Daily Show will put local political scene in national comedic spotlight

Posted on by Jake Frankel

Photo courtesy of Alex Fisher

Oct. 23 UPDATE: The Daily Show will air its local segment tonight, Oct. 23, at 11 p.m., according to the Buncombe County Young Democrats Facebook page. They’ll host a viewing party to watch the clip again tomorrow at Pulp, the club located downstairs in the Orange Peel downtown.

Asheville’s quirky political scene will soon get national attention with a segment on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart set to air later this month.

The nationally renowned comedy show will focus on local reactions to a new controversial state law that requires voters to show identification at the polls.

Alex Fisher, chair of the Buncombe County Young Democrats, was one of several members from the local group who was recently interviewed by Daily Show correspondent Aasif Mandvi. She announced the news via Facebook Oct. 10, posting a photo with Mandvi as he holds an “Asheville: Cesspool of Sin” bumper sticker. Fisher says the experience of being interviewed for the Daily Show was “amazing,” and reports that the segment will air on Comedy Central either Oct. 23 or Oct. 24 at 11 p.m.

Local political operative Carmen Ramos-Kennedy, former Buncombe Commissioner candidate Terry Van Duyn and Minnie Jones, founder of the local Minnie Jones Health Center, were also interviewed, among others, according to Fisher.

Meanwhile, longtime conservative activist Don Yelton says he was interviewed as well, but didn’t have a very positive experience. He says he fears that his responses will be edited in a way that makes him seem racist.

“The questions were such that the answers can be played with. I expect them to play with my answers for racism,” he tells Xpress. “They got real upset because I laughed a lot, because it was so obvious what they were doing.” He adds that “they had me sign a release and would not let me record the interview.”

The Buncombe County Young Democrats plan to host a viewing party at Asheville Pizza Co. on Merrimon Ave. to watch the 7 p.m. re-run the day after it airs (either Oct. 24 or 25, depending on the air date).

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About Jake Frankel
Jake Frankel is an award-winning journalist who enjoys covering a wide range of topics, from politics and government to business, education and entertainment.
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3 thoughts on “Daily Show will put local political scene in national comedic spotlight”

  1. Jake

    Alex, Carmen, Terry and Miss Minnie versus Don Yelton. Oh, how I love the Daily Show!

  3. xmnr

    Oh I get it: it’s not racist because it is actually just a cravenly underhanded *political* move to entrench their own interests in power. It only *appears* racist because it has to be enacted against their opponent’s supporters. MUCH BETTER, THANKS FOR THE CLARIFICATION

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