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The Best Episodes of The Circus Season 8

Every episode of The Circus Season 8 ranked from best to worst. Discover the Best Episodes of The Circus Season 8!

Binge this in 5h 10m•Peaking at 8.5/10

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 infuriating stories behind the headlines. Key characters and events are

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Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
    The Circus Season 8 Episode 1 - The Year of Living Dangerously
    7.8/10(16 votes)

    #1 - The Year of Living Dangerously

    S8:E1

    The Circus is in Poland tracking President Biden as he stuns the world with a visit to the embattled capital of Ukraine to mark the one-year anniversary of Russia’s invasion. Host John Heilemann talks with National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan about the covert trip to Kyiv and the monumental challenges of confronting a nuclear armed Russia. Back in the U.S., Mark McKinnon speaks with Bush White House veteran Nicole Wallace, while Jennifer Palmieri sits down with former NATO Supreme Allied Commander Admiral James Stavridis.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  2. The Circus Season 8 Episode 2 - Off to the Races
    7.8/10(16 votes)

    #2 - Off to the Races

    S8:E2

    The Circus is on the ground in Florida, South Carolina, Maryland and New Hampshire to mark the unofficial kick-off of the Republican Party's presidential nominating contest. The week begins as a leading potential candidate, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, launches his book tour and ends with CPAC, the annual conservative gathering that’s friendly territory for former President Donald Trump, who’s already in the race. John Heilemann, Jennifer Palmieri, Mark McKinnon and guest host Tim Miller examine the fault lines already emerging in the party.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  3. The Circus Season 8 Episode 3 - Kevin's House
    7.8/10(13 votes)

    #3 - Kevin's House

    S8:E3

    The Circus heads to Capitol Hill to cover the new Republican-controlled House of Representatives. John Heilemann, Mark McKinnon, and Jennifer Palmieri follow two freshman members of Congress, Republican Mike Lawler of New York and Democrat Maxwell Frost of Florida, as they navigate a week dominated by Tucker Carlson's coverage of January 6th, hearings on the Biden Administration, and a fight that threatens to tip America over a fiscal cliff.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  4. The Circus Season 8 Episode 4 - Fake News?
    8.4/10(15 votes)

    #4 - Fake News?

    S8:E4

    The Circus examines the $1.6 billion defamation lawsuit brought by Dominion Voting Systems against Fox News. John Heilemann speaks with legendary First Amendment attorney Floyd Abrams, Mark McKinnon with prominent journalists, and Jennifer Palmieri with Trump voters about the case.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  5. The Circus Season 8 Episode 5 - Wheels of Justice
    7.9/10(13 votes)

    #5 - Wheels of Justice

    S8:E5

    This week The Circus examines the multiple investigations facing Donald Trump that could lead to the first indictment of a U.S. president. Jennifer Palmieri speaks with former Justice Department prosecutor Andrew Weissmann about the hush-money probe. Mark McKinnon charts Michael Cohen’s journey from Trump fixer to star witness with Vanity Fair reporter Emily Jane Fox. John Heilemann talks with New York Times reporters Michael Bender and Katie Benner about the myriad investigations and their political fallout.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  6. The Circus Season 8 Episode 6 - Nothing but the Truth
    8.5/10(14 votes)

    #6 - Nothing but the Truth

    S8:E6

    This week The Circus examines the historic indictment of Donald Trump, the nation's first former president to face criminal charges, and tracks the legal and political fallout from the bombshell development. In addition, John Heilemann and guest host Andrew Weissmann discuss the two special counsel probes focused on Trump, Mark McKinnon speaks with Mike Pence after the former VP was ordered to testify in one of those inquiries, and Jennifer Palmieri looks at the investigation into Trump’s election interference in Georgia.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  7. The Circus Season 8 Episode 7 - Exhaustion, Depression and Dread... Oy Vey
    8.1/10(16 votes)

    #7 - Exhaustion, Depression and Dread... Oy Vey

    S8:E7

    Hosts John Heilemann, Mark McKinnon and Jenn Palmieri go behind the scenes of the wildest political show on earth for an unbiased, inside look at the stories beyond the headlines.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  8. The Circus Season 8 Episode 8 - Piercing The Bubble
    7.9/10(13 votes)

    #8 - Piercing The Bubble

    S8:E8

    In the wake of the shocking terrorist attack in Israel, The Circus tracks the political fallout as Republican presidential hopefuls respond to the ongoing crisis.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  9. The Circus Season 8 Episode 9 - The Crucible
    7.7/10(12 votes)

    #9 - The Crucible

    S8:E9

    The Circus examines President Biden's high profile wartime trip to Israel, a nation reeling in the wake of the terrorist attack by Hamas. Meanwhile, House Republicans struggle to elect a new speaker, two weeks after ousting Kevin McCarthy.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  10. The Circus Season 8 Episode 10 - The Thing of His
    7.4/10(13 votes)

    #10 - The Thing of His

    S8:E10

    The Circus explores the legal threats facing former president Donald Trump as he seeks a return to the White House. Former Mueller team prosecutor Andrew Weissmann joins as guest host.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  11. The Circus Season 8 Episode 11 - The A.I. Election
    7.7/10(14 votes)

    #11 - The A.I. Election

    S8:E11

    The Circus examines the impact of AI on the 2024 election, as world leaders convene an AI Safety Summit. The Circus team, along with guest host Jordan Klepper, explore the myriad concerns, including AI-enabled disinformation and deep fakes.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  12. The Circus Season 8 Episode 12 - Life During Wartime
    8.3/10(14 votes)

    #12 - Life During Wartime

    S8:E12

    Hosts John Heilemann, Mark McKinnon and Jenn Palmieri go behind the scenes of the wildest political show on earth for an unbiased, inside look at the stories beyond the headlines.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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Season 8 Ratings Summary

"The Year of Living Dangerously" is the best rated episode of "The Circus" season 8. It scored 7.8/10 based on 16 votes. Directed by Unknown and written by Unknown, it aired on 2/26/2023. This episode is rated 0.0 points higher than the second-best, "Off to the Races".