The Daily Show: Season 12
Season 12 Lore Primer
Key plot threads, lore context, and character stakes you need to remember before diving into this season.
- Directly follows the overarching narrative developments of The Daily Show Season 11.
- Faction dynamics and core character alliances shift under escalating external stakes.
- Crucial mysteries introduced previously reach key turning points and narrative reckonings.
- Sets up serialized story arcs that build directly toward the climactic season finale.
Episode Guide
Season 12 Progress Shield
Harry Frankfurt
Jan 9, 2007
Tonight philosophy professor and author of <I>On Truth</I>, Harry Frankfurt.
Gov. Mike Huckabee
Jan 10, 2007
Tonight former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee. Jon discusses the first 100 hours of the Democrats and there great start, namely Congress shutting down on the first day (to watch a
Peter O'Toole
Jan 11, 2007
Tonight legendary actor and star of <I>Venus</I>, Peter O'Toole.Jon begins with a review of George Bush's presidential address about his change of strategy in Iraq. He then discuss
Josh Bernstein
Jan 15, 2007
Tonight the host of <I>Digging for the Truth</I> and author of <I>Digging for the Truth: One Man's Epic Adventure Exploring the World's Greatest Archaeological Mysteries</I>, Josh
Michael Oren
Jan 16, 2007
Tonight journalist and author of <I>Power, Faith and Fantasy: America in the Middle East 1776 to the Present</I>, Michael Oren.Jon begins by looking at Steve Jobs introduction of t
Jerry Rice
Jan 17, 2007
Tonight former pro-football player and author of <I>Go Long!: My Journey and Beyond the Game and the Fame</I>, Jerry Rice.Jon begins by looking at Castro and the several conflictin
Robin Wright Penn
Jan 18, 2007
Tonight actress and star of <I>Hounddog</I>, Robin Wright Penn.Jon first looks at the Doomsday Clock which was set five minutes ahead, now five minutes before midnight and world wi
Gen. Rupert Smith
Jan 22, 2007
Tonight former British Army General Rupert Smith, author of <I>The Utility of Force: The Art of War in the Modern World</I>.Jon begins with a look at the President's State of the U
Terry McAuliffe
Jan 23, 2007
Tonight the chairman of the Democratic National Committee, Terry McAuliffe.Jon starts off with a look at the Oscar nominations and how he wasn't asked to host them this year. He th
Scott McClellan
Jan 24, 2007
Tonight former White House press secretary Scott McClellan.Jon begins with a thorough review of the President's State of the Union address. Rob Riggle and Samantha Bee then report
Sen. Charles Schumer
Jan 25, 2007
Tonight New York Senator Charles Schumer.Jon begins with a look at Senator John Kerry's long winded speech about how he is not running for President. Finally, Jon looks at Wolf Bli
Bill Gates
Jan 29, 2007
Tonight the founder of Microsoft, Bill Gates and his quick exit after the interview.Jon starts the show with a look at who has or has not said they will run for President. Indecisi
Neil deGrasse Tyson
Jan 30, 2007
Tonight astrophysicist and author of <I>Death by Black Hole: And Other Cosmic Quandries</I>, Neil deGrasse Tyson.Jon begins with a look at the Scooter Libby trial with a summary as
Sen. Joe Biden
Jan 31, 2007
Tonight Delaware Senator Joe Biden.Jon first looks at Bush's comments on Vice President Dick Cheney. Jon then looks at Bush's new Iraq strategy, or lack therof, and how anyone fpun
Sienna Miller
Feb 1, 2007
Tonight actress and star of <I>Factory Girl</I>, Sienna Miller.Jon first looks at Mary Cheney, the Vice President's lesbian daughter, who stated that the birth of her child should
Walter Scheib
Feb 5, 2007
Tonight former White House chef and author of <I>White House Chef: Eleven Years, Two Presidents, One Kitchen</I>, Walter Scheib.Jon begins with a look at the Super Bowl and the ads
Mike Rowe
Feb 6, 2007
Tonight the host of <I>Dirty Jobs</I>, Mike Rowe.Jon begins with a look at evangelical minister Ted Haggard, who is now apparently completely heterosexual. Jon then looks at the no
Ralph Nader
Feb 7, 2007
Tonight consumer advocate and author of <I>The Seventeen Traditions</I>, Ralph Nader.Jon begins with the bizarre story of the crazy diaper wearing astronaut Lisa Nowak out for reve
John Mellencamp
Feb 8, 2007
Tonight, musician John Mellencamp.Jon first looks at the moral outrage over a Super Bowl snickers ad and a suicide prevention groups complaint over GM's ad showing a robot killing
Jeffrey Rosen
Feb 12, 2007
Tonight law professor and legal editor for the <I>New Republic</I> and author of <I>The Supreme Court: The Personalities and Rivalries That Defined America</I>, Jeffrey Rosen.Jon l
Christopher Horner
Feb 13, 2007
Tonight attorney and senior fellow at the Competitive Enterprise Institute and author of <I>The Politically Incorrect Guide to Global Warming (and Environmentalism)</I>, Christophe
Ishmael Beah
Feb 14, 2007
Tonight former child soldier in Sierra Leone's civil war and author of <I>A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier</I>, Ishmael Beah.Jon begins the show with a look at the deal st
Meredith Vieria
Feb 15, 2007
Tonight the co-host of <I>Today</I>, Meredith Vieria.Jon begins with a review of the House of Representatives debate and inaction as they try to pass their non-binding resolution.
Craig Newmark
Feb 26, 2007
Tonight the founder of craigslist.com, Craig Newmark.Jon begins by looking at last nights Oscars with Senior Entertainalist, John Oliver. Finally, Samantha Bee gives us a glimpse a
John Amaechi
Feb 27, 2007
Tonight former NBA star and author of <I>Man in the Middle</I>, John Amaechi.Jon begins with a look at Laura Bush's opinion about the current state of Iraq. Jon then looks at the C
Jake Gyllenhaal
Feb 28, 2007
Tonight actor and star of <I>Zodiac</I>, Jake Gyllenhaal.Jon starts off with a story about a hepatitis exposure scare at a Sports Illustrated party for the latest swimsuit issue. J
Sam Sheridan
Mar 1, 2007
Tonight sports journalist and author of <I>A Fighter’s Heart: One Man’s Journey Through the World of Fighting</I>, Sam Sheridan.Jon starts off with a story about Al Sharpton, whose
Bob Woodruff
Mar 5, 2007
Tonight, journalist and author of In an Instant: A Family's Journey of Love and Healing, Bob Woodruff. Jon first looks at and later discusses the conditions at Walter Reed Army Med
Dr. Richard Jadick
Mar 6, 2007
Tonight, military doctor and author of On Call In Hell: A Doctor's Iraq War Story, Dr. Richard Jadick.Jon first looks at the Scooter Libby guilty verdict. He then talks about the W
Wynton Marsalis
Mar 7, 2007
Tonight, jazz musician Wynton Marsalis promotes his new album From The Plantation To The Penitentiary.Jon begins with a brief history about the Scooter Libby trial. He discusses th
Dr. Sharon Moalem
Mar 8, 2007
Tonight, Dr. Sharon Moalem, author of Survival of the Sickest: A Medical Maverick Discovers Why We Need Disease.Jon starts off with a report about journalists who are being killed
Senator Chris Dodd
Mar 12, 2007
Tonight on the show, 2008 presidential candidate Chris Dodd.Jon opens the show with the big announcement by Senator Chuck Hagel that he may or may not run for President. Jon then l
John Waters
Mar 13, 2007
Tonight, cult film director John Waters talks about his new Court TV series, 'Til Death Do Us Part.Jon begins with Bush's last day touring South America where he apparently helped
Zbigniew Brzezinski
Mar 14, 2007
Tonight, political scientist and the former U.S. National Security Advisor to Jimmy Carter, Zbigniew Brzezinski, promoting his new book Second Chance: Three Presidents and the Cris
Sandra Bullock
Mar 15, 2007
Tonight, actress Sandra Bullock promotes her new movie, Premonition.Jon begins with a final look at Bush's tour of South America, which ended in Mexico. Jon then talks about Khalid
Stephen Prothero
Mar 19, 2007
Tonight, the chair of the religion department at Boston University and author of <I>Religious Literacy: What Every American Need to Know-And Doesn’t</I>, Stephen Prothero.Jon begin
John Bolton
Mar 20, 2007
Tonight, former U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. from August 2005 until December 2006, John Bolton.Jon begins with a look at the continuing Justice Department scandal. Jon then talks wi
Chris Hansen
Mar 21, 2007
Tonight, Dateline NBC journalist Chris Hansen promotes his continuing segment on the show and his new book, To Catch a Predator.Jon begins the show with the constitutional showdown
Don Cheadle
Mar 22, 2007
Tonight, actor Don Cheadle promotes his new movie, Reign Over Me.Jon first talks about Al Gore testifying in front of Congress about global warming in a segment called "Welcome Bac
Senator John Kerry
Mar 26, 2007
Tonight, Senator John Kerry promotes his new book, This Moment on Earth: Today's New Environmentalists and Their Vision for the Future.
Dennis Miller
Mar 27, 2007
Tonight, comedian Dennis Miller promotes his new radio show.
Bill Richardson
Mar 28, 2007
Tonight, current Governor of New Mexico and 2008 presidential candidate who is also promoting his book, 'Between Worlds: The Making of an American Life', Bill Richardson. Jon begin
Philip Zimbardo
Mar 29, 2007
Tonight, psychologist Philip Zimbardo promotes his new book, The Lucifer Effect: Understanding How Good People Turn Evil.
Andrew Card
Apr 16, 2007
Tonight, former White House Chief of Staff for President George W. Bush, Andy Card. Jon begins the show with the fired U.S. attorney's scandal. Over 5 million White House staffer e
Sig Hansen
Apr 17, 2007
Tonight, Norwegian fisherman Sig Hansen from the show Deadliest Catch on the Discovery Channel. Jon begins the show with a brief talk about the big rainstorm in the Northeast. Jon
Ali Allawi
Apr 18, 2007
Tonight, former Minister of Trade, Defense, & later Finance in the Interim Iraq Governing Council, Ali Allawi, who is also promoting his new book, The Occupation of Iraq: Winning t
Jeremy Scahill
Apr 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 A
Matt Cooper
Apr 23, 2007
Tonight, journalist for the Condé Nast Portfolio, Matt Cooper. Jon begins tonight show with a look at France's runoff election for President between conservative Nicolas Sarkozy an
Senator John McCain
Apr 24, 2007
Tonight, presidential candidate Senator John McCain. Jon begins the show with a look at the continuing battle in Washington D.C. over funding for the war and the use of timetables
Garry Shandling
Apr 25, 2007
Tonight, comedian Garry Shandling promotes his new DVD Not Just the Best of the Larry Sanders Show. Jon begins tonight's show with a look at Baghdad and how the Bush administration
Christopher Hitchens
Apr 30, 2007
Tonight, author and journalist Christopher Hitchens promotes his book God Is Not Great: How Religion Poisons Everything.
Pierre Rehov
May 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 Pa
Ted Koppel
May 3, 2007
Tonight, journalist Ted Koppel. Politicians on television programs us common folks watch are prevalent this week as Jon begins the show by looking at President Bush and Laura Bush
Lee Gutkind
May 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
George Tenet
May 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 s
Michael Beschloss
May 9, 2007
Tonight, presidential historian Michael Beschloss promotes his new book Presidential Courage: Brave Leaders and How They Changed America 1789-1989. Jon begins with a foiled terrori
Reza Aslan
May 10, 2007
Tonight, author of No god but God: The Origins, Evolution, and Future of Islam, Reza Aslan. The show begins with "Mess O' Potomac" as Jon talks about the new Iraq spending bill tha
Jeremy Paxman
May 14, 2007
Tonight, BBC news reporter and author of the new book, On Royalty: A Very Polite Inquiry into Some Strangely Related Families, Jeremy Paxman. The show begins with a clip of Bush "T
Tim Russert
May 15, 2007
Tonight, the host of Meet the Press and author of Wisdom of Our Fathers: Lessons and Letters from Daughters and Sons, Tim Russert. "Clusterf@#k to the White House" continues with J
Brink Lindsey
May 17, 2007
Tonight, contributing editor to Reason Magazine & author of the new book The Age of Abundance: How Prosperity Transformed America's Politics and Culture, Brink Lindsey.
Zaki Chehab
May 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
Margaret Spellings
May 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
Lt. Col. Kevin Robbins
May 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
Al Gore
May 24, 2007
Tonight, former politician and current political activist on the environment and author of The Assault on Reason, Al Gore. Jon begins with a look at the media blitzkrieg on reports
Rep. Ron Paul
Jun 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 th
Paul Rudd
Jun 5, 2007
Tonight, actor Paul Rudd promotes his new movie Knocked Up. Jon begins the show tonight with the Scooter Libby jail sentence. Libby was sentenced to 30 months in jail and a $250,00
Michael Barone
Jun 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@#
Eddie Izzard
Jun 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,
David Steinberg
Jun 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
Bob Shrum
Jun 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 vot
Allan Brandt
Jun 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
Angelina Jolie
Jun 14, 2007
Tonight, actress Angelina Jolie promotes her new movie A Mighty Heart. Jon begins the show tonight by showing us the duplicity of White House Press Secretary Tony Snow. Two months
Steve Carell
Jun 18, 2007
Tonight, actor and comedian Steve Carell promotes his new movie Evan Almighty. With so much going on in the Middle East, Jon begins the show and leaves it up to chance by spinning
Brian Williams
Jun 19, 2007
Tonight, journalist and anchor of NBC's Nightly News, Brian Williams.
Steve Vogel
Jun 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 Informat
Bruce Willis
Jun 26, 2007
Tonight, actor Bruce Willis promotes his new movie Live Free or Die Hard. Jon begins tonight's show with something you might not know about our illustrious Vice President in a segm
Michael Moore
Jun 27, 2007
Tonight, director Michael Moore promotes his new documentary, Sicko. Jon begins the show with another installment of "You Don't Know Dick". Tonight's little 'Dick nugget' is the fa
Claire Danes
Jun 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 ficatio
Josh Rushing
Jul 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)
Christopher Walken
Jul 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
Matt Groening
Jul 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 ar
Adam Sandler
Jul 19, 2007
Tonight, Adam Sandler promotes his new movie I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry. Jon begins by going to Senior Literary Correspondent John Oliver who's at a local NYC bookstore wi
Neil deGrasse Tyson
Jul 23, 2007
Tonight, astrophysicist and the host of the new PBS show NOVA ScienceNOW, Neil deGrasse Tyson. Jon begins tonight reporting on the short lived presidency of Dick Cheney last Saturd
Robert Pallitto
Jul 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 calle
Rob Gifford
Jul 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 Judi
Robert Dallek
Jul 26, 2007
Tonight, presidential historian and author of Nixon and Kissinger: Partners in Power, Robert Dallek. Jon begins tonight's show reporting on a story from New Zealand in a segment ca
Alastair Campbell
Jul 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 a
Lewis Gordon Pugh
Jul 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"
Jed Babbin
Aug 1, 2007
Tonight, former deputy undersecretary of defense during the first Bush administration and author of In The Words of Our Enemies, Jed Babbin. Jon begins tonight reporting on a "gian
Matt Damon
Aug 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
Andy Samberg
Aug 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 offer
Sen. Joe Biden
Aug 8, 2007
Tonight, presidential candidate and author of Promises to Keep: On Life and Politics, Senator Joe Biden. Jon begins tonight reporting on Barry Bonds hitting 756 homeruns, breaking
Tal Ben-Shahar
Aug 9, 2007
Tonight, psychologist and author of Happier: Learn the Secrets to Daily Joy and Lasting Fulfillment, Tal Ben-Shahar. Jon begins tonight reporting on the recent FOX News interview o
Bill Kristol
Aug 13, 2007
Tonight, editor of The Weekly Standard, Bill Kristol. Jon begins tonight with a curious tingling sensation running down the back of his spine. Karl Rove resigned from the Bush admi
Denis Leary
Aug 14, 2007
Tonight, star of the show Rescue Me, Denis Leary. Wolfowitz, Rumsfeld, and now Rove gone, Jon begins tonight reporting on the new blood being injected into the Bush administration
Stephen F. Hayes
Aug 15, 2007
Tonight, author of Cheney: The Untold Story of America's Most Powerful and Controversial Vice President, Stephen F. Hayes. Jon first reports on the recent visit of Nicolas Sarkozy
Sen. John McCain
Aug 16, 2007
Tonight, Republican presidential candidate Sen. John McCain promotes his new book, Hard Call: Great Decisions and the Extraordinary People Who Made Them. Jon first reports on the C
Nikolas Kozloff
Aug 20, 2007
Tonight, author of Hugo Chavez: Oil, Politics, and the Challenge to the U.S., Nikolas Kozloff. Jon begins the show tonight going live from Baghdad to the show's two Senior Baghdad
Alan Weisman
Aug 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 apparent
Sen. Barack Obama
Aug 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
Lt. Col. John Nagl
Aug 23, 2007
Tonight, one of the military's staff who helped write the Counterinsurgency Field Manual, Lt. Col. John Nagl. Jon first reports on President Bush, who goes over a list of America's
Jeff Garlin
Sep 10, 2007
Tonight, comedian Jeff Garlin promotes his new movie I Want Someone to Eat Cheese With and the airing of new shows for Curb Your Enthusiasm. Jon begins tonight's show with news tha
Jodie Foster
Sep 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 segme
Robert Draper
Sep 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
Douglas Farah
Sep 13, 2007
Tonight, journalist and author of Merchant of Death: Money, Guns, Planes, and the Man Who Makes War Possible, Douglas Farah. Jon begins tonight's show with an update on Senator Joh
Alan Greenspan
Sep 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. S
Gen. Wesley Clark
Sep 19, 2007
Tonight, former Supreme Allied Commander of NATO and author of A Time to Lead: For Duty, Honor and Country, Gen. Wesley Clark.
Bill Clinton
Sep 20, 2007
Tonight, former President Bill Clinton promotes his new book, Giving: How Each of Us Can Change the World.
John Bowe
Sep 24, 2007
Tonight, journalist and author of Nobodies: Modern American Slave Labor and the Dark Side of the New Global Economy, John Bowe.
Jamie Foxx
Sep 26, 2007
Tonight, actor and star of the new movie The Kingdom, Jamie Foxx.
Ken Burns
Sep 27, 2007
Tonight, documentary filmmaker Ken Burns promotes his new documentary The War, a seven part series on how WWII impacted American family life.