The Comedy Cellar: Live from the Table

Anna Rascouët-Paz, a French-Colombian journalist from Snopes, joins the hosts to tackle the bizarre Brigitte Macron conspiracy theories. They dive into the cultural impacts of these claims, emphasizing the importance of skepticism and respect for gender identity. The conversation touches on the challenges faced by fact-checkers and the societal motivations behind misinformation. With humor, they also explore the complexities of verifying public records and how public perceptions shape narratives, making for a thought-provoking yet entertaining discourse.

Einat Wilf, a former member of the Israeli Parliament and a strategic consultant, shares her insights on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. She discusses the historical complexities, including the rejection of statehood offers by Palestinian leaders. Wilf challenges dominant narratives of land ownership and highlights anti-Zionism's role in shaping perceptions of Israel. The conversation also delves into biases and emotional tolls experienced by Jewish communities, advocating for a deeper understanding to navigate the intricacies of peace.

Yair Rosenberg is a staff writer at The Atlantic and the author of its newsletter Deep Shtetl, about the intersection of politics, culture, and religion. Previously a senior writer at Tablet Magazine, he has also written for The Washington Post, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and The Guardian, and his work has received recognition from the Religion News Association and the Harvard Center for Jewish Studies.

The hosts dive into the recent debate between Douglas Murray and Dave Smith, revealing the complexity behind Murray's victory. They explore the rise of conspiracy theories on social media and their impact on credible journalism. The conversation touches on the value of firsthand experience in understanding cultural issues, along with a critique of media biases. Engaging discussions on historical narratives, public figure responsibilities, and the intricacies of U.S. foreign policy add depth, balanced with humor and reflection on the art of debate.

Ami Kozak, a talented musician and comedian known for his podcast 'Ami's House' and his band Distant Cousins, dives into the controversial terrain of free speech and misinformation. He discusses the normalization of extreme views in mainstream media, focusing on the implications of the Rogan-Harris debate. Humorously tackling modern masculinity and societal norms, he reflects on the responsibilities of public figures when handling sensitive topics like anti-Semitism and the Israel-Hamas conflict. The discussion is a blend of wit and serious critique, challenging listeners to think critically.

In this discussion, Nick Gillespie, Editor at Large of Reason Magazine, shares insights on a range of topics. He critiques the impact of tariffs as detrimental consumer taxes that stifle competition. The conversation navigates the complexities of the federal budget and highlights how technology can both reduce costs and pose risks to the workforce. Gillespie also reflects on Trump's political legacy, emphasizing the nuanced impacts on governance and individual freedoms. The ideological divides within the libertarian movement are also examined, particularly regarding interventionism.

Author, podcaster and internationally recognized comedian, Corinne Fisher is running for mayor. She is building a campaign across all five boroughs that celebrates the magic, electricity, and community that make NYC the best city on Earth.  To learn more, visitwww.corinnefisher.com

New York Post columnist David Christopher Kaufman has a unique biography and a unique take on the world as a result. Here are a few of his latest:https://www.commentary.org/articles/david-christopher-kaufman/jews-americas-new-blacks/https://nypost.com/2025/03/15/opinion/when-will-sideline-jews-finally-speak-up-against-their-haters/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/us/comment/2025/03/14/democrats-leadership-vacuum-michelle-obama-gavin-newsom/https://airmail.news/issues/2025-1-25/the-view-from-hereVideo: https://youtu.be/6MZCO_YNWRI

The gang shoots the breeze about JD Vance's disloyalty in the Signal thread, and Noam laments his falling out with Darryl Cooper. Here are the Twitter threads referenced. https://x.com/noam_dworman/status/1903559854272155730https://x.com/noam_dworman/status/1903940043426709736https://x.com/noam_dworman/status/1904640072131240302Video version: https://youtu.be/fARjR-1Lx_Q

River Page is a reporter at The Free Press. Previously, he worked as a staff writer at Pirate Wires, covering technology, politics, and culture. His work has also appeared in Compact, American Affairs, and the Washington Examiner, among other publications.