The Daily Show
"When news breaks we fix it."
A Comedy Central Original
The Daily Show sets up a fake nightly newscast where anchors and a roster of correspondents turn current events into satire. Episodes string together monologues, taped reports, and interviews that lampoon politics, media coverage, and pop culture while still responding to the week's headlines.... Read more
Watch NowWhere to Watch "The Daily Show"
Not Currently Available On (8 platforms)
Streaming availability last verified: February 02, 2026
About The Daily Show
The Daily Show sets up a fake nightly newscast where anchors and a roster of correspondents turn current events into satire. Episodes string together monologues, taped reports, and interviews that lampoon politics, media coverage, and pop culture while still responding to the week's headlines. The rhythm moves from pointed desk jokes to longer correspondent pieces that mimic real journalism, using irony to highlight hypocrisy and contradictions in public life. Guests can be real newsmakers or comic actors, and the format keeps things conversational so viewers get information through a comedic lens without any scripted plot development or surprise endings.
The series premiered on Comedy Central in 1996, created by Madeleine Smithberg and Lizz Winstead. It set the template for a half-hour news-parody show, blending scripted desk segments with on-location sketches and pre-taped bits.
Over its run the program received substantial recognition, winning multiple Primetime Emmy Awards and Peabody Awards, especially during the years when its profile was highest. Those honors acknowledged its role in political satire and its impact on television, and several correspondents earned nominations and individual accolades as their visibility grew.
Culturally the show reshaped how satire interacts with politics, making short-form clips and catchphrases part of online discourse. It helped launch a number of comedians into mainstream prominence and influenced the structure of later late-night and satirical programs. The taglines and bits migrated into broader conversations, and the show often set the tone for how younger viewers encountered news.
Critical and audience response has shifted with different hosts and eras, reflected in a 6.4/10 vote average from 611 votes. Reviewers commonly note its focus on media critique, political accountability, and the mechanics of spin, praising the way it mixes humor with sharp skepticism while changing tone as its personnel and priorities evolved.
Details
- Release Date
- July 22, 1996
- Rating
- TV-14
- User Ratings
- 615 votes
- Type
- TV Series
- Seasons
- 31
- Episodes
- 4184
- Network
- Comedy Central
- Status
- Returning Series
- Genres
- News, Comedy
- Country
- United States
- Studio
- Comedy Central +4 more
- External Links
- View on IMDB
Seasons (31 seasons, 4184 episodes)
Season 1
7 episodes - 1996
Season 2
16 episodes - 1997
Season 3
33 episodes - 1998
Season 4
159 episodes - 1999
Season 5
166 episodes - 2000
Season 6
158 episodes - 2001
Season 7
160 episodes - 2002
Season 8
161 episodes - 2003
Season 9
161 episodes - 2004
Season 10
159 episodes - 2005
Season 11
161 episodes - 2006
Season 12
138 episodes - 2007
Season 13
160 episodes - 2008
Season 14
161 episodes - 2009
Season 15
161 episodes - 2010
Season 16
124 episodes - 2011
Season 17
157 episodes - 2011
Season 18
158 episodes - 2012
Season 19
159 episodes - 2013
Season 20
142 episodes - 2014
Season 21
161 episodes - 2015
Season 22
163 episodes - 2016
Season 23
157 episodes - 2017
Season 24
158 episodes - 2018
Season 25
160 episodes - 2019
Season 26
116 episodes - 2020
Season 27
140 episodes - 2021
Season 28
122 episodes - 2022
Season 29
138 episodes - 2024
Season 30
142 episodes - 2025
Season 31
39 episodes - 2026
