Late show hosts solve the Ukraine-Poland MiG-29 conundrum, joke about select brands fleeing Russia
"As the war in Ukraine continues, a lot more American companies are distancing themselves from Russia — and I mean a lot more," Jimmy Fallon said on Wednesday's Tonight Show. Starbucks, for instance, "just closed all 130 of their stores over there — and that was just on one street." Papa John's is "halting all Russian business operations — Russians were like, 'Finally, some good news!'" — and even Philip Morris joined the boycott, he said. "You know you messed up when even tobacco companies are like, 'We can't be associated with you.'"
"Yesterday, McDonald's announced they were temporarily closing all of their locations in Russia," Stephen Colbert said on The Late Show. "And with the Golden Arches closing down, Russians are gonna have to settle for their local chain, McDostoevsky's, home to their kids meal, the Box of Sadness." Seriously, "it looks like all major food brands are rushin' for the exits," he said. "Yesterday, Coca-Cola and Pepsi announced that they will suspend business in Russia. Your move, Shasta!"
Poland and the U.S. are in a standoff over who would transfer donated MiG-29 fighter jets to Ukraine, risking Russian retaliation, Colbert said. "Of course, there's a simple solution: Before you turn them over, take the license plates off the fighter jets and file off the VIN."
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.
"I don't see why this is so complicated," Trevor Noah agreed on The Daily Show. "Treat these jets like an old couch that you don't want anymore. You just leave it on the sidewalk, and then if Ukraine just happens to walk by and find a jet, I mean, what's Poland got to with it?" But seriously, "even if Poland finds some sneaky way to get these planes to Ukraine, isn't Russia going to know where the planes came from?" he pointed out. "You told us on the news!"
There are misguided "idiots taking their anger out on Russian restaurants in New York," but the exit of "McDonald's, Starbucks, and now Coca-Cola" from Russia's economy makes sense, Noah said. At the same time, "because Russian people only get Russian news, they probably have no idea why all these companies are closing." He said the pullout of U.S. dating apps will hit especially hard, but "luckily for all the Russians looking to meet horny singles in their area, there's another app that's coming out" from the Russian government.
The Late Show hijacked a famous ad jingle to imagine the Kremlin replacing Coke with carbonated borscht.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
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.
-
Was the Azerbaijan Airlines plane shot down?
Today's Big Question Multiple sources claim Russian anti-aircraft missile damaged passenger jet, leading to Christmas Day crash that killed at least 38
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Ukraine hints at end to 'hot war' with Russia in 2025
Talking Points Could the new year see an end to the worst European violence of the 21st Century?
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
What does the FDIC do?
In the Spotlight Deposit insurance builds confidence in the banking system
By Joel Mathis, The Week US Published
-
Honda and Nissan in merger talks
Speed Read The companies are currently Japan's second and third-biggest automakers, respectively
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Taylor Swift wraps up record-shattering Eras tour
Speed Read The pop star finally ended her long-running tour in Vancouver, Canada
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Drake claims illegal boosting, defamation
Speed Read The rapper accused Universal Music of boosting Kendrick Lamar's diss track and said UMG allowed him to be falsely accused of pedophilia
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
'Wicked' and 'Gladiator II' ignite holiday box office
Speed Read The combination of the two movies revitalized a struggling box office
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Jussie Smollet conviction overturned on appeal
Speed Read The Illinois Supreme Court overturned the actor's conviction on charges of staging a racist and homophobic attack against himself in 2019
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Quincy Jones, music icon, is dead at 91
Speed Read The legendary producer is perhaps best known as the architect behind Michael Jackson's 'Thriller'
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
OJ Simpson, star athlete tried for murder, dead at 76
Speed Read The former football hero and murder suspect lost his battle with cancer
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Momofuku's 'Chili Crunch' trademark uproar
Speed Read The company's attempt to own the sole rights has prompted backlash
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published