The Daily Show backdrop
News•Comedy

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!

Binge this in Unknown•Peaking at 7.6/10

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

Airs on
Comedy Central
BestEpisodes
WorstEpisodes
BestSeasons
AllEpisodes

Seasons31

All12345678910111213141516171819202122232425262728293031

Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
    The Daily Show Season 17 Episode 1 - Thomas Friedman
    7.5/10(27 votes)

    #1 - Thomas Friedman

    S17:E1

    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:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  2. The Daily Show Season 17 Episode 2 - Michael Lewis
    6.8/10(29 votes)

    #2 - Michael Lewis

    S17:E2

    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:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  3. The Daily Show Season 17 Episode 3 - Hugh Jackman
    7.2/10(31 votes)

    #3 - Hugh Jackman

    S17:E3

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

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  4. The Daily Show Season 17 Episode 4 - Jason Sudeikis
    6.9/10(31 votes)

    #4 - Jason Sudeikis

    S17:E4

    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:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  5. The Daily Show Season 17 Episode 5 - Ellen Schultz
    6.9/10(28 votes)

    #5 - Ellen Schultz

    S17:E5

    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:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  6. The Daily Show Season 17 Episode 6 - Calvin Trillin
    7.2/10(29 votes)

    #6 - Calvin Trillin

    S17:E6

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

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

    7. Trending NowTRENDING NOW

    The 20 BEST Episodes of The Daily Show

    READ
  7. The Daily Show Season 17 Episode 7 - Al Sharpton
    7.1/10(30 votes)

    #7 - Al Sharpton

    S17:E7

    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:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  8. The Daily Show Season 17 Episode 8 - Richard Brookhiser
    7.2/10(29 votes)

    #8 - Richard Brookhiser

    S17:E8

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

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  9. The Daily Show Season 17 Episode 9 - Kevin Clash
    7.2/10(30 votes)

    #9 - Kevin Clash

    S17:E9

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

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  10. The Daily Show Season 17 Episode 10 - Walter Isaacson
    7.1/10(31 votes)

    #10 - Walter Isaacson

    S17:E10

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

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  11. The Daily Show Season 17 Episode 11 - Lisa Randall
    7.3/10(30 votes)

    #11 - Lisa Randall

    S17:E11

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

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  12. The Daily Show Season 17 Episode 12 - Andrew Napolitano
    6.5/10(30 votes)

    #12 - Andrew Napolitano

    S17:E12

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

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  13. The Daily Show Season 17 Episode 13 - Mindy Kaling
    7.6/10(33 votes)

    #13 - Mindy Kaling

    S17:E13

    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:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  14. The Daily Show Season 17 Episode 14 - Condoleezza Rice
    7.1/10(29 votes)

    #14 - Condoleezza Rice

    S17:E14

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

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  15. The Daily Show Season 17 Episode 15 - Tom Brokaw
    5.8/10(26 votes)

    #15 - Tom Brokaw

    S17:E15

    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:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  16. The Daily Show Season 17 Episode 16 - Brad Paisley
    6.7/10(26 votes)

    #16 - Brad Paisley

    S17:E16

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

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  17. The Daily Show Season 17 Episode 17 - Clint Eastwood
    6.3/10(36 votes)

    #17 - Clint Eastwood

    S17:E17

    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:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  18. The Daily Show Season 17 Episode 18 - Bill Clinton
    6.3/10(34 votes)

    #18 - Bill Clinton

    S17:E18

    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:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  19. The Daily Show Season 17 Episode 19 - Nancy Pelosi
    6.5/10(34 votes)

    #19 - Nancy Pelosi

    S17:E19

    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:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  20. The Daily Show Season 17 Episode 20 - Adam Sandler
    6.7/10(28 votes)

    #20 - Adam Sandler

    S17:E20

    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:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  21. The Daily Show Season 17 Episode 21 - Leymah Gbowee
    6.6/10(27 votes)

    #21 - Leymah Gbowee

    S17:E21

    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:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  22. The Daily Show Season 17 Episode 22 - Mark Kelly
    6.6/10(31 votes)

    #22 - Mark Kelly

    S17:E22

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

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  23. The Daily Show Season 17 Episode 23 - Diane Keaton
    6.6/10(30 votes)

    #23 - Diane Keaton

    S17:E23

    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:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  24. The Daily Show Season 17 Episode 24 - Martin Scorsese
    7.4/10(36 votes)

    #24 - Martin Scorsese

    S17:E24

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

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  25. The Daily Show Season 17 Episode 25 - Merrill Markoe
    7.1/10(27 votes)

    #25 - Merrill Markoe

    S17:E25

    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:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

Season 17 Ratings Summary

"Thomas Friedman" is the best rated episode of "The Daily Show" season 17. It scored 7.5/10 based on 27 votes. Directed by Unknown and written by Unknown, it aired on 10/3/2011. This episode is rated 0.7 points higher than the second-best, "Michael Lewis".