3 Daily Show Episodes That Were Funny And Informative

You could spend your early evenings checking in to see whose yard gnomes were stolen or what restaurant now gives free Hepatitis C with each order of pop, but why not see what’s going on globally? Expand your horizon while checking out what the caustic spawn of comedy and news looks like with these "Daily Show" episodes that were funny and informative.

October 3, 2011 Governor Rick Perry offers up the majority of the comedic fuel for “The Daily Show” in this episode. With some “casual” racism as well as sentences that would take a genius to parse and edit, Perry sets himself up for a pummeling by the cast that will have you rolling on the floor. “Daily Show” correspondent Wyatt Cenac nails racist cartography with his parody of “America the Beautiful” and sells it the whole bit through. The fallout from immigration laws and a returning of illegal immigrants provides an amusing broader perspective. Historian Thomas Friedman talks about his book on what America was and should strive to be. His discussion on manufacturing and innovation is both informative and interesting to all walks of life.

January 27, 2011 Team Bush goes toe to toe with Team Obama for the bragging rights for the spreading of freedom in Egypt and the Middle East. Meanwhile, Team Twitter and Team Local Conditions step up to claim their share of the same limelight in their own ways. The goofiness supports a wealth of information on the climate and the conditions in Egypt, which makes this a “Daily Show” episode that educates and cracks you up. T. Boone Pickens, founder of BP Capital, speaks to the concept of having an energy plan that removes America from dependence on O.P.E.C oil. Laying out his “Pickens’ Plan” for the increased usage of natural gas, he promotes a lessening dependence on other fossil fuels. The question of fracking, or hydraulic fracturing, comes up with Pickens seeing it as a positive while there are others who see negative aspects to it. This gives a nice entry-level opening to the debate on fracking and allows you to research it more should you be interested. Throw in another mix up between Bill O’Reilly and John Stewart on the definition of Nazi propaganda and you end up with a great episode.

politics. With their trademark blend of laughs and informed perspective, “The Daily Show” lobs up another episode that prevents your funny bone from getting osteoporosis.