The BEST episodes of The Daily Show season 29
Every episode of The Daily Show season 29, ranked from best to worst by thousands of votes from fans of the show. The best episodes of The Daily Show season 29!
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 - Sasheer Zamata
Season 29 - Episode 93 - Aired 9/12/2024
Jordan Klepper looks at how Taylor Swift's endorsement of Kamala Harris is sending right-wing politicians and commentators into a panic, why MTG feels threatened by Trump's new 9/11 conspiracy theorist friend, and how Joe Biden befriended a Trump supporter. Plus, Michael Kosta joins Jordan on a unity ticket. John Leguizamo looks at the latest way Republicans are trying to suppress the Latino vote, which also happens to be a way to make people think Latinos aren't really American. Here's what the SAVE Act does and why it has conservatives asking their housekeepers for translation help. Comedian and actor Sasheer Zamata talks to Jordan Klepper about her Marvel Cinematic Universe debut in the new Disney+ series "Agatha All Along." She describes the experience of having to sing in front of her co-star, Broadway legend Patti LuPone, how all the research she did into witches for her first stand-up special also prepared her for this role, and drafts her ideal coven of witches.
#2 - Brittney Cooper & Rebecca Traister
Season 29 - Episode 85 - Aired 8/15/2024
With Republican strategists begging Trump to stop the insults and focus on the issues, Desi Lydic watches his "intellectual" speech on economic policy — which inevitably goes off the rails into a rant about Joe Biden's ice cream choices, Kamala Harris's laugh, and the problem with Tic Tacs. Plus, Troy Iwata on why Tic Tacs really do explain inflation. "We have to believe in things that we have not seen before in order to bring them about." Rebecca Traister, New York Magazine writer-at-large and author of "Good and Mad," and Brittney Cooper, Rutgers University professor and author of "Eloquent Rage," join Desi Lydic to discuss channeling anger as well as faith surrounding the election to motivate action. They talk about the unreasonable expectations that come with Kamala Harris breaking down firsts in her presidential campaign, how the Right portrayed their views of women at the RNC, and how Tim Walz can solve America's daddy issues.
#3 - Gov. Gretchen Whitmer
Season 29 - Episode 86 - Aired 8/19/2024
The Daily Show is in Chicago for night one of the DNC. Michael Kosta covers what to expect this week, including vague nightly themes, unsubstantiated rumors of surprise celebrity appearances, and a recycled Biden platform. Plus, Grace Kuhlenschmidt reports on a giant inflatable IUD and Jordan Klepper stops by to teach Tim Walz a thing or two about pandering to local crowds. To kick off night one of the DNC, former Chicago resident Jordan Klepper and Illinois Governor JB Pritzker take a tour of the city they love. They talk history, food, sports, and culture. And of course they stop for a drink or three along the way. "There's a lesson in every tough story." Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer joins fellow Michigander Michael Kosta during the Democratic National Convention in Chicago to discuss her bestselling book, "True Gretch: What I've Learned About Life, Leadership, and Everything in Between."
#4 - Rep. Lauren Underwood
Season 29 - Episode 87 - Aired 8/20/2024
The Daily Show is in Chicago for the DNC. Desi Lydic recaps the biggest moments of night one, including Hillary Clinton's crowd breaking into a familiar chant, conservatives obsessing over Kamala Harris's smile, and Joe Biden giving an energetic speech that went way past everyone's bedtimes. Plus, Troy Iwata hunts for the perfect "Thank You" card for Biden. "If we want to make sure that we can all access high-quality, comprehensive healthcare, including reproductive healthcare, we have to go vote." Lauren Underwood, representative of Illinois's 14th District and co-founder of the Black Maternal Health Caucus, sits down with Desi Lydic in Chicago to discuss speaking at the DNC on opening night, her experience working closely with Kamala Harris to address and advance maternal healthcare with the Momnibus Act, the key to combating the anti-woman policy agenda of conservatives like JD Vance, and the parallels between her work and her favorite reality show.
#5 - Gov. Wes Moore
Season 29 - Episode 88 - Aired 8/21/2024
The Daily Show is in Chicago for the DNC. Jordan Klepper recaps the second night, from an electric roll call featuring Lil Jon to headliners Barack and Michelle Obama delivering soaring rhetoric while also hitting below the belt. Plus, Desi Lydic has notes for the delegation from Illinois, and Ronny Chieng reveals the insults Democrats have coming next for Trump. Gov. Tim Walz isn't only Kamala Harris's running mate, he's also America's dad. So to land one of the most coveted interviews at the DNC, Grace Kuhlenschmidt is trying every trick in the dad-bait book, from giving away the movie Rudy on Blu-Ray to asking if anyone can show her how to use a stud finder. "Nothing is given. Everything is earned." Maryland Governor Wes Moore joins Jordan Klepper to discuss utilizing the DNC to reach an undecided audience and earn their votes in the upcoming election.
#6 - Live show of the DNC
Season 29 - Episode 89 - Aired 8/22/2024
Jon Stewart closes out the last night of the DNC live from Chicago with a recap of the convention, including Kamala Harris's spotlight moment, Oprah's cat lady cam, and a roster of speakers as diverse and contradictory as the Democratic party itself. Jon also shows Dems what real joy looks like and tries to make sense of Fox News's convention coverage. After a week at the Democratic Convention in Chicago, Jon Stewart and the Best F**king News Team share their thoughts on the party's embrace of small town values, which apparently means patriotically loving God and baking lots and lots of pies to give to neighbors. Kamala Harris didn't just fall out of a coconut tree. The Democratic candidate has led a full and shockingly normal life.
#7 - Yuval Noah Harari
Season 29 - Episode 90 - Aired 9/9/2024
With the election rapidly approaching, Jordan Klepper catches up on the latest stories in the presidential race, including recent polling, JD Vance swimming in a t-shirt, and Dick Cheney's surprising endorsement of Kamala Harris. Plus, as Harris and Trump prepare for their first debate with starkly different approaches, Grace Kuhlenschmidt joins to break down the Republican candidate's "weaving" tactics. Historian and best-selling author Yuval Noah Harari sits down with Jordan Klepper to discuss his new book, "Nexus: A Brief History of Information Networks from the Stone Age to AI." They talk about how people deal with an overflow of information, whether or not AI is an existential threat, the importance of human understanding in bureaucracy, and why there's still hope.
#8 - Steve Ballmer
Season 29 - Episode 91 - Aired 9/10/2024
Jon Stewart goes live after the first presidential debate between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump. Filled with face-offs over abortion access, border control, and for some reason eating cats? Jon breaks down what this all means for the election. Former Microsoft CEO, LA Clippers owner, and founder of USAFacts Steve Ballmer joins Jon Stewart for a live conversation following the Trump-Harris debate to discuss why he launched his website, USAFacts, as a nonpartisan resource for people to understand the scope, context, and efficacy of the government's spending. They also talk about the ways in which democracy and capitalism influence each other, and how that relationship might need more checks and balances, especially when it comes to healthcare and labor.
#9 - John Heilemann
Season 29 - Episode 92 - Aired 9/11/2024
Jordan Klepper unpacks the debate aftermath including Trump's insistence that he won, Taylor Swift's Kamala Harris endorsement, and the origin of the "immigrants eat our cats and dogs" conspiracy. After JD Vance doubles down on Trump's claim, Ronny Chieng visits Springfield to investigate the pet-eating allegations. City parking is never easy, but Philadelphia's courtesy towing policy takes inconvenience to a new level. Michael Kosta went to Philly to get the lowdown from Pennsylvania drivers on the pesky parking problem, the bizarre inner workings of the Philadelphia Parking Authority, and the cost of a parking ticket. John Heilemann, chief political columnist at Puck and host of the "Impolitic" podcast, sits down with Jordan Klepper to unpack what he witnessed at the Trump-Harris debate in Philadelphia.
#10 - Mark Duplass
Season 29 - Episode 84 - Aired 8/14/2024
Desi Lydic watches the leaked Project 2025 training videos and discovers the secret right-wing plan for transforming government, undoing climate rules, and eliminating all pronouns from the English language. Plus, the people who made them are a little weird and have close ties to Donald Trump, despite his denials. Featuring an exclusive Daily Show Project 2025 video made just for Trump. America's democracy may not be the strongest, but it is the oldest! Grace Kuhlenschmidt explores the drawbacks of having a gerontocracy by chatting with UC Irvine neuropoietic researcher Mark Fisher, who explains how the brain deteriorates and what's really covered on a cognitive test.
#11 - Luis “Lue” Elizondo
Season 29 - Episode 94 - Aired 9/17/2024
Ronny Chieng covers the second assassination attempt on Donald Trump. Former Counterintelligence Special Agent Luis Elizondo discusses his new book, "Imminent: Inside the Pentagon's Hunt for UFOs."
#12 - Daniel Dae Kim
Season 29 - Episode 95 - Aired 9/18/2024
Ronny Chieng covers big economic news, including the Fed cutting interest rates and Trump trying to launch a crypto business. Also, actor Daniel Dae Kim discusses his role in the new Broadway play "Yellow Face."
#13 - Phillip Lim
Season 29 - Episode 96 - Aired 9/19/2024
Ronny Chieng covers more Republican weirdness and Rudy Giuliani's frighteningly bad performance at a Trump rally. Today's special guest is Phillip Lim, creative director of fashion brand 3.1 Phillip Lim.
#14 - Christine Lagarde
Season 29 - Episode 97 - Aired 9/23/2024
Jon examines the escalating conflict engulfing "The Futile Crescent," the Biden administration's inability to prevent war from widening, and the criticism the Netanyahu government faces within Israel; Christine Lagarde discusses the dramatic effects of inflation and interest rates on the average person, as well as the need for global governance of AI; "Your Moment of Zen" (Donald Trump's "it's too late" dismissal of a second debate with Kamala Harris).
#15 - Ta-Nehisi Coates
Season 29 - Episode 101 - Aired 9/30/2024
Host Jon Stewart talks with author Ta-Nehisi Coates about his newest book, “The Message.”
#16 - Paola Ramos
Season 29 - Episode 102 - Aired 10/1/2024
Host Michael Kosta provides live post-Vice Presidential debate coverage and chats with journalist/author Paola Ramos. Paola Ramos is on to advertise and promote her new book, "Defectors: The Rise of the Latino Far Right and What It Means for America".
#17 - Jelani Cobb
Season 29 - Episode 103 - Aired 10/2/2024
Michael Kosta dives into the heated aftermath of the Vance vs Walz VP debate. Jelani Cobb, Dean of Columbia Journalism School, discusses the crucial role of diverse, trustworthy journalism.
#18 - JJ Johnson
Season 29 - Episode 104 - Aired 10/3/2024
Michael Kosta covers the latest election controversy, as betting on congressional races is legalised. Chef JJ Johnson joins the conversation about his best-selling cookbook, "The Simple Art of Rice".
#19 - RAYE
Season 29 - Episode 99 - Aired 9/25/2024
On what would have been the second debate night between Harris and Trump — until the former president backed out — Desi Lydic takes on the latest election news, including Trump's new scam hawking out fake coins and his contention that Kamala Harris never worked at McDonald's. "I think music is medicine." Singer-songwriter RAYE sits down with Desi Lydic to discuss a record-breaking year for her music, including six BRIT Award wins. She opens up about writing for herself versus other artists, the importance of full-length albums, what inspired her song "Genesis," and whether British artists are equally impressed by their American counterparts. RAYE performs "Genesis," featured on her new concert album "Live at Montreux Jazz Festival."
#20 - Bill O'Reilly
Season 29 - Episode 71 - Aired 7/16/2024
Jon Stewart unpacks the opening night of the RNC, where Republicans called for unity while attacking the Democrats' agenda, and J.D. Vance made his big reveal as VP candidate. Plus, Jon weighs in on Biden's feisty NBC interview with Lester Holt, and the flood of internet conspiracies in the wake of the assassination attempt of Donald Trump. Bill O'Reilly sits down with Jon Stewart, despite their differing ideologies, to discuss his new book "Confronting the Presidents." The two talk about political fanaticism following the assassination attempt against Donald Trump, whether we're experiencing a unique time of polarization, the danger of monetizing anger and hate speech, and debating the real-life consequences of the 2024 election in good faith.
#21 - Scott Galloway
Season 29 - Episode 72 - Aired 7/17/2024
Ronny Chieng recaps RNC night 2, including Lara Trump's many reminders of who her father-in-law is, Vivek Ramaswamy's weak appeal to Gen-Z, and Sarah Huckabee Sanders's many minor tragedies. Plus, Michael Kosta says goodbye to the convention's short lived unity theme. Jordan Klepper and Desi Lydic join to offer their expert analysis on Trump's running mate, Ohio Senator J.D. Vance. Also, NYU Professor, entrepreneur, podcast host, and bestselling author Scott Galloway talks to Ronny about his latest book, "The Algebra of Wealth."
#22 - INDECISION 2024: The Republican National Convention
Season 29 - Episode 73 - Aired 7/18/2024
Jordan Klepper goes live after the final night of the Republican National Convention to unpack Trump's big speech, and appearances from Hulk Hogan and Kid Rock. Plus, an update on the status of Joe Biden's candidacy. Also, TDS correspondents Josh Johnson, Grace Kuhlenschmidt, and Troy Iwata play the ultimate game of "Would You Rather," testing whether people would rather talk about the election or anything else.
#23 - Pete Buttigieg
Season 29 - Episode 74 - Aired 7/29/2024
Jon Stewart tackles Joe Biden's withdrawal from the presidential race, new presumptive nominee Kamala Harris, and the reactions on both sides, from a re-energized Democratic party to flailing Republicans' flimsy coup claims. Plus, Josh Johnson on the right's new strategic talking points against Harris, which range from sexist all the way to racist. "What's the point of having a conversation if you're not speaking to people who don't already agree with you?" Pete Buttigieg talks to Jon Stewart about why he goes on Fox News, the significance of President Joe Biden stepping aside to make room for Kamala Harris as the presumptive Democratic nominee, the possibility of being vetted for vice president, and his thoughts on Trump's own VP pick, JD Vance.
#24 - Jon M. Chu
Season 29 - Episode 75 - Aired 7/30/2024
"Indecision 2024" analysis of the "White Dudes for Harris" drive and Donald Trump's apparent fear of debating Kamala Harris; Ronny examines Democrats' "weird" attack line against Trump and, especially, J. D. Vance's "childless cat ladies" comment; Grace Kuhlenschmidt says she's "a normal adult woman" in an apartment full of lizards; "Back in Black" (Lewis Black on the record-setting summer heat); John M. Chu on casting Ronny in Crazy Rich Asians, what drew him to direct the film version of Wicked, and his advice to young people seeking the American Dream.
#25 - Black Pumas
Season 29 - Episode 76 - Aired 7/31/2024
Ronny Chieng tackles Trump's painful attempt at Black voter outreach, which included insulting Black journalists and accusing Kamala Harris of not being Black. Plus, Megan Thee Stallion declares "Hotties for Harris" at an Atlanta campaign rally, and Michael Kosta has a plan to keep the Democrats' newfound excitement going. Grammy-nominated band Black Pumas performs "Gemini Sun" from their latest album, "Chronicles of a Diamond."