The Daily Show

The Daily Show, American satirical television news show broadcast on the cable network Comedy Central since 1996. Its hosts have included Craig Kilborn (1996–98); Jon Stewart (1999–2015), during whose tenure the show reached its greatest popularity; and Trevor Noah (2015–22). Stewart returned as a weekly host in 2024.

The Daily Show debuted in 1996 with former ESPN SportsCenter anchor Craig Kilborn as the host. When he left for The Late Late Show with Craig Kilborn on CBS in 1998, comedian Jon Stewart became the lead anchor. Under his guidance, viewership increased dramatically as the show changed direction, becoming especially known for its sharp political commentary and its critique of traditional media.

Comedian Trevor Noah hosted the show after Stewart’s departure in 2015. Noah left in 2022, and hosts rotated weekly afterward. Stewart rejoined The Daily Show in February 2024 to host on Mondays during the 2024 presidential election and to be executive producer of the show.

Traditional weeknight comedy shows, notably the Late Show with David Letterman and The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, often aired for one hour and featured comedy sketches, celebrity interviews, and occasional performances by musical guests or stand-up comics. By contrast, The Daily Show, when launched, was presented as a half-hour news program such as those broadcast on major networks. Its format and length have changed over time. The show’s opening monologue is a summary of the day’s main stories, and it is usually followed by a “mockumentary” feature featuring a correspondent. The show concludes with an interview segment that typically features a celebrity or major political figure.

With Stewart as its host, The Daily Show attracted notice as a serious forum for current events. For example, U.S. Sen. John Edwards declared his intention to run for president on the show in 2003, and Pres. Barack Obama appeared on the program several times.

The Daily Show has helped to launch and further the careers of a number of comedians. Notable correspondents and contributors include Roy Wood Jr., Steve Carell, Lewis Black, Ronny Chieng, Samantha Bee, Hasan Minhaj, Dulcé Sloan, and John Oliver as well as Stephen Colbert, who hosted a Daily Show spinoff, The Colbert Report (2005–14), before becoming host of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert in 2015.