The Daily Show’s temp host of the night, Desi Lydic, sought Democratic Rep. Lauren Underwood’s help on Tuesday’s show from Chicago and night two of the Democratic National Convention as she tried to make sense of GOP vice presidential nominee JD Vance’s supposed “anti-woman rhetoric.”

Lydic put the ball on the tee for Underwood, “Speaking of extremists, JD Vance and others have been responsible for quite a bit of anti-woman rhetoric. What do you make of all this?”

Underwood was determined to give The Daily Show audience a dopamine hit, “You know, it is so clear to me that JD Vance has a deeply rooted pathology when it comes to his hatred of women. I really hope he is going to therapy. I really do. It is so clear that he needs therapy.”

As the audience guffawed, Underwood continued, “It is clear to me—that, you know, we might laugh, but he does not belong in the White House. Now, JD Vance has told us about his dangerous, extreme policy agenda for American women, and it is up to us to believe him right now and to reject it and to make sure that we go out and vote.”

To most people, wanting to send your opponents to therapy for wrongthink because you think anyone who is not a liberal is a hater might seem alarming, but not to Lydic. Instead, she brought the segment to a close by heaping effusive praise on her guest, “Oh, my gosh, it is such a delight to have you one. Thank you so much for all of the work you do. It is truly remarkable.”

The only thing that is remarkable is just how soft The Daily Show’s DNC interviews have been, even by their standards.

Here is a transcript for the August 20 show:

Comedy Central The Daily Show

8/20/2024

11:28 PM ET

DESI LYDIC: Speaking of extremists--

LAUREN UNDERWOOD: Yes.

LYDIC:  JD Vance –

LAUREN UNDERWOOD: Yes

LYDIC: And others have been responsible for quite a bit of anti-woman rhetoric.

UNDERWOOD: Yes.

LYDIC: What do you make of all this?

UNDERWOOD: You know, it is so clear to me that JD Vance has a deeply rooted pathology when it comes to his hatred of women. I really hope he is going to therapy. I really do. It is so clear that he needs therapy. It is clear to me – that, you know, we might laugh, but he does not belong in the White House. Now, JD Vance has told us about his dangerous, extreme policy agenda for American women, and it is up to us to believe him right now and to reject it and to make sure that we go out and vote. 

LYDIC: Oh, my gosh, it is such a delight to have you one.

UNDERWOOD: Thank you. Thank you, so much.

LYDIC: Thank you so much for all of the work you do. It is truly remarkable.

UNDERWOOD: Thank you.