The Daily Show with Jon Stewart Season 15 Episode 148 Jay-Z
- November 17, 2010
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6.4 (25)
In season 15, episode 148 of The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, the show centers on the highly-anticipated arrival of Jay-Z to the program. Jon Stewart, as always, showcases his sharp wit, as he opens the show with a satirical jab at Rockefeller Center in New York City, where The Daily Show is filmed, for closing off the area to pedestrians. "If you're like me," Jon quips, "you prefer walking to the show and getting patted down by some guy wearing a security vest before getting in, rather than walking through the park like a normal person." This playful tone sets the tone for the rest of the episode.
The remainder of the opening segment is filled with Jon's commentary and satirical takes on current events, including the recent Tiger Woods scandal and the ongoing legal battle over Proposition 8 in California. But the heart of the episode is undoubtedly the interview with Jay-Z, which takes place towards the end of the show.
Leading up to the interview, Jon offers a hilarious intro: "Our guest tonight is a rapper, entrepreneur, and husband to a superstar – which just like Batman, means he's also a millionaire. Please welcome Jay-Z." The crowd erupts into cheers as Jay-Z makes his way out, and Jon quickly gets to chatting with the hip-hop luminary.
The conversation between Jon and Jay-Z is surprisingly personal, as the two delve into Jay-Z's upbringing and the influence it had on his music. They also discuss Jay-Z's early struggles with success – an interesting topic, given Jay-Z's current status as one of the most successful rappers in history.
Throughout the interview, Jon manages to keep things light and humorous, eliciting laughs from the audience and Jay-Z himself. But there are also moments of genuine insight, such as when Jay-Z reflects on the impact that violence and poverty had on his childhood. He notes that growing up in Brooklyn in the 1980s, he was surrounded by drugs and violence, and that he saw firsthand how people can be driven to despair by poverty. "I don't glamorize that," he tells Jon. "I don't think it's cool. But it's the reality of where I come from."
Of course, no conversation with Jay-Z would be complete without discussing his music, and Jon doesn't disappoint. The two chat about Jay-Z's recent collaborations with Kanye West, as well as his own musical inspirations. Jay-Z tells the audience that his greatest musical influence was Biggie Smalls, and that the late rapper's music spoke to him in a way that nothing else did.
The interview concludes with a light-hearted game of "Jay or Nay," in which Jon asks Jay-Z to give his opinion on a number of topics. The two banter back and forth, with Jay-Z offering his thoughts on everything from the iPad to Twitter to Donald Trump.
Overall, season 15, episode 148 of The Daily Show with Jon Stewart is a must-watch for any fan of Jay-Z or Jon Stewart. The conversation between the two is engaging, funny, and at times quite emotional, making for a memorable episode of the show. As always, Jon's satirical commentary on current events is also on point, adding some levity and laughter to a world that often feels too serious.