The Daily Show with Jon Stewart
News made funny; for teens and adults only.
Parents say
Based on 7 reviews
Kids say
Based on 22 reviews
Common Sense is a nonprofit organization. Your purchase helps us remain independent and ad-free.
The Daily Show with Jon Stewart
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.
Suggest an Update
A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this TV show.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that nothing is sacred on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart. It skewers everything to do with politics -- Democrat and Republican, conservative and liberal -- to great success (and with heaps of glee). Despite referring to his show as the "fake news," Stewart is one of the few folks out there who puts stories in context and points out the constant contradictions coming out of Washington and corporate America. But younger kids won't get or appreciate the humor -- and given the sometimes-crass subjects, that's probably for the best.
Community Reviews
Now this is how you present the news!
Report this review
Report this review
What's the Story?
THE DAILY SHOW WITH JON STEWART reports on the day's events, with host Jon Stewart and his crew painting a painfully hilarious picture of life in America and putting it in perspective with the world at large. There's no denying that the show is funny, combining Stewart's at-the-news-desk reports, taped field pieces, and in-studio interviews. The pre-taped segments mix deadpan humor with insight into issues that other news programs would never cover. In one episode, for example, correspondent Jason Jones visited small-town Ohio to interview a political candidate who wanted to legalize drunk driving. Instead of approaching the topic in a sobering (pardon the pun), earnest manner, he managed to capture the absurdity of the whole process by mining it for laughs.
Is It Any Good?
The genius of Stewart and the rest of the cast is that they get viewers to ponder huge issues -- back to drunk driving, for instance, which is a problem long cast aside as a rallying point now that many other causes have taken center stage -- without boring them with too much gravitas and zeal. The guest interviews are first-rate, too: irreverent, off the cuff, and candid. They reveal more about the actors, politicians, and celebrities who chat with Stewart than any five-minute appearance on a pandering late-night talk show.
In short, there's not much to hate about The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, and a lot to love. No wonder it has uber-loyal fans who watch it unfailingly. Too bad the real McCoys -- the six o'clock news broadcasts -- aren't anywhere near as entertaining. Nevertheless, thanks to its subject matter (which is mature in all senses of the word), the show is best for older teens and grown-ups.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about current events and what's going on in the world around them. How do The Daily Show with Jon Stewart'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?
How does The Daily Show with Jon Stewart promote curiosity? Why is this an important character strength?
TV Details
- Premiere date: January 11, 1999
- Cast: Jason Jones, Jon Stewart, Samantha Bee
- Network: Comedy Central
- Genre: Comedy
- Character Strengths: Curiosity
- TV rating: TV-14
- Award: Emmy
- Last updated: December 22, 2022
Our Editors Recommend
-
The Colbert Report
Shrewd talk show spoof is edgy but hilarious.
-
The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson
Late-night humor with a Scottish flair; aimed at adults.
-
Real Time with Bill Maher
Mature, profane political comedy for grown-ups.
For kids who love comedy
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate