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The Best Episodes of The Daily Show Season 17

Every episode of The Daily Show Season 17 ranked from best to worst. Discover the Best Episodes of The Daily Show Season 17!

The World's Fakest News Team tackle the biggest stories in news, politics and pop culture.
Genres:NewsComedy

Season 17 Ratings Summary

"Thomas Friedman" is the best rated episode of "The Daily Show" season 17. It scored 7.4/10 based on 27 votes. Directed by N/A and written by N/A, it aired on 10/3/2011. This episode is rated 0.6 points higher than the second-best, "Michael Lewis".

  • Thomas Friedman
    7.4/1027 votes

    #1 - Thomas Friedman

    Season 17 Episode 1 - Aired 10/3/2011

    The U.S. military kills Anwar al-Awlaki, Herman Cain talks about Rick Perry's ranch, and Thomas Friedman discusses America's role in the global market.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Michael Lewis
    6.8/1029 votes

    #2 - Michael Lewis

    Season 17 Episode 2 - Aired 10/4/2011

    Chris Christie restates his position, Mitt Romney flip-flops, ESPN pulls Hank Williams Jr.'s song, and Michael Lewis discusses his travels as a financial disaster tourist.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Hugh Jackman
    7.0/1031 votes

    #3 - Hugh Jackman

    Season 17 Episode 3 - Aired 10/5/2011

    Conservatives call Occupy Wall Street protesters anti-American, Florida votes to move its primary up, and Hugh Jackman boxes robots.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Jason Sudeikis
    6.8/1031 votes

    #4 - Jason Sudeikis

    Season 17 Episode 4 - Aired 10/6/2011

    Sarah Palin confirms she won't be running in 2012, Herman Cain shares his conspiracy theories, and Jason Sudeikis gives the inside scoop on "Saturday Night Live.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Ellen Schultz
    6.8/1028 votes

    #5 - Ellen Schultz

    Season 17 Episode 5 - Aired 10/17/2011

    Wyatt Cenac and Samantha Bee examine Mitt Romney's faith, Occupy Wall Street grows, and Ellen Schultz explains how American companies have decimated retiree benefit plans.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Calvin Trillin
    7.1/1029 votes

    #6 - Calvin Trillin

    Season 17 Episode 6 - Aired 10/18/2011

    Republicans identify America's American enemy, John Oliver tries to join Occupy Wall Street, and Calvin Trillin talks political humor.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Al Sharpton
    6.9/1030 votes

    #7 - Al Sharpton

    Season 17 Episode 7 - Aired 10/19/2011

    The Las Vegas GOP debate gets heated, Larry Wilmore considers Herman Cain's race card, and Al Sharpton discusses the impact of Occupy Wall Street.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Richard Brookhiser
    7.1/1029 votes

    #8 - Richard Brookhiser

    Season 17 Episode 8 - Aired 10/20/2011

    Libyans celebrate Muammar al-Gaddafi's death, John Oliver rebrands Libya, and Richard Brookhiser discusses James Madison's impact on American politics.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Kevin Clash
    7.1/1030 votes

    #9 - Kevin Clash

    Season 17 Episode 9 - Aired 10/24/2011

    Rick Perry goes birther, Republicans dislike Barack Obama's decision to end the Iraq War, and Kevin Clash talks about being Elmo.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Walter Isaacson
    7.1/1031 votes

    #10 - Walter Isaacson

    Season 17 Episode 10 - Aired 10/25/2011

    Rick Perry and Herman Cain explain their jokes, Lewis Black examines the indoctrination of kids, and Walter Isaacson discusses his Steve Jobs biography.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Lisa Randall
    7.2/1030 votes

    #11 - Lisa Randall

    Season 17 Episode 11 - Aired 10/26/2011

    A Koch-funded study debunks Climategate, riot police raid Occupy Oakland, and Lisa Randall explores the implications of scientific research.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Andrew Napolitano
    6.5/1030 votes

    #12 - Andrew Napolitano

    Season 17 Episode 12 - Aired 10/27/2011

    Mitt Romney remains second in polls, Europe's financial crisis causes market volatility, and Andrew Napolitano thinks that the government is wrong.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Mindy Kaling
    7.5/1033 votes

    #13 - Mindy Kaling

    Season 17 Episode 13 - Aired 10/31/2011

    Herman Cain denies sexual harassment allegations, Rick Perry loosens up, Wyatt Cenac reports on a dead bill, and Mindy Kaling discusses her parents' concerns.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Condoleezza Rice
    7.0/1029 votes

    #14 - Condoleezza Rice

    Season 17 Episode 14 - Aired 11/1/2011

    Fox News defends the rich, John Hodgman calls for a celebration of the 1%, and Condoleezza Rice discusses the Bush administration.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Tom Brokaw
    5.9/1026 votes

    #15 - Tom Brokaw

    Season 17 Episode 15 - Aired 11/2/2011

    Herman Cain discusses his sexual harassment case, Jon and the Best F#@king News Team Ever debate conservative black superiority, and Tom Brokaw wants to rebuild America.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Brad Paisley
    6.7/1026 votes

    #16 - Brad Paisley

    Season 17 Episode 16 - Aired 11/3/2011

    Occupy Oakland protesters vandalize businesses, Aasif Mandvi reports on killer hot dogs, and Brad Paisley recalls his musical heroes.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Clint Eastwood
    6.3/1036 votes

    #17 - Clint Eastwood

    Season 17 Episode 17 - Aired 11/7/2011

    Herman Cain blames the media, Sean Hannity accuses NPR of having a liberal political agenda, and Clint Eastwood discusses J. Edgar Hoover's life.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Bill Clinton
    6.3/1034 votes

    #18 - Bill Clinton

    Season 17 Episode 18 - Aired 11/8/2011

    John Corzine resigns as MF Global's CEO, and Bill Clinton discusses the U.S. economy and provides a detailed plan for its recovery in "Back to Work.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Nancy Pelosi
    6.5/1034 votes

    #19 - Nancy Pelosi

    Season 17 Episode 19 - Aired 11/9/2011

    Herman Cain blames Democrats for his scandal; Republicans take a hit in Ohio, Arizona and Mississippi; and Nancy Pelosi shares her thoughts on Congress.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Adam Sandler
    6.5/1028 votes

    #20 - Adam Sandler

    Season 17 Episode 20 - Aired 11/10/2011

    Rick Perry draws a blank at the CNBC debate, The Best F#@king News Team Ever revels in Perry's brain fart, and Adam Sandler dishes on his family life.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Leymah Gbowee
    6.6/1027 votes

    #21 - Leymah Gbowee

    Season 17 Episode 21 - Aired 11/14/2011

    Aasif Mandvi explains why facts are GOP candidates' enemy, Jason Jones takes a look at ugly people, and Leymah Gbowee discusses the Liberian peace movement.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Mark Kelly
    6.6/1031 votes

    #22 - Mark Kelly

    Season 17 Episode 22 - Aired 11/15/2011

    Herman Cain struggles with foreign policy; Jerry Sandusky takes a phone interview; and Mark Kelly talks about his wife, Gabrielle Giffords.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Diane Keaton
    6.6/1030 votes

    #23 - Diane Keaton

    Season 17 Episode 23 - Aired 11/16/2011

    The congressional super committee faces a looming deadline, Samantha Bee explores Occupy Wall Street's class division, and Diane Keaton recalls growing up in California.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Martin Scorsese
    7.3/1036 votes

    #24 - Martin Scorsese

    Season 17 Episode 24 - Aired 11/17/2011

    Newt Gingrich emerges as the GOP front-runner, Sarah Vowell defends the glory of Evacuation Day, and Martin Scorsese talks movies.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Merrill Markoe
    7.0/1027 votes

    #25 - Merrill Markoe

    Season 17 Episode 25 - Aired 11/28/2011

    Police pepper spray U.C. Davis students, conservatives criticize Barack Obama for leaving God out of his Thanksgiving speech, and Merrill Markoe explores comedy.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A