The Daily Show has released a rare look inside its afternoon rehearsal, showing Desi Lydic trying to power through a risqué bit opposite last week’s host, Ronny Chieng, as a troublesome mustache and an increasingly amused crew conspire against her.
The segment, which aired on the show a week ago Thursday, found Lydic refashioning herself as the kind of rugged, hypermasculine candidate who might appeal to Maine voters following Senate candidate Graham Platner’s withdrawal from the race.
Lydic plays a flannel-clad lumberjack, later suggesting she could also be a fisherman—or take on whatever other supposedly manly identity might improve her electoral prospects. Completing the look is a fake mustache that immediately proves unwilling to cooperate.
In the rehearsal clip (above) Lydic is seen repeatedly trying to press the mustache back into place as laughter breaks out around the studio.
“This is going to go great, guys. I promise,” she assures the room, breaking character.
It does not immediately go great.
Lydic eventually gives up on the mustache, but she continues having trouble keeping it together as she works her way through the script’s repeated references to “jacking off” and a seemingly rogue spittoon sound effect.
The rehearsal clip captures Lydic gamely pushing ahead in a far messier version of a segment that aired later that night in considerably more controlled form. In the finished piece (below), Lydic’s mustache had changed color and appeared to be secured with more dependable glue.
