/
1x
Advertisement
Proudly Canadian, obsessively Toronto. Subscribe to Toronto Life!
City News

The Secret Life of Bee: one-on-one with The Daily Show’s Samantha Bee

By Toronto Life
Copy link
The Secret Life of Bee: one-on-one with The Daily Show’s Samantha Bee
(Image: Frank Ockenfels 3/Courtesy of Comedy Central)

Don’t let Samantha Bee’s sweet demeanour and cute name fool you. Being The Daily Show’s Most Senior Correspondent is a tough gig, one that requires a thick skin, merciless wit and cat-like improv reflexes. In her new memoir, I Know I Am, But What Are You? she describes the origin of her comedic success—an eccentric family and a misspent youth in Toronto.

You mined your childhood for your essays and included some pretty embarrassing anecdotes about your parents. Are you afraid your kids might return the favour and write a book about you one day? I’m terribly afraid of it. But fortunately, I’m a perfect parent, so I won’t have anything to worry about.

Your husband, Jason Jones, is your fellow correspondent on The Daily Show. You met in your 20s, when you were both touring Ontario with a live Sailor Moon show. It was an honourable living. Our relationship was forged in the fires of children’s theatrical performance mishaps. It was all about managing shame.

Do you sit around wondering who’s funnier? I’m definitely funnier than he is. We both know it. Growing up, you were obsessed with Jesus. Didn’t everyone love Jesus? He has a lot of charisma. In the Jesus of Nazareth miniseries, he was simply gorgeous.

Speaking of gorgeous men, Obama is making his first trip to Toronto at the end of June for the G20. I wish it coincided with my book tour. I could throw Molotov cocktails at storefronts. Or, um, something.

Any advice for Obama on how to deal with Toronto? Is everything going to be on lockdown? When President Musharraf was on The Daily Show, he sat behind bulletproof glass. But Obama won’t need that. Torontonians, we’re soooo nice. Except for our searing gazes. You know the look. The one that says, I’m thinking something, and you know I’m thinking something, but I don’t want to tell you. I just want you to know.

THIS CITY

Obsessive coverage of Toronto, straight to your inbox

By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy. You may unsubscribe at any time.

Advertisement
Advertisement

Big Stories

Inside the rise and fall of the Vaulter Bandit, the 21st century’s most notorious bank robber
Deep Dives

Inside the rise and fall of the Vaulter Bandit, the 21st century’s most notorious bank robber

Inside the Latest Issue

The June issue of Toronto Life features our annual ranking of the best new restaurants. Plus, our obsessive coverage of everything that matters now in the city.