The Daily Show with Jon Stewart Season 13 Episode 48 Judd Apatow

Judd Apatow, the celebrated writer, director, and producer, makes his appearance on the thirteenth season of The Daily Show with Jon Stewart as the guest of episode 48. The episode kicks off with Stewart's opening monologue, providing quick-witted commentary and news satire on current events.

The interview with Apatow commences with the filmmaker sharing his thoughts about what makes a good comedy movie. Apatow reminisces about his early teenage years, selling jokes to comedians performing at LA's Improv comedy club. Bringing his story up to present day, Apatow reveals that his creative process is driven by a genuine love of comedy and a desire to make movies and shows that are not only funny but also deal with real life issues and emotions. Apatow explains that he strives to create characters that feel genuine and authentic and that people can relate to.

Stewart and Apatow segue into discussing their mutual admiration and respect for legendary comedian George Carlin. The segment includes clips from Carlin's famous standup specials and some of his famous jokes. Apatow reflects on how Carlin's work has influenced his comedy style, and how he tries to push boundaries with his own work.

The conversation then drifts towards politics, with Apatow revealing that he's been a long-time supporter of progressive political causes, which is evident in some of his movies like "Knocked Up" and "This Is 40." Apatow then laments the polarization in American politics, stating that people on both sides of the political divide are frequently guilty of demonizing others that they disagree with. The show then goes on to discuss Apatow's thoughts on conservative political pundit Ann Coulter, who was a frequent target of his criticism on Twitter during the time of the episode's airing.

The show then encompasses a segment poking fun at cable news, with the correspondents reporting on the increasing prevalence of fear-mongering techniques to drive ratings heavenward. The humor is sharp as Stewart and his correspondents mock Fox News and some of their personnel, stating sarcastically that they could have saved lives if only they had warned the public of harmless things such as tainted salad greens.

The concluding segment of the show takes a satirical look at then-recent news reports concerning the surveillance activities of National Security Agency (NSA), with the correspondents mock-interviewing a fictitious NSA agent who is a little too candid about their methods. The show closes on a typically uproarious note, leaving viewers with the aftertaste of political satire and trenchant humor.

Overall, episode 48 of season 13 of The Daily Show with Jon Stewart is a hilarious, engaging, and thought-provoking piece of television that confronts important issues such as politics, comedy, and the role of media in society. Those unfamiliar with Judd Apatow's work will be pleased to find an entertaining and fascinating interview with the talented Hollywood fixture, while seasoned viewers will find themselves once again tickled and enlightened by Stewart's incisive humor.