Trump Hits Les Miz, Elon Repents & RFK Jr. Infects CDC’s Vaccine Committee | Jeff Hiller

Summary

The Daily Show: Ears Edition Episode: Trump Hits Les Mis, Elon Repents & RFK Jr. Infects CDC’s Vaccine Committee | Jeff Hiller
Release Date: June 13, 2025
Host: Desi Lydic
Guests: Jeff Hiller

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1. RFK Jr. and the CDC Vaccine Advisory Committee

Timestamp: 00:35 – 01:46

Desi Lydic opens the episode by addressing the controversial actions of Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the Secretary of Health, who recently dismissed all 17 members of the CDC's vaccine advisory committee. This abrupt move has raised alarms among those concerned about vaccine safety and public health.

Notable Quote:
Desi Lydic (01:00): “RFK Jr is the only member of Trump's cabinet to be reheated in an air fryer.”

The discussion highlights RFK Jr.’s appointment of new members, including infamous vaccine critics like Dr. Robert Malone, who has propagated unfounded claims linking COVID-19 vaccines to severe diseases.

Notable Quote:
Josh Johnson (01:46): “Robert Malone … has suggested those vaccines cause a form of AIDS.”

Lydic uses humor to underscore the absurdity of the situation, poking fun at the conspiracy theories surrounding vaccines during the pandemic.

2. Tulsi Gabbard and the Use of AI in Declassifying Documents

Timestamp: 01:46 – 03:38

The conversation transitions to Tulsi Gabbard, the Director of National Intelligence, who has introduced artificial intelligence to expedite the declassification of government documents, including those related to the assassination of President John F. Kennedy.

Notable Quote:
Josh Johnson (02:46): “Tulsi Gabbard … says the government is now using artificial intelligence to speed up its work in determining which documents can be declassified and released to the public.”

Lydic humorously criticizes the reliance on AI for handling sensitive and historically significant documents, suggesting that such technology might not grasp the gravity of the information.

Notable Quote:
Desi Lydic (03:03): “It's like asking AI to watch all the sex scenes in a porno so you can focus on whether the pizza got delivered.”

3. Pete Hegseth and Defense Department Budget Cuts

Timestamp: 03:38 – 06:07

Desi shifts focus to Pete Hegseth, the Secretary of Defense, who has been cutting medical research programs for veterans, labeling them as "boondoggles." When challenged by Senator Dick Durbin, Hegseth provided a bizarre example involving marbles in cats' rear ends, highlighting the absurdity of some budget cut justifications.

Notable Quote:
Jordan Klepper (04:03): “There are more… marbles in the rear ends of cats, tens of millions of dollars.”

Lydic uses this example to mock the Trump administration's approach to science and research, emphasizing the importance of legitimate scientific funding.

Notable Quote:
Desi Lydic (04:24): “Trying to make dogs salivate by ringing a bell sounds weird, but it proved an important part.”

4. Elon Musk's Apology to Donald Trump

Timestamp: 06:07 – 07:21

Elon Musk issued an apology to Donald Trump for his recent online attacks, admitting that his comments had "gone too far." Lydic parodies Musk's apology, questioning the sincerity and substance behind it.

Notable Quote:
Elon Musk (06:21): “I regret some of my posts about President Trump last week. They went too far.”

Notable Quote:
Desi Lydic (06:36): “You cannot whoopsy Daisy your way out of saying, someone's in the Epstein files.”

5. President Trump Attends Les Misérables at the Kennedy Center

Timestamp: 07:21 – 09:56

The episode humorously covers President Trump's decision to attend a performance of "Les Misérables" at the Kennedy Center. The hosts compare Trump to characters from the musical, debating whether he aligns more with Jean Valjean or Javert, adding a satirical twist to political discourse.

Notable Quote:
Desi Lydic (07:21): “Do you identify more with Jean Valjean or Javert? That's a tough one.”

Notable Quote:
Jordan Klepper (09:01): “I have spewed an opinion on over 45,000 issues in my career.”

6. Nationwide Protests Against Trump’s Policies

Timestamp: 09:56 – 11:35

The show delves into the nationwide protests sparked by Trump’s recent policies, including military actions in California and changes to Medicaid. Correspondents Michael Costa in Los Angeles and Jordan Klepper in D.C. provide on-the-ground insights into the unrest and public sentiment.

Notable Quote:
Josh Johnson (08:06): “Detention raids are a cruel display of Trump's villainy. He's definitely the Thenardier of our time.”

Notable Quote:
Jordan Klepper (08:32): “The protesters see Trump as a godless con artist, much like Thenardier, the corrupt innkeeper.”

7. Satirical Segment on Stephen A. Smith

Timestamp: 12:23 – 18:59

A satirical portrayal of sports commentator Stephen A. Smith is featured, mocking his "hot takes" and debating his hypothetical presidential run. The hosts exaggerate Smith’s persona to highlight the triviality of certain media personalities in shaping public opinion.

Notable Quote:
Desi Lydic (17:48): “Stephen A. Smith, who is floating a potential 2028 presidential run. There is somebody else that's thinking of running President Stephen A. Smith.”

Notable Quote:
Michael Costa (18:12): “Does anyone really think a loudmouth TV personality with endless opinions, no qualifications and a bad hairline would be a plausible candidate for President of the United States?”

8. Guest Interview: Jeff Hiller on "Actress of a Certain Age"

Timestamp: 19:20 – 30:41

In a heartfelt and humorous interview, comedian and author Jeff Hiller discusses his new memoir, "Actress of a Certain Age." The conversation delves into his personal experiences, including growing up as a queer individual in the Midwest, battling bullying, and finding solace in community and family support.

Notable Quote:
Jeff Hiller (20:11): “I would just say, I'm sorry and we got your back.”

Notable Quote:
Desi Lydic (25:32): “What would you say to those 22-year-old younger Jeffs that are out there struggling with that in say, Texas or other parts of the country?”

Notable Quote:
Jeff Hiller (25:57): “We’re in Pride month and it’s a time to celebrate, but it’s also a time to protest and a time to gather together and lead with compassion and hope.”

Hiller shares anecdotes from his book, including humorous takes on celebrity memoirs and his own journey in the acting world. The interview emphasizes themes of resilience, self-acceptance, and the importance of supportive relationships.

Notable Quote:
Jeff Hiller (21:09): “Every great broadcaster in history has had….”

Notable Quote:
Desi Lydic (24:57): “Thank God for good moms out there.”

9. Closing Remarks and Final Promotions

Timestamp: 30:41 – 31:41

Desi Lydic wraps up the episode by promoting Jeff Hiller’s memoir and encouraging listeners to engage with "The Daily Show" across various platforms. The closing includes a brief recap of the episode’s highlights and teasers for upcoming content.

Notable Quote:
Desi Lydic (30:26): “You deserve it. Actress of a Certain Age is available now.”

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Conclusion

This episode of The Daily Show: Ears Edition masterfully blends sharp political satire with heartfelt personal stories. From critiquing controversial political decisions and media personalities to celebrating individual resilience through Jeff Hiller’s memoir, the hosts deliver a rich and engaging narrative. Notable for its witty humor and insightful commentary, the episode provides listeners with both entertainment and thoughtful reflections on current events and personal growth.

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Note: All timestamps are approximate and based on the provided transcript for reference.

Transcript

[Desi Lydic]

This is an iHeart podcast.

[Jordan Klepper]

You're listening to Comedy Central.

[Desi Lydic]

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 Lyman.

[Jeff Miller]

Welcome to the Daily Show.

[Desi Lydic]

I'm Lindsay Lydic. We've got so much to talk about tonight. RFK Jr goes doctor shopping. Pete Hegseth gets into a cat fight. And Elon Musk is sorry for what he said when he was definitely not high. So let's check in on the best cabinet ever in another installment of the Worst Wing.

[Michael Costa]

What a bunch of losers.

[Desi Lydic]

Let's start with Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. Secretary of Health and the only member of Trump's cabinet to be reheated in an air fryer. Earlier this week, Kennedy abruptly fired all 17 members of the CDC's vaccine advisory committee, which understandably caused a lot of concern among people who prefer not to die from an old timey Oregon Trail disease. But RFK juniors got a new batch of doctors to replace them with, so I'm sure they're all equally qualified. So let's get to know some of these vaccine experts. Some of the picks are well known vaccine critics, including Dr. Robert Malone.

[Josh Johnson]

Robert Malone, who's claimed that millions of Americans were hypnotized into taking the COVID 19 shots and has suggested those vaccines cause a form of aids.

[Desi Lydic]

I think they liked this guy a lot better when he was just selling us Dos Equis. I don't always take vaccines, but when I do, they give me aids. Look, this guy's obviously crazy, but you can't deny there was some hypnosis going on during the pandemic. Like, we were washing our hands every day. Like, what was that all about? But forget the Department of Health. Let's move on to the great work being done by Tulsi Gabbard, Director of National Intelligence and the only Hawaiian who can make aloha sound like a threat. She decides which of America's secrets need to stay secret. But lately she's been getting some help.

[Josh Johnson]

Tulsi Gabbard, head of dni, says the.

[Desi Lydic]

Government is now using artificial intelligence to.

[Josh Johnson]

Speed up its work in determining which documents can be declassified and released to the public. That includes files related to the assassination.

[Jeff Hiller]

Of President John F. Kennedy.

[Desi Lydic]

Cool. That technology we're all scared of and have no idea how dangerous it is. Let's teach it how to kill a president. What could go wrong? Also, why are you having AI read the JFK files for you? AI is for tedious things. These are the Most exciting documents in the government. It's like asking AI to watch all the sex scenes in a porno so you can focus on whether the pizza got delivered. Maybe I've been using AI wrong this whole time. I thought it was for doing my kids homework and seeing what I look like as Shrek.

[Michael Costa]

Wow.

[Desi Lydic]

Stay thirsty. Let's move on to Pete Hegseth, Secretary of Defense and guy whose favorite cologne is Roofie. He's been axing a bunch of medical research programs for veterans that he claims are boondoggles. But when Senator Dick Durbin called him out on it yesterday, he gave a specific example of waste, and it was very specific.

[Michael Costa]

Give me an example of a boondoggle in medical research.

[Jordan Klepper]

There are more.

[Michael Costa]

I mean, we're talking about some stuff.

[Jordan Klepper]

I shouldn't say in public.

[Michael Costa]

You know, marbles in the rear ends of cats, tens of millions of dollars.

[Desi Lydic]

Sometimes I hear about science experiments, and I think, God, I am so glad. When I was growing up, no one was telling women they should be scientists. Really dodged a bullet there. To be fair, they were trying to find out why Garfield hates Mondays. Now they know. Now they know. Also, anyone who has cats knows that this isn't the weirdest idea ever. I mean, they are constantly showing us their buttholes. At some point, someone's gonna be like, all right, let me try something. But in case you're wondering who would fund such a ridiculous study, that would be President Trump himself. In 2020, his Defense Department said it was part of a revolutionary new treatment for spinal cord injuries. And that's the thing about science. It's easy to make it sound made up and stupid. It's not airtight like the Bible. And someone who just wants to cut funding can trivialize any research because, yeah, trying to make dogs salivate by ringing a bell sounds weird, but it proved an important part. That dogs love bells, I think. I don't know. I failed psych. But this is a great example of how anti science the Trump administration is. When Pete Hegseth talks about science, he makes it sound stupid. And when RFK Jr talks about it, he makes it sound like someone dropped a fork in the garbage disposal. Let's move on to the reason your horse's prescriptions are out of stock. Elon Musk. Last week, he got into a fight with Donald Trump that got so ugly, he claimed that Trump is in the Epstein files. The friendship seemed unsalvageable, but it turns out it wasn't quite as cyber as we thought.

[Elon Musk]

The world's richest man is now apologizing to the world's most powerful man, Musk. Backing away from some of his online attacks, posting this apology. I regret some of my posts about President Trump last week. They went too far.

[Desi Lydic]

No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no. You cannot whoopsy Daisy your way out of saying, someone's in the Epstein Fil. Sorry I slammed the door or sorry I shoved marbles up your cat's butt. I mean, I'm glad he apologized, because I guess it showed us exactly how long it takes for ketamine to wear off. Let's move on from the worst wing, because America is having a hard time right now. The military is invading California. US Senators are getting manhandled by federal agents, and people are about to be thrown off their Medicaid. And President Trump is hearing everyone's concerns, and he's decided to rush to where he's needed the most. The theater. President Donald Trump going to see a performance of Les Mis at the Kennedy center on Wednesday. Do you identify more with Jean Valjean or Javert? That's a tough one.

[Michael Costa]

That last part of that question. That's tough. I think you better answer that one, honey.

[Jeff Hiller]

I don't.

[Desi Lydic]

I don't know what's worse. That a reporter thought it was a good idea to ask Trump if he's the hero or the villain or that Trump's response was, oof. That's a tough question. But while Trump ponders which Les Mis character he is, activists are planning nationwide protests this weekend. For more on those protests, we go live to Michael Costa in Los Angeles and Jordan Klepper in D.C. michael, let's start with you. What's the latest tonight?

[Josh Johnson]

Desi. Protesters here are still fuming about Trump sending Marines into the city. It was the biggest overreaction since the time that ice cream truck didn't have rainbow sprinkles, so I slashed its tires. Costa don't do chalk sprinks, Kay. The point is, these detention raids are a cruel display of Trump's villainy. He's definitely the Joubert of our time.

[Desi Lydic]

Okay, thank you, Michael and Jordan, how are protests in D.C. feeling?

[Jordan Klepper]

The protesters in D.C. are equally upset and want to see an end to these craz. And by the way, Trump is not Javert. Costa is way off. But what do you expect from a guy who only hears Broadway songs if they show up in a pornhub video?

[Josh Johnson]

Oh, I'm sorry. I guess Jordan thinks Trump is Jean Valjean, the redeemed Catholic so saintly that he adopts a prostitute's child. Jordan, you're a few Rogers short of a Hammerstein.

[Desi Lydic]

Guys, I think we're getting a little distracted here. Let's focus on the protests, not about your musical taste.

[Jordan Klepper]

No problem for Costa. He doesn't have any. The point is, Desi, the protesters see Trump as a godless con artist, much like Thenardier, the corrupt innkeeper, which Michael would know if he weren't the kind of person who thinks Guys and Dolls is a strip club in Peoria.

[Josh Johnson]

Desi, I'll tell you, the only thing protesters fear more than the Marines right now. It's hearing Jordan Klepper bomb another audition trying to nail the riff in Defying Gravity.

[Jordan Klepper]

Hey, hey. It's not about getting the work from the audition. The audition is the work.

[Josh Johnson]

You're flat on every shark.

[Desi Lydic]

You're flat.

[Jordan Klepper]

Is that every show?

[Michael Costa]

Sure.

[Jordan Klepper]

Is that right? Is that right? Well, time to drop the bomb. Michael is in the Epstein files. Have a nice day.

[Jeff Hiller]

Whoa.

[Desi Lydic]

What?

What?

Whoa.

[Michael Costa]

No, no.

[Jordan Klepper]

Whoa.

[Josh Johnson]

That's out of line.

[Jordan Klepper]

Okay, okay, okay, okay. You know what? You know what? You're right. You're right. I regret what I said. I've been on ketamine this whole time, okay? I'm better now.

[Desi Lydic]

Wait, Jordan, is Costa in the Epstein files?

[Jordan Klepper]

Desi, I said I'm sorry. Let's move on.

[Josh Johnson]

Yeah, Desi, let it go. That's from Frozen. Jordan, I thought a musical for children would be more up your speed.

[Jordan Klepper]

Okay? Idina Menzel is a national treasure, Costa. Thank you very much.

[Josh Johnson]

Uh, Desi, Excuse me. Can I interrupt?

[Desi Lydic]

Oh, yes. Josh Johnson. Oh, my God. Where are you?

[Josh Johnson]

I don't know. I snatched me up at a protest and dropped me in the desert. That's not even protocol. They just doing whatever now, all right? I don't know where I am. I could be in Phoenix. I could be in Yemen. Oh, my God. I hope I'm not in Phoenix.

[Jordan Klepper]

Oh, Josh, that. That sounds truly awful. So, Josh, do you think Trump is a javert?

[Desi Lydic]

Who?

[Josh Johnson]

I need help.

Yeah, and we're gonna get you help, buddy. But first, you gotta tell us which character Trump would be in. Les Mis.

Is that the one with the cats?

[Jeff Hiller]

Are you.

[Jordan Klepper]

What? Kidding me? Is that the one with the cats? Come on, man.

[Desi Lydic]

Hey, hey, hey.

[Josh Johnson]

I'm sorry. I don't spend all my time watch white people sing, okay?

[Jordan Klepper]

Don't make this about race.

[Josh Johnson]

Yeah, there's a proud black tradition in theater. I just saw Audra McDonald in Gypsy.

Fine. You're an ally. Is someone gonna help me?

Yeah, yeah, I'll help you by getting you a rush ticket to Cabaret. Let's start there.

[Jordan Klepper]

Of course you pick Cabaret. Of course it's Cabaret with you, Costa.

[Desi Lydic]

Okay, okay, that's enough. Josh. Josh Johnson, Michael Kosta and Jordan Clinton.

[Jeff Miller]

What's your honesty? When we come back, we get the.

[Desi Lydic]

First take from Stephen A. Sm. So don't go away. Welcome back to the Daily Show. If you turn on cable television anytime in the last few months, you may have stumbled across Stephen A. Smith spouting opinions about, well, everything. But how did he become so ubiquitous? Let's find out in a brand new daily showography.

[Michael Costa]

We live in a world of takes.

[Jeff Hiller]

JJ Would have to be a lunatic to take the Lakers breeze of pussy.

[Michael Costa]

Hot takes, quick takes, retakes, mistakes.

[Jeff Hiller]

Probably won't give them a kidney.

[Desi Lydic]

Absolute effing snob.

[Michael Costa]

I'm drinking like monster energy drinks sometimes. Which are piss magnets. But we all know there's only one king of takes.

[Jordan Klepper]

You can't be the king without a crime. You cannot be the the king without the crown.

[Michael Costa]

This is the daily showography of Stephen A. Smith. Greatest of all takeouts. Stephen A. Had an optimal childhood for his future reign on the Bronx.

[Jordan Klepper]

Raised in Queens. Raised by the greatest mom in the world.

[Michael Costa]

That's right, every other mom in the world is a scrub. I don't care if your mother Teresa or that hot mom from the Brady Bunch. Those moms should be riding the bench behind Janet Smith. Buying a career as an athlete, he enrolled in college at the Fashion Institute of Technology. It's called seeing the whole field, people.

[Jordan Klepper]

It was primarily a girls school and the other dudes were homosexual. It left it all to us.

[Michael Costa]

FIT might not have the greatest tradition of sports, but it definitely had a playoff. Eventually, he put down the sewing needle and picked up the rock. Transferring to the greatest basketball program in North Carolina, excluding all the other ones.

[Jordan Klepper]

I hit 17 straight three pointers. Sign me the scholarship on the spot.

[Michael Costa]

That's right. Stephen A. Smith was the king of threes until he started playing actual games and became the king of one point fives per game.

[Desi Lydic]

Stephen A. I'm trying to figure out how you average one and a half points.

[Michael Costa]

Like, don't you give two? Unfortunately, Stephen A. Could not explain the mathematics as he had attended the Fashion Institute of Technology. But if Smith struggled in the paint, he dominated in the print, joining the student newspaper and immediately proving himself the top college take haver in the country. With a legendary dunk on his own hall of fame coat that earned him a post college stint in newspapers and radio. And then Stephen A. Was called up to the big leagues. It was the moment he'd been training for his whole life.

[Jordan Klepper]

I had no television training whatsoever.

[Michael Costa]

Okay, that didn't matter.

[Jordan Klepper]

So I went to the next best plan. Be myself, say what I feel.

[Michael Costa]

Yes. He had the rare ability to open his mouth and let words form into sentences that people could hear on tv. No one had seen anything like it before. Smith was dropping takes from everywhere. Hot takes.

[Jordan Klepper]

This man was a bona fide scrub.

[Michael Costa]

He can't play loud takes.

[Jordan Klepper]

Aaron Rodgers is Aaron freaking Rogers.

[Desi Lydic]

Louder takes to sign Lamar Odom, who was on crack.

[Michael Costa]

Full on freaking screaming takes.

[Jordan Klepper]

The stench that horrors over me every time my name is associated with this damn franchise.

[Michael Costa]

Weirdly quiet takes.

[Jordan Klepper]

LeBron James.

[Michael Costa]

James is the goat. Stephen A. Was the best ESPN had ever seen. I mean, not as good as in the golden age, but since then. Oh, there he is, the natural. He was poetic. It was Shakespearean and he never yelled. But the trophy he really needed was his own catchphrase. Every great broadcaster in history has had.

[Jordan Klepper]

One good night and good luck.

[Desi Lydic]

And that's the way it is.

[Jordan Klepper]

Holy cow. Yes.

[Michael Costa]

And soon Stephen A. Smith hit upon something equally iconic.

[Jordan Klepper]

Stay off the weed. Stay off the weed. Stay off the damn weed.

[Michael Costa]

Or hear me out. Maybe try a little weed.

[Jordan Klepper]

Horrible.

[Michael Costa]

It was time for Smith to make his biggest move yet. Coming for the reigning king of takes, himself.

[Jordan Klepper]

There are times when look at you. You should just be flat out ashamed of yourself. Donate charity. Are you on drugs?

Who the hell are you to question me?

Zip it. I'm talking.

[Michael Costa]

They were the Larry Bird and Magic Johnson of yelling at the top of their lungs. Once Smith ousted his rival, he began breaking take records left and right. We're talking 300 takes a day with a sentence completion percentage of 93.3%. And off the charts. Charts decibel levels. The man even had a correct prediction average of. Well, that one doesn't matter. In 2025, Smith officially earned his greatest of all takeovers crown. A 5 year 100 million dollar contract. Now his takes can no longer be contained by the world of sports.

[Jordan Klepper]

I have always been against woke culture. You know what I'm gonna say? Shamander, because it reminds me of me. Because of the forehead. I am not about to sit here and argue with a grown ass man about the movie Car.

[Josh Johnson]

Oh, come on now.

[Jordan Klepper]

The Ukrainians are saying we at war. Now we on death's door. We might as well go down swinging. Stephen A. What is the correct way to wipe yourself standing? A city. That is a nasty ass question.

[Michael Costa]

That's the difference between just talking and having a take on. But when a man has taken all there is to take.

[Jordan Klepper]

I have spewed an opinion on over 45,000 issues in my career.

[Michael Costa]

On first take, what takes are left for the taking?

[Desi Lydic]

Stephen A. Smith, who is floating a potential 2028 presidential run. There is somebody else that's thinking of running President Stephen A. Smith.

[Jordan Klepper]

The Democratic Party looks so pathetic after this election. I might entertain them.

[Michael Costa]

Okay, hold up. Does anyone really think a loudmouth TV personality with endless opinions, no qualifications and a bad hairline would be a plausible candidate for President of the United States? I've been pretty good at picking people and picking candidates, and I will tell you, I'd love to see him run. Oh, right. God damn it.

[Jordan Klepper]

All right, Daily show, you had your fun night. You had your fun, but guess what? It still was a sorry ass take. You got some work to do. And maybe, just maybe, you'll do it right if you stay off the wheel.

[Jeff Miller]

Welcome back. Jeff Miller will be joining me on this show. Welcome back to the Daily Show.

[Desi Lydic]

My guest tonight is an actor, writer, a comedian whose new memoir is called Actress of a Certain Age. Please welcome Jeff Hiller. Yeah, I love having to stand on my tippy toes in heels to hug you.

[Jeff Hiller]

Yeah. I'm a real big monster.

[Desi Lydic]

You are a tall drink of water. Thank you for being here. I'm such a fan of yours and I enjoyed this book so much.

[Jeff Hiller]

Thank you.

[Desi Lydic]

Actress of a certain age.

[Jeff Hiller]

Yes. Actress of a certain age. It's all about my sort of humiliating experiences in my career.

[Desi Lydic]

Yes.

[Jeff Hiller]

And I thought, but, you know, I've made it. Things are all better now. And then when I open the book, there's a typo on the COVID of my book. Actress of a Satane Age. Not today. Satane. Not today.

[Desi Lydic]

Who judges a book by its cover?

[Jeff Hiller]

Please.

[Desi Lydic]

Actually, don't.

[Jeff Hiller]

Please don't.

[Desi Lydic]

Listen, I grew up in Kentucky public school, so I thought this was how you spell certain. So I think you're okay.

[Jeff Hiller]

Oh, see, I grew up in Texas where everything's fine.

[Desi Lydic]

Oh, sure. Sure it is. Oh, my gosh. I love how each of your chapters in your book is titled for a different Actor. A different Actor's Memoir.

[Jeff Hiller]

Exactly. Yeah. Because I read a lot of celebrity memoirs.

[Desi Lydic]

Yes, you talk about it in here. And then there's a footnote at the bottom of the front page of the chapter that says, when that actor has met mainstream fame.

[Jeff Hiller]

Exactly. Got their big break. Because I always read the celebrity ones and they don't always say exactly how old they are. Then I have to go get a calculator, look up IMDb and then check it out and figure out to how. How old they were. And then compared to how old I am when I'm reading the book, and spoiler alert, it was never a consoling math equation.

[Desi Lydic]

That was such a unique detail. What made you want to share that?

[Jeff Hiller]

Well, when I got this opportunity to write a celebrity memoir with the really loose definition of the word celebrity, I wanted to rely on the fact that I have read all of these memoirs and I. I also wanted to write it for other people who maybe committed the cardinal sin of aging past 40 without realizing all of the dreams that they wanted in their life and have a little bit of hope in it. So I talk about how compare invites despair.

[Desi Lydic]

Yes.

[Jeff Hiller]

Yeah. And I did come up with that on my own. I didn't. It's a pretty hat cliche, actually.

[Desi Lydic]

That should go in your next memoir. Yeah, I think that.

[Jeff Hiller]

But it'll say, compare invites to pair.

[Desi Lydic]

Oh, your publisher. Who was your publisher yesterday?

[Jeff Hiller]

You want me to say it out loud? Exactly. It was some girl at Starbucks and I said, jeff. I was like, it doesn't start with an H. What are you doing?

[Desi Lydic]

Oh, my God. So you're. Your IMDb reads like a comedy sizzle reel of all time. Great comedies. But I think most people know you from your beautiful work on somebody somewhere.

[Jeff Hiller]

Ah, thank you. Yes. I love that show.

[Desi Lydic]

It is such a beautiful show. It is so funny and so heartfelt. If people haven't seen it, tell us what it's about.

[Jeff Hiller]

Oh, well, you should see it.

[Desi Lydic]

You should see it.

[Jeff Hiller]

See it.

[Desi Lydic]

Leave now. Go see it. We'll wait here.

[Jeff Hiller]

Yeah, it's on Max or hbo. I don't know. Hbo. Max. And it's about people in Kansas who have found their family. And it's also about being queer in the Midwest and being someone who isn't giving up on yourself, which is a lot of what the book is about too. And so, yeah, yeah, it's good. And it's not like rewatching Grey's Anatomy. It's not like a big commitment. It's only three seasons. One season is less than an Avatar movie.

[Desi Lydic]

Yes. Seriously, it's food for the soul. It really feels so good to watch it. It is such a joy. I loved your this is Church moment. And you talk about it in your book as well. Tell us what's behind what was behind that moment in the show.

[Jeff Hiller]

Well, that was just an improvisation I did. That did make it into the final edit. And I'm not bragging about it, but I did do that and it felt right because it was this scene about these friends who were hanging out and were joyful and were finding each other. And my character is involved in the church, but is having some weirdness with church. And he's saying this moment is church. This moment where we're hanging out together and being together and having community. That's what my church is. And I think that that's true of me too. And beautiful, I think, for all of us, right?

[Desi Lydic]

Yes.

[Jeff Hiller]

And especially right now.

[Desi Lydic]

Especially right now.

[Jeff Hiller]

Times are rough.

[Desi Lydic]

Yeah, they are. And you growing up in the church in Texas, you grew up Lutheran. Yep. And you have this beautiful chapter in your book that talks about when you came out to your church as a 22 year old and you wrote this beautiful speech. It was so moving for, you know, there are so many queer youth in this country that are having a hard time under attack right now. What would you say to those 22 year old younger Jeffs that are out there struggling with that in say, Texas or other parts of the country? What would you say to them?

[Jeff Hiller]

Well, I would just say, I'm sorry and we got your back. And I think, you know, we're in Pride month and it's a time to celebrate, but it's also a time to protest and a time to gather together and lead with compassion and hope and protection for especially the most vulnerable among us.

[Desi Lydic]

Yeah, that's absolutely right. You also have a chapter in your book, kind of off of that. You talk about being bullied in junior high.

[Jeff Hiller]

Can you believe that?

[Desi Lydic]

Well, let me just tell you, as a perpetual volunteer hall monitor, I see you. I see you. I am with you.

[Jeff Hiller]

I thought you were gonna say as a perpetual bully.

[Desi Lydic]

Yes. No, that's just what I.

[Michael Costa]

You.

[Desi Lydic]

You talk about. You talk about how even to this day you were teased for how you carry your books. And even to this day you think about how you carry your books.

[Jeff Hiller]

Right. And who even has books anymore. Although this one's good. But yeah, I used to carry them like this. And then a bully said, you carry your books like a girl. And so now I always carry things down here and it sticks with you for the whole life. And that's why it's important to protect those kids, you know?

[Desi Lydic]

Yeah, it's. And you talked about, like, what helped you get through that time?

[Jeff Hiller]

My mom. Yeah, I had a good mom. And I actually dedicate the book to good parents because everywhere, not just my mom, because who cares about my Mom. Right. But I think that providing that safe space, showing your kid that they are loved no matter what, that it really is unconditional, it allows them a foundation that even when the bad things roll in, which they will inevitably do, you're still secure enough to go out there. And I had a great mom. And, you know, and she had a great Texas accent, which you can hear me impersonate in the audiobook.

[Desi Lydic]

Thank God for good moms out there.

[Jeff Hiller]

Seriously, thank God for good moms.

[Desi Lydic]

So you mentioned you have read hundreds of celebrity memoirs. So I'm wondering if you would play a little game with me.

[Jeff Hiller]

Okay.

[Desi Lydic]

If I name a celebrity.

[Jeff Hiller]

Okay.

[Desi Lydic]

Could you give me an interesting fact about their life?

[Jeff Hiller]

Okay, I'll try.

[Desi Lydic]

Ok. Ok, Here we go. Here we go. Barbra Streisand.

[Jeff Hiller]

Yes. Which I listened to 48 hours and 15 minutes. I listened to it all. There's a lot of good ones. She's really obsessed with food. She will talk about a ravioli. That's a single ravioli. A raviolo. But the funniest fact is one of her husbands, John, who was a hairdresser, the way that they had their meat cute. He came over to do her hair. And as they were walking, he goes, nice ass. And that's how they met and fell in love.

[Desi Lydic]

Wow. He's a keeper.

[Michael Costa]

Yeah.

[Jeff Hiller]

Denny's done great.

[Desi Lydic]

Okay. Speaking of nice asses. Rosie Perez.

[Jeff Hiller]

You gotta read Rosie Perez's book. But also, you gotta listen to that one. Cause her metaphorical voice matches her literal voice, and it's mwah. She got do the right thing because she was in a. A dance club in Bedford Stuyvesant, and it was too crowded, so she got up on the speaker and started dancing. And Spike Lee was like, you want to be in my movie? And she's like, I guess.

[Desi Lydic]

Good for her.

[Jordan Klepper]

I know.

[Desi Lydic]

Not surprising. That is a good thing. No, not surprising at all. Okay. Brooke Shields.

[Jeff Hiller]

Brooke Shields. Well, the most surprising thing is Liam Neeson proposed marriage to her. Yes, yes. I know. Hold on. Then he was like, I gotta go to L. A. You know, we'll come back and we'll get married. And then he never spoke to her again. To America's sweetheart and labor union leader Brooke Shields.

[Desi Lydic]

Brooke Shields.

[Jeff Hiller]

I know.

[Desi Lydic]

Someone ghosted Brooke Shields.

[Jeff Hiller]

I know. Her book is great. You really should read. I know. I'm here to promote, but get hers. Okay.

[Desi Lydic]

But also get hers. Also get hers. I am so glad you were here to promote this book. It is hilarious. It's heartwarming. It is so beautifully written. Congratulations.

[Jeff Hiller]

Thank you.

[Desi Lydic]

You know what?

[Jordan Klepper]

Wow.

[Desi Lydic]

You take this, you hold this book however the you want. You deserve it.

[Jeff Miller]

Actress of a certain age is available now. Jeff hiller, everyone.

[Desi Lydic]

We're gonna take a quick break.

[Jeff Miller]

We'll be right back.

[Desi Lydic]

That's our show for tonight.

[Jeff Miller]

Now here it is.

[Desi Lydic]

Your moment of care recognizes you commit on the record subpoenaing christy noem because a u. S. Senator was just thrown to the ground and detained in his own democrats.

Can't follow the rules, can't follow the law.

[Jeff Hiller]

Shut up.

[Jordan Klepper]

To shut up.

[Desi Lydic]

No, you don't. No. You're not gonna tell me to shut up. 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.

[Jordan Klepper]

This has been a comedy central podcast.

[Desi Lydic]

This is an iheart podcast.