Toure Show Episode Summary: Josh Johnson – I'm Laughing

Release Date: January 8, 2025
Host: Touré (DCP Entertainment)
Guest: Josh Johnson, renowned intellectual comedian and frequent contributor to The Daily Show

1. Introduction and Election Analysis [00:36 – 05:06]

Touré welcomes Josh Johnson back to the show, highlighting Josh's reputation as an "amazing intellectual comedian" known for his incisive commentary on current events. The conversation begins with a deep dive into the recent election, specifically addressing why Donald Trump and the MAGA movement prevailed.

Josh Johnson offers his perspective, acknowledging the complexity of election outcomes and the pitfalls of hindsight analysis. He emphasizes the absence of a "mysterious, elusive middle ground" that could unite the country on policy, arguing that attempts to position Democratic candidates as "Diet Republicans" fail to resonate with the Republican base and alienate Democratic voters.

“There is a mysterious, elusive middle ground that's gonna, like, bring the whole country together on policy that I don't think is real.” ([02:45])

Josh also critiques the Democratic messaging strategy, suggesting that the party sometimes adopts traditionally Republican stances, such as immigration, which dilutes their core appeal.

2. The Impact of Political Climate on Comedy and Business [05:06 – 11:51]

The discussion transitions to the interplay between politics and comedy. Touré inquires whether Trump's presidency is beneficial for Josh's business ventures. Josh responds negatively, explaining that his success hinges on the overall well-being of the community. Economic downturns, often influenced by political instability, directly affect his ability to sell tickets and perform effectively.

“I do well when everyone does well, and I do the best when people have as easy of a time as buying a ticket and feeling like they can afford a ticket is possible.” ([07:03])

Josh elaborates on his comedic approach, preferring to avoid repetitive jokes about specific individuals like Trump to maintain freshness and avoid redundancy.

“I personally don't enjoy writing jokes super, super specific to a person or a candidate.” ([07:49])

3. Comedy in the Midst of Tragedy: The Luigi Incident [12:19 – 21:04]

A significant portion of the conversation focuses on a tragic incident involving an individual named Luigi, who perpetrated violence against a CEO named Brian Thompson. Josh Johnson explores why such events become fodder for comedy almost instantaneously.

Drawing parallels to shows like Scared Straight and To Catch a Predator, Josh observes that society often finds it easier to laugh at perpetrators who embody societal despises, such as pedophiles or corrupt CEOs, rather than the victims. He points out the societal dynamics that allow audiences to find humor in the downfall of figures perceived as antagonists.

“If you can make a pedophile cry, that's pretty funny.” ([14:29])

Josh critiques the polarized media landscape, where traditional media condemn such acts as tragedies, while alternative media may celebrate them as moments of justice or poetic retribution.

“It's a real divide in media of like, traditional media, left and right is kind of like, hey, every murder is bad and you guys should not be celebrating.” ([19:21])

4. Storytelling and Class Dynamics in American Society [21:04 – 37:53]

The dialogue shifts to broader societal issues, particularly focusing on class dynamics and the distribution of wealth in America. Josh Johnson argues that the root problem lies not in the accumulation of money but in its unequal distribution. He critiques both political parties for failing to address systemic inequalities, highlighting how policies often favor the upper class while neglecting the working class.

“The root and the cause of the problems is just how the money's distributed.” ([35:53])

He further discusses the public's perception of wealth and success, pointing out the hypocrisy in how society lauds the rich while ignoring the structural issues that perpetuate inequality.

“If you are making 90k a year, depending on where you are in America, that's middle class. Yet, the rhetoric towards the poor mirrors that of billionaires towards the middle class.” ([75:03])

5. The Creative Process and Pressures of Comedy [38:50 – 56:21]

Touré delves into the creative aspects of Josh's work, asking about his day-to-day responsibilities and the pressures associated with contributing to a high-profile platform like The Daily Show.

Josh describes his routine, emphasizing the collaborative nature of the writing and production process. He contrasts the concept of "pressure" with "responsibility," suggesting that while pressure can sometimes lead to mistakes, a sense of responsibility can sharpen focus and enhance performance.

“Responsibility focuses you.” ([40:13])

He discusses the importance of authentic storytelling in comedy, highlighting how personal honesty and awareness of societal moods are crucial for crafting effective humor.

“Comedy is a lot of thinking that goes into it. It's a lot of just management of where the story goes and where the audience's head goes during the story.” ([53:58])

6. Future Aspirations and the Evolution of Comedy [56:21 – 80:12]

Looking ahead, Josh Johnson shares his aspirations to expand his comedic reach through larger shows and more interactive experiences. He envisions tours that not only entertain but also engage communities in meaningful ways, such as collaborating with shelters to promote animal adoptions.

“I want to create bigger shows where I can share my thoughts and my jokes with people in bigger spaces.” ([45:26])

Josh also reflects on the future of comedy in a landscape saturated with political content, emphasizing the need for originality and depth to keep audiences engaged without relying solely on topical humor.

“I'm trying my best to find a through line that's the one hole that hasn't been poked already.” ([50:02])

7. Concluding Thoughts on Political Polarization and Storytelling [80:12 – End]

In the final segments, Touré and Josh Johnson discuss the challenges of political polarization and the shortcomings of American storytelling in addressing complex societal issues. They lament the binary narrative of heroes and villains, advocating for more nuanced and multifaceted stories that reflect the gray areas of real life.

Josh criticizes the cyclical nature of political scapegoating, where each party blames the other for systemic problems without offering sustainable solutions. He underscores the importance of constructive dialogue and policies that genuinely address wealth distribution and social equity.

“The only problem is back and forth is now off the cliff both ways.” ([90:41])

Notable Quotes

• Josh Johnson on Middle Ground in Politics:
  “There is a mysterious, elusive middle ground that's gonna, like, bring the whole country together on policy that I don't think is real.” ([02:45])

• On Responsibility vs. Pressure:
  “Responsibility focuses you.” ([40:13])

• On Storytelling in Comedy:
  “Comedy is a lot of thinking that goes into it. It's a lot of just management of where the story goes and where the audience's head goes during the story.” ([53:58])

• On Class Dynamics:
  “The root and the cause of the problems is just how the money's distributed.” ([35:53])

Conclusion

In this episode of the Toure Show, Josh Johnson provides a thoughtful and critical examination of the intersection between politics, comedy, and societal structures. From analyzing election outcomes to exploring the role of humor in processing tragedy, Josh offers insights that challenge listeners to reflect on the deeper issues shaping contemporary America. His aspirations for expanding his comedic influence while maintaining authenticity underscore his commitment to using humor as a tool for meaningful discourse.

For more insights and episodes, visit the Toure Show website.