In one of her auditions for “The Daily Show,” the comedian and actress Desi Lydic did an impression that, as she put it, “was kind of going for that ex-lawyer, four-time beauty pageant winner and overqualified but leggy Fox News blowhard.”
It worked, and in 2015, Lydic joined the satirical Comedy Central news show as a correspondent.
Then, in 2023, Trevor Noah left as host and Jon Stewart returned to the role he’d originated, but for only one night a week. That left three remaining slots at the desk. Lydic’s hand shot up before she had even really thought about it.
“Having him back at the show is pretty awesome for the rest of us for a million reasons,” she said of Stewart. “One of them being that it’s a master class in real life every single week to watch him throughout the day and to learn by just kind of absorbing.”
Although she initially thought hosting would overwhelm her with anxiety, Lydic said, “it’s more excitement than sheer panic.” The show won the Emmy for best variety talk series earlier this month.
In a video call from her parents’ home in Louisville, Ky., Lydic — who lives in Manhattan with her husband and 8-year-old son — talked about clouds in her coffee, finding the funny on “Friends” and the thing she looks at every time she goes onstage.
These are edited excerpts from the conversation.
1
‘Bird By Bird’ by Anne Lamott
It talks about the struggle of being a writer, and she’s so brutally honest about how torturous it can be: “Almost all good writing begins with terrible first efforts. You need to start somewhere.” It’s the absolute best guide for not only creative endeavors, but for life. It also acts as a solid parenting manual.
2
Morning Walks Through Central Park
I love getting out and about early in the day, getting some fresh air and sunlight and seeing the city. Seeing open sky. Sometimes I put on music and run. Chappell Roan is my latest obsession. Most of the time I just stroll with naked ears listening to the city happening around me.
3
Magnets
Everywhere we travel, we’ll bring back a magnet and stick it on the back of our front door — from Lake City, Minn., to Namibia. It’s a lovely reminder of everywhere we’ve been and everywhere we’d still like to go.
4
Coffee With My Dad
When I go home to visit my parents in Kentucky, my dad and I will pour two cups of coffee with an unhealthy amount of hazelnut Coffee-Mate and sit and catch up. It’s quiet, and we check in on all things — family, health, our opposing politics, parenting. He gives me the best life advice, and I sometimes help him log onto the Wi-Fi.
5
The Way My Son Delays Bedtime
He is an absolute genius at pushing his bedtime. Right after we finish our nightly routine, he has a way of starting the most meaningful conversations, opening up about all the things happening at school or with his friends, tossing out existential thoughts. I’m a sucker for the bonding opportunity, so I bite every time.
6
Laughing Until I Pee With My Girlfriends
I consider myself so fortunate to have the best ride-or-die girlfriends on the planet. Nothing fills my soul and recharges my batteries like spending time with my girls. We could be doing anything — dinner, antique shopping, getting lost on a walk, sitting in our hotel room and laughing. It never ceases to leave my heart feeling full.
7
Watching ‘Friends’
I moved to L.A. when I was 19 to become an actress. One of the first jobs I had as a background actor was on the final season of “Friends.” I won the lottery. I got to watch those brilliant actors all throughout the week find the funny together.
8
Shopping in My Mom’s Closet
My mom has kept every piece of clothing — and I mean everything — from the 1950s through the ’90s. And they’re all in pristine condition. I love getting lost in there, and different items catch my eye each time. I have a pendant of my grandmother’s that I wear almost every day. It’s a bit of a good-luck charm.
9
Getting Lost in Bookstores
It’s my therapy — the possibilities of cracking open a story that could alter your perspective and your life. Carmichael’s Bookstore in Louisville is my favorite.
10
An Inspirational Message
Right before hosting “The Daily Show” for the first time, I was feeling pretty anxious. What if I can’t do it? What if I can’t find my rhythm or my voice or it’s a bad news week? The week before, we got takeout and I opened up a fortune cookie and it said: “It’s kind of fun to do the impossible.” My husband secretly saved the fortune and had it framed and put in my office before that first day. I look at it every time before I go out onstage.
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