The Daily Show with Jon Stewart Season 11 Episode 12 Reza Aslan

Reza Aslan, an Iranian-American scholar of religions, joins Jon Stewart on episode 12 of season 11 of The Daily Show. Aslan is the author of several books, including "Zealot: The Life and Times of Jesus of Nazareth," which has since gained notoriety after a now-infamous interview he gave with Fox News in 2013.

The episode kicks off with Jon Stewart diving into the Fox News interview, in which Aslan was asked repeatedly why, as a Muslim, he felt qualified to write about Jesus. Aslan pushes back, explaining that his religious background should not disqualify him from discussing the historical figure of Jesus, and criticizes the interviewer for not doing his homework. Stewart then shifts the conversation to more current topics, such as the ongoing conflicts in the Middle East and the refugee crisis.

Aslan is passionate throughout the interview, offering his insights and analysis on a range of topics related to politics and religion. At one point, Stewart asks him about the recent beheadings carried out by ISIS, and Aslan denounces the group as a "cancerous growth" that has nothing to do with Islam. He argues that ISIS's ideology reflects a fundamental misunderstanding of Islamic tradition and scripture, and he challenges the idea that all Muslims bear responsibility for their actions.

The conversation then turns to the upcoming US presidential election, and Aslan offers his opinions on the candidates and their platforms. He argues that the divisive rhetoric of Donald Trump and other Republicans is not only harmful but un-American, and he predicts that the country will ultimately reject it. Aslan also takes aim at the Democratic side, describing Hillary Clinton as a "hawk" and criticizing her foreign policy record.

Throughout the interview, Aslan is engaging and informative, displaying the depth of his knowledge and his passion for the topics at hand. Stewart, as always, is quick with his wit and humor, leading to an insightful and entertaining discussion.

The episode also features several additional segments, such as correspondent Jessica Williams's take on the recent controversy over Starbucks' holiday cups and a mock ad for a new line of "pro-life" sweets. However, the heart of the episode is undoubtedly the interview with Aslan, which offers a thoughtful and illuminating perspective on a range of topics. Overall, the episode is a reminder of the power of comedy to spark meaningful conversations and challenge our assumptions.