7.2/1019 votes#1 - On the Brink
Season 7 Episode 1 - Aired 3/6/2022
The Circus returns with the world on edge following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. John Heilemann reports from on the ground in neighboring Poland with U.S. Ambassador Mark Brzezinski. Jennifer Palmieri is at the White House with Press Secretary Jen Psaki immediately following President Biden’s first State of the Union address. Plus, Alex Wagner examines the escalating standoff between Presidents Biden and Putin and Mark McKinnon looks at the political tensions on Capitol Hill amidst the evolving crisis.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
7.9/1013 votes#2 - The Escalation Ladder
Season 7 Episode 2 - Aired 3/13/2022
With the situation on the ground in Ukraine growing increasingly dire, The Circus explores what more the U.S. and its allies can do. As Secretary of State Antony Blinken travels to Estonia, John Heilemann speaks with Prime Minister Kaja Kallas about fears Putin could strike a NATO nation next. Plus, Mark McKinnon explores President Biden’s response with Senator Mitt Romney; Alex Wagner interviews Ukrainian parliament member Oleksandra Ustinova; and Jennifer Palmieri speaks with officials about the threat Putin now poses to the world.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
8.0/1014 votes#3 - The Information War
Season 7 Episode 3 - Aired 3/20/2022
As Russia escalates its assault, Ukraine’s President delivers an impassioned address to Congress. Jennifer Palmieri and Mark McKinnon are on Capitol Hill speaking with lawmakers immediately after Zelinsky’s emotional plea to “close the sky” over Ukraine. Plus, Alex Wagner and John Heilemann examine the information war, including the sophisticated Russian disinformation campaign infiltrating American media and Putin’s draconian crackdown on dissent and free speech inside Russia.
Director: N/A
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7.6/1013 votes#4 - The Nuclear Option
Season 7 Episode 4 - Aired 3/27/2022
As President Biden travels to Brussels for an emergency NATO summit, The Circus examines Russia's threats of using nuclear weapons. Jennifer Palmieri speaks to Pentagon Press Secretary John Kirby about the U.S. response to Putin's nuclear saber-rattling; John Heilemann games out war simulations with one of the world's foremost experts on nuclear weapons, Zia Mian; and Alex Wagner assesses Putin's motives with former Russian Foreign Minister Andrei Kozyrev.
Director: N/A
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8.0/1012 votes#5 - The Home Front
Season 7 Episode 5 - Aired 4/3/2022
The Circus tracks the dramatic developments out of the House committee investigating the forces behind the violent January 6 insurrection. Jennifer Palmieri and Mark McKinnon speak with members of the committee after voting to hold two of former President Donald Trump's aides in contempt; Alex Wagner talks with Bob Woodward and Robert Costa on their bombshell reporting about the White House call log from the day of the Capitol attack; and John Heilemann examines the growing pressure on the Justice Department to investigate Trump's activities.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
7.4/1013 votes#6 - There Will Be Blood
Season 7 Episode 6 - Aired 4/10/2022
As the President’s historic nominee for the Supreme Court is confirmed, The Circus examines Biden’s successes, failures and plunging poll numbers. John Heilemann, Alex Wagner, Mark McKinnon and Jennifer Palmieri dig into the dissatisfaction within the Democratic base and the party’s prospects for the midterms; Representatives Stephanie Murphy and Ted Lieu share their differing strategies for Democrats to keep control of Congress; and The Circus speaks with the White House team behind Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson’s momentous confirmation.
Director: N/A
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7.3/1013 votes#7 - Keystone Chaos
Season 7 Episode 7 - Aired 4/17/2022
he Circus is on the ground in the critical swing state of Pennsylvania to cover one of the most consequential Senate races in the nation. John Heilemann, Alex Wagner, Mark McKinnon and Jennifer Palmieri report on the heated competition as former president Donald Trump weighs in with a surprise endorsement. Republican and Democratic candidates speak with The Circus about the final, frantic weeks of the primary.
Director: N/A
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7.1/1017 votes#8 - Tip of the Spear
Season 7 Episode 8 - Aired 4/24/2022
The Circus travels to Florida as Governor Ron DeSantis signs controversial laws on education, gender, and abortion. John Heilemann, Alex Wagner, Mark McKinnon and Jennifer Palmieri explore how the Sunshine State has become the central battlefield of an American culture war that includes a conservative effort to strike math textbooks due to “prohibited topics,” the fallout from the so-called “Don’t Say Gay” law, and a rapidly escalating feud between Disney and state Republicans.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
7.6/1012 votes#9 - Not in Kansas Anymore
Season 7 Episode 9 - Aired 9/25/2022
The Circus returns amid the critical midterm election season with voters across the nation energized in unprecedented ways by the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade. John Heilemann goes behind the scenes with Vice President Kamala Harris as she campaigns for reproductive rights in a swing state that could determine control of the Senate. Jennifer Palmieri and Mark McKinnon are on the ground in Michigan to report on how the end of Roe is impacting one the nation's marquee gubernatorial races.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
7.8/1011 votes#10 - Rule of Law
Season 7 Episode 10 - Aired 10/2/2022
The Circus examines the myriad legal threats facing former President Donald Trump. Mark McKinnon speaks with journalists Susan Glasser and Peter Baker, authors of a new book detailing the Trump administration. Jennifer Palmieri sits down with Sarah Matthews, the former White House Deputy Press Secretary who testified before the January 6th Committee. John Heilemann speaks with legal experts Andrew Weissman and Neal Katyal to discuss the implications of the wide range of investigations into Trump.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
6.3/1013 votes#11 - State of Denial
Season 7 Episode 11 - Aired 10/9/2022
The Circus travels to Arizona, a key battleground in the upcoming midterm elections and the epicenter of election denial. Jennifer Palmieri, John Heilemann, Mark McKinnon and guest host Tim Miller travel the state, where every top Republican candidate has echoed former President Donald Trump's false claim that the 2020 election was fraudulent, exploring what's at stake if election-denying candidates win office and control of the state's election system.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
7.3/1011 votes#12 - Buckeyes and Bulldogs
Season 7 Episode 12 - Aired 10/16/2022
Buckeyes and Bulldogs
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
7.2/1013 votes#13 - This Land is Greene-Land
Season 7 Episode 13 - Aired 10/23/2022
The Circus is on the ground in Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene's Georgia district, examining her meteoric rise within the Republican party. The team also catches up with her Democratic opponent to discuss his longshot strategy to head off her re-election.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
7.4/1010 votes#14 - The Main Event
Season 7 Episode 14 - Aired 10/30/2022
The Circus is on the ground in Pennsylvania analyzing the impact of the highly anticipated Senate debate. Republican Dr. Mehmet Oz looks to gain ground while questions swirl about Democratic Lt. Gov. John Fetterman's health.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
7.5/1012 votes#15 - Here Comes the Flood
Season 7 Episode 15 - Aired 11/6/2022
No description available
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
8.3/108 votes#16 - Riptides
Season 7 Episode 16 - Aired 11/13/2022
No description available
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
The Best Episodes of The Circus Season 7
Every episode of The Circus Season 7 ranked from best to worst. Discover the Best Episodes of The Circus Season 7!
Come one, come all to The Circus. This real-time documentary series pulls back the curtain on the current political stories, revealing the intense, inspiring and...
Genre:Documentary
Network:Showtime
Season 7 Ratings Summary
"On the Brink" is the best rated episode of "The Circus" season 7. It scored 7.2/10 based on 19 votes. Directed by N/A and written by N/A, it aired on 3/6/2022. This episode is rated 0.7 points higher than the second-best, "The Escalation Ladder".