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Stephen J. Dubner - “Freakonomics” 20th Anniversary | The Daily Show

2026-01-08 Comedy
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Description

Stephen J. Dubner, host of "Freakonomics Radio" and co-author of "Freakonomics," sits down with Ronny Chieng to discuss the book’s 20th anniversary edition. They talk about how Dubner and his co-author Steven Levitt wove together storytelling and data to present case studies without imposing their own judgment, and how their publisher, doubtful of the title, liberated them to write the book they wanted. Dubner also offers some Freakonomics insights for 2026 pertaining to animals and artificial insemination, and why one should never go before a judge just before lunch. #DailyShow #Freakonomics #Economics Subscribe to The Daily Show: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwWhs_6x42TyRM4Wstoq8HA/?sub_confirmation=1 Follow The Daily Show: Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheDailyShow Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thedailyshow Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thedailyshow Stream full episodes of The Daily Show on Paramount+: http://www.paramountplus.com/thedailyshow Follow Comedy Central: Twitter: https://twitter.com/ComedyCentral Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ComedyCentral Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/comedycentral About The Daily Show: Jon Stewart and The Best F**king News Team host The Daily Show, an Emmy and Peabody Award-winning program analyzing the biggest stories in news, politics, and culture through a sharp, satirical lens. The Daily Show redefined the late night show category on TV and, with an audience of over 51M across social media platforms, has become a launching pad for some of the biggest stars in entertainment. The Daily Show airs weeknights at 11/10c on Comedy Central.

Top Comments (10)

@staceymoniz 2026-01-08

I absolutely love Ronnie's interviews!!! He's so fully engaged it shows how much he's looking forward to these interviews!!!

148 3 replies
@Donniol 2026-01-08

Love ronnie’s interviews. It always seems casual n personal

100 1 replies
@Tgk_20 2026-01-08

I’ve listened to freakonmics every week since I can remember and I’ve never seen Mr. Dubner as a person.

93 8 replies
@RealSuReal 2026-01-08

Freakonomics was also very influential for me in college 20 years ago! Check out their latest podcasts every week too theyre great. Also Ronnie is on fire in this one 😂

87
@Lacquerista 2026-01-08

"Do you know how many a re published in a year?… 250,000" "Do you know how many the average American reads?… Zero."😂😂😂

54 1 replies
@preeta8275 2026-01-08

I have never seen a guest laugh so much before!

38
@TorontoUrbanGems 2026-01-08

What a perfect topic for Ronnie! 🤣 And Stephen played his part beautifully. This is also one of the few formative books that I still have in my library. It thought me to question my first impression and be more curious. ❤

24
@LeechyKun 2026-01-08

Ronny has improved a lot on his interviews since last year. He's less hesitant and more quippy. I'm actually enjoying it more now.

14
@MulrySquare 2026-01-08

Ronnie Cheng can make an interview about economics fun, because he's so intelligent, informed, impatient, and funny!

10
@Douggarding 2026-01-10

I read Freakonomics 15-20 years ago while in college as well, and it changed the way I look at the world as well. It taught me that things are not always as they seem, it taught me a bit of humility and openess to being wrong about things, and it also taught me to consider and value data, information, and studies when forming opinions and ideas. I've also read the second Freakonomics book and "Think Like a Freak," and I've listened to almost all episodes of their podcast. I wish more people would think about the world the way that Stephen Dubner and Steven Levitt did in their books.

8

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