Trump's First Day, Jan. 6 Pardons, Klepper Crashes Inauguration | Stephanie Hsu

Summary

The Daily Show: Ears Edition – January 22, 2025

Host: Ronnie K.
Produced by: iHeartPodcasts and Paramount Podcasts
Guest: Stephanie Hsu, Academy Award-nominated actress

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Introduction

In the January 22, 2025 episode of The Daily Show: Ears Edition, host Ronnie K. and co-host Roy Chang delve into the tumultuous first day of Donald Trump’s second presidential administration. The episode features sharp political satire, insightful commentary, and an engaging interview with guest Stephanie Hsu.

---

Trump's Inauguration and Party Highlights

Timestamp: 00:01 – 04:15

The episode kicks off with Roy Chang humorously recounting the extravagant and bizarre elements of Donald Trump’s inauguration celebration. Highlighting Trump's unconventional choices, Chang describes Trump’s fitted tuxedo and his entrance set against a nostalgic Windows 95 screensaver playing "YMCA," dubbing it “America’s new national anthem.”

• Notable Quote:
  "Donald Trump got dressed up in a tux that actually fit him for a change and made his grand entrance in front of a Windows 95 screensaver they played. YMCA is America's new national anthem, I guess."
  (00:45)

Chang humorously critiques Trump's dance moves, likening them to a "jerk off dance," and mocks the use of an airplane-decorated cake and a weaponized sword for the ceremonial cake-cutting.

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Executive Actions: Day One in Office

Timestamp: 04:16 – 07:58

The hosts transition to discussing Trump’s flurry of executive actions on his first day. Chang lists over 100 executive orders, mocking the rapid pace and often controversial nature of these decisions.

• Notable Quote:
  "He froze the federal hiring bill. Something about genders there. He said Cuba is a state-sponsored terrorist now. He renamed a mountain 'Dishwashers are Less Efficient.'"
  (05:12)

Chuckling at the sheer volume of orders, Chang satirizes Trump’s approach by portraying the signing ceremony as an “arena show,” complete with tossing pins to supporters. The conversation underscores the chaotic and theatrical nature of Trump’s early actions in office.

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Specific Executive Orders and Policies

Timestamp: 06:36 – 07:58

Roy Chang continues to dissect specific executive orders, including the controversial move to pause the TikTok ban and propose a deal for the US to own half of the platform. He sarcastically applauds Trump for "saving us from that guy," highlighting the cyclical and unpredictable nature of such policies.

• Notable Quote:
  "Look, if you could put anything in front of him yesterday, he would have signed it."
  (07:15)

Chang also touches on Trump’s intention to end birthright citizenship, mocking the constitutional implications and the potential backlash from such a profound change.

---

January 6 Pardons and Legal Controversies

Timestamp: 06:34 – 19:00

A significant portion of the episode focuses on Trump’s sweeping pardons for individuals involved in the January 6th Capitol riot. Roy Chang criticizes the pardons, comparing them to actions of fictional villains, emphasizing the gravity of freeing violent criminals prematurely.

• Notable Quote:
  "Freeing violent criminals from prison seems less moderate and more like something Bane did."
  (08:20)

The segment includes a comedic skit featuring Josh Johnson as a pardoned rioter attempting a bank robbery, highlighting the absurdity and potential dangers of such pardons.

• Notable Quote:
  "He was going to end birthright citizenship. It's a constitutional right that those born on American soil are US Citizens, regardless of their parents' immigration status."
  (07:40)

The hosts debate the legitimacy and consequences of these pardons, illustrating the polarized reactions from the public and legal experts.

---

Inauguration Day Atmosphere and Public Response

Timestamp: 11:47 – 19:35

Jordan Klepper joins the discussion, reporting from the Inauguration Day festivities. The hosts describe a subdued and colder response from supporters, with thousands of MAGA adherents finding themselves aimlessly wandering the National Mall due to inclement weather and reduced ceremony attendance.

• Notable Quote:
  "The ceremonies have been moved inside, and thousands of MAGA faithful were left to aimlessly wander the empty National Mall."
  (17:22)

The conversation humorously laments the lackluster turnout and the symbolic juxtaposition of Trump and his top supporters being separated from the main events.

---

Guest Interview: Stephanie Hsu

Timestamp: 20:41 – 34:44

In the latter half of the episode, Stephanie Hsu, acclaimed actress known for her role in the Peacock original comedy series Laid, joins the show. The interview explores her career trajectory from experimental theater to mainstream success, and her experience filming Laid.

• Notable Quote:
  "Laid is a dark comedy rom-com about a woman in her 30s who discovers that everyone she's ever slept with is dying in mysterious ways."
  (24:24)

Hsu discusses the challenges and artistic freedoms of experimental theater, her transition to television, and the collaboration with other notable artists like Ali Wong.

• Notable Quote:
  "Experimental theater gave me permission to be a full artist and be fearless."
  (26:22)

Ronnie K. praises Hsu’s comedic timing and depth, while Hsu reflects on the impact of Laid and its reception.

---

Closing Remarks and Final Satire

Timestamp: 34:19 – End

The episode wraps up with a satirical take on Trump’s post-show remarks about his inauguration sermon, blending humor with a critical edge.

• Notable Quote:
  "What did you think of the sermon? Did you like it? Did you find it exciting? Not too exciting, was it? I didn't think it was a good service."
  (34:19)

The hosts invite listeners to explore more content from The Daily Show podcast universe and encourage tuning in through various platforms.

---

Conclusion

This episode of The Daily Show: Ears Edition masterfully blends political satire with in-depth interviews, providing listeners with both entertainment and critical insights into the early actions of Donald Trump’s administration. Stephanie Hsu’s interview adds a refreshing artistic perspective, rounding out a dynamic and engaging episode.

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Listen to the full episode: The Daily Show: Ears Edition is available for streaming on Paramount+ and can be subscribed to via your preferred podcast platform. Don’t forget to use the discount code "TDS20" for 20% off merchandise at ParamountShop.com.

Watch on Comedy Central: The Daily Show airs weeknights at 11/10c on Comedy Central.

Transcript

[Roy Chang]

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, Ronnie K. Welcome to the Daily Show. I'm Roy Chang. We got so much to talk about tonight. MAGA throws the party. Donald Trump rules by shopee. And Jordan Klepper freezes his ass off at the inauguration. But you know what? This is day one of the Trump administration, part two. So let's get into our brand new segment, the second coming of Donald J. Trump. Yesterday was a momentous day for the country. The once disgraced president returning to office after four years, ready to enact terrible revenge against his political enemies. But first, party time. And what a party it was. Donald Trump got dressed up in a tux that actually fit him for a change and made his grand entrance in front of a Windows 95 screensaver they played. YMCA is America's new national anthem, I guess. While Donald Trump did a presidential jerk off dance, because that's not like a song that has its own extremely famous dance moves. Then they brought out a cake with an airplane on it, which is the coolest thing any six year old boy can have. And wait, are they giving him an actual sword to cut the cake? Oh, don't give him a, don't give him a sword. Now he's dancing with the sword and it's just bad idea. He really just swung that thing around. We were about 3 inches away from finding out whether Melania is cake. This was a long night of celebration. And he ended it by thanking everyone who was important to him. Starting, of course, with the person standing directly in front of him. I have a great family. I really do. I just look around. My son Eric has been so incredible. Okay, I thought you were gonna start with Melania, but I'm sure you'll get to her next. Then you have. Where is my Ivanka? Have you ever heard of Ivanka and Jared? Okay, you know what? He's saving the most important person, Melania, for last. And we have Tiffany's here someplace. And Michael. Let's try our great golfer Don and Don and Chloe. Wait, who the is Chloe? His wife is standing right there. He's just making up new family members. She does not look happy. Okay, I, I, I don't know about the Panama Canal, but tonight the Slovenian Canal is closed. And look, it wasn't all partying and disrespecting his wife, okay? He also did some work, like, actually a lot of work. Yesterday that dude signed over 100 executive actions. I mean, look at that. He froze the federal hiring bill. Something about genders there. He said Cuba is a state sponsored terrorist now. He renamed a mountain Dis dishwashers are less efficient. He can. He can do that. Look, he has so many executive actions, they had to, like, scroll through the tracks like it was an ad for now that's what I call maga. And being the showman that he was, Trump wasn't gonna sign these behind with a pen and paper like a nerd. Okay? No, he turned this into an arena show at Capitol One arena in front.

[Ronnie K]

Of a crowd of supporters.

[Roy Chang]

Trump putting into motion his day one actions. After President Trump signed the executive orders at a desk that was placed on stage, he had a pile of pins. Well, President Trump decided to toss the pins to some of his support. Wow. Whoever caught that pen is so lucky. I mean, that is gonna be such a cool thing for those guys to show their kids once they get their visitation rights back. And, and, and even after. Even after he got back to the White House, he just kept signing. I mean, this. This guy was so in the zone, he didn't even know what he was signing. Withdrawing from the policeman. What is withdrawing from the world health organizations. Ooh, he's withdrawing from the World Health Organization. Like he's hearing the dessert options. Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah. I'll have the tiramisu and potential measles outbreak with that. I mean, if you could put anything in front of him yesterday, he would have signed it. Melania, now's your chance to update the prenup. Go, go, go, go. But you know, but you know what? I'm not gonna be shitting on President Trump, okay? Okay, sure. He pulled out of, like, who are those guys? What are the odds there's ever gonna be a pandemic requiring global cooperation? So I'm gonna go to President Trump with an open mind. You know, he won the election, which means he's a great guy. Who's right. So I'm sure his executive orders are reasonable. Trump pulled the US out of the Paris climate Accords. Okay, okay, look, he. I know that sounds bad for these woke liberals, but, like, does it really matter? You know, One year we're in, next year we're out. We've been doing the hokey pokey of these gu for like 12 years. They didn't even put us in a group chat anymore. Okay? Also newsflash, Paris Accord, yo. We're not gonna reach the emission goals anyway, okay? This world is over. It's just an excuse to go to Paris. Which. Overrated. Okay, so fine, he's taking us out of anything that involves the rest of the world. Okay? I'm sure there's other executive orders that aren't any worse.

[Ronnie K]

Among the many executive orders President Trump.

[Roy Chang]

Signed on Monday was this one.

[Ronnie K]

Pausing the TikTok ban for 75 days. He says the United States should broker a deal to own half of the platform.

[Roy Chang]

I think the US should be entitled to get half of TikTok. And congratulations, TikTok has a good partner. See, yo, he brought back TikTok just as my brain was regaining its higher order functions. I mean, oh, my God, that was close. Now, if you remember, TikTok was originally banned because everyone thinks it gives China too much influence over Americans. And to be fair, before I started using TikTok, I was a white guy from Iowa. Okay, but the point. The point is the people have spoken, okay? We want China to change our brains. What absolute idiot even thought of banning it in the first place? We're looking at TikTok. We may be banning TikTok. Okay? Yeah, thank you, President Trump, for saving us from that guy. What I'm saying is all these executive orders aren't bad, okay? I mean, what else is he doing? And Trump is going to try, through executive order to end birthright citizenship. It's a constitutional right that those born.

[Ronnie K]

On American soil are US Citizens, regardless of their parents immigration status.

[Roy Chang]

Okay, okay, that. That does sound like a major change. Birthright citizenship has been in the constitution for over 100 years. But on the other hand, should you just be a US Citizen just because you were born here? I mean, I think all citizens should have to prove that they're truly American by taking a quiz on American history and failing it. Okay? If your score. If Your score's above 60, you're going back to Asia or whatever shithole country has educational standards. And to be fair, nothing too extreme so far. I mean, it sounds like there's a campaign Trump that says things to win, and then there's a President Trump who rules more moderately overnight with the stroke of a pen. President Trump issuing sweeping pardons to nearly all of the rioters charged for their actions on January 6th. So this is January 6th. Trump even granting clemency to the more than 600 people charged with assaulting or resisting law enforcement. Okay, look, freeing violent criminals from prison seems less moderate and more like something Bane did. Okay? But you know what? If you know your history in that situation, Batman fixed it. Okay, so concerns are overblown. Uh, and look, these guys have been in Prison for like two whole months already. Okay. I'm sure they've learned their lesson. Jacob Chancely, we know him as also the QAnon Shaman. He put out something on social media where he said, I got a pardon, baby. Thank you, President Trump. Now I am going to buy some mother effing guns. See, he learned his lesson. For more on the J6 pardons, we go live to senior legal correspondent Josh Johnson. Josh. Josh. Josh, where the hell are you? I'm at a bank, you silly goose. Everyone get on the ground. I ain't playing. Josh. Josh. What? Are you robbing a bank? Of course not. This is a bank robbery. Get on the floor. Okay, look, it definitely looks like you're robbing a bank. Sure, it looks like I'm robbing a bank because I'm in a bank holding a gun, demanding money from tellers who are crying. And we'll see what happens if they do not come up out of this money. All right? But I'm wearing a MAGA hat. And as the J6 pardons clearly established, you can't be wearing a MAGA hat and doing a crime at the same time. Okay, wait, hang on. How does the hat change the fact that you have a gun aimed at people's heads? Without the hat, I'm robbing a bank with the hat. I'm peacefully protesting a rigged financial system. Sandra, I've been very clear. I want the lollipops too, all right? The great ones. Okay? Sorry, Ronnie. Multitasking. Okay, Jo. Josh, hat or no hat, the police are gonna arrest you. And if they do, I'm a political hostage, much like these people who I'm currently holding hostage. All right, Sandra, the little pins with the chain, all of it in the bag. How many times do I have to tell you? Okay. Oh, my God, Josh, did your gun just go off? That was my bad, all right? I mean, these triggers are so finky. You just touch them and they go off. Okay, okay, I. I think you're in big. I mean, I would be if I didn't have a second hat. Okay, look, save some of those hats for me. Josh Johnson, everybody. When we come back, Jordan Klepper went to the inauguration, so don't go away.

[Jordan Klepper]

At public.com, we've brought all your investing together in one place. From stocks to options, bonds to treasuries and crypto, it's all here. You can even put your cash to work at an industry leading 5.1% APY. It's the most simple yet sophisticated investing experience on the market. A place where all your investments are just a tap away. Because why juggle multiple investing apps when you can have one that does it all? Meet your new primary portfolio Public.com, a US based company and member of FINRA with award winning customer support. All Your investing in one place 5.1% APY as of 521 subject to change. All investing involves risk brokerage services for US listed securities options and bonds in a self directed brokerage account are offered by public investing member FINRA and sipic. Not a bank, not investment advice.

[Roy Chang]

Welcome back to the Daily Show. Donald Trump was inaugurated yesterday and wherever Donald Trump goes, Jordan Klepper is not far behind in another edition of Fingers the Pulse.

[Josh Johnson]

The Trump coronation was a weekend full of the usual pomp and circumstance and strangely, a victory rally celebration the day before the actual celebration celebration. So I headed to our nation's frozen capital to witness the festivities.

[Roy Chang]

The golden age of America has arrived. Not only are we excited here in the US but the world is excited. We're excited to get rid of the old administration. You know, just wipe the slate clean.

[Josh Johnson]

You do that with like dope dance moves or something?

[Roy Chang]

No, we do that with crypto and AI.

[Josh Johnson]

But it wasn't all fun and games. Trump was elected to deal with serious issues.

[Ronnie K]

But I think the Gulf of America.

[Roy Chang]

Is a good idea. Good name. Yes.

[Josh Johnson]

And why stop there? I mean, New Mexico, that's horseshit. Yeah, right.

[Roy Chang]

People are coming out in support of more nationalist governments and making sure that we can actually support our people and not globalist elites.

[Josh Johnson]

Stay out globalist elites.

[Roy Chang]

Absolutely. That is exactly what we want.

[Josh Johnson]

Are you excited to see Elon Musk up there?

[Roy Chang]

I am. And MAGA isn't just for one kind of people. We are for the American people and everybody that then encompasses.

[Josh Johnson]

I think you're going to need everybody to get together to push out those globalist elites.

[Roy Chang]

Absolutely.

[Josh Johnson]

So let's get the richest man in the world from South Africa to come.

[Roy Chang]

In here and do it.

[Josh Johnson]

What do you want to see him do, day one?

[Ronnie K]

Well, I want to see him pardon.

[Roy Chang]

Everybody from January 6th. I want him to free our January 6th prisoners right away. I hope that happens right away.

[Josh Johnson]

Pardon all of them?

[Roy Chang]

Yes, all of them.

[Josh Johnson]

Really?

[Roy Chang]

Yes.

[Josh Johnson]

Do you pardon everybody from January 6th?

[Roy Chang]

I think majority of the people should be pardoned, honestly.

[Josh Johnson]

But this guy who stole the podium, should he be pardoned?

[Roy Chang]

Yes. For sure? Yes.

[Jordan Klepper]

I mean, what's that?

[Josh Johnson]

Who hasn't grabbed a little Snickers bar or a totem American democracy and walked out the door. Huh. This guy's shooting a gun outside the Capitol. Should he be pardoned?

[Ronnie K]

I don't think he should have shot a gun.

[Roy Chang]

That's just my opinion.

[Josh Johnson]

I know.

[Ronnie K]

That's a little different situation there.

[Josh Johnson]

Call me old fashioned.

[Roy Chang]

Definitely not.

[Josh Johnson]

This guy with a gun, shooting a gun outside the Capitol.

[Roy Chang]

Most definitely. He should not be parked. And there are 2, 2.1 million people there. They didn't all storm the Capitol. None of them were armed.

[Josh Johnson]

Well, some were armed.

[Roy Chang]

Who?

[Josh Johnson]

This guy, this guy with a gun outside the Capitol. Should he be pardoned?

[Roy Chang]

Did he shoot the gun? Is that a real gun or is that a fake gun?

[Josh Johnson]

He shot the gun up in the air.

[Roy Chang]

Yes, yes.

[Josh Johnson]

He should be pardoned because.

[Roy Chang]

Yeah, I think he should be pardoned.

[Josh Johnson]

Why?

[Roy Chang]

Because I don't think he should be. I don't think he was. I think he should be pardoned. Yeah, absolutely.

[Josh Johnson]

What about this guy spraying a bear spray at the police office?

[Roy Chang]

Self defense.

[Josh Johnson]

That's so. Pardon. Yeah, that's a tough one.

[Roy Chang]

Was that from the same day?

[Josh Johnson]

Yeah, that's January, January 6th. The. The most photographed crime in human history.

[Roy Chang]

Yeah.

[Josh Johnson]

Yeah.

[Roy Chang]

Okay, well, you can show me 8 million more. I'm pro. Pardon. Well, no. Where was this at?

[Josh Johnson]

It was outside the Capitol.

[Roy Chang]

January 6th. Yes.

[Josh Johnson]

Have you not seen this image?

[Roy Chang]

No, I have not seen that image.

[Josh Johnson]

Have you seen any of these images?

[Roy Chang]

Some of them, but not these.

[Josh Johnson]

Really?

[Roy Chang]

Maybe the ones. Maybe the media that I'm following is not. It's not showing these. It could be, it could be.

[Josh Johnson]

What media did you follow?

[Roy Chang]

Oh, conservative.

[Josh Johnson]

Did you watch the January 6th hearings?

[Roy Chang]

No, I didn't. No.

[Josh Johnson]

Okay, so this is new.

[Roy Chang]

So that's my fault. I should have been better informed. Yes.

[Josh Johnson]

I will say that's a refreshing thing to hear. In the end it didn't matter because Trump just pardoned this guy and 1500 of his friends. But this weekend is about joy. One thing you're most excited about seeing.

[Roy Chang]

Today, Donald Trump at 5:00.

[Josh Johnson]

That's it.

[Roy Chang]

And the garbage truck. And the garbage truck, yes.

[Josh Johnson]

This garbage truck.

[Roy Chang]

The MAGA garbage truck that went viral.

[Jordan Klepper]

During the campaign, who reportedly hit the streets during the Inauguration Day parade.

[Josh Johnson]

And these full grown adults who voted for the President were really, really pumped.

[Roy Chang]

The garbage truck is here. Yeah. No, I didn't know that.

[Josh Johnson]

The garbage truck is here.

[Roy Chang]

No, I did hear that. I did hear it was coming. Yeah. Yeah.

[Josh Johnson]

That's funny. That's what I'm talking about. Garbage truck is here. Have you heard about that?

[Roy Chang]

No. The one that Trump sat In.

[Josh Johnson]

Yeah. People were hyped to celebrate a new chapter in America. But as Inauguration Day arrived, there was a wrinkle.

[Roy Chang]

The ceremonies have been moved inside, and.

[Josh Johnson]

It meant thousands of MAGA faithful were left to aimlessly wander the empty National Mall. Sparsely attended as of now.

[Roy Chang]

Yeah, it's a little calm. I'm kind of surprised at how small the crowd is.

[Josh Johnson]

Is that disappointing?

[Roy Chang]

Yeah, because I would have liked to have seen a little bit more.

[Josh Johnson]

Don't you think it's kind of the perfect metaphor?

[Roy Chang]

Yeah. Yeah, I guess. So.

[Josh Johnson]

He's inside hanging out with the billionaires while all his supporters are outside in the cold.

[Roy Chang]

Yeah, but I think that MAGA is a tough crowd anyway.

[Josh Johnson]

They're prepared to be left in the cold.

[Roy Chang]

Yeah, absolutely.

[Ronnie K]

Expectations definitely changed. We had planned on being here. We were really excited for the parade.

[Josh Johnson]

Have you thought about trying to get inside the rotunda?

[Roy Chang]

Not really.

[Ronnie K]

I feel like that one's gonna be a little tough for us today.

[Roy Chang]

Really?

[Josh Johnson]

For you guys? I mean, judging by your outfit, can't you just climb the walls? Or judging by your outfit, can't you just break a window?

[Ronnie K]

Yeah, I mean, I personally probably wouldn't break a window. That would really hurt my hand, especially in the cold.

[Josh Johnson]

What's the vibe like here right now?

[Roy Chang]

Very relaxed.

[Josh Johnson]

It is relaxed. Somber, almost. I mean, what died? A free press?

[Jordan Klepper]

I don't think anything died. I think we're.

[Roy Chang]

I think we're all just kind of relaxed.

[Josh Johnson]

Oh, shit. I'm sorry. Turn around slowly. Slowly. Don't spook it. Is that. Is that. Is that the garbage truck?

[Roy Chang]

I don't. I don't know.

[Josh Johnson]

I've got something that I think is gonna bring a smile to your face.

[Roy Chang]

Really?

[Josh Johnson]

You know what's gonna be here today?

[Roy Chang]

What? What?

[Josh Johnson]

The garbage truck.

[Roy Chang]

Oh, yeah, I saw one. You saw one? Oh, my gosh.

[Ronnie K]

I'm so excited.

[Roy Chang]

I'm excited.

[Ronnie K]

We can't leave. We can't go home. We have to stay.

[Josh Johnson]

Well, and you say you saw one. You don't know?

[Roy Chang]

I know I saw one. I saw one today. I saw it pass by.

[Josh Johnson]

You don't know if it was the garbage truck?

[Roy Chang]

No, I don't know if it was the one.

[Josh Johnson]

Regardless, you seem excited by it.

[Roy Chang]

Oh, yeah, I'm very.

[Josh Johnson]

I love your PJs, by the way.

[Jordan Klepper]

Thank you.

[Josh Johnson]

I think we know who's gonna run in 2028.

[Roy Chang]

Thank you, Jordan. When we come back, Stephanie Hsu will be joining me on the show, so don't go away.

[Jordan Klepper]

At public.com, we've brought all your investing together in one place. From stocks to options, bonds to Treasuries and crypto, it's all here. You can even put your cash to work at an industry leading 5.1% APY. It's the most simple yet sophisticated investing experience on the market. A place where all your investments are just a tap away. Because why juggle multiple investing apps when you can have one that does it all. Meet your new primary portfolio, Public.com, a US based company and member of FINRA with award winning customer support. All Your investing in one place. 5.1% APY as of 521. Subject to change. All investing involves risk brokerage services for US listed securities options and bonds in a self directed brokerage account are offered by public investing member FINRA and sipic. Not a bank. Not investment advice.

[Roy Chang]

Welcome back to the Daily Show. My guest tonight is an Academy Award nominated actor who stars in the Peacock original comedy series Laid. Please welcome my good friend, Stephanie Hsu. Oh my God. Wow. I love you, dude. They didn't even stand up for me. They love you. Thanks for coming on the show.

[Ronnie K]

Your show. Yeah, I'm so excited to be here.

[Roy Chang]

Yeah. It's great to see you again. I haven't seen you in so long. Yes. This show you just did, you filmed it what, like two years ago?

[Ronnie K]

No, last year.

[Roy Chang]

Only last year.

[Ronnie K]

Yes, last year. We shot it really fast in Vancouver.

[Roy Chang]

Yeah, that's right. I remember when you shot it because you turned down my pilot to do the show.

[Ronnie K]

Okay. Allegedly. But I don't remember this.

[Roy Chang]

Oh, yeah. Well, that means you didn't even see your reps turned down.

[Ronnie K]

My reps are blockading you from me.

[Roy Chang]

But it looks like you made the right choice because my pilot didn't get picked up and your show did.

[Ronnie K]

Okay, well, thank you so much.

[Roy Chang]

It's a great show. It's super funny. We actually won like three projects together.

[Ronnie K]

Every single movie TV show where there is one Asian person, you're in it. You're the next person.

[Roy Chang]

Yeah.

[Ronnie K]

And I think you just just proved that.

[Roy Chang]

Yeah. And I pride myself on being that.

[Ronnie K]

Heck yes.

[Roy Chang]

Please call me if you have more than one Asian in your thing.

[Ronnie K]

I do have a funny story about shortcomings.

[Roy Chang]

Oh, yeah.

[Ronnie K]

But this was not gonna be my surprise.

[Roy Chang]

Oh, okay.

[Ronnie K]

Okay. My funny story about shortcomings, which is.

[Roy Chang]

The thing we did together was the first clip. Go watch it.

[Ronnie K]

He didn't show the part where we smooch. We do smooch. Which I and after Randall would call cut. Ronnie Would be like.

[Roy Chang]

What do you mean?

[Ronnie K]

We would, like, smooch. And then Randall would be like, cut. And he'd be like, yeah, scene's over.

[Roy Chang]

Yeah. As soon as the director says cut, my job is done, woman. Right. I'm not. What do you mean? To linger in the kissing, like, once. Yeah, once. The love scene. Once the director says cut, I'm like, all right, I'm out.

[Ronnie K]

Married.

[Roy Chang]

Yeah.

[Ronnie K]

No, I respected it. I was like, oh, I really respect this, man.

[Roy Chang]

Wouldn't it be weird if I didn't stop, though? It would be like, of course. Right?

[Ronnie K]

I know.

[Roy Chang]

Yeah. But that's like an acting. Like, I don't know. As an actor, does it take a while for you to get out of the scene? I don't know. I'm like, no, I'm. My erection dies down immediately.

[Ronnie K]

Okay, well, this is a good pivot to my surprise, which is that over the holiday, I watched a new comedy special, and it was so funny.

[Roy Chang]

Oh, that's right. I just wanted to shout that out. Wait, this is your surprise that you watched my comedy special on Netflix?

[Ronnie K]

No, it's not.

[Roy Chang]

Well.

[Ronnie K]

Cause, you know, people here come and talk about their stuff, but I want to shower you with some love.

[Roy Chang]

It's okay. I get enough attention on this show. My name's in the. Yeah, that's nice of you. Yeah. Thanks for coming to the. When I was on tour with. Oh, wait, you never came a single time.

[Ronnie K]

This is a roast. We always miss each other geographically. Cause you were doing it in la, and then I was in New York, and then you were in New York, and then I was in Vancouver.

[Roy Chang]

No, I don't take it.

[Ronnie K]

Yeah, I'm on the mailing list.

[Roy Chang]

Yeah, I know. But thanks for watching it. Thanks for watching.

[Ronnie K]

It's so funny.

[Roy Chang]

I appreciate it.

[Ronnie K]

It brought me a lot of joy.

[Roy Chang]

Yeah. But we're here to talk. No, don't talk about me. Dude. I love backstage. She's like, I have a surprise for you. I'm not gonna tell you what it is. I'm gonna say it on air. And her surprise was promoting my special. I don't think you know what surprises.

[Ronnie K]

No, it's embarrassing you in front of your loving fans.

[Roy Chang]

Yeah, that's what it is. Yeah, it's. Sorry. Okay. Everyone here is loving it, I promise you. The comment section is hating this. Right? So tell us about Laid. Tell us about Laid.

[Ronnie K]

Okay. Yeah. Laid is a dark comedy rom com. It's about a woman in her 30s, Ruby Yao, who's having a hard time finding love, and she Starts to find out that everyone she's ever slept with is dying in mysterious ways in the order that she slept with them. So she has to be like, am I the problem? And sort of. That's the umbrella of her sort of, like, love quest search of warning all her previous lovers, and then getting tangled in some triangles along the way.

[Roy Chang]

And just to be clear, I mean, it's not like they're dying of std.

[Ronnie K]

No, no, no, it's not that.

[Roy Chang]

It's not that.

[Ronnie K]

No.

[Roy Chang]

That's obviously the.

[Ronnie K]

It's a comedy, you know.

[Roy Chang]

Right.

[Ronnie K]

Yeah.

[Roy Chang]

So, I mean, that's. That's the allegory, but it's not actually people dying of gonorrhea.

[Ronnie K]

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Roy Chang]

It's kind of like.

[Ronnie K]

I'm not sure you can. Yeah.

[Roy Chang]

Oh, you can't die from gonorrhea.

[Ronnie K]

I don't know. I'm not.

[Roy Chang]

I don't know. I wouldn't know.

[Ronnie K]

You just lost your chance in the comment section.

[Roy Chang]

But, like. Because it's kind of like Final Destination a little bit. When people die, it's always like some weird left field. And I watched it. It was super funny. I gotta tell you. I'm not just saying it. It's super funny. It's very watchable. It's that very. You're great in it.

[Ronnie K]

Thank you.

[Roy Chang]

You know, every time, everything I watch you in, it's like, you're so talented. You've got comedic timing out the wazoo. But you come out, like. You come from this, like, experimental theater background.

[Ronnie K]

I do.

[Roy Chang]

So what, like, how did you get it to this place where you can, you know, you're nominated for, like, Academy Awards for realism. Realism acting. But you come from this. I don't know what you're doing in experimental theater in New York.

[Ronnie K]

It's a lot of, like, rolling around on the floor, you know, and it's a lot of, like.

[Roy Chang]

Like. Just a lot of what?

[Ronnie K]

Just. You know what I'm saying?

[Roy Chang]

Oh, like freezing or just, like, shapes.

[Ronnie K]

You know what I mean? Just like abstractions.

[Roy Chang]

Yeah. It's weird.

[Ronnie K]

It is weird. But it's also. You know what it is actually what I think about it? I mean, there's, like, clowning involved, too, where people do, like, mask work or, like, clowning work. It's just, like, big art space, actually. It's not. Like, things are maybe not as mainstream, but I actually think the thing that experimental theater gave me was permission to be, like, a full artist and be, like, fearless. And I think, you know, when we were first starting out, I just like, that space was not available in a mainstream way for me.

[Roy Chang]

Oh, for you?

[Ronnie K]

Yeah.

[Roy Chang]

Wait, you mean what was not available, like the.

[Ronnie K]

Well, there was no joyride. There was no everything everywhere, you know, there was like 16 candles, you know.

[Roy Chang]

You mean work? There was no work. There's no jobs there.

[Ronnie K]

There's no work of it.

[Roy Chang]

Yeah, yeah. So do you mean you went to experimental theater because you couldn't get a job or because you wanted to do it?

[Ronnie K]

I think because I wanted to, like, fully do what I was capable of doing.

[Roy Chang]

Right. You're a pure artist in that way. That's why it was surprising when I first met you. I was like, oh, she's like a legitimate actor, like artist. Like, for me, I like, I tell dick jokes in bars.

[Ronnie K]

That's an art form too.

[Roy Chang]

It is, but it's not like it's art. It's not really art. It's like I'm like this close. I'm like just whipping my dick out. You know what I mean? Like I'm in a bar, just. Yeah. Oh, I guess it is. I guess it is. I guess. I guess bad stand up comedy is experimental theater in a way.

[Ronnie K]

Honestly. I did. I did do comedy. I was like in the sketch world. And the reason why I decided to not continue down that path was. Cause the hours are so crazy. You have to stay awake so late.

[Roy Chang]

Yeah, I feel like shit.

[Ronnie K]

Even at an early age, I was like, how does one start at midnight?

[Roy Chang]

Mentally ill because we're starting late and then we're just not sleeping and then we'll just. And then did you consciously get out of. Of experimental theater because you're like, I'm done with it, or like, it's time to get a real job?

[Ronnie K]

No, I actually there was a. There was a casting director who like, sort of discovered me and put me into a table read of the first ever potential. Maybe one day this will be spongebob musical on Broadway. Spongebob, the musical on Broadway. So it was like when they were first developing it and they just needed extra, like honestly, non equity actors. Cause I was not in the union. They needed to hire some extra people to do funny voices.

[Roy Chang]

Scabbing.

[Ronnie K]

Yeah, I was scabbing works. And then I stuck with that for like five years. It was just this two hour table read in the Viacom building and they kept asking me back and that sort of helped me transition into doing theater sort of full time.

[Roy Chang]

Oh, so it wasn't even.

[Ronnie K]

It wasn't a mounted.

[Roy Chang]

It was just a table read for five years?

[Ronnie K]

Yeah, well, we did, like, a table read, and then we did workshops, developing it.

[Roy Chang]

Right, but it wasn't even staged. You were just developing it for, like, five years.

[Ronnie K]

Then in the last few years, we did, like, out of town, blah, blah, blah, and then got a call one day that was like, we're going to Broadway. Do you want to come? And I was like, okay.

[Roy Chang]

You in there? Yeah.

[Ronnie K]

So it was kind of. It wasn't ever, like, a conscious choice to leave experimental theater.

[Roy Chang]

Yeah, look, we all have different paths. But what's interesting about that, Mo is, like, I'm always interested in the people who just, like, pursue passions without thought of money, you know, Because I feel like you want. Even you're doing experimental theater like you definitely want. Trying to get famous.

[Ronnie K]

Yeah, totally.

[Roy Chang]

You were just, like, trying to get, like, these shapes out of your body.

[Ronnie K]

Yeah, I was trying to get the shapes out.

[Roy Chang]

Trying to get the shapes out. And then, dude, you got enough shapes out that you got nominated for an Oscar.

[Ronnie K]

I know.

[Roy Chang]

It was crazy. Yeah. It was so crazy.

[Ronnie K]

Thank you. Yeah.

[Roy Chang]

So, like, when you're. How was the Oscar? Oscar. For those of us who will never do that, as a show business professional, there's the art, and then there's the business side. So when I watch people who are up for Oscars, the business side of me knows the show side of me admires the artists. And the business side of me is like, oh, they're gonna do a lot of campaigning. It's gonna be like a presidential campaign. Did you feel that way when you were up for the Oscars?

[Ronnie K]

Well, honestly, you know, it was like, because we got to do it together with Michelle Key and the Daniels with Jamie. Like, it felt like a bunch of friends being like, we are going to stand in this light together. But also, before I decided to do Lay. Before I decided to do Laid, you.

[Roy Chang]

Turned on my pilot.

[Ronnie K]

I allegedly turned on your pilot.

[Roy Chang]

You definitely turned it down.

[Ronnie K]

Oops. Or I didn't see it. I'm really bad at texting and emailing, whatever.

[Roy Chang]

I might even read it. But if I was coming off Oscar nomination, I wouldn't do a pilot either, so. By the way, I don't even. I'm just joking about blaming you for.

[Ronnie K]

It, but I actually don't feel like I saw it.

[Roy Chang]

Yeah, okay. Anyway, sorry. Whatever. Yeah, Oscar. Yeah, Oscar is gonna.

[Ronnie K]

Well, so I ran into Ali Wong on the airplane before I signed on to Laid, and she was on her way to the Gotham Awards for her performance in Beef, and she was like, it was the first award of award season. And she was like, what is, like, award season? Like. Like, I don't know. I feel like I don't want to stand in the light, you know? And I was like, you are amazing, and you deserve to, like, stand and own all the effort that you've put in for all these years to get to where you are. And she won. And she won. But then also then at the tail end of that conversation, we, like, talked about ORDCs. And then I was like. I was like, hey, have you ever heard of, like, she's worked with Ninotchka Khan. And Ninotchka directed her comedy specials. And I was like, what do you think of Ninotchka Khan?

[Roy Chang]

I also worked with her, by the way.

[Ronnie K]

Yes. Well, you are in if there's an Asian person. Ronnie was there.

[Roy Chang]

I was in Young Rock.

[Ronnie K]

Yes. Yeah.

[Roy Chang]

It was like this cowboy agent.

[Ronnie K]

Cowboy.

[Roy Chang]

Asian. There's a cowboy. Yeah.

[Ronnie K]

I knew that.

[Roy Chang]

Wearing a mustache. Right.

[Ronnie K]

And that's what the pilot was about anyway. But Notch is our showrunner, one of our showrunners and the director of Laid. And I was like, what do you think of Ninotchka Khan? And Ali was like, I would recommend any person to work with her if they got the chance. And after that flight, I was like, I'm gonna do Laid.

[Roy Chang]

Sold. Yeah. Yeah.

[Ronnie K]

Synchronously.

[Roy Chang]

That's how it became laid. Yeah. Became Laid.

[Ronnie K]

Was that an underwhelming story?

[Roy Chang]

It wasn't underwhelming. It was like, I was asking about your Oscar experience. Then you turned it into talking about how Ali Wong is awesome. So it was a nice deflection. The Oscars were.

[Ronnie K]

I mean. Yeah, it was like. Yeah, it's really. Well, you know, when you do something you care about, it feels less crazy to, like, stand. Stand.

[Roy Chang]

Sure.

[Ronnie K]

Behind it and show up and, like, stand behind it. And that movie changed so many people's lives that it was like, thank you. Yeah, it was great that I was like, it's not even just for me. It's for every single person who's, like, watching and sees themself a part of this.

[Roy Chang]

So, so rehearsed. So rehearsed. Okay. No, but, Stephanie, you're the best. No, no, no. You're the best. You're the best. Thanks for coming on the show. Thank you for being a friend. Thank you for sharing your talent. All the best. I love doing stuff with you. Everybody. Lay is streaming now on Keycock. Stephanie, sue, everybody. Okay, we're gonna take a quick break. We'll be right back after this. Sorry. I'll tell you after that that's our show for the night. Now here it is, your moment of that, Mr. President. What did you think of the sermon? What did you think? Did you like it? Did you find it exciting? Not too exciting, was it? I didn't think it was a good service. No. Thank you very much.

[Ronnie K]

Thank you, Press.

[Roy Chang]

Thank you, Press. They can do much better. 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 US.

[Jordan Klepper]

Paramount Podcasts.