The Daily Show: Season 16
Season 16 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 15.
- 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 16 Progress Shield
Paul Giamatti
Jan 3, 2011
The media calls Barack Obama the "comeback kid," and Paul Giamatti says "rapscallion.
Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand
Jan 4, 2011
Republicans focus on 2010 issues, and Kirsten Gillibrand wants to reform the Senate filibuster rules.
Jimmy Wales
Jan 5, 2011
John McCain gets cranky, and Jimmy Wales imagines Wikipedia's relevance in 500 years.
Patton Oswalt
Jan 6, 2011
Facebook refuses to disclose its financial results, and Patton Oswalt uses a prisoner ghostwriter.
Denis Leary
Jan 10, 2011
John Oliver reports on the Arizona shootings in his PJs, and Denis Leary discusses "Suck on This Year.
Colin Firth
Jan 11, 2011
John Oliver celebrates Verizon's iPhone announcement, and Colin Firth talks about "The King's Speech.
Tim Pawlenty
Jan 12, 2011
Members of Congress introduce gun legislation, and Tim Pawlenty defends Republican rhetoric.
Ron Howard
Jan 13, 2011
John Hodgman makes NASCAR more exciting, and Ron Howard shares his enthusiasm for show business.
Peter Bergen
Jan 17, 2011
Michael Steele steps down as RNC chairman, and Peter Bergen talks about progress in Afghanistan.
Neil deGrasse Tyson
Jan 18, 2011
Jon promises Sarah Palin a classy conversation and reveals his love for Neil deGrasse Tyson.
Paul Clemens
Jan 19, 2011
Glenn Beck appears on the "Today" show, and Paul Clemens discusses blue-collar decline.
Kambiz Hosseini & Saman Arbabi
Jan 20, 2011
Steve Cohen compares Republicans to Nazis, and Kambiz Hosseini and Saman Arbabi call Jon a prophet.
Anand Giridharadas
Jan 24, 2011
Wyatt Cenac dons a parrot suit in Mississippi, and Anand Giridharadas tells Jon the truth.
James Franco
Jan 25, 2011
A reporter searches for homeless talent, and Jon composes an ode to James Franco's Oscar nomination.
Jonathan Alter
Jan 26, 2011
Michele Bachmann looks off camera, and Jonathan Alter examines Obama's plans for the future.
T. Boone Pickens
Jan 27, 2011
Bill O'Reilly defends his Nazi analogies, and T. Boone Pickens wants America on an energy plan.
Bill Gates
Jan 31, 2011
Egyptian forces use American tear gas canisters, and Bill Gates works on curing polio.
Michael Steele
Feb 1, 2011
Conservatives turn into political hypochondriacs, and Michael Steele must prove his identity.
Matthew Perry
Feb 2, 2011
Republicans close the rape loophole, and Matthew Perry talks about his happy friend.
Adm. Michael Mullen
Feb 3, 2011
Justin Bieber switches bodies with Jon, and Mike Mullen talks about the crisis in Egypt.
Brian Williams
Feb 16, 2011
Anchor and Managing Editor, NBC Nightly News. The award-winning journalist and friend-of-the-show stops by.
Howard Stern
Feb 28, 2011
CNN anchors take viewer requests, and Howard Stern hopes to talk to Charlie Sheen.
Prince Zeid Ra'ad
Mar 1, 2011
Prince Zeid Ra'ad Representative, The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan The U.N. representative of Jordan discusses King Abdullah II's new book, "Our Last Best Chance.
Brian Christian
Mar 8, 2011
Author Brian Christian ('The Most Human Human: What Talking with Computers Teaches Us About What It Means to Be Alive').
Trey Parker & Matt Stone
Mar 10, 2011
'South Park,' creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone.
Sarah Vowell
Mar 21, 2011
Author, "Unfamiliar Fishes." The author discusses her new book about American colonization of Hawaii in the 1800s.
T.J. English
Mar 22, 2011
The author of "The Savage City" discusses his new book about murder and corruption in New York City during the 1960s and 70s.
Dr. Mansour O.El-Kikhia
Mar 28, 2011
Republicans want to lower the corporate tax rate, and Mansour O. El-Kikhia discusses Libya.
Miguel Nicoleles
Mar 29, 2011
Joe Biden works the room at a war speech, and Miguel Nicolelis helps paralyzed people walk again.
Jake Gyllenhaal
Mar 30, 2011
Republicans appeal to their narrow base, and Jake Gyllenhaal considers marrying a stranger.
Norm MacDonald
Mar 31, 2011
CIA operatives might arm Libyan rebels, and Norm Macdonald wants to blow up his stupid high school.
Billy Crystal
Apr 4, 2011
The comedian and actor discusses his role as a vampire in an upcoming Funny Or Die short.
Colin Quinn
Apr 5, 2011
The comedian discusses his one-man Broadway show and special on HBO.
Mike Huckabee
Apr 6, 2011
The former governor of Arkansas discusses his views on government, families and his latest book.
Jamie Oliver
Apr 7, 2011
The chef talks about healthy cooking habits and the upcoming season of his Emmy-winning series.
Foo Fighters
Apr 11, 2011
The rock band visits to perform a song from their latest album.
Governor Deval Patrick
Apr 12, 2011
The governor of Massachusetts discusses his rise from poverty and what gives him hope for America's future.
Tracy Morgan
Apr 13, 2011
The actor and comedian discusses his role in the upcoming animated film.
Ricky Gervais
Apr 14, 2011
The comedian talks about his new HBO special with Jerry Seinfeld, Chris Rock and Louis C.K.
Gigi Ibrahim
Apr 25, 2011
John Oliver highlights royal wedding coverage, and Gigi Ibrahim talks about the Egyptian uprising.
Elizabeth Warren
Apr 26, 2011
Olivia Munn looks into tiger mothering, and Elizabeth Warren wants to protect consumers.
Bernie Sanders
Apr 27, 2011
Obama releases his long-form birth certificate, and Bernie Sanders fights for workers' rights.
William Cohan
Apr 28, 2011
John Oliver talks to British taxpayers about the wedding, and William Cohan discusses Goldman Sachs.
Philip K. Howard
May 2, 2011
The U.S. kills Osama bin Laden, and Philip K. Howard explains why the government can't make choices.
Rachel Maddow
May 3, 2011
A royal wedding simulation reveals the consummation, and Rachel Maddow discusses Bin Laden's death.
David Barton
May 4, 2011
The White House hides the Bin Laden photo, and David Barton discusses religion in the Constitution.
Joe Meacham
May 5, 2011
Donald Trump steals the crazy oxygen from Sarah Palin, and Jon Meacham discusses the Civil War.
Keira Knightley
May 9, 2011
Jason Jones visits the gayest city in America, and Keira Knightley learns about the Santorum.
Will Ferrell
May 10, 2011
Republicans take credit for Bin Laden's death, and Will Ferrell simulates sex with a baseball bat.
Albert Brooks
May 11, 2011
Common causes controversy, and Albert Brooks talks about his Kate Middleton obsession.
Kristen Wiig
May 12, 2011
Newt Gingrich announces his candidacy on Twitter, and Kristen Wiig talks about "Bridesmaids.
Jon Ronson
May 16, 2011
Osama bin Laden's porn stash is discovered, and Jon Ronson talks about psychopaths.
Annie Jacobsen
May 17, 2011
Al Madrigal weighs in on immigration reform, and Annie Jacobsen talks about Area 51.
Richard Beeman
May 18, 2011
Newt Gingrich outrages Republicans, and Richard Beeman discusses religion in government.
Lisa P. Jackson
May 19, 2011
John Hodgman creates a Bin Laden conspiracy theory, and Lisa P. Jackson addresses EPA criticism.
Jimmy Fallon
May 31, 2011
Sarah Palin takes a bus tour with her family, and Jimmy Fallon reads a thank you note.
Bill Moyers
Jun 1, 2011
Donald Trump eats his pizza with a fork, and Bill Moyers discusses good journalism.
Tim Tebow
Jun 2, 2011
Eric Cantor wants to justify tornado relief, and Tim Tebow talks about his missionary parents.
Maziar Bahari
Jun 6, 2011
Sarah Palin offers her version of Paul Revere, and Maziar Bahari recounts his Iranian imprisonment.
Fareed Zakaria
Jun 7, 2011
John Oliver promises to mock Anthony Weiner, and Fareed Zakaria discusses American labor.
Larry King
Jun 8, 2011
Anthony Weiner apologizes to Bill Clinton, and Larry King prepares for his European stand-up tour.
Howard Wasdin
Jun 9, 2011
Jon spins the penis wheel, and Howard Wasdin talks about SEAL Team Six.
Alex Prud'homme
Jun 13, 2011
Nancy Pelosi calls on Anthony Weiner to resign, and Alex Prud'homme discusses water pollution.
J.J. Abrams
Jun 14, 2011
Republican hopefuls gather for their second debate, and J.J. Abrams talks about writing for TV.
Trey Parker & Matt Stone
Jun 15, 2011
Barack Obama visits Puerto Rico, and Trey Parker and Matt Stone become the Broadway establishment.
Ray Nagin
Jun 20, 2011
Sam Bee reports on the smoking ban in NYC parks, and Ray Nagin discusses Hurricane Katrina.
Cameron Diaz
Jun 21, 2011
PolitiFact checks Fox News for false statements, and Cameron Diaz removes Jon's stitches.
Mitchell Zuckoff
Jun 22, 2011
Greece protests proposed austerity measures, and Mitchell Zuckoff recounts an unlikely WWII rescue.
Bruce Headlam
Jun 23, 2011
John Hodgman battles hackers on their own turf, and Bruce Headlam discusses "Page One.
Jennifer Aniston
Jun 27, 2011
New York legalizes gay marriage, and Jennifer Aniston talks about her movie, "Horrible Bosses.
Louis C.K.
Jun 28, 2011
Rod Blagojevich has much to look forward to in prison, and Louis C.K. deconstructs fart jokes.
Tom Hanks
Jun 29, 2011
Democrats and Republicans can't agree on the debt ceiling, and Tom Hanks discusses his movie "Larry Crowne.
Bill Kristol
Jun 30, 2011
Mark Halperin calls Barack Obama a dick, and Bill Kristol discusses American war strategy in Afghanistan.
Denis Leary
Jul 11, 2011
Aasif Mandvi finds out why America's birds are dying, and Denis Leary talks about potato Vodka.
Kid Rock
Jul 12, 2011
China might repossess America if Republicans and Democrats don't come to an agreement over the debt crisis, and Kid Rock is a responsible parent with his own brand of beer.
Matthew Richardson
Jul 13, 2011
Jerry Seinfeld helps Jon repress his urge to make gay jokes about Marcus Bachmann, and Matthew Richardson reveals his plan to solve America's mortgage crisis.
Sgt. 1st Class Leroy Petry
Jul 14, 2011
The ongoing debt ceiling negotiations get heated, and Leroy Petry demonstrates his robotic hand.
Daniel Radcliffe
Jul 18, 2011
Barack Obama breaks out his I-mean-business podium and sets a deadline to solve the debt ceiling crisis, and Daniel Radcliffe talks about the last "Harry Potter" movie.
Pervez Musharraf
Jul 19, 2011
The Murdoch scandal turns ugly, and Pervez Musharraf enjoys a beverage and converses about Pakistan.
Steve Carell
Jul 20, 2011
Rupert Murdoch throws his employees under the bus, his wife pummels a pie-wielding idiot, and Steve Carell loves his papa bear.
Scott Miller
Jul 21, 2011
A battle for survival rages among GOP presidential candidates, Allen West doesn't hate women, and Scott Miller discusses William McKinley's ill-liked, anarchist assassin.
Neil Patrick Harris
Jul 25, 2011
Wyatt Cenac proves his commitment to weather reporting, Samantha Bee and Jason Jones interview gay newlyweds, and Neil Patrick Harris talks Smurf sex and circus tricks.
Juan Williams
Jul 26, 2011
Barack Obama urges Americans to call their members of Congress about the debt crisis, and Juan Williams discusses the assault on honest debate.
Rachel Weisz
Jul 27, 2011
Conservatives in America live a lonely life of persecution, and Rachel Weisz discusses filming "The Whistleblower" in Romania.
Peter Tomsen
Jul 28, 2011
Congressional Republicans try to rev support for John Boehner's debt ceiling plan with a clip from "The Town," and Peter Tomsen discusses the wars of Afghanistan.
Freida Pinto
Aug 1, 2011
Congress reaches a budget deal that Tea Partiers don't like, Jon salutes the troops he met in Afghanistan, and Freida Pinto talks apes.
Jason Bateman
Aug 2, 2011
Joe Biden charges his Secret Servicemen rent, Aasif Mandvi explores the effects of wind farming on Florida's ducks, and Jason Bateman talks R-rated body swaps.
Austan Goolsbee
Aug 3, 2011
A congressional super committee answers America's prayers, Wyatt Cenac interprets public sentiment, and Austan Goolsbee finds it hard to work in Washington.
Dick Durbin
Aug 4, 2011
Jon gives Barack Obama a birthday present, Jason Jones survives a vasectomy, and Senator Dick Durbin understands America's disappointment in Congress.
Mark Adams
Aug 8, 2011
America's credit gets downgraded, John Oliver tells the single greatest story he's ever heard, and Mark Adams turns right at Machu Picchu.
Jay Bahadur
Aug 9, 2011
Looters queue up in the U.K., Europe needs a war to cling to, and Jay Bahadur gets the pirates of Somalia talking.
John Coffee
Aug 10, 2011
Wisconsin's populist-off comes to a head, Larry Wilmore wants Barack Obama to go blacker, and John Coffee pins down credit rating agencies.
Michael Wallis
Aug 11, 2011
The Best F#@king News Team covers the Iowa straw poll, Megyn Kelly comes back fighting, and Michael Wallis reveals the real David Crockett.
Ali Velshi
Aug 15, 2011
Michele Bachmann wins the Iowa straw poll, Rick Perry announces his presidential candidacy, and Ali Velshi knows how to speak money.
Matt Long
Aug 16, 2011
The media loves Michele Bachmann, Rick Perry hits on America, John Hodgman rethinks bookstores, and veteran firefighter Matt Long survived being crushed by a bus.
Michael Steele
Aug 17, 2011
The media shifts its focus to Paul Ryan, John Oliver and Wyatt Cenac explore racial language in politics, and Michael Steele discusses the field of GOP candidates.
Anne Hathaway
Aug 18, 2011
Warren Buffett enters the "class warfare" fray, Fitch downgrades New Jersey's credit rating, and Anne Hathaway talks Scrabble strategy.
Buddy Roemer
Sep 6, 2011
The media scrutinizes Barack Obama's speech scheduling, James Hoffa Jr. upsets conservatives, and Buddy Roemer discusses his presidential candidacy.
Dr. Sanjay Gupta
Sep 7, 2011
Mitt Romney and Rick Perry battle it out, the U.S. Postal Service faces bankruptcy, and Dr. Sanjay Gupta explores the terrifying effects of the World Trade Center's dust.
Marion Cotillard
Sep 8, 2011
GOP candidates square off at the presidential debate, Rick Perry rickrolls Mitt Romney, and Marion Cotillard discusses her fear of contagion.
Mike Mullen
Sep 12, 2011
Barack Obama hits congressional Republicans with his jobs speech, America should settle for a campaign-driven economy, and Admiral Mike Mullen discusses the troops.
Jim Lehrer
Sep 13, 2011
CNN and the Tea Party team up, Rick Perry gets a beatdown, and Jim Lehrer discusses the tensions of presidential debates.
Common
Sep 14, 2011
Dick Cheney's medical equipment humanizes him, the Democrats lose a congressional seat, and Common tries to make sense of it all in his memoir.
Caroline Kennedy
Sep 15, 2011
Congress investigates the Solyndra scandal, Kristen Schaal unveils her pro-vagina campaign products, and Caroline Kennedy commemorates her parents' legacy.
Ron Suskind
Sep 20, 2011
Jason Jones reports on the end of "don't ask, don't tell"; Wyatt Cenac examines America's loss of UFOs to China; and Ron Suskind evaluates Barack Obama's confidence.
Mitch Daniels
Sep 21, 2011
Barack Obama presents his tax plan, the super rich risk extinction, and Mitch Daniels discusses the American economy.
Jennifer Granholm
Sep 22, 2011
John Oliver and Aasif Mandvi fight over sacred ground, Lewis Black evaluates the threats American kids face, and Jennifer Granholm discusses America's economic future.
Ron Paul
Sep 26, 2011
Rick Santorum thinks sex is a non-issue, the GOP calls for Chris Christie to run for president, and Ron Paul delivers his political message.
Seth Rogen
Sep 27, 2011
Barack Obama gets heckled in Hollywood, Larry Wilmore discusses the black vote, and Seth Rogen explores the lighter side of cancer.
Bill O'Reilly
Sep 28, 2011
Pundits interpret Chris Christie's message, Sarah Palin weighs the presidential pros and cons, and Bill O'Reilly talks job creator taxes.
Tony Bennett
Sep 29, 2011
An NYPD officer pepper-sprays protestors, the NRA unveils a conspiracy theory, and Tony Bennett collaborates with young artists on "Duets II.