By Kara Swisher

The “Karate Kid” was a hero of the 1980s. Now he’s back, with the actor Ralph Macchio reprising the role for the series “Cobra Kai.” The story is ostensibly a classic battle between a hero and a villain. But as Mr. Macchio notes, it’s actually more complex. Audiences, he says, “recognize the good and bad in both these guys and are rooting for both with their two separate types of shortcomings and problems and demons.”

On this episode of “Sway,” Kara Swisher and Mr. Macchio discuss how “Cobra Kai” got from YouTube to Netflix, and explore the show’s underlying themes of toxic masculinity, bullying and bipolar politics.

Thoughts? Email us at [email protected]. New episodes every Monday and Thursday. Listen and subscribe. Transcripts of each episode are available midday (located at the top of the page, below the headline on the New York Times website).

Special thanks this episode to Shannon Busta, Liriel Higa and Kathy Tu.

“Sway” is produced by Nayeema Raza, Heba Elorbany, Matt Kwong and Vishakha Darbha and edited by Paula Szuchman; fact-checking by Kate Sinclair; music and sound design by Isaac Jones; mixing by Erick Gomez.

Source: Read Full Article