The BEST episodes of The Daily Show season 12

#1 - Alan Greenspan

Season 12 - Episode 116 - Aired 9/18/2007

Tonight, former Federal Reserve Chairman and author of The Age of Turbulence: Adventures in a New World, Alan Greenspan. Jon begins tonight with a look at the burgeoning new O.J. Simpson story and the media's spin on the phrase, "What goes on in Vegas, stays in Vegas". Next, Jon tries to sum up Alberto Gonzalez in three words as Alberto enjoyed his last day as Attorney General last Friday in a segment called "That's Al Folks". Finally, Samantha Bee asks the question, "Are We Ready For A Woman President?"

#2 - Margaret Spellings

Season 12 - Episode 70 - Aired 5/22/2007

Tonight, the current Secretary of Education under President Bush, Margaret Spellings. Jon begins tonights show with the new Immigration Reform Bill being proposed in Congress in a segment called "Aliens v. Senators". Senior Immigration Correspondent Aasif Mandvi goes over some of the more complicated parts of the bill with Jon. Finally, Dan Bakkedahl experiences the joy in what it's like to be a Mexican crossing the border illegally in a segment called "Mexodus".

#3 - 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.

#4 - 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.

#5 - 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".

#6 - Jodie Foster

Season 12 - Episode 113 - Aired 9/11/2007

Tonight, actress Jodie Foster promotes her new movie, The Brave One. Jon begins tonight's show reporting on the overly hyped Petraeus report on the progress made in Iraq in a segment called "Iraq Me Dave Petraeus". As Jon notes, Petraeus' testimony before the House had some mic problems. Petraeus also gave a disclaimer before officially testifying saying that he wrote the report himself and not the White House. But as Jon shows us in back to back clips, Petraeus and Bush essentially speak the same language. Resident Expert John Hodgman stopped by to talk with Jon about his keys to success and how Bush consistently redefines failure as success.

#7 - David Wright

Season 12 - Episode 137 - Aired 10/31/2007

#8 - Michael Gerson

Season 12 - Episode 135 - Aired 10/29/2007

#9 - Meryl Streep

Season 12 - Episode 132 - Aired 10/16/2007

#10 - Howard Kurtz

Season 12 - Episode 130 - Aired 10/11/2007

#11 - Lynne Cheney

Season 12 - Episode 129 - Aired 10/10/2007

#12 - Tiki Barber

Season 12 - Episode 128 - Aired 10/9/2007

#13 - Vicente Fox

Season 12 - Episode 127 - Aired 10/8/2007

#14 - Alan Weisman

Season 12 - Episode 109 - Aired 8/21/2007

Tonight, journalist and author of The World Without Us, Alan Weisman. Jon begins tonight reporting on NBC Sports coverage of the Michael Vick guilty plea. The coverage was apparently more concerned about Vick's career and the gambling aspect of the dogfighting scandal. Jon then goes to Senior Baghdad Correspondent Rob Riggle who's in Iraq in a segment called "Operation: Fluffy Bunny". Rep. Mike Pence once compared Iraq to a summer market in Indiana. Riggle shows us the subtle similarities between Indiana and Iraq. Finally, Jon reports on Karl Rove's farewell tour on the Sunday morning talk show circuit and reviews some of Karl Rove's greatest hits in a segment called "Superbad".

#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 - 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.

#17 - 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.

#18 - 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.

#19 - Ken Burns

Season 12 - Episode 122 - Aired 9/27/2007

Tonight, documentary filmmaker Ken Burns promotes his new documentary The War, a seven part series on how WWII impacted American family life.

#20 - Don Rickles

Season 12 - Episode 67 - Aired 5/16/2007

Tonight, comedian and author of the new book Rickles' Book: A Memoir, Don Rickles

#21 - 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.

#22 - Robert Draper

Season 12 - Episode 114 - Aired 9/12/2007

Tonight, author of Dead Certain: The Presidency of George W. Bush, Robert Draper. Jon begins tonight's show with some news out of Russia. It seem Vladimir Putin not only dissolved his government by firing his prime minister and his entire cabinet, but also exploded the "father of all bombs", which despite its capability of evaporating all life, is also environmentally friendly. Next, Jon reports on some screaming war protesters at General Petraeus' hearing in a segment called "You're Not Helping". Jon then reports on the Democratic debates on the spanish channel Univision in a segment called "Clusterf@#k a la Casa Blanca". Some of the highlights, candidate Bill Richardson was barred from speaking Spanish so as not to gain an unfair advantage, the major topic for the night was of course immigration, and the Republican version was cancelled because only John McCain signed up. Finally, John Oliver speaks with the Qatari ambassador to the U.N. about a little unknown country called Qatar in a segment called "Oliver's Travels".

#23 - Jeremy Scahill

Season 12 - Episode 52 - Aired 4/19/2007

Tonight, journalist and author of Blackwater: The Rise of the World's Most Powerful Mercenary Army, Jeremy Scahill. Jon begins the show by talking with Senior Legal Correspondent Aasif Mandvi about the Supreme Courts decision to affirm the partial birth abortion ban in a segment called "America Decides". Jon then talks about Attorney General Alberto Gonzalez who testified before the Senate about not recalling anything he may or may not have done. Finally, Jason Jones talks with Frosty Hardison, a man who got his daughter's Seattle school board to stop a teacher from showing the movie An Inconvenient Truth in her class in a segment called "Apocalypse How?".

#24 - Jack Goldsmith

Season 12 - Episode 126 - Aired 10/4/2007

#25 - David Steinberg

Season 12 - Episode 77 - Aired 6/11/2007

Tonight, comedian and author of The Book of David, David Steinberg. Jon begins with the weekends big story as Peter Pace, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, was ousted from his position. As CNN attempted to cover this major news story, they were interrupted by the biggest news story of them all, Paris Hilton entering a car going to jail. Jon shows us that as reluctant as CNN was in covering this story, they did it all day anyway. Next, Jon covers Bush's trip to Europe where Bush was treated like a rock star in Albania in a segment called "Albaniacs". Jon calls Dennis Miller for some help in creating a Bush/Albania joke. Bush also met with the Pope for the first time and Senior Papist Jason Jones talks with Jon about Bush's visit. Finally, Resident Expert John Hodgman talks with Jon about why mixed martial arts is so popular.