Beyond the Scenes from The Daily Show

Comedy Central & iHeartPodcasts

Imagine The Daily Show, but deeper. Host Roy Wood Jr. dives further into segments and topics covered on The Daily Show — from racial injustice to gun control to K-pop. Each week, he’s joined by Daily Show writers, producers, correspondents, as well as outside experts to unpack a different topic or segment in a way that's hilarious, nuanced, and compelling.

Beyond the Scenes features a rotating cast of The Daily Show correspondents including Desi Lydic, Dulcé Sloan, Ronny Chieng, and Michael Kosta, as well as contributors Jordan Klepper and Lewis Black. New episodes every Tuesday.

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Our Editor's Take

Comedy Central's The Daily Show has covered many essential topics over its long run. Those topics are sometimes too big to fit into its 30-minute timeslot. Beyond the Scenes from The Daily Show is a podcast made to rectify that problem.

The series is supplementary to the hilarious late-night news satire program. While The Daily Show does manage to give the facts its audience needs, it can't always tell the whole story. This is often due to time constraints, as the original segments need to be funny, brief, and to the point. As a result, the producers must abandon a lot of unexplored conversations on any given topic. Beyond the Scenes is where the cast and crew can expand these conversations. Guided by The Daily Show's Roy Wood Jr., the podcast further examines the show's most notable topics. They range from treating mental health to Hollywood's representation of female sexuality.

Joining Wood in these conversations are a variety of special guests. Fellow correspondents Desi Lydic, Michael Kosta, and Ronny Chieng regularly show up. Comedians such as Leslie Jones and Daily Show alumnus Lewis Black also appear. Podcast listeners may laugh at what they have to say about things such as Esports and guest hosting.

Daily Show collaborators and comedians aren't the only guests the podcast brings on. There are also plenty of experts invited to discuss a given topic. The episode "The Lack of Black Head Coaches in the NFL" is one example. In it, Wood speaks with former football player Nate Burleson and Collette V. Smith, coach for the New York Jets. Professor Kimberlé Crenshaw also appears in the episode titled "The Battle Over Critical Race Theory." She is a civil rights advocate with extensive knowledge of the topic. Guests like these make the show not only fun but also informative.

Beyond the Scenes from The Daily Show is a great podcast for Daily Show fans to check out. It is entertaining, thoughtful, and humorous. New episodes premiere on Tuesdays.

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Introducing: Jordan Klepper Fingers the Conspiracy

Introducing: Jordan Klepper Fingers the Conspiracy

Daily Show contributor Jordan Klepper knows the typical rally mottos. In his new podcast, "Jordan Klepper Fingers the Conspiracy", Jordan is diving into the wildest conspiracy theories pitched to him at Trump Rallies and is determined to trace down whether or not they’re true (they’re not). Join Jordan in finding out more about theories like The Deep State, Pizzagate, and Tim, which is apparently Osama Bin Laden’s real name. Listen to new episodes every Wednesday wherever you get your podcasts, and watch the Jordan Klepper Fingers the Midterms: America Unfollows Democracy special on Comedy Central.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Episodes

The Battle Over Critical Race Theory (featuring Kimberlé Crenshaw)

The Battle Over Critical Race Theory (featuring Kimberlé Crenshaw)

Critical Race Theory has become the right wing’s new boogeyman, but no one seems to even know how to define it. Leading scholar, Professor Kimberlé Crenshaw, and producer CJ Hunt join host Roy Wood Jr. to break down what CRT actually is, why it’s necessary, and how ignoring the blowback could endanger years of progress. Original air date: September 21, 2021 Watch the original segments: https://youtu.be/XQKRYJnqIdM https://youtu.be/6ofjZH80y3gSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Female Orgasm Onscreen: A Brief Hist-HER-y

Female Orgasm Onscreen: A Brief Hist-HER-y

From the sex-shaming of early cinema legend Hedy Lamarr to trapping Jane Fonda in an exploding orgasm piano, Hollywood’s relationship to female sexuality is complicated, controlling and sometimes just plain weird. Roy is joined by correspondent Desi Lydic and Daily Show writer Kat Radley for a stimulating discussion about the depiction of female pleasure onscreen. Watch the original segment: https://youtu.be/_HJhBIsoeeQ?si=Wid_uqGzjmb24VaC Original air date: July 27, 2021See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Esports: The Rise of Professional Video Gaming

Esports: The Rise of Professional Video Gaming

Esports competitions have seen a boom in popularity in recent years with some of the highest paid players making up to six figures. Celebrities like Drake and Post Malone have even invested in the sport. Host Roy Wood Jr. sits down with Daily Show correspondent Michael Kosta and LA Thieves Call of Duty player Sam “Octane” Larew to break down the similarities and differences between traditional and electronic sports and how professional gaming is making its way into the mainstream. Watch the original segments: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lE4qsJ1Lq1o Original air date: January 24, 2023See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Queer History of Drag and Conservative Backlash

The Queer History of Drag and Conservative Backlash

Conservatives are outraged by kids’ exposure to drag shows and there’s been an increase in protests at drag events. But drag dates all the way back to ancient societies and Shakespearean theater. Host Roy Wood Jr. chats with the star of HBO’s We’re Here, Bob the Drag Queen, Princeton journalism professor, Channing Joseph, and author of the book, Drag: Combing Through The Big Wigs of Show Business, Frank DeCaro. They chat about Black and Queer trailblazers, the legacy of drag activism, and how representation from shows like Rupaul’s Drag Race has helped make drag more mainstream and builds allyship among its viewers. Bob also talks about his personal journey growing up in the south and the challenges he faced filming season 3 of We’re Here. Bob even gives Roy a drag queen name. Watch the original segments: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9T6ZKlOPAmU Original air date: January 10, 2023See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Lack of Black Head Coaches in the NFL

The Lack of Black Head Coaches in the NFL

The Rooney Rule came into effect in 2003 to increase the number of Black head coaches in the NFL. Brian Flores’ lawsuit against the league exposed how team owners don’t take this rule as seriously as they should. Host Roy Wood Jr. sits with CBS Mornings co-host, Nate Burleson, and former New York Jets coach, Collette V. Smith, to discuss the lack of diversity in the NFL’s head coaching positions and how the league can hold team owners accountable. Original air date: October 25, 2022 Watch the original segment: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FbSCsYedX4c&t=197sSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Leslie Jones Reflects on Guest Hosting the Daily Show

Leslie Jones Reflects on Guest Hosting the Daily Show

Leslie Jones, The Daily Show's first guest host, is back for a special episode to chat about her week behind the desk. Leslie sits down with host Roy Wood Jr, along with her co-host of The fckry Podcast, Lenny Marcus to discuss how SNL prepared her for this role, what advice Chris Rock gave her, why she wanted to tackle men’s mental health on the show, and the backstories she created for each of the Daily Show correspondents. Also, find out her thoughts on Rihanna’s Super Bowl halftime performance, Ron DeSantis, and the Chinese spy balloon. Original air date: February 21, 2023See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Daily Show O.G., Lewis Black

Daily Show O.G., Lewis Black

Lewis Black, the Daily Show’s longest serving contributor, joins host Roy Wood Jr. to talk rage, comedy and how the show, and satire in general, have evolved over his 25 year tenure. Original air date: November 9, 2021 Check out some Back in Black segments: https://www.youtube.com/c/TheDailyShow/search?query=back%20in%20blackSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Copaganda: How Police Shows Lie to You

Copaganda: How Police Shows Lie to You

Are we being brainwashed by cop shows? Daily Show producer Madeleine Kuhns and writer Ashton Womack join Roy to look at the legacy and popularity of policing onscreen, and how it shapes our relationship with police in the real world. Watch the original segment: https://youtu.be/s_L-ingGsxY Original air date: September 21, 2021See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Porn Industry Racism and Discrimination

Porn Industry Racism and Discrimination

The porn industry and sex work are often stigmatized, but adult performers face racism, discrimination, and pay disparities within the industry. Host Roy Wood Jr. sits down with Daily Show segment director Stacey Angeles and adult entertainers and co-creators of the adult film production company, Royal Fetish Films, Jet Setting Jasmine and King Noire to discuss how the porn industry perpetuates racist stereotypes and capitalizes on racist film titles, how consumers can hold companies accountable, and what constitutes a sexual “fantasy.” Original air date: November 29, 2022 Watch the original segment: https://www.cc.com/video/didt5n/the-daily-show-with-trevor-noah-is-the-porn-industry-racistSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How Does the Minimum Wage Affect Disabled and Tipped Workers?

How Does the Minimum Wage Affect Disabled and Tipped Workers?

The current federal minimum wage for tipped workers is $2.13 and has not increased since 2009. Meanwhile, disabled employees can legally be paid less than their non-disabled counterparts, earning as little as 25 cents per hour. Host Roy Wood Jr. sits down with Daily Show researcher Stephanie O. and the President of One Fair Wage, Saru Jayaraman to discuss how the subminimum wage is legal, how tipping is a legacy of slavery, why restaurant workers aren’t running back to their jobs after the pandemic, and how the “other” NRA, the National Restaurant Association, is the biggest obstacle to raising the minimum wage. Original air date: January 31, 2023 Head to One Fair Wage to learn more about their work, join organized protests and continue the fight for fair wages: https://onefairwage.site/ Watch the original segment: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wAtjGY9vQRA&tSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Redefining Masculinity and Embracing Vulnerability

Redefining Masculinity and Embracing Vulnerability

From a young age, boys are inundated with messages that teach them not to cry, openly express emotions, or show any sign of weakness for fear of appearing weak or feminine. And as a result, men experience a lack of intimacy and close friendships. Host Roy Wood Jr. sits down with the co-founder of “A Call to Men,” Ted Bunch, and developmental psychology professor at NYU, Niobe Way, to chat about how boy’s friendships evolve as they get older, the additional cultural pressures that Black and Brown men face, what men can do to prioritize their mental health, and how therapy could be transformative for a lot of men. Original air date: March 7, 2023 Watch the original segment: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9pmiHDeTi-w See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How Racism Is Built Into America’s Highways

How Racism Is Built Into America’s Highways

President Biden's Infrastructure bill aims to address racism in America's highway design. In this episode, host Roy Wood Jr. sits down with Daily Show writer Randall Otis and ACLU President Deborah Archer to discuss how the initial construction of U.S. highways displaced and destroyed thriving Black communities, the legacy of racist transportation policies, and how to repair and rebuild highways without inflicting additional harm on Black communities. Originally air date: April 5, 2022 Watch the original segment: https://youtu.be/kvDjgFpROVMSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Battle to Remove Confederate Statues

The Battle to Remove Confederate Statues

While America has made progress in removing confederate statues from public squares, many remain standing. Director of the PBS documentary The Neutral Ground, CJ Hunt, and founder of Project Say Something, Camille Goldston Bennett, join Roy Wood Jr. to discuss why these monuments were erected in the first place, how many are left, what’s being done on the ground to remove them, and where they should end up once they’re removed. Donate to Project Say Something: https://projectsaysomething.org/ Original air date: May 17, 2022See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Brooklyn's Gentrification Problem

Brooklyn's Gentrification Problem

The number of white Brooklyn residents has increased over the years while Black residents have been displaced. Host Roy Wood Jr. sits down with Daily Show segment producer, Jordana Hemingway and urban planner and Pratt Institute professor, Ronald Shiffman to discuss how gentrification directly impacts the displacement of people and culture, the relationship between gentrification and policing, and how people moving into Brooklyn neighborhoods can be part of responsible change. Original air date: August 30, 2022 Watch the original segment: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kbkLi2kC5Ig&t=27s See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Why Are Books Being Banned Across America?

Why Are Books Being Banned Across America?

Books are being banned from schools and public libraries at alarming rates, and stories from LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC authors are disproportionately being pulled from shelves. How do book bans harm learning and access to information? What do these challenges say about the American educational system? Deborah Caldwell-Stone, Director of the American Library Association's Office for Intellectual Freedom and George M. Johnson, author of the widely challenged book “All Boys Aren’t Blue'' join host Roy Wood Jr. to break down where these book bans are coming from, the political ideology behind them, and how these banned books can help young readers understand complex issues. #DailyShow #Podcast #BeyondTheScenes Original air date: September 20, 2022 More on Banned Books Week: bannedbooksweek.org Get involved: https://uniteagainstbookbans.org/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Controversial “Sport” of Trophy Hunting in Africa

The Controversial “Sport” of Trophy Hunting in Africa

This past Sunday marked eight years since the killing of Cecil the Lion. Cecil’s death started a debate over the humanity of trophy hunting, the killing of wild animals for sport. Host Roy Wood Jr. sits with Daily Show writer Joseph Opio and author of the book “Undercover Trophy Hunter,” Eduardo Gonçalves, to break down the history of trophy hunting in Africa and the growing opposition to it. Original air date: April 19, 2022See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How the NCAA’s Rules Allow College Athletes to Make Money (feat. Sabrina Ionescu)

How the NCAA’s Rules Allow College Athletes to Make Money (feat. Sabrina Ionescu)

The NCAA has introduced name, image, and likeness deals that allow college athletes to accept payment from sponsors and brands -- including anything from endorsement deals to TikTok sponsorships. In this episode, WNBA star Sabrina Ionescu sits down with Roy Wood Jr. to discuss what this means for college athletes, the future of player compensation, and how she is involved with navigating deals for students at her alma mater, the University of Oregon. Roy also sits with Daily Show correspondent, Michael Kosta, to discuss the potential drawbacks that may come with paying college athletes. Originally aired: March 15, 2022See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Pink Tax: Why Women Pay More (feat. Rep. Jackie Speier)

The Pink Tax: Why Women Pay More (feat. Rep. Jackie Speier)

The pink tax is a form of gender discrimination that can cost women an average of $1,400 a year. In this episode, host Roy Wood Jr. sits down with correspondent Desi Lydic, segment director Stacey Angeles, and Congresswoman Jackie Speier to discuss why the pink tax exists and how it impacts women’s wallets. Representative Speier even gives Roy a few examples of everyday female products that cost more than those marketed to men. Watch the original segment: https://youtu.be/As2p2vsdrfk Originally aired: March 8, 2022See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Navigating Race in the Workplace

Navigating Race in the Workplace

At the height of the 2020 Black Lives Matter protests, Daily Show producer Chelsea Williamson posed a question on Instagram: “If you’re Black and my friend, can you tell me what racial things have happened to you at your job?” The responses led Chelsea to pitch a segment exploring what it’s like to be Black in overwhelmingly white workplaces. Chelsea and former Daily Show writer Christiana Mbakwe-Medina join Roy to discuss the resulting piece and their personal experiences, from being called “too professional” to going from “pet to threat.” Watch the original segment: Black Americans in the Workplace | The Daily Social Distancing Show Originally aired: October 5, 2021See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Why Switzerland Has So Many Guns But No Mass Shootings

Why Switzerland Has So Many Guns But No Mass Shootings

How is Switzerland able to have so many guns per capita, but no mass shootings? Host Roy Wood Jr. sits down with correspondent Michael Kosta, segment director Stacey Angeles, and their Swiss producer Pierre-Adrian Irlé, to discuss how the country’s approach to military service and common sense laws have created a safe gun culture that America can learn from. Watch the original segments: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjlT4BME2aE&t=0s https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jgYJ5V2HYy4&t=0s Originally aired: August 31, 2021See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.