Ronny Chieng on why America needs satire

Post Reports

The Washington Post

Daily News, Politics, News

4.4 • 5.1K Ratings

🗓️ 13 February 2025

⏱️ 25 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

Ronny Chieng’s approach to comedy, along with his expanding TV and film portfolio, have put him on The Washington Post’s first-ever “Post Next 50” list – 50 people shaping our society this year. In this conversation with Elahe Izadi, he reflects on why he works to write jokes for his stand-up in a way that anyone can appreciate, even if they’re coming from a different perspective, and why the work of “The Daily Show” is crucial.

By the way, Martine Powers interviewed another name on the “Post Next 50” list. You can catch her conversation with Congresswoman Sarah McBride here.

Today’s show was produced by Sabby Robinson, with help from Ted Muldoon, who also mixed the show. It was edited by Renita Jablonski.

Special thanks to Evan Bretos, Hope Corrigan, Bronwen Latimer, Daniela Santamarina and Maggie Penman.

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Transcript

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0:00.0	a heads up that there is a curse word before the end of this episode.
0:06.1	They make me say that in case there are any kids around.
0:10.4	So Ronnie, I wanted to start with playing a short clip from your recent Netflix stand-up special.
0:15.8	Is that cool with you?
0:17.3	Sure.
0:17.8	All right, let's hear it.
0:18.6	The only thing I ever wanted to do my whole life was this.
0:23.2	Stand-up comedy in America.
0:28.2	It's the best.
0:31.3	Look at this.
0:32.3	It's the best.
0:35.1	You guys are cheering because you know this is way better than having kids.
0:38.3	It still holds up.
0:41.3	Yeah, it does it still hold up.
0:43.3	I think it still holds up, yeah.
0:46.3	Ronnie Chang is having a moment.
0:50.3	His new special, Love to Hate It, has been getting a lot of critical praise.
0:56.7	For real, though, was that always your dream, stand-up comedy in America?
0:59.9	Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. I tell the truth, my special. Yeah, it was always a dream to do it. And now I'm here doing it.
1:12.1	It's incredible.
1:14.0	Chang has also played roles in popular TV shows, like Interior Chinatown, and films,
1:20.0	like Crazy Rich Asians.
	...

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