Oklahoma City is buzzing with a unique blend of reflection and entertainment this October, as the city finds itself at the intersection of national remembrance and comedic exploration. On one hand, the Oklahoma City National Memorial stands as a solemn tribute to the 168 lives lost in the 1995 bombing, its grounds now animated by volunteers determined to keep the memory alive during a federal government shutdown. On the other, late-night television’s Jordan Klepper, correspondent and co-host of The Daily Show, is set to bring his stand-up tour, “Suffering Fools,” to The Criterion, promising laughter and insight in equal measure.
It’s a moment that speaks to Oklahoma’s resilience and adaptability—a city honoring its past while embracing the evolving face of entertainment.
According to NPR, the government shutdown that began in mid-October 2025 left the Oklahoma City National Memorial without its usual cadre of park rangers, who were furloughed as federal operations ground to a halt. But the story did not end there. Instead, volunteers with deep personal connections to the tragedy—survivors and family members of victims—stepped in to lead tours, ensuring that the site’s powerful message would not be silenced.
One such volunteer is Susan Winchester, who lost her sister, Margaret Clark, in the bombing. Winchester gathered a group of about 25 visitors around her at the memorial, pointing out the 168 chairs set in nine rows across the grassy lawn, each row representing a floor of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building. Each chair, she explained, bears the name of a victim and is unique, having been handmade to reflect the individuality of each life lost.
“The chairs are each—were each individually created, and they have the name of a person lost on each one. Every single chair is a little bit different because they were handmade,” Winchester told the group, as reported by NPR.
For Winchester, volunteering is not just a duty, but a calling. “It’s a story we—that we really want to put in front of everyone each and every day. So as a volunteer, I’m more than happy to be here and be outside on a beautiful, sunny Oklahoma day giving a tour. This is perfect,” she said.
Visitors like Brenda Mable, who was part of an RV group traveling Route 66, were deeply moved by the personal touch. “It means so much more, just knowing that she had to go through this and live through her sister being lost and then helping raise her three nieces and watching them grow up without a mother. It just—she makes it even more real,” Mable reflected.
Winchester is adamant that the lessons of the memorial transcend the tragedy itself. “If we have the opportunity to say, make a difference, make a—be positive, do something for the good and the good of all, I mean, that’s what it’s about,” she emphasized. Her tours are as much about hope and unity as they are about remembrance, and she never misses a chance to remind visitors that “political violence is never the answer.”
The museum adjacent to the memorial remains open, even as the shutdown continues, because it is operated by a nonprofit organization that does not rely on government funding. This arrangement has allowed the story of the bombing and its aftermath to remain accessible to the public, despite the challenges posed by the political stalemate in Washington.
As Oklahoma City looks back, it also looks forward—particularly this weekend, as Jordan Klepper brings his acclaimed “Suffering Fools” stand-up tour to The Criterion. Scheduled for Saturday, October 18, 2025, the show promises 80 minutes of stories from the road, comedic slides, and a musical performance by Langhorne Slim. Doors open at 7 p.m., with the show beginning promptly at 8 p.m., and tickets are available through the venue, according to The Criterion’s official information.
Klepper, known for his sharp wit and incisive field pieces at political rallies, spoke with Scott Mitchell about the changing landscape of late-night television. “TV and late-night are constantly evolving,” he observed, noting that viewers now consume comedy on platforms like YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok, in addition to traditional broadcasts. “We’ve never been more watched, and a part of the conversation,” Klepper remarked, highlighting the increased reach that digital platforms have afforded shows like The Daily Show.
He elaborated on how the program has adapted to these changes: “The Daily Show aims to meet people where they already consume news and satire, pairing short digital pieces with longer specials that can be streamed.” This approach, he said, has broadened the show’s audience far beyond its 11 p.m. time slot.
Asked about the role of comedy in an era of political polarization, Klepper didn’t mince words. He cited author George Saunders’ idea that humor often lands when an uncomfortable truth is stated plainly. “Comedy excels in times of turmoil,” Klepper asserted, adding that laughter can create a connection and deliver truth quickly, even when the world seems divided.
Klepper’s fieldwork at political rallies has given him a unique perspective on the American public. While the media often portrays a polarized nation, he finds hope in the candid conversations that happen off-camera. “I am always holding on to this little bit of hope that the America that I see, when the cameras are off and the phones are down, is a lot closer together than the ones that the media organizations are going to constantly portray,” he shared.
During his visit to Oklahoma City, Klepper also plans to sample the city’s famous onion burgers, though he joked that he would avoid taking sides in the ongoing debate between Oklahoma City and El Reno over who makes the best version. It’s a lighthearted nod to local culture, but also a reminder that even in times of national challenge, life—and laughter—goes on.
The convergence of these two stories—a community’s commitment to remembrance and a comedian’s mission to connect—offers a snapshot of Oklahoma City’s spirit. It is a place where history is honored, resilience is celebrated, and even in the face of adversity, there is room for hope and humor.
As the city navigates the realities of a government shutdown and the shifting sands of the entertainment world, its people continue to find ways to come together, whether in solemn reflection at the memorial or in shared laughter at a comedy show. That, perhaps, is Oklahoma City’s greatest strength.
