Ep 23. Jim Hightower

The Daily Show with Jon Stewart season 8 episode 23 brings on special guest Jim Hightower, a political activist and former Texas agriculture commissioner. Hightower discusses his recent book, "Thieves in High Places: They've Stolen Our Country and It's Time to Take It Back," which highlights the issue of corporate greed and its influence on American politics.

Stewart and Hightower dive into the issue of money in politics, with Hightower emphasizing the corrupting influence of big corporations and their ability to buy influence in government. They also discuss the failures of the Democratic party to stand up to corporate power and the need for a new populist movement to combat these issues.

The episode also features segments poking fun at the news of the day, including a segment on the 2004 Presidential election and the then ongoing war in Iraq. Stewart takes aim at politicians on both sides of the aisle, skewering their hypocrisy and incompetence.

In one particularly memorable segment, correspondent Rob Corddry takes a satirical look at the controversial practice of gay conversion therapy. Corddry interviews an ex-gay who claims to have been "cured" of his homosexuality, only to reveal that he was never actually gay in the first place.

The episode ends with a heartfelt tribute to the late actor Christopher Reeve, who had recently passed away. Stewart honors Reeve's legacy and his work in advocating for spinal cord injury research.

Overall, The Daily Show with Jon Stewart season 8 episode 23 is a thought-provoking and entertaining installment of the series, featuring sharp political commentary and clever satire. With its focus on issues of corporate power and political corruption, the episode remains relevant and engaging even today.