During a Wednesday segment that couldn’t decide whether it was satire or just a diatribe against pro-lifers, temp host of Comedy Central’s The Daily Show Sarah Silverman and correspondent Grace Kuhlenschmidt offered up some advice after Tuesday’s election for those devoted to the pro-life cause: become pro-abortion.
As pro-lifers grapple with Tuesday’s disappointment, Silverman proclaimed, “the pro-life movement has a real problem here. Even in red states, voters don't like being told what to do with their bodies.”
Kuhlenschmidt replied, “I don't know if it's as much of a body control thing as it is a branding problem. I mean, pro-life? Yuck. Have you seen life? It's gross. So much mucus. That's why it needs a fun new term that doesn't have all the baggage. Like, instead of pro-life, they could go with ‘Pro-parents,’ or ‘Pro-girl power,’ or ‘Pro-Zendaya.’ What else is popular? Oh! I know! ‘Pro-choice!’ People seem to love that term.
Obviously, Kuhlenschmidt doesn’t literally care what pro-lifers call themselves, by suggesting they call themselves pro-choice, she is insisting they simply surrender to the supposed inevitable victory of the pro-abortion crowd.
Silverman, playing the role of the straight person, wondered, “Grace, I think that one's already taken. That would, like, cause a lot of confusion, right?”
Kuhlenschmidt continued to imply that pro-lifers think women are dumb, “Yeah! It would! What a goof! That's why they're also considering slogans that are totally unrelated to abortion but will naturally appeal to women. Like, how about "Pro-shopping"? You know how us ladies are, Sarah!”
After Silverman objected, “That is such a cheap appeal. Women are not stupid,” Kuhlenschmidt continued, “No, they’re not. They're probably not. That is why the pro-life movement should consider brand sponsorships, like our sports teams do with stadiums. Maybe people will like the fetal heartbeat law if it's now the "Smoothie King fetal heartbeat law."
Persisting “I do love smoothies. Still, voters don't like to be tricked. They deserve honesty.”
Blurring the line between the stupid and satirical pro-life branding consultant and the angry partisan pro-abortion advocate, Kuhlenschmidt answered, “Yeah, great! Honesty. We're spit-balling now, I love it! What if pro-lifers were just totally honest? Their slogans can be straight-up: ‘Your body, our choice’ or ‘Handmaid's Tale: Let's try it!’"
States that have pro-life laws haven’t devolved into The Handmaid’s Tale, but that won’t stop the fearmongering. Still, Silverman declared, “Grace, none of that is going to work. People in this country don't want to ban abortion. Period.”
Kuhlenschmidt concluded by going to the old canard that pro-lifers simply don’t understand women, “No, it's about the branding. They just haven't figured out the right one yet. But I'm not worried. Republicans are the party of middle-aged white guys who wear socks during sex. They know how to appeal to women.”
Ultimately, Silverman and Kuhlenschmidt think ending life in the name of convenience is a fundamental right. Popular or not, it is still a reprehensible position.
Here is a transcript for the November 8 show:
Comedy Central The Daily Show
11/8/2023
SARAH SILVERMAN: Hello Grace, the pro-life movement has a real problem here. Even in red states, voters don't like being told what to do with their bodies.
GRACE KUHLENSCHMIDT: I don't know if it's as much of a body control thing as it is a branding problem. I mean, pro-life? Yuck. Have you seen life? It's gross. So much mucus. That's why it needs a fun new term that doesn't have all the baggage. Like, instead of pro-life, they could go with "Pro-parents," or "Pro-girl power," or "Pro-Zendaya."What else is popular? Oh! I know! "Pro-choice!" People seem to love that term.
SILVERMAN: Grace, I think that one's already taken. That would, like, cause a lot of confusion, right?
KUHLENSCHMIDT: Yeah! It would! What a goof! That's why they're also considering slogans that are totally unrelated to abortion but will naturally appeal to women. Like, how about "Pro-shopping"? You know how us ladies are, Sarah!
SILVERMAN: That is such a cheap appeal. Women are not stupid.
KUHLENSCHMIDT: No, they’re not. They're probably not. That is why the pro-life movement should consider brand sponsorships, like our sports teams do with stadiums. Maybe people will like the fetal heartbeat law if it's now the "Smoothie King fetal heartbeat law."
SILVERMAN: I do love smoothies. Still, voters don't like to be tricked. They deserve honesty.
KUHLENSCHMIDT: Yeah, great! Honesty. We're spit-balling now, I love it! What if pro-lifers were just totally honest? Their slogans can be straight-up: "Your body, our choice" or "Handmaid's Tale: Let's try it!"
SILVERMAN: Grace, none of that is going to work. People in this country don't want to ban abortion. Period.
KUHLENSCHMIDT: No, it's about the branding. They just haven't figured out the right one yet. But I'm not worried. Republicans are the party of middle-aged white guys who wear socks during sex. They know how to appeal to women.
