The BEST episodes of The Daily Show season 17

Every episode of The Daily Show season 17, ranked from best to worst by thousands of votes from fans of the show. The best episodes of The Daily Show season 17!

Jon Stewart and The Daily Show news team cover the biggest headlines of the day.

Last Updated: 4/9/2024Network: Comedy CentralStatus: Continuing
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Thomas Mann & Norman Ornstein
star
8.69
118 votes

#1 - Thomas Mann & Norman Ornstein

Season 17 - Episode 107 - Aired 6/4/2012

John Oliver reports from the Queen's Diamond Jubilee, the Obama administration plays "Polish That Turd," and Norman Ornstein and Thomas Mann discuss government dysfunction.

Marco Rubio
star
8.63
145 votes

#2 - Marco Rubio

Season 17 - Episode 143 - Aired 8/28/2012

The Best F#@king News Team ever reports from the Republican National Convention in Tampa, FL, and Marco Rubio touts Republican governing philosophies and Florida journalism.

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Jason Segel
star
8.35
170 votes

#3 - Jason Segel

Season 17 - Episode 94 - Aired 4/25/2012

Wealthy citizens want to mine asteroids, Neil deGrasse Tyson plays “Bulls**t or No Bulls**t”, Mitt Romney recalibrates his campaign, and Jason Segel works with humans.

Watch Now:Amazon
Edward Conard
star
8.32
224 votes

#4 - Edward Conard

Season 17 - Episode 110 - Aired 6/7/2012

The media debates fairness, Governor Cuomo proposes marijuana legislation, and Edward Conard talks innovation and risk and his book, "Unintended Consequences."

GOP Convention 2012: Friday
star
8.30
233 votes

#5 - GOP Convention 2012: Friday

Season 17 - Episode 146 - Aired 8/31/2012

Clint Eastwood speaks to an empty chair, Mitt Romney recalls America's idyllic past, and the Best F#@king News Team Ever say goodbye to the Republican National Convention.

Louis C.K.
star
8.22
257 votes

#6 - Louis C.K.

Season 17 - Episode 123 - Aired 7/16/2012

Mitt Romney retires retroactively, John Oliver reports from New Jersey on the Viacom-DirecTV dispute, and Louis C.K. clarifies his controversial Twitter comments.

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Masha Gessen
star
8.21
165 votes

#7 - Masha Gessen

Season 17 - Episode 66 - Aired 2/29/2012

Mitt Romney takes Michigan, conservative pundits mourn the state of the GOP field, and Masha Gessen discusses the rise and anticipated fall of Vladimir Putin.

Bruce Bartlett
star
8.20
164 votes

#8 - Bruce Bartlett

Season 17 - Episode 62 - Aired 2/22/2012

Republicans build a frightening case against Barack Obama, health officials debate publishing controversial bird flu research, and Bruce Bartlett calls for tax reform.

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Bill Clinton
star
8.20
207 votes

#9 - Bill Clinton

Season 17 - Episode 154 - Aired 9/20/2012

An ancient papyrus hints that Jesus was married, the Senate GOP kills a veterans jobs bill, and Bill Clinton discusses his convention speech and the Clinton Global Initiative.

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Anne Burrell
star
8.16
135 votes

#10 - Anne Burrell

Season 17 - Episode 33 - Aired 12/12/2011

John Oliver looks into Mitt Romney's costly bet, PolitiFact gives Jon a "pants on fire" rating, and Anne Burell cooks like a rock star.

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Michelle Obama
star
8.11
197 votes

#11 - Michelle Obama

Season 17 - Episode 104 - Aired 5/29/2012

Jon recalls a conversation with Roger Ailes, examines the good and bad kinds of socialism, and talks to Michelle Obama about the importance of gardening.

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Neil deGrasse Tyson
star
8.11
194 votes

#12 - Neil deGrasse Tyson

Season 17 - Episode 64 - Aired 2/27/2012

Rick Santorum gets queasy over John F. Kennedy's religious tolerance speech, the Pope joins the Twitterverse, and Neil deGrasse Tyson advocates U.S. space exploration.

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Ricky Gervais
star
8.06
219 votes

#13 - Ricky Gervais

Season 17 - Episode 86 - Aired 4/11/2012

The Best F#@king News Team Ever reports from the Gingrich, Romney and Obama camps; Al Madrigal investigates “personhood” in Oklahoma; and Ricky Gervais talks Karl Pilkington.

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Bassem Youssef
star
8.05
147 votes

#14 - Bassem Youssef

Season 17 - Episode 118 - Aired 6/21/2012

President Obama claims executive privilege on "fast and furious" documents, and Egyptian satirist Bassem Youssef fulfills a dream by appearing on The Daily Show.

Admiral General Aladeen
star
8.05
204 votes

#15 - Admiral General Aladeen

Season 17 - Episode 100 - Aired 5/7/2012

Elections in Europe spell bad news for incumbents, Al Madrigal gauges young voters' enthusiasm for Obama, and Admiral General Aladeen assures Jon that his family is safe.

Brian Williams
star
8.04
223 votes

#16 - Brian Williams

Season 17 - Episode 141 - Aired 8/15/2012

Joe Biden sparks Republican outrage, John Oliver searches for America's next great political prop, and Brian Williams discusses dogs and Paul Ryan's Wienermobile.

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Dambisa Moyo
star
8.04
170 votes

#17 - Dambisa Moyo

Season 17 - Episode 132 - Aired 7/31/2012

Mitt Romney makes an impression overseas, Dick Cheney and John McCain disagree on Sarah Palin's vice-presidential qualities, and economist Dambisa Moyo examines China.

Fareed Zakaria
star
8.03
143 votes

#18 - Fareed Zakaria

Season 17 - Episode 127 - Aired 7/23/2012

The Colorado tragedy sparks non-gun debate, the Boy Scouts and Chick-fil-A reaffirm exclusionary policies toward gays, and Fareed Zakaria discusses "The Post-American World."

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Joe Nocera
star
8.03
190 votes

#19 - Joe Nocera

Season 17 - Episode 46 - Aired 1/18/2012

Wikipedia's blackout puts the spotlight on SOPA, Mitt Romney reveals his tax rate, and Joe Nocera shares his thoughts on Wall Street.

E.J. Dionne
star
8.02
87 votes

#20 - E.J. Dionne

Season 17 - Episode 126 - Aired 7/19/2012

An investigation reveals HSBC laundered money for Mexican drug cartels, Michele Bachmann floats a conspiracy theory, and E.J. Dionne talks "Our Divided Political Heart."

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DNC Friday
star
8.00
155 votes

#21 - DNC Friday

Season 17 - Episode 150 - Aired 9/7/2012

President Obama accepts the Democratic nomination, the Best F#@king News Team Ever shares memories of Charlotte, and Fox News gets a new slogan after its convention coverage.

Austan Goolsbee
star
8.00
181 votes

#22 - Austan Goolsbee

Season 17 - Episode 149 - Aired 9/6/2012

The Democratic Party votes to amend its platform, Bill Clinton shares hard facts, and economist Austan Goolsbee remains happily divorced from government work.

Thomas Friedman
star
8.00
51 votes

#23 - Thomas Friedman

Season 17 - Episode 1 - Aired 10/3/2011

The U.S. military kills Anwar al-Awlaki, Herman Cain talks about Rick Perry's ranch, and Thomas Friedman discusses America's role in the global market.

Michael Lewis
star
8.00
77 votes

#24 - Michael Lewis

Season 17 - Episode 2 - Aired 10/4/2011

Chris Christie restates his position, Mitt Romney flip-flops, ESPN pulls Hank Williams Jr.'s song, and Michael Lewis discusses his travels as a financial disaster tourist.

Parmy Olson
star
7.99
168 votes

#25 - Parmy Olson

Season 17 - Episode 115 - Aired 6/18/2012

Greece votes to stay within the EU, Samantha Bee debates whether or not to attend a $40,000-a-plate Obama fundraiser, and journalist Parmy Olson sheds light on Anonymous.