Ever wonder what a day in the life at “The Daily Show” looks like?
In a new behind-the-scenes video, Jon Stewart and co. prepare to host the Comedy Central satirical news series, starting with a 9:30 a.m. morning meeting. Since the anchors rotate, Ronny Chieng, Josh Johnson, Jordan Klepper, Michael Kosta and Desi Lydic show up to the writers’ room on separate days. They gather with the team to plan the night’s episode — there’s a whiteboard split into four “acts” and a screen with the script. The writers cycle through Fox News segments and clips from Trump rallies for inspiration.
About two hours later, the team meets in the “fishbowl” for script assembly, where they work with the hosts on specific jokes. Then, after lunch, the hosts do “guest prep,” as Ronny Chieng is shown brainstorming questions for Taika Waititi with staffers.
At 2:30 p.m., the hosts man the desk in front of an empty studio audience for rehearsal. In one section of the video, Stewart works out a bit with a prop phone, suggesting to producers how to frame the segment. Writers and producers gather around the desk to make quick changes. After the test run, the staff heads back into an office for a rewrite. Johnson is seen rehearsing dialogue in his suit as he moves lines around.
At 5:15 p.m. is wardrobe, which is when the hosts — and field correspondents Troy Iwata and Grace Kuhlenschmidt — get fitted for showtime. And just before 6 is when the guests arrive. In the video, Johnson greets Colin Kaepernick and is taken aback when the former NFL star says he is a “big fan” of the comedian.
Moments before 6 p.m., the talent gathers in the mini kitchen for last minute snacks and high-fives. And at 6, the host walks onto the soundstage to greet the studio audience, where they often tell quick stories and take questions from fans. And the rest is television magic.
Stewart returns to the “Daily Show” desk on Monday, Nov. 2, with guest Michael Lewis. Chieng hosts Tuesday and will interview Min Jin Lee, Kosta hosts Wednesday with Erica Chenoweth and Klepper hosts Thursday with Grandmaster Flash.
Watch the video below.
English (US) ·