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'The Daily Show' Has An Eric Adams Problem

By Andrew Sanford | TV | March 10, 2023 |

By Andrew Sanford | TV | March 10, 2023 |


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I love New York City and have lived here for 15 years. It’s the longest time I’ve lived anywhere. I’ve always said I wouldn’t move unless I had to, either for work or obligation. What I did not expect is to one day be pushed out of the city I love, thanks to an arrogant, club-going Mayor who would prefer increasing a bloated police budget than increasing social spending.

One of the most frustrating things about Adams is how he is handled by The Daily Show. I have written about this before, specifically regarding former host Trevor Noah. Noah interviewed the Mayor and offered little to no pushback to some of his more outrageous claims. The man couldn’t have had a more flattering interview if he spoke with the New York Post. Adams is back on The Daily Show and is treated with kid gloves again.

This time, Adams sat down with current guest host Marlon Wayans. I like Wayans and think he’s doing a great job as host. This interview, however, is embarrassing. First of all, it is played as a joke. I get that. Unfortunately, that underlines a more persistent problem The Daily Show has always had. When they excel, they’re better than the news. When they fail, hey, relax, it’s just a comedy show!

Wayans interviews Adams in character as Quan, a fictional New Yorker (Wayans was born and raised in NYC). The interview consists of silly questions, with the occasional serious ones. Adams is so at ease with the jokiness of the interview that he barely entertains the more serious questions. Instead, he deflects with the same BS talking points Adams usually pivots to. That’s all well and good, but Wayans offers no pushback.

This was a perfect chance for The Daily Show to put Adams’s feet to the fire. He recently lamented the separation of church and state. Openly. In 2023. People heard him. Wayans tried to broach the topic, Adams pushed back, and then Wayans set him up to score. Eric praises the power of prayer regarding wishing the best for someone (despite their sexual orientation) and ignores the more frightening implications of what he said.

To pour salt in the wound, Wayans capped off the week by pointing out the importance of after-school programs. Guess who would have been a great person to press about that? I’ll give you a hint: He’s taking his salary in crypto, lied about living in his son’s home, and wants to cut NYC’s budget in a way that would be detrimental to after-school programs!

Eric Adams is making it harder for working people to live in NYC. As an NYC institution, I believe The Daily Show needs to take him more seriously. Ask him tougher questions, and harder follow-ups. Otherwise, don’t have him on. He gets enough puff press on FOX News.