Edwards had an inappropriate relationship with two young female staffers who were both in their 20s. Both of these relationships included love letters, personal gifts, personal travel. We saw Edwards write to the staffer that she was, quote, the most amazing woman, that she, quote, had written a complex chapter in his heart.

[Comedy Central Host]

A complex chapter in his heart. What a sophisticated way of saying me horny. But, yeah, yeah, I believe this guy is a creep. I mean, he's the kind of guy who's not wearing a fedora, but when you think of him later, he's wearing a fedora. Anyway, we know what his love letters were like, but gifts. Gifts were his real love language.

[Commercial Announcer]

He gave these two staffers jewelry, designer bags. One of the gifts was even a custom puzzle that when you assembled it, revealed a photo of Adam Sandler with a handwritten note asking the staffer to come to a comedy show, one of Adam Sandler's comedy shows, with her.

[Comedy Central Host]

You sexually harassed your staffer with a custom Adam Sandler puzzle. Not only are you violating the rules of. But you're giving her homework. This is. I don't even know how to describe this.

[Michael Kosta]

This is insane in the brain.

[Comedy Central Host]

Yes, exactly. For more on the Chuck Edwards scandal and its fallout, we go live to the Capitol with our very own Michael Kosta. Michael, what is your analysis here as a pervert?

[Desi Lining]

Thank you, Desi. And just to be clear, I'm an expert on perverts, not an expert who is also a pervert.

[Comedy Central Host]

If you say so. What do you think of these allegations?

[Desi Lining]

Desi, these allegations definitely constitute abuse of power, and if proven, they justify severe punishment. No ifs, ands, or buts.

[Comedy Central Host]

Thank you, Michael.

[Desi Lining]

But as far as congressional allegations go, I gotta be honest, this weirdo was pretty thoughtful.

[Comedy Central Host]

Wait, what are you talking About? You can't hit on your staff, obviously.

[Desi Lining]

No, no, no, you can't. Yeah, no one should. Hey, don't do that.

[Comedy Central Host]

Right?

[Desi Lining]

They make me sick. Literally. I threw up all over the place when I heard it. I'm standing in my own puke right now. But normally this type of thing is dick pics, strip clubs, watching an intern walk by and going humming, humming. But a creep who takes the time to make a custom puzzle of the Cobbler star, Adam Sandler isn't just thinking with his penis. He's thinking with this, his chest penis.

[Comedy Central Host]

Wait, Wait, can you back up a bit? The cobbler is what? You know Adam Sandler from?

[Desi Lining]

Is he in other stuff? I thought he was just that. And sometimes some puzzles.

[Comedy Central Host]

Okay, I don't think being a creep is okay as long as you give gifts.

[Desi Lining]

Totally agree. Okay, again, Des, I'm ankle deep in my own lunch right now.

[Michael Kosta]

All right?

[Desi Lining]

My loafers are covered in rigatoni. But thoughtful gifts do make bad things slightly less bad. Look, it's like when you go to the dentist and they give you a little gift bag on your way out. Look, I'm not happy about the visit, but the extra toothbrush is nice to have around. Especially when you puke as much as I do.

[Comedy Central Host]

Right, but that gift isn't thoughtful at all. Clearly he just wanted to go to an Adam sandler show. A 25 year old woman doesn't care about Billy Madison.

[Desi Lining]

Who's Billy Madison? Is that another congressman?

[Comedy Central Host]

My point is, there's no room for inappropriate behavior in a workplace. I don't care if there are gifts involved. Perverts can't excuse their perversion by offering gifts to victims as a way of mitigating the foundational wrongness of their perversion.

[Desi Lining]

Well, well, well. Looks like someone has joined the ranks of the pervert experts. Welcome to the Club Desi. Your welcome gift is a custom puzzle of tickets to the Cobbler.

[Comedy Central Host]

All right, thank you, Michael. Michael Costa, everybody. When we come back, find out what to. So don't go away. Tomorrow morning is knocking.

[Commercial Announcer]

Stock your fridge now. How about a creamy mocha frappuccino drink?

[Comedy Central Host]

Or a sweet vanilla smooth caramel maybe?

[Commercial Announcer]

Or a white chocolate mocha?

[Comedy Central Host]

Whichever you choose, delicious coffee awaits.

[Commercial Announcer]

Find Starbucks frappuccino drinks wherever you buy your groceries.

[Comedy Central Host]

Welcome back to the Daily Show. A time capsule is a great way to remember the past. But do Americans today want to be remembered? Troy Iwata hit the streets to find out.

[Troy Iwata]

It's America's 250th birthday and our Government is preserving this moment in a very special way.

[Commercial Announcer]

As part of the celebration, Congress has

[Comedy Central Host]

mandated the creation of a time capsule. The commission's chairwoman, Rosie Rios says, quote,

[Commercial Announcer]

we want future generations to have a clear, authentic window into who we were at 250.

[Troy Iwata]

So in 250 years, when future Americans open this time capsule, will they be jealous of the golden age we're currently living in? I'm asking present day patriots what they think now. Why is 2026 the best year in American history to preserve for future generations?

[Commercial Announcer]

Because it's. It's not.

[Michael Kosta]

Not really.

[Desi Lining]

Oh, well, I don't think it's the best year preserved for future generations. I would say it's not the best.

[Comedy Central Host]

I'd say it's the worst.

[Commercial Announcer]

Did you see how 2026 started?

[Troy Iwata]

Yes. Zendaya released like nine movies. What do you think we can put into this time capsule that's representing America in 2026, the highest height of American society?

[Quinn Brand Representative]

I was thinking like a pile of shit maybe.

[Comedy Central Host]

I think if somebody went and took a shit right outside the White House, pick it up, put in a time capsule.

[Troy Iwata]

Oh, that's gross. Surely people have more positive ideas and less feces based ones. What do you think we should put in this time capsule?

[Commercial Announcer]

Lena Dunham's new memoir. Lena Dunham's new memoir.

[Comedy Central Host]

Fame. Sick.

[Troy Iwata]

That's a really good idea. The people of the future definitely need Lena Dunham's memoir.

[Michael Kosta]

Famous. There was a picture of a burning cybertruck in front of Trump Tower. I figured that quite encapsulates a few things.

[Troy Iwata]

What do you think is more important to put in the time capsule? This map that shows Canada, Greenland and Cuba still as independent countries or this Labubu? This map right here?

[Desi Lining]

Yeah.

[Troy Iwata]

Because we don't know in 250 years if they're still going to be independent. Well, we don't know if they're still going to be independent in 250 minutes.

[Desi Lining]

That's true.

[Troy Iwata]

Labubus are forever.

[Michael Kosta]

Okay.

[Troy Iwata]

All the pessimism on the streets was starting to get to me and soon I found myself drinking to haterade. Is there an item that you think represents America that you would put in the time capsule?

[Comedy Central Host]

I'm a teacher.

[Commercial Announcer]

Elementary. So a children's book.

[Troy Iwata]

It's funny that you think children might know how to read in 250 years. Already lost cursive. What are some other items maybe even from the Trump era that could go in there? Do you think RFK jr's brain worm would survive in there?

[Comedy Central Host]

I do.

[Commercial Announcer]

I want a Voice memo of him speaking. Just in general.

[Troy Iwata]

Do you think people in the future would know that that's a human speaking.

[Commercial Announcer]

No.

[Troy Iwata]

Yeah. I know what I would put in the time capsule. I would put this.

[Comedy Central Host]

Yes.

[Troy Iwata]

But I would also put this to show that I have range.

[Commercial Announcer]

Looks like RFK's ringworm is, like, in your brain.

[Troy Iwata]

Thank you.

[Commercial Announcer]

Oh, my God.

[Troy Iwata]

But in 250 years, who will even be around to pull these headshots from the time capsule?

[Commercial Announcer]

I don't know if there's going to be, like, a civilization to act access it.

[Michael Kosta]

They're probably wearing hazmat suits.

[Troy Iwata]

And, you know, I mean, let's be honest. They'll probably bust this thing open in 65 years in desperate search for food. What do you think America is going to look like in 250 years?

[Commercial Announcer]

Oh, my God. They should split America in two.

[Troy Iwata]

We should segregate again. I mean, let's face it, in 250 years, America might be a desolate wasteland. So maybe we should put some, like, survival gear in this time capsule. Maybe fresh water, granola bars. A gun with a single bullet. Off the top of my head. I'm an optimist and I used to be. Clearly, the best thing to put in this time capsule is an apology letter for the state we left the country in. Maybe we can all write it together. Dear future Americans, slash potential Chinese, potential Russian citizens. We're sorry that we made mistakes.

[Desi Lining]

Yes, and I'm sorry that I have only attended two no Kings rallies so far. We used to have trees.

[Michael Kosta]

Hopefully you still have them, but if you don't, we're sorry that was on us. We're sorry for not understanding each other.

[Commercial Announcer]

Well, I'm sorry that my Zoloft prevents me from making active change. Honestly. Honestly, I just want to say good

[Troy Iwata]

luck, because y' all are gonna need it.

[Michael Kosta]

Things can get better.

[Troy Iwata]

Things can get better. We're not responsible for any of those things.

[Desi Lining]

We may have made things worse, but.

[Troy Iwata]

All right. So how should we sign this?

[Commercial Announcer]

Regretfully.

[Troy Iwata]

Regretfully. Americans of 2026 are bad.

[Comedy Central Host]

Thank you, Troy. When we come back, Marlon mcvell will be joining me on the show. So don't forget.

[Desi Lining]

Now, at McDonald's, a McDouble is 250. So you can get your gym gains on or just get lunch for only 2.50. Get more value on the under dollar menu.

[Commercial Announcer]

Limited time only.

[Troy Iwata]

Prices and participation may vary. Prices may be higher for delivery.

[Quinn Brand Representative]

As the season shifts, many are becoming more intentional about their daily wardrobe leaning into pieces that offer ease, comfort and a polished look. Quinn specializes in these elevated essentials where high quality fabrics and clean fits are designed to make getting dressed simpler and more efficient. The May collection features all necessary staples for spring, including 100% European linen shorts and shirts. Starting at just $34, these pieces are lightweight and breathable, providing a refined aesthetic without extra effort. For layering, Quince offers 100% Pima cotton tees, noted for their exceptional softness, alongside versatile pants that balance a relaxed feel with a professional silhouette. What distinguishes Quince is a pricing model that is 50 to 80% lower than similar luxury brands. By working directly with ethical factories and cutting out the middlemen, Quince provides premium materials without the traditional retail markup. It's a smarter way to access high end durability and style. Refresh your everyday with luxury you'll actually use. Head to quince.comdailyshow for free shipping on your order and 365 day returns. Now available in Canada too. That's quite by nce.com dailyshow for free shipping and 365 day returns. Quince.com dailyshow.

[Comedy Central Host]

Welcome back to the Daily Show. My guest tonight is a Tony nominated actor who stars in, co wrote and co created the Broadway musical Titanique. Please welcome Marla Mindel.

[Commercial Announcer]

Here we are.

[Comedy Central Host]

I am so happy you're here. Congratulations. Four Tony nominations. Thank you so much. Oh my gosh. Thank you. Including best actress.

[Commercial Announcer]

Yes. That best book. Yes. Best musical. Yes.

[Comedy Central Host]

Best featured actor, Nathan Williams, who plays iceberg Bitch.

[Commercial Announcer]

Iceberg bitch. Yes. Period.

[Comedy Central Host]

Oh my God. How are you feeling? Are you feeling kooky crazy?

[Commercial Announcer]

I'm feeling kooky crazy. As Celine Dion would say, kooky crazy girlfriend. I am feeling kooky crazy. We were performing on the Today show when I found out. So it was like, you're nominated. 10, 9, 8. Now sing. Yeah. It was incredible.

[Comedy Central Host]

So were you cry singing?

[Commercial Announcer]

No. No, I couldn't cry. No. I reacted like a zombie. Everyone was like, congratulations. I was like, thank you so much. Because I was like, if I cry then I can't sing. I can't be Celine.

[Comedy Central Host]

That is such a Celine Dion thing to do. The show must go on. No emotion. You must sing.

[Commercial Announcer]

Oh, yeah, absolutely.

[Comedy Central Host]

The show is so funny, particularly right now in this moment in time. It's something we all need. It is just over the top. It is an over the top, fun, hilarious party. Only it takes place on a sinking ship.

[Commercial Announcer]

Totally.

[Comedy Central Host]

Totally.

[Commercial Announcer]

And somehow it's still joyful. It is still joyful.

[Comedy Central Host]

So we did our job. It is. It's Top to bottom, joyful. For those who haven't seen it, tell us what Titanique is.

[Commercial Announcer]

So Celine Dion believes that she was on the Titanic, and she uses her eyes and her songs to narrate this story. So she's basically like a French Canadian conspiracy theorist in our musical. Not in real life, she's the greatest singer in the world, but in our musical, she's like, I was on the Sheep Girlfriend. And they're like, celine, you would be 150 years old. And she's like, no, no, no, go with me. And the story begins there. And so it's just a love letter to her because I'm such a huge fan of her and obviously the movie Titanic. And so we combine the two, not thinking that it would become this massive hit that it is now.

[Comedy Central Host]

It is. So, I mean, listen, I'm a fan of Celine and Titanic, so this musical is like, you can just tap it right into my veins.

[Commercial Announcer]

Yeah. You can inject it, like, yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Comedy Central Host]

But how did all of that. Did you. Because your Celine is incredible. First of all, how do you get into the body of Celine Dion? What is your process like?

[Commercial Announcer]

Well, I researched her on, like, I say that I'm in a relationship with her on Instagram because she'd be the first thing that I would look at in the morning and the last thing before I went to bed, and I'd be like, celine, it's me, Celine. And I started to pick up. I started to pick up, like, she has, like, such a specific language. She does, like, a lot with the fingers. She likes to conduct. She's always in disbelief. Oh, my God, it's good to see you. She'll find the camera. Oh, hey, girlfriend. It's me, Celine Dion. Do you know what I mean? She does a little chest bump.

[Comedy Central Host]

Okay, okay, here we go. Here we go.

[Commercial Announcer]

And now, unfortunately, it's a second language. I can get into it too quickly that it scares me.

[Comedy Central Host]

So is perfection. Did it start with the Celine impression and then you thought, I have got to write a musical around this?

[Commercial Announcer]

No, no, no, no, no, no.

[Comedy Central Host]

It started with coming up with the idea for the show.

[Commercial Announcer]

It started drunk in a bar, lol. Where all great ideas happen.

[Comedy Central Host]

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. Thank you. Thank you so much.

[Commercial Announcer]

I was doing dinner theater in Los Angeles. I had left Broadway. I'd done like 10 years of Broadway shows. And then I was like, I want to be a writer. How hard can it be? And God was like, he. He see you. Which it's going to be really hard. And I just I lost everything in la. I lost all my money and I wound up working at dinner theater. And we were doing movie to musical parodies like, like True Beverly Hills and Devil Wears Prada. And Constantine Rasooli, the co author of this, one of the co authors was like, what if we did a Titanic parody with Celine Dion and you'll be Celine? And I was like absolutely not. Not because I. Not because I just. I love her so much.

[Comedy Central Host]

Right.

[Commercial Announcer]

I was like, I'm gonna ruin her. I'm going to ruin her. And I was too scared. So for two years we just didn't. We sat on the idea and then Ty Blue, the director one day who also worked in at the dinner theater was like, we have to do this. And so we just started doing it for fun. And 10 years later we went from LA to New York to the basement of a gristide's where we started the show. Old ucb.

[Comedy Central Host]

Yes.

[Commercial Announcer]

Which is now demolished. I guess we ruined it.

[Comedy Central Host]

You quite literally brought down the house. Yeah, we did.

[Commercial Announcer]

We blew it up.

[Comedy Central Host]

You blew it up.

[Commercial Announcer]

We blew it up. And then we transferred to the Del Roth Off Broadway and we ran for three years, went all over the world and finally 10 years later we have landed on Broadway. So it really has been. Thank you so much.

[Comedy Central Host]

Thank you. Right, Right where it belongs. Yes. You are phenomenal in it. The rest of the cast is phenomenal. The music is great. Thank you. Tell us who else is in it. Deborah Cox.

[Commercial Announcer]

Deborah Cox, yeah. Stick of butter falls out when she sings. Best voice you've ever heard in your life. Jim Parsons, comedy icon. Melissa Barrera. Melissa is just incredible. Constantine Rossuli, who co wrote with me, Ty Blue directed it. I mean it is just a cast of star studded geniuses.

[Comedy Central Host]

Frankie Grande. Frankie Grande. Frankie Jinx.

[Commercial Announcer]

Oh my God, Jinx. Yes. How can I forget him? John Riddle, the voice of an angel. I mean it is just. I feel so blessed every single day that not only have I written something, but it's with all of my best friends. Do you know what I mean? Like coming to work is an act. Absolute joy. And I get to be, you know, the greatest singer in de world.

[Comedy Central Host]

In de world, yeah, yeah. You use all of these modern pop culture references. You referenced RuPaul's Drag Race. You were even weaving in some topical news stories. There were some Spirit Airlines jokes when I saw it over the weekend. And then you have like an entire improvised portion of the show. How much of the show is improvised and how much do you do you sprinkle in to just keep it fresh.

[Commercial Announcer]

We have a whole section of the show that is like kind of fully improvised. And that was because we were like, again, drunk lol and bad writers in Los Angeles and we couldn't figure out how to transition from scene to scene. And Ty and Connie were like, marla, why don't you just like, I don't know, improv? And so I started doing that and then it became this thing where people would come back like 10, 12, 15 times because there's a whole section that's completely different, which is very different than a typical Broadway show. Yeah. Way to know. Good marketing.

[Comedy Central Host]

Keep them coming.

[Commercial Announcer]

Yeah, exactly.

[Troy Iwata]

Yeah.

[Comedy Central Host]

Spend more money.

[Commercial Announcer]

Exactly. Yeah. Yeah.

[Comedy Central Host]

I am so happy that you are here. Congratulations for everything. You deserve every bit of it.

[Commercial Announcer]

Thank you so much.

[Comedy Central Host]

Congrats.

[Commercial Announcer]

Thank you so much.

[Comedy Central Host]

Hi. Timmy is now playing at the St. James Theater for July 12. Tickets are available at titanmeadmusical.com Marla Mendel we're going to take a quick break, but we'll be right back after this.

[Desi Lining]

Amazon presents Jeff versus Taco Truck Salsa. Whether it's verde roja or the orange one, for Jeff, trying any salsa is like playing Russian roulette with a flamethrower. Luckily, Jeff saved with Amazon and stocked up on antacids, ginger tea and milk. Habanero. More like habanero.

[Troy Iwata]

Yes.

[Desi Lining]

Save the everyday with Amazon.

[Commercial Announcer]

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[Commercial Announcer]

Why wait? Ask your doctor, visit botoxchronicmigraine.com or call 1-844botox to learn more.

[Comedy Central Host]

That's our show for tonight. But before we go, May is National Menstrual Health Awareness Month and the Daily show has been challenged by. I support the girls to host an in office collection for period products for women, girls and folks in need. Check out our socials to find out who we challenge to start their own drive and how you can get involved. Learn more about Isupport the girls and donate at the link below. Now, here it is. Your moment of Zen.

[Michael Kosta]

There's no way I can figure out who to call on. I'm just gonna like press right in the middle. Right there. Do they get two questions for these two questions? There's a lot of people in here. I wish I knew your name tag. I apologize. Can you put name tags on? I'm winging it, guys. They gave me a little map. I don't know where I put it. I wish I had like a dice. I need to get a laser pointer. Just you in the black. Yes, ma'.

[Commercial Announcer]

Am.

[Michael Kosta]

No, you don't have black. You have blue on it. I'm colorblind, but I know blue and black. This is chaos, guys.

[Desi Lining]

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. This has been a Comedy Central podcast.

[Troy Iwata]

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[Commercial Announcer]

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[Troy Iwata]

But that's weird.

[Commercial Announcer]

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