Tools for this page
Print

The Daily Show

(Rated TV-14, Comedy, Starring Jon Stewart, Samantha Bee, Rob Corddry, Where to watch: Comedy Central, DVD, Online)

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

    (Flash is loading. If this text does not disappear you need to install the latest flash version)

    Not age appropriate for kids under 13, age appropriate for kids over 15; suggested age 13.

  • Is it any good?

    5.0

  • Common Sense says

    News made funny; for teens and adults only.

Why We Rated This iffy for Ages 13–15

The good stuff

  • Messages:

    The world is full of human frailty and foibles, and it all gets mined for humor (cheating, drinking, and everything else under the sun). But Stewart does an admirable job of putting double-talk in context and calling on politicians to be responsible for their actions.
 

What to watch out for

  • Violence:

    Politics can be pugilistic, and the show tries to catch all the action. Mosly verbal sparring, though.

  • Sex:

    Frequent innuendo in Stewart's stories and taped pieces. And if the show's favorite targets -- politicians -- are engaged in hanky panky, they'll certainly be skewered for it.

  • Language:

    Frequent minor swearing: "ass," "damn," "bitch," etc. Stronger words (including f--k) are bleeped out, though often discernable (and even when they aren't, all that noise certainly calls attention to them).

  • Consumerism:

    Products/labels are mentioned as necessary in the course of reporting on stories.

  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    If drugs, tobacco, and alcohol are in the headlines, they're in the show, too. Stewart and his reporters sometimes partake if it helps sell a joke/story.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About The Daily Show

Parents need to know that nothing is sacred in this series. It skewers everything to do with politics -- Democrat and Republican, conservative and liberal -- to great success (and with heaps of glee). Stewart is one of the few "news" anchors who puts stories in context and points out the constant contradictions coming out of Washington and corporate America. But kids won't get or appreciate the humor, and given the sometimes-crass subjects, that's probably for the best.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about current events and what's going on in the world around them. How do the show's "reporters" use sarcasm to make their points? What are their points? Is the daily news truly that funny in real life? What makes it so? Stewart often refers to what he does as the "fake news," but many of his fans say they get most of their news from his show -- is that responsible behavior? Does Stewart have a responsibility to those viewers to present his information accurately, or does humor trump that?
Tools and tips that can help

Want more? Get Common Sense recommendations delivered to your inbox.

Our Members Say

Have you seen it? Review It!

  • What did you think about The Daily Show?

  •  I think this show is

    for ages

  •  I also give it

  •  Any concerns?

  •  Any highlights?

  •  Love it? Hate it?

  • or to post a review
See all 10 member reviews

Most Recent Reviews

  1. Parent Reviewer
    Human
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 5.0

    Great show

    This review...

    Helped me decide | Had useful details | Read my mind
    Flag as inappropriate
  2. Teen Reviewer Age 15
    whyamiusingthiss ...
    Lives in Oklahoma
    I rate this title on for age 12 and give it 5.0
    My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate language

    This show is probably only good for teens

    If kids don't get the humor, why do I get the humor? I especially love it when he has Lewis Black rant on all the small things people worry about.

    This review...

    Helped me decide | Had useful details | Read my mind
    Flag as inappropriate
  3. Kid Reviewer Age 12
    geeksquad
    I rate this title on for age 13 and give it 4.0

    Only for older teens

    Great show, but with all the swearing (which is usually beeped out be you still know what they are saying) it is for more mature and older teens. also, you have to understand the news to get it. Other than that, it's HILARIOUS and will bring a smile to anyone watching it. Grade: A-

    This review...

    Helped me decide | Had useful details | Read my mind
    Flag as inappropriate
  4. Adult Reviewer
    Jumanji-lover
    Lives in Virginia
    I rate this title on for age 13 and give it 5.0

    FUNNY AS ANYTHING!

    man, this show's off the sheezy. I love Jon STewarts dry sense of humor

    This review...

    Helped me decide | Had useful details | Read my mind
    Flag as inappropriate
  5. Adult Reviewer
    moviemadness
    Lives in Connecticut
    I rate this title on for age 13 and give it 5.0

    Prepare to Laugh

    The Daily Show is one of the best on TV. It is full of hilarious, shrewd sketches and comments on current political and social issues. The violence, language, and sex are really irrelevant if the viewer is old enough to understand the issues being discussed. Teens and adults.

    This review...

    Helped me decide | Had useful details | Read my mind
    Flag as inappropriate

More Great Stuff For Your Kids

  • Now Playing

    Age 9+
    Where the Wild Things Are

    Where the Wild Things Are

    Sometimes-dark adaptation focuses on friendship, loneliness.

  • Tech Tip

    How to help them think more ... and want less.Making the Sale

    How to help them think more ... and want less.

  • Must See TV

    Age 13+
    Glee

    Glee

    Edgy-but-quirky comedy's music, message will win teens over.

  • Issue Spotlight

    The 10 Most Violent Video Games (And 10 Alternatives)

    The 10 Most Violent Video Games (And 10 Alternatives)

    Our video game experts weigh in.

  • Game of the Week

    Age 4+
    Ni Hao, Kai-Lan: New Year's Celebration

    Ni Hao, Kai-Lan: New Year's Celebration

    Virtual Chinese New Year with perfectly designed games.

Give Us a Minute, Get a Lot of Common Sense!
  • Age-appropriate best bets for your kids
  • Weekly email alert with the latest picks, reviews & advice
  • Post your own reviews and share them with friends
This will never be displayed to others.
Your email will never be displayed to others.
Your password should be 6-10 characters long.
A screen name protects your privacy
(It's free!)

Already a member? Log in
Your family's privacy is our highest priority.
See our privacy policy, community guidelines, and terms of use.
To post a review or comment you must become a Common Sense Member. It's easy!
Set-up your account
This will never be displayed to others.
Your email will never be displayed to others.
Your password should be 6-10 characters long.
Choose a screen name
It will appear when you post your own reviews and recommendations.
A screen name protects your privacy
Tell us your children's ages
You'll see the movies, games, books, shows, music, and sites our editors select just for them. As your children get older, our picks will grow with them!Why we ask for this
We never display your children's names, (or nicknames) to anyone, but you. Providing your children's ages allows us to personalize information on our site, so you get better information, faster.
is
until
(optional)
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
Add another child

Already a member? Log in
Your family's privacy is our highest priority.
See our privacy policy, community guidelines, and terms of use.
We can make Common Sense just right for you. With a little info about you and your family, you'll get the most out of our site.
Set-up your account
This will never be displayed to others.
Your email will never be displayed to others.
Your password should be 6-10 characters long.
Tell us your children's ages
You'll see the movies, games, books, shows, music, and sites our editors select just for them. As your children get older, our picks will grow with them!
Why we ask for this
We never display your children's names, (or nicknames) to anyone, but you. Providing your children's ages allows us to personalize information on our site, so you get better information, faster.
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
Add another child
Choose a screen name
It will appear when you post your own reviews and recommendations
A screen name protects your privacy
Already a member? Log in
Your family's privacy is our highest priority.
See our privacy policy, community guidelines, and terms of use.
Register to add this school to your profile. You'll be able to see and share reviews from parents, teachers, and kids at your child's school.
I'm already a Common Sense member.
Kids under 13 must use a screen name
Your family's privacy is our highest priority.
See our privacy policy, community guidelines, and terms of use.