The Daily Show with Jon Stewart Season 14 Episode 151 Maziar Bahari

In this episode of The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, the guest is Maziar Bahari, an Iranian Canadian journalist and filmmaker who was imprisoned in Iran for 118 days in 2009. Bahari discusses his experience and how it inspired his memoir and subsequently a film adaptation, Rosewater, directed by Jon Stewart himself.

The conversation starts out lighthearted as Jon and Bahari joke about Stewart's potential as a director and their shared love of New Jersey diners. However, the tone quickly shifts as Bahari describes his time in a Iranian prison after being accused of spying for the West. He talks about the interrogations, his treatment by guards, and the psychological warfare used against him. He also discusses the importance of humor and laughter in helping him to survive such a terrifying ordeal.

Throughout the interview, Stewart praises Bahari for his resilience and courage, calling him a true hero. However, Bahari humbly deflects these compliments and emphasizes that he was just one of many political prisoners in Iran at the time. He also addresses the current political situation in Iran, expressing hope for change but acknowledging the challenges that still exist.

In addition to the interview with Bahari, the episode features several comedic segments. Correspondent Aasif Mandvi reports on the controversy surrounding the new movie version of Annie, which has been criticized for not staying true to the original story. Mandvi hilariously imagines what other beloved children's stories might look like if they were given similarly modern updates.

Another segment satirizes the way news outlets tend to focus on sensational headlines rather than nuanced reporting. Correspondent Jessica Williams presents a mock news story about a recent study claiming that people who eat pizza regularly are more likely to live longer. The segment is full of absurd humor and highlights the absurdities of mainstream news coverage.

Overall, this episode of The Daily Show with Jon Stewart is a mix of serious and lighthearted content. While Bahari's interview is emotional and heavy, it is balanced by the show's trademark humor and satire. The episode offers a reminder of the importance of free speech and journalistic integrity, as well as the power of laughter to overcome even the most difficult circumstances.