The Daily Show
The Daily Show
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The Daily Show

"When news breaks we fix it."

6.4
Yr 1996
Status Returning Series
News Comedy
Your Verdict
Unrated

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Series Brief

Overview

The World's Fakest News Team tackle the biggest stories in news, politics and pop culture.

Status

Latest

  • The Daily Show announces billionaire micro drama spoof — July 21, 2026
Critical Reception

What critics are saying

Score 72 /100

Since its 1996 premiere on Comedy Central, The Daily Show has transformed from a lighthearted pop-culture parody into an influential staple of late-night political satire. Retrospective overviews highlight its evolution across eras, noting how the program transitioned from Craig Kilborn's early celebrity-focused format into a sharp, politically charged vehicle under Jon Stewart.

Early critical assessments of the show's debut were measured but found promising moments. Reviewers singled out early standout sketches and dry field reporting, while identifying behind-the-scenes figures like co-creator and head writer Lizz Winstead as key comedic talents shaping the nascent series.

While the program earned a reputation for sharp commentary over its multi-decade run, it has also drawn polarized reactions from some viewers, with detractors dismissing its comedic style and cast rotations.

“flashes of funny, including a cleverly straight-faced report by correspondent Brian Unger”

“known for its sharp satirical and comedic commentary on current events”

Why fans love it

The Daily Show occupies a singular space in the late-night landscape by viewing political developments through a lens of biting sarcasm. Since 1996, the series has refined an irreverent approach to national events, prioritizing satire over traditional reporting. It functions less like a conventional news program and more like a high-speed commentary on the absurdity inherent in government and media.

The program creates a platform where informative segments frequently dissolve into sharp punchlines. Contributors such as Frank DeCaro bring a specific comedic rhythm to these political segments, balancing pointed critiques with the informal energy of a late-night interview show. The result is a consistent interrogation of pop culture and public policy that avoids the polished detachment common in standard journalism.

Featured Players

Cast

Credited 75
Regulars 1
Longest run 2774 eps
Jon Stewart
Jon Stewart
as Self - Host
2774 episodes
Trevor Noah
Trevor Noah
as Self - Host
1091 episodes
Craig Kilborn
Craig Kilborn
as Self - Host
57 episodes
Paul Giamatti
Paul Giamatti
as Self
5 episodes
William Kristol
William Kristol
as Self
9 episodes
Al Franken
Al Franken
as Self
10 episodes
Ted Koppel
Ted Koppel
as Self
7 episodes
Wanda Sykes
Wanda Sykes
as Self - Guest Host
8 episodes
Show 67 more
Tom Brokaw as Self 8 episodes Doris Kearns Goodwin as Self 6 episodes Bill Clinton as Self 9 episodes Mike Huckabee as Self - Guest 9 episodes Will Ferrell as Self 11 episodes Thomas L. Friedman as Self - Guest 7 episodes Reza Aslan as Self - Guest 6 episodes Michael Moore as Self 6 episodes Howard Dean as Self 7 episodes Paul Rudd as Self - Guest 10 episodes Jack Black as Self 6 episodes Lewis Black as Self 39 episodes Bill O'Reilly as Self - Guest 10 episodes Desi Lydic as Self - Guest Host 115 episodes Jordan Klepper as Self - Host 127 episodes Richard Lewis as Self 8 episodes Ben Affleck as Self 9 episodes John McCain as Self 11 episodes Denis Leary as Self - Guest 13 episodes Al Sharpton as Self - Guest 7 episodes John Hodgman as Self 6 episodes Ronny Chieng as Self - Correspondent 98 episodes Angelina Jolie as Self 7 episodes Spike Lee as Self - Guest 7 episodes John Leguizamo as Self 8 episodes Hillary Clinton as Self 7 episodes Jake Gyllenhaal as Self 7 episodes Maggie Gyllenhaal as Self 8 episodes Michael Kosta as Self - Correspondent 123 episodes Ta-Nehisi Coates as Self 7 episodes Fareed Zakaria as Self 15 episodes Drew Barrymore as Self - Guest 6 episodes Madeleine Albright as Self 9 episodes Chelsea Handler as Self - Guest Host 6 episodes Samuel L. Jackson as Self - Guest 8 episodes Gabrielle Union as Self - Guest 6 episodes Ricky Gervais as Self 11 episodes Jerry Seinfeld as Self 6 episodes Brian Williams as Self 13 episodes D.L. Hughley as Self 6 episodes Larry Wilmore as Self 9 episodes Stephen Colbert as Self - Correspondent 47 episodes Colin Quinn as Self - Guest 6 episodes Charlamagne tha God as Self 15 episodes Sarah Silverman as Self - Guest Host 8 episodes Kal Penn as Self - Guest Host 8 episodes Rob Corddry as Self - Correspondent 17 episodes John Oliver as Self 25 episodes Steve Carell as Self 18 episodes Jaboukie Young-White as Self 9 episodes Ed Helms as Self - Correspondent 18 episodes Jason Jones as Self 25 episodes Marlon Wayans as Self 6 episodes Hasan Minhaj as Self - Guest Host 12 episodes Leslie Jones as Self - Guest Host 11 episodes Aasif Mandvi as Self - Guest 18 episodes Nick Offerman as Self 9 episodes Mo Rocca as Self - Correspondent 10 episodes Grace Kuhlenschmidt as Self - Correspondent 25 episodes Josh Johnson as George Santos Supporter 44 episodes Vance DeGeneres as Self - Correspondent 10 episodes Troy Iwata as Self 24 episodes Jessica Williams as Self - Correspondent 16 episodes Rob Riggle as Self 11 episodes Dulcé Sloan as Self - Host 16 episodes Roy Wood Jr. as Self - Guest Host 12 episodes Newt Gingrich as Self - Guest 7 episodes
Signal Match

Similarity

Where The Daily Show overlaps with other shows, and exactly what they have in common.

Keyword Cloud

Keywords

sarcasm interview politics political satire late-night show irreverent informative
Technical Sheet

Details

First Aired
July 22, 1996
Status
Returning Series
Origin
US
TMDB Votes
664