We’re Not Kidding with Mehdi & Friends

Stand-up comedian, best-selling author and acclaimed TV host W. Kamau Bell joins Mehdi as co-host of 'We're Not Kidding' this week. They discuss the student protestors, who join a long line of American anti-war demonstrators, as well as the police’s use of brute force against them. Mehdi and Kamau also examine the censorship of pro-Palestinian voices in the media and Hollywood, why Batman is politically problematic, and the cynical “defanging” of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. since his death.“People celebrate [Dr. King] as a hero and forget the part where he was assassinated,” says Kamau. “He didn't die of old age… He was assassinated and many people were happy he was assassinated.”SUBSCRIBE TO ZETEO TO SUPPORT INDEPENDENT AND UNFILTERED JOURNALISM: https://zeteo.com/subscribeWATCH, LISTEN AND SUBSCRIBE TO ‘WE’RE NOT KIDDING’ ON SUBSTACK: https://zeteo.com/s/were-not-kidding-with-mehdi-and-friendsFIND ZETEO:Twitter: https://twitter.com/zeteo_newsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/zeteonewsTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@zeteonewsFIND MEHDI:Substack: https://substack.com/@mehdirhasanTwitter: https://twitter.com/@mehdirhasanInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/@mehdirhasanTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mehdirhasanFIND KAMAU:Twitter: https://x.com/wkamaubellInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/wkamaubell/Substack: https://wkamaubell.substack.com/CREDITS:Hosted by: Mehdi HasanGuest Host: W. Kamau BellExecutive Producers: Misha Euceph & Kiran AlviProducer and Editor: Frank CappelloMusic: Andy ClausenDesign: Alicia Tatone This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit zeteo.com/subscribe

Bassem Youssef joins Mehdi to discuss religious extremists and red cows with spiritual power. They delve into illegal settlements in the West Bank, end of times prophecies, and the intertwining of religious and political ideologies. The conversation covers controversial events involving Christian evangelicals in the US and the dangers of extreme interpretations of religious doctrine. They explore the weaponization of religion for political gain, highlighting the complexities of merging religious beliefs with political decisions.

Comedian Sammy Obeid joins Mehdi to discuss student protests, DNA tests, misinformation, comedy's power, and stand-up. They explore history, slogans, and changing perspectives, urging listeners to join Obeid's tour.

Mehdi and guest Bassem Youssef discuss brown parents' views on their careers, media coverage of Gaza, fame for the right reasons, and Mehdi's new hoodie. They explore the challenges in Gaza, American influence, Biden's actions, coping mechanisms, and the importance of speaking out against manipulation in media.

Introducing Zeteo's flagship podcast, 'We're Not Kidding,' a show where funny people talk about serious things, hosted by Zeteo founder and CEO Mehdi Hasan, and regularly featuring internationally acclaimed comedian Bassem Youssef. Each episode, Mehdi is joined by a renowned guest for a sometimes lighthearted, sometimes vulnerable conversation about topics they can't discuss anywhere else. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit zeteo.com/subscribe