The Holy Post 680: Cancelling Colbert, Starving Gaza, & American Charisma with Molly Worthen
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Jul 30, 2025 Molly Worthen, a history professor and freelance journalist, dives into fascinating topics on charisma and American history. She discusses the recent cancellation of a top late-night show and the political implications behind it. The conversation shifts to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, exploring the thin line between activism and antisemitism. Worthen also shares insights from her book on how charismatic movements—driven by compelling narratives—shape society more than individual leaders. Amidst this, Phil recounts humorous travel tales filled with schnitzels.
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Phil's European River Cruise
- Phil Vischer describes his European river cruise from Prague through Germany to Budapest, including visits to abbeys and cultural events.
- He shares a humorous experience of a tourist-driven dinner featuring the chicken dance and nonstop accordion music.
Colbert's Cancellation Context
- Stephen Colbert's late-night show cancellation reflects broader trends as late-night TV loses money and viewers shift to online platforms.
- Media mergers might motivate networks to cut costly shows, unrelated directly to financial performance.
Distinguishing Criticism and Anti-Semitism
- Criticizing Israel policies is not antisemitism; targeting Jews with harassment and violence is.
- Political opposition and anti-Semitic acts must be differentiated to maintain nuanced discourse and justice.
