Ep 21. Wale
- February 11, 2020
The Daily Show with Trevor Noah season 2020 episode 21, named "Wale," features comedian and rapper Wale as the guest.
The episode begins with Trevor Noah discussing the ongoing protests in the United States, particularly in response to the killing of George Floyd by Minneapolis police officers. Noah delivers a monologue that blends humor with commentary, addressing the ways in which law enforcement departments fail to hold their officers accountable for misconduct. He also discusses the recent phenomenon of "Karen" videos in which white women use their privilege to threaten or intimidate people of color.
After the monologue, Noah introduces Wale and the two discuss Wale's newest album "Wow...That's Crazy." They talk about Wale's experiences with depression and anxiety, and how his music responds to the unique challenges faced by black men in the music industry. Wale describes the difficulties he faced in "making it" as a rapper, and how he tries to set a positive example for younger artists.
In a segment titled "If You Don't Know, Now Ya Know," correspondent Dulce Sloan investigates the ways in which black people are disproportionately punished for marijuana use. Sloan interviews residents of Los Angeles about their experiences with marijuana legalization, and highlights the ongoing struggle to overturn unjust convictions relating to the drug. Throughout the segment, Sloan provides biting commentary that makes clear the absurdity of punishing people for using a substance that is now legal in many parts of the country.
In the following segment, Noah talks about videoconferencing, which has become a ubiquitous part of pandemic life. He highlights the ways in which videoconferencing (and specifically Zoom) has created an entirely new category of social faux pas. He also shows off some technology designed to help people look their best on video calls, including filters that may not be entirely realistic.
The episode concludes with a Moment of Zen, a clip of a cat dancing to a song by Wale. The episode overall explores themes of race, mental health, and technology, and balances humor with social commentary. Fans of The Daily Show will find plenty to enjoy in this episode, while newcomers may be inspired to start tuning in regularly.
