The Daily Show with Jon Stewart Season 20 Episode 43

Ep 43. John Hargrove

  • TV-14
  • March 26, 2015
  • 7.8  (31)

In the 43rd episode of the 20th season of The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, the former SeaWorld trainer, John Hargrove comes on to have a conversation with Jon Stewart about his experience with the organization. Hargrove was a trainer at SeaWorld for a decade and his work was featured in the documentary "Blackfish", which highlights the cruelty against the captive orcas.

The episode begins with Jon Stewart giving a background of John Hargrove and how he played a role in the documentary that put the spotlight on SeaWorld's treatment of killer whales, which led to a decline in attendance and controversies. Jon Stewart then invites John Hargrove onto the show to talk about his experiences at SeaWorld and how he became a whistleblower.

John Hargrove talks about how he loved working with the orcas and how his goal was to train them the right way, but he eventually realized how toxic and harmful SeaWorld's practices were. He mentions how they would separate mothers and their calves leading to immense stress and depression among the orcas. He goes on to explain how the constant confinement and lack of stimulation leads to aggressive behaviors from such highly intelligent and social animals, which led to some of the tragic incidents involving trainers.

Hargrove also talks about the culture of fear and intimidation at SeaWorld that made it difficult for him to speak up earlier. He describes how he was constantly monitored and his phone was wiretapped, and how he was pressured to keep quiet about the mistreatment of the animals. But Hargrove eventually found the courage to leave SeaWorld and become a whistleblower, hoping to shed light on the horrors that were happening behind the scenes.

Throughout the interview, Jon Stewart adds his comedic touch to the conversation, but he's also genuinely interested in Hargrove's story. He acknowledges how brave it was of Hargrove to leave behind his dream job and put everything at risk to reveal the truth, especially since SeaWorld has so much power and influence in the industry.

The conversation ends with Hargrove talking about the positive changes that have come about since the release of "Blackfish", including a decrease in attendance and the public's changing perception of SeaWorld. He also shares how he's now dedicated to advocating for animal rights and the end of captivity for orcas. The show ends with Jon Stewart thanking Hargrove for his bravery and work in bringing awareness to this issue.

Overall, the 43rd episode of the 20th season of The Daily Show with Jon Stewart provides a platform for John Hargrove to share his story and the truth about SeaWorld's mistreatment of orcas. The conversation is both informative and emotional, touching on the cruelty involved in animal captivity and the bravery it takes to become a whistleblower. Jon Stewart adds his signature humor to the episode while also showing his appreciation for Hargrove's courage and dedication to animal rights.

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Description
  • First Aired
    March 26, 2015
  • Content Rating
    TV-14
  • Language
    English
  • IMDB Rating
    7.8  (31)