The Daily Show: Ears Edition

Maziar Bahari, journalist and filmmaker jailed 118 days in Iran, shares his perspective. Jason Jones, comedic correspondent who filmed a four-part Iran series, recounts street interviews and cultural encounters. They discuss misunderstandings between Iran and the West, youthful underground culture, meetings with reform leaders, and the risks activists faced during protests.

Sharp takes on Trump's tariff meltdown and the Supreme Court ruling that set it off. Satirical riffs about MAGA claiming a U.S. hockey win and the strange political spin. Deeply worrying talk about U.S. military moves near Iran and the brink-of-war vibe. Wild cultural hits including an erotic workout video, taxpayer-funded luxury travel, and new fallout from the Epstein files.

Christa Miller, actor and Emmy-nominated music supervisor, talks about playing an empty nester and how vulnerability changed her work. She shares stories of collaborating with her husband, her NYC nightlife roots that led to music supervision, and teases a Scrubs return. Brief, candid, and full of behind-the-scenes anecdotes.

Jonathan Haidt, social psychologist and bestselling author studying youth and tech, joins to talk about children, screens, and a new playbook for parents. He and Catherine Price outline a “rebel code” for real friendship, ways families can set screen boundaries, and why collective action and policy matter. Plus lively takes on a record-long, award-filled State of the Union and chaotic LindellTV moments.

Padma Lakshmi, Emmy-nominated TV host and creator of America’s Culinary Cup, discusses her new chef-focused cooking competition. She talks about designing the show to support chefs and spotlight global culinary talent. Padma also addresses how attacks on immigrants threaten the food industry and playfully critiques J.D. Vance’s cooking abilities.

Michelle Dickerson, a University of Texas law professor and author focused on housing and upward mobility, outlines how midcentury policy built the middle class and how current rules erode it. Conversation covers mortgage design, racial exclusions in housing, loss of stable jobs and pensions, and concrete policy fixes like zoning and subsidy reform.

Desi Lydic, comedian and actor serving as this week's host, recaps a blizzard remote recording and lighthearted news highlights. They celebrate U.S. Olympic hockey golds and mock Kash Patel crashing the locker-room. They riff on TSA PreCheck disruptions, a Supreme Court tariff ruling, State of the Union expectations, protests versus attendance, and odd birthday arrests.

Samantha Power, former U.S. Ambassador to the UN and current USAID Administrator with deep foreign policy experience. Conversation revisits Russia's invasion of Ukraine, sanctions and efforts to pressure Kremlin insiders. They cover global reactions, China’s stance, risks of escalation, and the human cost of the conflict.

Gabby Thomas, Olympic sprinter and neurobiology grad who volunteers in community health. Lindsey Vonn, decorated former alpine ski racer turned entrepreneur and investor. They trade stories about training rituals, overcoming injuries and fear, career transitions, visualization and race strategy, plus work beyond sport in health equity and business.

Dulce Sloan, comedian and correspondent, closes with a rapid-fire comedic tribute to Black women. Larry Wilmore, satirical historian and writer, offers sharp historical perspective. Roy Wood Jr., stand-up comedian, riffes on marches and cultural touchstones. They riff on Selma, civil-rights marches, on-street reactions, and playful takes on Black History Month.