I have known Iida Rodriguez a long time.

We've been on many political panels together,

and while she claims that she is retiring from political commentary,

her new HBO Max comedy special, Fighting Words, is deeply political and funny, and a revelation

because of the intimate window it gives us into Ida's life. Because in addition to the comedy

set, it's part docu-series, including Ida meeting her dad as an adult for the first time.

And while we hear a lot about how comedians use their pain to fuel their humor, it's a different thing to watch it happen in real time.

Ida, thank you so much for doing this.

No, thank you for having me.

We got history.

I'm happy that you're still doing what you're doing and that you're growing and that you're

getting recognition in this because you've been doing this for a minute and you've been

elevating us and trying to show people who we are.

And I remember sitting on a set with you in

Miami and you bringing me on before even they ready. So I just, I'm happy to see you still doing

this. No, I'm supposed to be saying all these things to you. No, we're supposed to be saying it

to each other. Do you want to walk me through the story of the many times you were kidnapped in your youth,

or do you want me to offer a brief summary?

So my mother took me from my father because she wanted a better life for me.

He was undocumented, and we lived in the Dominican Republic with him.

I was his, as these right-winkers would refer to me as an anchor baby.

He was a musician and his family wasn't very accepting of my mom.

...