The Joy Reid Show Episode: Heroes and Zeroes | The Joy Reid Show LIVE!
Date: December 16, 2025
Host: Joy-Ann Reid
Notable Guests: Abbas Alawiyeh (Michigan State Senate candidate), Wajahat Ali (commentator), John Cusack (actor)

Episode Overview

This episode, titled “Heroes and Zeroes,” is a powerful live show in which Joy Reid explores tragedy and courage, hate and solidarity, and the recent events that reflect the ongoing crises in America and the world. Anchored by the heart-wrenching murder of Rob and Michelle Reiner and mass shootings at Brown University and in Sydney, the show examines heroism, the consequences of moral cowardice, media failings, rising Islamophobia, and the enduring impact of American racism and multiracial democracy. The episode features spirited calls for solidarity, sharp cultural critique, tributes to the late Reiners, and irreverent but incisive media analysis.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Recent Tragedies: Mass Shootings in America and Abroad

Timestamps: 00:35–10:43

• Brown University Shooting:

  • The episode opens acknowledging a weekend full of tragedy, highlighting the shooting at Brown University where two students were killed: Ella Cook and Mukhamad Aziz.
  • The trauma of school shootings and the “routine” nature for American youth is condemned as uniquely American (“our country is unique, almost unique in the world in having this happen to our kids” — Joy Reid, 04:18).
  • Local law enforcement’s press briefing is discussed, with frustration at the FBI’s misidentification of a suspect, fueling distrust.

• Presidential Apathy and NRA Influence:

  • Joy criticizes Donald Trump’s generic “things happen” response to these tragedies and highlights how gun violence is tolerated for the Second Amendment's sake (“his friend Charlie Kirk did say that it's worth it to have a few tragic mass shootings so that we could keep the second amendment broad and permissive”—06:42).

• Sydney, Australia Hanukkah Shooting:

  • A separate but thematically linked attack in Sydney, where two Muslim assailants targeted a Hanukkah party, is discussed. Unlike the U.S., Australia responds with immediate upgrades to gun regulations.

• Heroism:

  • The story of Ahmed Al Ahmed, a Muslim fruit vendor who tackled one of the Sydney shooters and saved countless lives despite being shot himself, is celebrated as an extraordinary example of physical courage. Joy explores the difference between moral and physical courage (08:35–10:04), linking it back to historical figures like Medgar Evers.

2. Moral Cowardice and Political Blame

Timestamps: 10:04–16:25

• Bibi Netanyahu’s Deflection:

  • Joy lambasts Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for blaming the Sydney attack on Australia’s recognition of a Palestinian state — calling him “Bibi the Butcher,” accusing him of moral cowardice, expansionism, and endangering Jews worldwide for political gain.
  • Quote: “If anybody in the world has blood on their hands for the unchecked rage and violence that's being directed at innocent Jewish people all over the world, it is you, Bibi Netanyahu.” (13:15)

• Tommy Tuberville’s Islamophobia:

  • U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville’s tweet ranting that Islam is “not a religion, it's a cult” provokes a scathing rejoinder from Joy, who points out the irony that the hero of the Sydney shooting was a Muslim. (11:16)

• Solidarity in Tragedy:

  • The episode highlights the shared humanity and suffering across faiths and backgrounds and criticizes those who attempt to politicize or divide (23:13).

3. Interview: Abbas Alawiyeh, Michigan State Senate Candidate

Timestamps: 20:06–36:43

• Abbas, a Muslim-American and pro-peace activist, is introduced via campaign ad and then joins for a live interview.

• Shared Humanity and Organizing:

  • Emphasizes the need to “fight for each other like we're family” and acknowledges his organizing around Gaza and anti-war activism.
  • Discusses how the Democratic Party lost touch with young voters—including progressive Jewish and Muslim voters—over Gaza.
  • Stresses that Democrats need to treat all communities with dignity, not just parachute in during election cycles.

• Policy & Platform:

  • Abbas commits to prioritizing universal childcare, support for elders, and not funding “bombs” but rather “babies”—calling for a care agenda and investment in communities.
  • On Islamophobia in his campaign: Abbas responds with humor about his multifaith, multicultural household and insists “our humanity is fundamentally interlinked with every single voter, regardless of who they are” (34:21).

4. Commentary: Wajahat Ali on Structural Racism and Media Narratives

Timestamps: 37:45–59:43

• Media’s Double Standard:

  • Wajahat uses satire and directness to spotlight how violence by Muslims or people of color is generalized to entire communities, while white domestic terror is individualized.
  • Quote: “The number one domestic terrorist in America is radical right wing terrorism and white supremacist terrorism … So using your own logic, we gotta find out what's happening in these white families.” (39:17)

• On Multiracial Democracy:

  • Joy and Wajahat detail American history as a deliberate and accidental creation of multiracial society—and the refusal of white nationalists to assimilate to that.
  • Critique attempts to roll back diversity and assert “European” whiteness as both futile and self-destructive (48:28–53:06).

• Migration, Demographics, and Economy:

  • Discuss the hypocrisy and danger of anti-immigrant policies, which would devastate industries and healthcare, particularly in rural America (54:36–56:48).

• Privilege and Victimhood:

  • Joy notes that people of color are never afforded individuality in media narratives: “We don't have the privilege of being individuals ... We are not individualized.” (43:35)

• White Supremacy as Fragility:

  • Wajahat: “White supremacy. Joy is fragility. And the avatar of white supremacy is Donald Trump, a weak bully with weak knees, a weak jaw and weak ankles.” (58:27)

5. Media Critique: Bari Weiss, CBS, and “All in the Video”

Timestamps: 67:30–84:00

• Bari Weiss’s CBS Town Hall:

  • Joy critiques CBS for enabling Bari Weiss—an opinion writer turned editorial director with no newsroom experience—to host an off-brand, self-serving townhall with Erica Kirk (widow of rightwing commentator Charlie Kirk) to promote Kirk’s book.
  • Dissects the TV segment’s awkwardness, lack of journalistic standards, and political motivations, noting the disconnect between Weiss and the revered legacy of CBS News.
  • Shares mocking reviews from industry insiders and Variety: “It doesn't get more toe curling than this ... revealed themselves to be the most shallow, least interesting person in TV news.” (78:00+)

• Erica Kirk Interview:

  • Kirk’s avoidance of condemning Trump and her word salad response are highlighted, as is Weiss’s failure as an interviewer.
  • The purpose of the special is challenged as ethically dubious and out of touch.

6. Tribute to Rob and Michelle Reiner

Timestamps: 86:28–116:25

• Life and Legacy:

  • Joy and guest John Cusack reflect on Rob Reiner’s storied career, warmth, and commitment to justice.
  • Rob is praised as “the pretty much the opposite of Trump in every way … charismatic, talented, generous … cared for other human beings.” (108:08, John Cusack)
  • His films and TV (All in the Family, Stand By Me, The Princess Bride, When Harry Met Sally, Misery) are cited as foundational to American culture.

• Personal Memories:

  • Cusack shares formative professional and personal experiences with Reiner, emphasizing his “mensch” character and mentorship for many in entertainment (103:13, 111:52).
  • Joy notes Reiner’s perpetual kindness and active advocacy for democracy and civil rights.

• Trump’s Response:

  • Joy reads Trump’s callous social media post about the Reiners’ murder, calling it “demonic” and a sign of unfitness for office (99:45).

• Final Reflections:

  • Joy closes with a “moment of joy,” featuring a classic All in the Family exchange, and muses on the honest reckoning with American racism found in 1970s TV.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On routine mass shootings:
  “It's really just insane how routine this has become for our young people. ... This is a 6, 6 situation and our country is unique, almost unique in the world in having this happen to our kids.” (Joy Reid, 04:18)

• On physical vs. moral courage:
  “Physical courage is what that guy had. It's amazing when you watch it, right? But we've also seen that there are tremendous consequences, right? ... Moral courage, though, can also cost lives. And we have seen the consequences in this world of a lack of moral courage.” (Joy Reid, 09:15)

• On Bibi Netanyahu:
  “If anybody in the world has blood on their hands for the unchecked rage and violence ... it is you, Bibi Netanyahu. ... You, Bibi, you are the dismantler of peace.” (Joy Reid, 13:15–14:55)

• On Islamophobia:
  “The hero in the video that I just showed you ... who gang tackled a gunman to stop them from killing more Jewish Australians ... That Guy is a 43 year old Muslim fruit shop owner and father of two.” (Joy, 12:00)

• On organizing and family:
  “I'm stepping up right now to run for state senate specifically on the message that we've got to fight for each other like we're family.” (Abbas Alawiyeh, 24:38)

• On the Democratic Party’s failings:
  “Vice President Harris and we as Democrats didn’t lose because we listened to the young voters. We lost because we didn’t.” (Abbas, 27:32)

• On the double standard in media:
  “Every confession, every admission, every accusation is a confession. ... White supremacy. Joy is fragility. And the avatar of white supremacy is Donald Trump, a weak bully with weak knees, a weak jaw and weak ankles.” (Wajahat Ali, 58:27)

• On the impact of Rob Reiner:
  “He was just a really kind guy, just a really sweet person. Super woke, super liberal. ... They were the kind of people that you just wanted to hang out with.” (Joy Reid, 86:38, 113:04)

• John Cusack on Rob Reiner:
  “Everything I learned about the good parts about filmmaking were from Rob. ... Not just a great writer and producer and director. He was a mensch in every way.” (102:11, 103:13)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:35 – Joy greets audience, introduces episode and key events
• 01:40 – Brown University shooting details, grief for Ella Cook & Mukhamad Aziz
• 03:31 – Clip of police during Brown University ordeal
• 04:16 – Joy critiques the routinization of mass shootings in America
• 06:16 – Trump’s tepid, perfunctory statement on victims, Joy’s critical response
• 07:40 – Hanukkah mass shooting in Sydney, with focus on the hero, Ahmed Al Ahmed
• 10:04 – Bibi Netanyahu’s deflection, global antisemitism, Joy’s critique
• 11:16 – Tommy Tuberville’s Islamophobia, Joy’s rebuttal highlighting the Muslim Sydney hero
• 20:06 – Abbas Alawiyeh’s campaign ad, his interview on solidarity, activism, and family
• 23:13 – Joy and Abbas discuss unity after tragedy at Brown, Sydney
• 27:32 – Abbas critiques the Democratic Party’s disconnect from young/Arab/Muslim voters
• 34:21 – Abbas on experiencing Islamophobia and building coalitions
• 37:45 – Wajahat Ali’s entrance, skewering hate narratives and the scapegoating of Muslims
• 39:17 – Wajahat lists U.S. mass shooter demographics, challenges the logic of racial profiling
• 48:28 – Joy and Wajahat discuss the history and consequences of America’s multiracial society
• 54:36 – Discussion on immigration, economy, and fragility of white supremacy
• 67:30 – Joy’s media critique: Bari Weiss’s self-promotional CBS “town hall”
• 70:46 – Bari Weiss and Erica Kirk segment, “stop” clip
• 74:07 – Erica Kirk word salad, evasion of Trump condemnation
• 78:00 – Insider and trade reviews of Barry Weiss’s CBS News role
• 86:28 – Tribute to Rob & Michelle Reiner, Joy’s personal reflections, guest comments
• 102:11 – John Cusack remembers Rob Reiner’s mentorship, generosity
• 107:07 – Clip: Rob Reiner on defending democracy (Ali Velshi Show)
• 113:04 – Joy closes with tributes to the Reiners, lessons from their work and importance of decency

Overall Tone and Style

• The episode blends righteous anger, empathy, irreverent humor, and biting satire with moments of genuine grief and optimism.
• Joy's tone is passionate, blunt, direct, and sometimes caustic toward hypocrisy and cruelty.
• Both guests and host stress solidarity across racial, religious, and political boundaries.
• There is a strong sense of historical awareness, with references to Medgar Evers, 1970s TV, and the structural nature of American racism.
• Personal anecdotes and pop culture references (All in the Family, The Princess Bride, music) are used to bring home broader social points.
• The episode oscillates between urgent political commentary, heartfelt memorial, and scathing media criticism—always returning to the theme that courage and solidarity are needed to overcome moral disaster.

Conclusion

This “Heroes and Zeroes” episode provides a cathartic and unflinchingly honest review of tragic news, heroism, political cowardice, and the responsibilities of activists and the media. Joy Reid, joined by guests and viewers, demands a more just, inclusive, and honest America, remembering those lost and uplifting those who dare to resist hate.

Key message:
Courage—physical and moral—is needed more than ever; cowardice and cruelty at the top risk not just democracy but our shared humanity. The time to fight for each other like family is now.