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.
#2 - Christopher Hitchens
Season 12 - Episode 57 - Aired 4/30/2007
Tonight, author and journalist Christopher Hitchens promotes his book God Is Not Great: How Religion Poisons Everything.
Watch Now:Amazon#3 - Lee Gutkind
Season 12 - Episode 61 - Aired 5/7/2007
Tonight, author Lee Gutkind promotes his new book Almost Human: Making Robots Think. Jon begins the show with an in depth look at the Republican presidential candidate debate last week in a continuing show segment, "Clusterf@#k to the White House". Senior Correspondent Aasif Mandvi reporting live from the gates of hell talks with Jon about John McCain's comment at the debate that he will hunt Osama bin Laden to the gates of hell in a segment called "Styx & Stones". Finally, John Oliver gives us a behind the scenes look at the Republican debate.
#4 - Jamie Foxx
Season 12 - Episode 121 - Aired 9/26/2007
Tonight, actor and star of the new movie The Kingdom, Jamie Foxx.
#5 - Richard Gere
Season 12 - Episode 56 - Aired 4/26/2007
Tonight, actor Richard Gere promotes his new movie The Hoax.
#6 - Pierre Rehov
Season 12 - Episode 59 - Aired 5/2/2007
Tonight, director Pierre Rehov promotes his new documentary out on DVD, Suicide Killers. Jon begins the show with a good old fashioned Washington D.C. sex scandal. Deborah Jeane Palfrey a.k.a. Miz Julia, has submitted 46 pounds of telephone records from an escort service she ran for 13 years. Jon looks at the media frenzy to see which powerful D.C. men are on the list in a segment called "Beltway: Unbuckled". Senior Washington Correspondent Jason Jones talks with Jon about the how one can hire an escort legally and for nonsexual reasons, namely, by always laying down on your stomach while you get your "massage". Finally, Aasif Mandvi takes a look at both sides of the debate over Chief Illiniwek, the mascot for the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign who recently was retired because of protests saying the chief perpetuated rascist stereotypes in a segment called "Trail of Cheers".
#7 - George Tenet
Season 12 - Episode 62 - Aired 5/8/2007
Tonight, former director of the CIA and author of At the Center of the Storm: My Years at the CIA, George Tenet. Jon begins with Queen Elizabeth II visit to Washington D.C. where she hung out with President Bush at a series of events in a segment called "Elizabeth II: Visit from a Nice Old Lady". Finally, Jon talks with Royal Watcher John Oliver who wasn't as excited as he should be about the Queen's visit.
#8 - 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".
#9 - Steve Vogel
Season 12 - Episode 85 - Aired 6/25/2007
Tonight, author of The Pentagon: A History, Steve Vogel. Jon begins tonight with a report on Dick Cheney in a segment called "Dick Move". Cheney refuses to comply with the Information Security Oversight Office, a unit of the National Archives that monitors the Executive Branch's handling of classified information. As Jon reports, Cheney sought to abolish this oversight unit with a shotgun, but when that didn't work, Cheney argued that he is not part of the Executive Branch of government and therefore not subject to an executive order asking him to relinquish information. Senior White House Correspondent John Oliver talked with Jon about how Cheney is his own separate branch of government. Finally, Jason Jones reports on a man who gave his Purple Heart to President Bush because of the emotional pains and criticism Bush is experiencing in a segment called "Heart Attack".
#10 - Meredith Vieria
Season 12 - Episode 24 - Aired 2/15/2007
Tonight the co-host of "Today", Meredith Vieria.Jon begins with a review of the House of Representatives debate and inaction as they try to pass their non-binding resolution. Jon then looks at Iran who, according to the U.S. government, is supplying weapons to insurgents in Iraq. Finally, Jon discusses this Iranian development with John Oliver, Senior Military Speculator.
#11 - Zaki Chehab
Season 12 - Episode 69 - Aired 5/21/2007
Tonight, journalist and author of Inside Hamas: The Untold Story of the Militant Islamic Movement, Zaki Chehab. The show begins with some breaking news out of the Middle East that amazingly has nothing to do with the U.S. in a segment called "Middle East Trouble?" Military forces in Lebanon attacked a Palestinian refugee camp that harbored an al-Qaeda sect called Fatah al-Islam. Senior Beirut Correspondent Jason Jones stops by to give his report on the breaking news out of Lebanon. The end of an era is at hand as Bush and Blair part ways in a segment called "The End of the Affair". Jon provides us with a touching montage of Bush & Blair's greatest moments together with Dirty Dancing's "I've Had The Time Of My Life" playing in the background. Finally, a segment called "Wilmore and Oliver Investigates: So You've Offended An Entire Race!" The dynamic duo of Larry Wilmore and John Oliver team up once again to examine celebrity racism and whether people are more offensive or generally offended more easily.
#12 - 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.
#13 - 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".
#14 - 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".
#15 - 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.
#16 - 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.
#17 - Bob Shrum
Season 12 - Episode 78 - Aired 6/12/2007
Tonight, political consultant and author of No Excuses: Concessions of a Serial Campaigner, Bob Shrum. Jon begins tonight with the Senate's debate over whether they should even vote on the immigration bill in a segment called "Kill Bill". Jon then reports on Alberto Gonzales' no confidence vote in the Senate, again, to see if they should vote on it at all, in a segment called "Kill Bill Volume 2". Finally, Samantha Bee reports on whether the U.S. is ready for some of the various presidential candidates and reports on some of the crazier aspects of Mormonism in a segment called "Is America Ready for a Mormon President?"
#18 - 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.
#19 - Greg Bear
Season 12 - Episode 84 - Aired 6/21/2007
Tonight, author Greg Bear promotes his new novel Quantico.
#20 - 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".
#21 - 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.
#22 - 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.
#23 - 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.
#24 - 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.
#25 - Barack Obama
Season 12 - Episode 110 - Aired 8/22/2007
Tonight, presidential candidate Senator Barack Obama. Jon begins tonight reporting on the impatience President Bush is trying to quell about the Iraq War and the concerns over the Iraqi Parliament's vacation time in August due to the 130 degree heat in Iraq. Jon goes to Senior Baghdad Correspondent Rob Riggle who's in Iraq in a segment called "Operation Macho Kick-Ass". Riggle shows us some clips of American troops wishing the Iraqi Parliament a good vacation as they do menial tasks around Iraq. Finally, Jon reports on the complex intricacies that is American foreign policy in a segment called "America To The Rescue". For example, invading Iraq has strengthened Iran, creating fear in Saudi Arabia, leading to the U.S. selling $20 billion of weapons to the Saudi's, thus intimidating the Israeli's who are afraid of Hamas which is supported by the Saudi's, causing the U.S. to increase military aid to Israel by 25% or $30 billion over 10 years. This smart foreign policy experience is nothing new. As Jon shows us from back in 1990, the U.S. helped liberate Kuwait, which was invaded by Iraq, who was armed by the U.S. to fight Iran, leading also to American troops being stationed in Saudi Arabia to alleviate fears that Saddam might strike there, pissing off Osama bin Laden, who was fighting the Russians in Afghanistan with weapons given to him by the U.S.