The Daily Show has fun with Paul Ryan's demand-heavy House speakership, Back to the Future Day


Trevor Noah started out Wednesday's Daily Show with a brief homage to Back to the Future Day, and it was a pretty clever in to his top story: Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wis.), after shrugging off pleas, is now well on his way to being House speaker. What changed his mind? Ryan says he didn't want to explain to his kids why he didn't step up when needed. Noah laughed: "Do you really think this is what your kids are going to be asking you in the future?" he said. "And what's your reply? 'What can I say, kids? Back in 2015 I honestly thought the future hinged on who would be House speaker, not the fight against climate change. Now get on you scuba gear on and come down to dinner.'"
But Ryan's speakership comes with conditions. Ryan's real demands include House Republicans unifying behind him, getting rid of the parliamentary mechanism to fire a speaker, and not giving up weekends and family time. Noah was impressed — but correspondent Jessica Williams had a list of further (fake) demands from Paul, including a protein shake fountain and his own theme song, performed by the Beatles. It's a fine way to highlight Ryan's poker skills, but this is the GOP's mess — why drag John Lennon and George Harrison into it? Peter Weber
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.
-
The female-led all-women tours in Afghanistan
Under The Radar Women are 'swapping cocktails in Ibiza' for visiting a 'terror hotspot'
-
An ancient Israeli cave teaches new archaeological lessons
The Explainer The cave is believed to be one of the world's oldest burial sites
-
Music reviews: Tyler Childers and Madonna
Feature "Snipe Hunter" and "Veronica Electronica"
-
Charlamagne Tha God irks Trump with Epstein talk
Speed Read The radio host said the Jeffrey Epstein scandal could help 'traditional conservatives' take back the Republican Party
-
CBS cancels Colbert's 'Late Show'
Speed Read 'The Late Show with Stephen Colbert' is ending next year
-
A long weekend in Zürich
The Week Recommends The vibrant Swiss city is far more than just a banking hub
-
Shakespeare not an absent spouse, study proposes
speed read A letter fragment suggests that the Shakespeares lived together all along, says scholar Matthew Steggle
-
New Mexico to investigate death of Gene Hackman, wife
speed read The Oscar-winning actor and his wife Betsy Arakawa were found dead in their home with no signs of foul play
-
Giant schnauzer wins top prize at Westminster show
Speed Read Monty won best in show at the 149th Westminster Kennel Club dog show
-
Beyoncé, Kendrick Lamar take top Grammys
Speed Read Beyoncé took home album of the year for 'Cowboy Carter' and Kendrick Lamar's diss track 'Not Like Us' won five awards
-
The Louvre is giving 'Mona Lisa' her own room
Speed Read The world's most-visited art museum is getting a major renovation