The BEST episodes of The Daily Show season 12
Every episode of The Daily Show season 12, ranked from best to worst by thousands of votes from fans of the show. The best episodes of The Daily Show season 12!
The Daily Show's intrepid news team dives into the biggest headlines of the day, providing fearless coverage, expert analysis, and no-nonsense commentary.
#1 - Robert Dallek
Season 12 - Episode 96 - Aired 7/26/2007
Tonight, presidential historian and author of Nixon and Kissinger: Partners in Power, Robert Dallek. Jon begins tonight's show reporting on a story from New Zealand in a segment called "Kiwi the People". The democratically elected government of New Zealand banned the use of any footage from their Parliament for the purpose of satire, ridicule, or denigration. Jon comes to the rescue, taking some footage of their Parliament and spices it up with some political satire and fart jokes. Jon also reports on the suspensions of cyclists in the Tour de France for suspected drug use in a segment called "The Audacity of Dope". Then, Senior Flood Correspondent John Oliver reports from the top of London's Big Ben due to the massive flooding of Great Britain in a segment called "London Flooding". Finally, Jason Jones reports on a lazy Las Vegas man who rents a scooter used for disabled people to move around the city in a segment called "High Rollers".
#2 - Claire Danes
Season 12 - Episode 88 - Aired 6/28/2007
Tonight, actress Claire Danes promotes her new movie Evening. Jon begins again with tonight's "You Don't Know Dick" as we learn that Dick Cheney invented his own top secret fication stamp that he stamps documents with. In other Cheney news, Cheney once told Senator Patrick Leahy to go f*ck himself. Well today, Leahy got his revenge and sent a subpoena to the V.P. to obtain info on the administrations wiretap program. Next, Jon reports on the immigration bill that was resurrected only to be killed once again in a segment called "Mexican Standoff". Resident Expert John Hodgman reports on the debate over this bill, including footage of some media pundits who claim illegal aliens bring in disease and criminals into the U.S. Finally, the iPhone is coming out this Friday and Senior Technology Correspondent Rob Riggle will do anything to get his hands on one, including kicking over baby strollers.
#3 - Josh Rushing
Season 12 - Episode 89 - Aired 7/16/2007
Tonight, author of Mission Al Jazeera: Build a Bridge, Seek the Truth, Change the World, U.S. Marine Captain Josh Rushing, a former press officer for U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) during the 2003 Invasion of Iraq. Jon returns after two weeks off and begins by reporting on the Scooter Libby commutation. Next, Jon reports on the 'progress' made in Iraq the last two weeks in "Mess O'Potomac". As the Iraqi Parliament is taking off the whole month of August because of the sweltering heat in Baghdad, Jon reports on the Iraqi report card released by the Bush administration last week. Jon also shows us the political contortions used by the Bush administration to sell this progress. Senior Military Affairs Correspondent Rob Riggle talks with Jon about these latest developments. Finally, John Oliver files a report on Sen. James Inhofe's proposal to make English the official language of the U.S. in a segment called "Language Burier".
#4 - Christopher Walken
Season 12 - Episode 90 - Aired 7/17/2007
Tonight, actor Christopher Walken promotes his new movie Hairspray. Jon begins tonight reporting on Louisiana Senator David Vitter, who recently was found to be on the D.C. madam's phone list. So you think the Bush administration can't sink any lower with all the scandals surrounding them right now, well Jon has a surprise for us in a segment called "You Have No Idea!" Former Bush administration Surgeon General Dr. Richard Carmona was not allowed to speak at the Special Olympics because the Kennedy's support the Olympics. Also, Dr. Carmona had to mention Bush in a positive light at his speaking engagements, a minimum of 3 times. His homophobic replacement Dr. John Holsinger was a worthy replacement, as Jon notes from Dr. Holsinger's reports writing in graphic detail about a scientific basis as to why homosexuality is abnormal. Finally, Jon reports on the Catholic church sex abuse scandal in a segment called "Hot & Fathered". The church settled the case with 508 abused victims for $660 million. As Jon notes, half the money comes from the church's sex abuse insurance coverage and it will all be distributed according to the degree of abuse, as assessed by the insurance claims adjuster. L.A. Correspondent Samantha Bee gives Hollywood's reaction to the settlement.
#5 - Matt Groening
Season 12 - Episode 91 - Aired 7/18/2007
Tonight, the creator of The Simpsons, who is also promoting the upcoming Simpsons Movie, Matt Groening. Jon begins the show tonight commenting on the Atlanta Falcons quarterback arrested for dogfighting. Jon then reports on the Senate all-nighter as Dems try to tire Republicans out with debate over the Iraq War in a segment called "C-Span After Dark". As Jon notes, the all-night session had a simple message, 'Let Us Vote'. Dems want to vote on an amendment that would bring the troops home by next April while the Republicans are using a filibuster to block them from even voting. The final tally, 52-47, short of the 60 votes needed. Political Theatre Critic John Oliver highlights some of the more dramatic aspects of the Senate debates. Washington Bureau Chief Aasif Mandvi talks with Jon about the sacrifice Senators made in staying up all night.
#6 - Adam Sandler
Season 12 - Episode 92 - Aired 7/19/2007
Tonight, Adam Sandler promotes his new movie I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry. Jon begins by going to Senior Literary Correspondent John Oliver who's at a local NYC bookstore with a report on the upcoming final Harry Potter book in a segment called "Harry Potter and the Endless Build Up". Jon then reports on the current state of Al Qaeda in a segment called "Return of the Jihad". Bush's rhetoric over the years that the terrorist group has weakened is contradictory to a recent National Intelligence Estimate stating that Al Qaeda is stronger than ever. The Bush administration insists that they were right to invade Iraq because it has weakened the terrorists, yet we need to continue to stay in Iraq because of how strong the terrorists are there. Jon talks with Senior Political Correspondent Aasif Mandvi about this mind boggling contradiction. Finally, Jon reports on the death of the loving Jew hating mouse Farfour from the Hamas run children's show Pioneers of Tomorrow who was killed by an Israeli agent for refusing to turn over Palestinian lands in a segment called "Farfour 2007-2007". Farfour's replacement is his cousin, a giant bee named Nahoul. Jon then shows us the Israeli response in a clip from a Jewish run children's program called Dr. Bagelman's Hour of Hate.
#7 - Neil deGrasse Tyson
Season 12 - Episode 93 - Aired 7/23/2007
Tonight, astrophysicist and the host of the new PBS show NOVA ScienceNOW, Neil deGrasse Tyson. Jon begins tonight reporting on the short lived presidency of Dick Cheney last Saturday in a segment called "The Cheney Presidency Remembered". While Bush was undergoing a colonoscopy and had to be under anasthesia, Dick Cheney was President for 2 hours. Jon gives a blow by blow account of this event, taking us on a tour of Bush's colon and Cheney's short lived attempt to start another war. Senior Presidential Historian Samantha Kearns Bee talks about the history of this temporary transfer of power in her new book on the Cheney presidency called "Classified, Assified, or Grassified: Nobody Presides for Free, The Cheney Presidency". Jon then reports on the ambassador to Iraq, Ryan Crocker, who talked with the Senate Foreign Relations Committee via a 60" plasma television from Iraq in a continuing show segment called "Mess O' Potomac". Technical difficulties riddled the Senates attempt to talk with Crocker. Crocker summed up his update on Iraq in one word, fear. Finally, Jon talks about Bush's use of so-called experts in segment called "Expert Tease".
#8 - Robert Pallitto
Season 12 - Episode 94 - Aired 7/24/2007
Tonight, political scientist and author of Presidential Secrecy and the Law, Robert Pallitto. Jon devotes the entire episode to the CNN YouTube debate last night in a segment called "Indecision v.2.008". Senior Political Reporter Jason Jones talks about his concern that everyday people asking candidates questions threatens real life reporters. Finally, John Oliver takes over Demitri Martin's "Trendspotting" and asks the question whether the YouTube debate has youthanized politics.
#9 - Rob Gifford
Season 12 - Episode 95 - Aired 7/25/2007
Tonight, a correspondent on National Public Radio and author of China Road: A Journey into the Future of a Rising Power, Rob Gifford. Jon begins tonight reporting on the House Judiciary Committee citing Josh Bolten and Harriet Miers with contempt of Congress for refusing to testify under oath about the Alberto Gonzalez firings. Who enforces this contempt of Congress charge, why Alberto Gonzalez of course. Jon continues by looking at Alberto's testimony yesterday before the Senate Judiciary Committee in a segment called "Hearing Problems". Alberto's 'I don't recalls' have transformed into flat out refusals to answer any questions. Senior White House Correspondent Rob Riggle discusses the situation with Jon. Finally, Lewis Black in "Back in Black". Lewis takes on professional athletes beginning with Barry Bonds who is about to break the all time home run record while on steroids, NFL quarterback Michael Vick arrested for running a dogfight, & NBA referee Tim Donaghy for fixing several games he bet on.
#10 - Michael Moore
Season 12 - Episode 87 - Aired 6/27/2007
Tonight, director Michael Moore promotes his new documentary, Sicko. Jon begins the show with another installment of "You Don't Know Dick". Tonight's little 'Dick nugget' is the fact that the Vice President's residence at the U.S. Naval Observatory is blocked out of Google Earth and pixelated. This is due to the fact that whatever Cheney touches, pixelates instantly. Next, "Clusterf@#k to the White House". Jon reports on Giuliani's visit to Pat Robertson's Regent University and one of Giuliani's aid indicted on cocaine charges. Jon also reports on Former EPA Administrator Christie Todd Whitman who testified in front of a House subcommittee defending why she allowed 9/11 rescue workers to work in unsafe breathing conditions, proclaiming at the time that the air was safe to breathe. Finally, Lewis Black in "Back in Black". Lewis talks about how right-wingers are trying to make the internet more conservative. Rupert Murdoch who owns Fox News is trying to control the left-wing liberal conspiracy machine by trying to buy it, namely trying to buy the parent company of The Wall Street Journal. Also, Wikipedia has its own conservative version called Conservapedia where it describes homosexuality as an immoral act. Youtube has spun off and been transformed by conservatives into QubeTV, which simply posts conservative video links off of Youtube like a video of Obama morphing into Osama bin Laden. Lewis ends his report telling us about a Daily Show spin-off show on Fox called the 1/2 Hour News Hour.
#11 - Alastair Campbell
Season 12 - Episode 97 - Aired 7/30/2007
Tonight, former press secretary to Tony Blair as well as the author of The Blair Years: The Alastair Campbell Diaries, Alastair Campbell. Jon begins tonight with some sports news as Iraq's soccer team defeats Saudi Arabia in the Asian Cup in a segment called "Achieving Our Goooal". Senior "Football" Correspondent John Oliver talked about the celebrations in the streets of Iraq resulting in only seven deaths for the day, a record low for Iraq. Jon then talks about Sen. Patrick Leahy who issued a subpoena for Karl Rove to testify about the fired U.S. attorney's scandal in a segment called "The Sworn Supremacy". Also, Senior White House Correspondent Aasif Mandvi talks about the use of contempt by the Bush administration. Finally, Jon reports on Britain's new prime minister Gordon Brown who had a sleepover with Bush at Camp David in a segment called "Foxy Brown". As Jon notes, Bush has a new British lapdog.
#12 - Lewis Gordon Pugh
Season 12 - Episode 98 - Aired 7/31/2007
Tonight, swimmer & environmentalist Lewis Gordon Pugh. Jon begins tonight reporting on an old Daily Show favorite, Senator Ted Stevens in a segment called "Buy-Cameral Legislature". The FBI & IRS raided Senator Stevens Alaskan home due to allegations that he took oil company bribes in return for lucrative state contracts. As Jon reports, Stevens is being investigated due to his relationship with Bill Allen, an oil company contractor who was convicted this year of bribing state lawmakers. Stevens' home renovation more than doubled the size of his home & was overseen by Allen who's company has made millions in federal contracts. Senior Legislative Correspondent Jason Jones discusses some recent stories of political corruption. Jon then reports on the media's focus on the amount of cleavage shown and clothing worn by the presidential candidates in a segment called "Indecision '08". Resident Expert John Hodgman talks to Jon about how this focus on style over substance has reared it's face in the history of presidential politics via television and radio. Finally, Aasif Mandvi reports on the effect the recent intercontinental Live Earth concert has had on our country and culture. As we see from Aasif's report, raising awareness for global warming through crass consumerism is worth it, especially for Bon Jovi fans.
#13 - Jed Babbin
Season 12 - Episode 99 - Aired 8/1/2007
Tonight, former deputy undersecretary of defense during the first Bush administration and author of In The Words of Our Enemies, Jed Babbin. Jon begins tonight reporting on a "giant squid having sex with bigfoot" moment as both Donald Rumsfeld and Dick Cheney were on television yesterday answering questions. Jon first reports on Rumsfeld who was called before the Senate to answer questions about the friendly fire death/coverup of Pat Tillman in a segment called "The Rummy Returns". As Jon notes, even though Rumsfeld has been out of the game for awhile, he jumps right back in not recalling anything. Next, Jon reports on Dick Cheney who was interviewed by CNN's Larry King in a segment called "I Now Pronounce You Dick & Larry". Jon highlights the better parts of the interview, such as Cheney's lack of regret & disregard of polls. Finally, Senior Black Correspondent Larry Wilmore talks with Jon about the recent stock market losses because of problems in the housing market due to sub-prime loans. Larry suggests this is a method employed by African-Americans to get back at the man, even going so far as saying sub-prime is the financial n-word.
#14 - Matt Damon
Season 12 - Episode 100 - Aired 8/2/2007
Tonight, actor and star of the new film The Bourne Ultimatum, Matt Damon. Jon begins tonight with another Dick Cheney fun fact in a segment called "You Don't Know Dick". When Dick was secretary of defense for the first President Bush, he met with King Hassan of Morocco. As the meeting started, the king put a small silver box containing a fragment of the Koran in his translator's hand and swore him to secrecy on pain of death, whereupon Cheney said, "Damn, I need one of those”. Next, Jon reports on how the presidential candidates use food in there internet clips in a segment called "Indecision v. 2.008: Food Edition". Jon shows us various clips: the Clintons eating at a Dairy Queen, dinner with Barack contest winners converse, Edwards eats at Wendy's for his 30th anniversary, and Giuliani apparently doesn't eat food, just terrorists. Finally, "Clusterf@#k to the White House" continues as Clinton v. Obama duke it out over whether they should talk to controversial foreign leaders like Castro and such. As Jon notes, the media overhype the story with some choice boxing metaphors.
#15 - Andy Samberg
Season 12 - Episode 101 - Aired 8/7/2007
Tonight, comedian Andy Samberg from Saturday Night Live and the star of the new movie Hot Rod. Jon begins tonight reporting on Florida Representative Bob Allen who was caught offering money to an undercover police officer for oral sex in a segment called "Clusterf@#k to the White House: Drop and Give Me $20". As Jon notes, Bob Allen authored a bill outlawing the very same lewd acts in public he was caught of and is also the state co-chair of John McCain's campaign. Mr. Allen has a simple explanation for this incident, his fear of black people. Senior Political Correspondent John Oliver talks with Jon about other possible defenses Allen could have used instead of being racist. Clusterf@#k continues as Jon reports on the Democratic meeting in Chicago to debate amongst online bloggers in a segment called "Yearly Kos Convention". The highlight of the event was Hillary Clinton, who says she accepts money from lobbyists because they're real people, but is not influenced by them. Jon then reports on the Republicans who skipped church last Sunday to appear in a forum conducted on ABC where they were asked about one of their biggest mistakes. Finally, Jason Jones reports about a project called Cape Wind that will plant hundreds of wind power plants in Nantucket Sound and the rich people who claim that their beautiful views will be destroyed, including Senator Ted Kennedy.
#16 - Joe Biden
Season 12 - Episode 102 - Aired 8/8/2007
Tonight, presidential candidate and author of Promises to Keep: On Life and Politics, Senator Joe Biden. Jon begins tonight reporting on Barry Bonds hitting 756 homeruns, breaking Hank Aaron's record. Senior Correspondent Rob Riggle talks to Jon about where he was during this historic event. Jon then reports on the missing 200,000 weapons given to Iraqi security forces in a segment called "Going, Going, Gun". General Petraeus explains this mishap by saying it was a clerical error. As Jon notes, this isn't the first time something has gone missing in Iraq. The list includes such things as 380 tons of explosives, 12 billion U.S. taxpayer dollars, & 300,000 barrels a day for four years of Iraqi crude oil. Finally, Buck Henry stopped by to talk about Rupert Murdoch who purchased Dow Jones for $5 billion, which is also the company that owns the Wall Street Journal in a segment called "The Henry Stops Here". Buck talks with Jon about the concern that the Journal will be slanted to the conservative right like Murdoch's other newspapers and media outlets.
#17 - Tal Ben-Shahar
Season 12 - Episode 103 - Aired 8/9/2007
Tonight, psychologist and author of Happier: Learn the Secrets to Daily Joy and Lasting Fulfillment, Tal Ben-Shahar. Jon begins tonight reporting on the recent FOX News interview of President Bush with Neil Cavuto in a segment called "President Bush: In His Own Words". Jon pokes fun at all the nonsensical ways Bush tries to get his point across and his attempt to explain to us, 'in other words', how he thinks. Finally, Jon reports on Mitt Romney's five sons who have decided to forego military service for a more nobler cause, getting their dad elected in a segment called "Mess O' Poromnia". Senior Campaign Embedder Aasif Mandvi reports from Iowa about the five brothers struggle.
#18 - Bill Kristol
Season 12 - Episode 104 - Aired 8/13/2007
Tonight, editor of The Weekly Standard, Bill Kristol. Jon begins tonight with a curious tingling sensation running down the back of his spine. Karl Rove resigned from the Bush administation in a segment called "The Departed". Senior White House Correspondent John Oliver talks with Jon about this new story. Finally, Jon talks about the frequent occurrence of memory loss in the Bush administration. Is it some sort of contagious virus? To discover the true cause of this vexing problem, Jon talks with Dr. Mony J. de Leon, Professor of Psychiatry and Director of the Center for Brain Health at NYU.
#19 - Allan Brandt
Season 12 - Episode 79 - Aired 6/13/2007
Tonight, the author of The Cigarette Century: The Rise, Fall, and Deadly Persistence of the Product That Defined America, Allan Brandt. "Mess O'Potamia" continues as Jon reports on the second bombing of a holy Shi'ite mosque in Samara by insurgents. Jon reports on Bush's war czar Douglas Lute who says that progress in the war is uneven. Jon also talks about how the military is now fighting alongside the very same insurgents they were fighting against, which brings to mind that old adage, the enemy of my enemy is my friend. The segment ends with Senior Iraq Correspondent Aasif Mandvi talking with Jon about these new developments in Iraq. Finally, Senior Black Correspondent Larry Wilmore didn't have much to say about any African-American related news, so after putting on a Detroit Red Wings cap he became a Senior Mexican Correspondent and talked with Jon about immigration reform.
#20 - Kevin Robbins
Season 12 - Episode 71 - Aired 5/23/2007
Tonight, the commander of the U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron “Thunderbirds”, Lt. Col. Kevin Robbins. Jon begins the show with "Mess O'Potomac" as the Democrats withdraw any timetables they had in their Iraq War funding bill, instead opting for a series of objectives that have to be met by the Iraqi's. Who determines if they meet these objectives, why Bush of course. Jon nails Senator Harry Reid who agreed with the new bill, even though it's substantially similar to Senator John Warner's bill, which Reid previously said was weak and compared it to an old cup of tea sitting on a table for a few weeks. Jon then looks at Jimmy Carter's comment that the Bush administration is the worst in history. Senior Presidential Historian John Oliver talks with Jon and delve into Carter's comments and about past president's that may have been worse. Finally, Jon reports that Scotland Yard recently named the alleged murderer of Russian spy Alexander Litvinenko's by following the radioactive trail of the polonium that killed him in a segment called "Polonium Dynamite".
#21 - Al Gore
Season 12 - Episode 72 - Aired 5/24/2007
Tonight, former politician and current political activist on the environment and author of The Assault on Reason, Al Gore. Jon begins with a look at the media blitzkrieg on reports about high gas prices in a segment called "Gas Pains". Senior Petroleum Expert Rob Riggle dresses up in Mad Max gear to talk with Jon about this story. Finally, Jon reports about Monica Goodling who testified before the House Judiciary Committee about the fired U.S. attorney's in a segment called "Illegally Blonde".
#22 - Ron Paul
Season 12 - Episode 73 - Aired 6/4/2007
Tonight, Jon talks with Republican candidate for President, Ron Paul. Jon begins tonight's show by describing his vacation last week to Greece where he met a man named Andrew on the plane, who incidentally is the same man who caused the tuberculosis scare around the world. "Clusterf@#k to the White House" continues as Jon reports on the recent Democrat debate. Jon looks at the multitude of raise your hand questions by Wolf Blitzer, the we all speak the same language of Hillary Clinton, the Edwards/Obama snaps, & Biden's glory hole rhetoric. Finally, Jon calls Larry Flynt to discuss his recent Washington Post ad offering $1 million for proof that any government official had an extramarital affair.
#23 - Paul Rudd
Season 12 - Episode 74 - Aired 6/5/2007
Tonight, actor Paul Rudd promotes his new movie Knocked Up. Jon begins the show tonight with the Scooter Libby jail sentence. Libby was sentenced to 30 months in jail and a $250,000 fine. Letters of praise and denouncement were sent to the judge to help him determine a sentence. Jon takes a look at some of the letters sent in praise of Libby from the likes of such distinguished individuals as Henry Kissinger & Donald Rumsfeld. Jon reports on Congressman William Jefferson who was charged on numerous counts of corruption in a segment called "Father of the Bribe". Jon not only highlights the numerous charges against Jefferson, but the fact that he kept $90,000 in his freezer. Jon then shows us a nice montage of Bush using the same language he denounced opponents of the immigration reform bill as using, namely, empty political rhetoric such as the word amnesty to induce fear in a segment called "Hasta la Visa". And finally, Rob Riggle visits Disneyland to report on the magic kingdom's dissatisfaction with the city of Anaheim's decision to build low income affordable housing near the park in a segment called "Callous in Wonderland".
#24 - Michael Barone
Season 12 - Episode 75 - Aired 6/6/2007
Tonight, political analyst and author of Our First Revolution: The Remarkable British Upheaval That Inspired America's Founding Fathers, Michael Barone. Jon begins with "Clusterf@#k to the White House" and a look at Tuesday's Republican debate. Jon highlights some of the debate's finer points from whether the candidates would invade Iraq given what they know now, would they allow openly gay members of the military, and general 'I believe in God' comments and fear mongering. Also, Senior Campaign Theologian John Oliver talks with Jon about God's use of lightning during the debate when Giuliani was speaking about abortion. Finally, Lewis Black in "Back in Black" reports on new technology. Lewis talks about Big Brother in google's new Street View option in google map, a new device allowing movie theatre patrons to rat out rude behavior, and myspace.com reporting the identities of sex predators.
#25 - Eddie Izzard
Season 12 - Episode 76 - Aired 6/7/2007
Tonight, comedian and star of the FX show The Riches and Ocean's 13, Eddie Izzard. Jon begins the show by reporting on London's new Olympic logo for the 2012 Olympics. Apparently, the animated logo was removed from the internet for fear that it would cause seizures. Jon then reports on the G-8 Summit in Germany, which sparked a number of protests in a segment called "8 Simple Rulers". Also, Jon reports on Bush's clash with his buddy Vladimir Putin about what to do about the proposed missile shield over Eastern Europe. Finally, a rerun of Samantha Bee's report on gays "corrupting" Nascar by using Fructis hair care products as a sponsor in a segment called "Gays of Thunder".