Beyond the Scenes from The Daily Show

K-Pop has had loyal Korean fanbases for decades and has made a global impact over time. The intimate relationships cultivated between K-Pop idols and their fans speak to the power of this method of entertainment. Daily Show segment producer Sabrina Lee and postdoctoral associate at the University at Buffalo, Stephanie Choi, join host Roy Wood Jr. to analyze the K-Pop industry and the positive ligh...

From iPhones and tractors to medical equipment, many products are designed to be unfixable by the average person. Host Roy Wood Jr. sits down with Youtuber and owner of the Rossmann Repair Group, Louis Rossmann, and Law Professor at the University of Michigan, Aaron Perzanowski to discuss how manufacturers limit customer’s repair options, the environmental impact of purchasing new products rather...

The Atlanta Public Safety Training Center, also known as “Cop City,” has sparked controversy among Atlanta natives. Although it’s meant to improve the training conditions of police officers and firefighters, the social and environmental effects of this center can be damaging to communities surrounding it. Atlanta-based journalists George Chidi and King Williams join Roy Wood Jr. to dive deeper int...

Chelsea Handler’s week guest hosting the Daily Show garnered a lot of attention, and she’s back with Host Roy Wood Jr, to discuss her viral video about being childless by choice, the response it generated from conservatives like Tucker Carlson, and what she thinks they're actually mad about. She also talks about bringing her signature comedic round tables to her guest hosting week, why celebrities...

Just in time for WrestleMania, professional wrestling’s biggest event, we present an in-depth look at how wrestling and politics have more similarities than one might think. WWE Superstar LA Knight and Peter Rosenberg, host of the “Cheap Heat” podcast, join Roy Wood Jr. to break it all down. Nowadays, it's not enough for wrestlers and politicians to be themselves – they need to put on a show and c...

The Matilda Effect was coined in 1993 and explains the phenomenon of women’s historical contributions to science getting forgotten over time. These women are not only left out of history books, but also subjected to men taking credit for their work. Daily Show writer Nicole Conlan and host of the podcast Lost Women of Science, Katie Hafner, join Roy Wood Jr. to uncover why women and girls get over...

In honor of Women’s History Month, Host Roy Wood Jr. looks back at some of his favorite Beyond the Scenes moments that celebrate female trailblazers. Roy is joined by CNN contributor Kate Andersen Brower and Daily Show producer Jeff Gussow to discuss how first ladies have impacted our nation’s policies. Next, he chats with Daily Show correspondent Dulcé Sloan and producer Chelsea Williamson about...

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 h...

Superheroes inspire us and help us believe we can do all that we set our minds to. Black superhero stories, however, don’t always reach mainstream audiences, leaving young Black children few characters to identify with. Host Roy Wood Jr. sits down with Daily Show writer, Ashton Womack, Beyond the Scenes senior producer, Aaron Lamarr Burleson, and contemporary artist, Hebru Brantley, to discuss how...

The Daily Show's first guest host Leslie Jones 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...

This Valentine’s Day we’re taking a look at how political polarization impacts online dating and relationships. Host Roy Wood Jr. sits down with journalist and co-host of The Man Enough podcast, Liz Plank, and chief science advisor for Match.com, Dr. Helen Fisher, to chat about when to bring up politics in dating, how the fall of Roe v. Wade changed people’s dating habits, and how someone in an in...

The Super Bowl is one of the biggest sports betting days of the year, and it’s now legal to bet on the Super Bowl in more than 30 states.  Host Roy Wood Jr. sits down with Daily Show correspondent, Michael Kosta and gambling industry reporter for ESPN, David Purdum, for a conversation about how professional sports leagues are embracing the new profit potential, whether the ease of access to mobile...

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 tipp...

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...

Buffalo Bills safety, Damar Hamlin, went into cardiac arrest during a Monday night football game. This injury sparked conversations about the safety of football and the ways the NFL protects their players’ well being. Host Roy Wood Jr. sits down with CBS Mornings co-host, Nate Burleson, to discuss their feelings towards the game, the importance of protecting players’ mental health, and the fight f...

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...

Roy Wood Jr. sits down with Daily Show contributor Jordan Klepper and MSNBC host Chris Hayes to discuss the aftermath of the January 6 Capitol insurrection, how conservative media and the GOP rewrote the narrative, and whether American democracy will survive.   Originally aired January 3, 2022. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoi...

As passengers embark on their holiday travel, flight attendants serve as first responders in the sky and have to deal with unruly passengers, staff shortages, and flight cancellations. In this episode, host Roy Wood Jr. chats with Daily Show writer and frequent flier, Kat Radley, and the International President of the Association of Flight Attendants, Sara Nelson. They discuss the drive to unioniz...

In this Holiday themed episode of Hold Up, Daily Show correspondent Dulcé Sloan and writer Josh Johnson debate whether parents should tell their kids the truth about Santa Claus or not? Listen to Hold Up, available wherever you get your podcasts: https://podcasts.iheartradio.com/HoldUpTDS See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.co...

In 1966, Kwanzaa emerged as a holiday to strengthen Black folks’ connection with their African roots. Although many celebrated in the 70s and 80s, Kwanzaa has seen a decline in popularity with only 4% of Black Americans observinging it today. Host Roy Wood Jr. sits with culinary historian and author, Dr. Jessica B. Harris, and segment director, Chinisha Scott, to help define Kwanzaa and provide mo...

USC junior Princess Isis Lang started the Cardinal Divas of ‘SC, the school’s new majorette dance team, for her and other Black women on campus. After a video of the team went viral on Twitter, critics didn’t agree with her bringing something rooted in HBCU culture to a predominantly white institution. Host Roy Wood Jr. sits with host of “The HBCU Band Experience” podcast, Dr. Christy A. Walker, a...

The porn industry and sex work is 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 ra...

The World Cup is underway in Qatar, and it’s already contentious. Host Roy Wood Jr. sits down with Daily Show writer Joe Opio and sports journalist Grant Wahl to discuss how Qatar was awarded hosting privileges, the thousands of migrant workers who died while building whole cities and stadiums, accusations of bribery and corruption of FIFA officials throughout history, and the need for independent...

Last term, the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, limited the EPA’s ability to regulate carbon emissions, and kicked gun issues back to the state level, overruling years of precedent and going against public opinion. Roy Wood Jr. sits down with Daily Show supervising producer and writer Zhubin Parang, ACLU legal director, David Cole and editor of SCOTUSBlog, James Romoser to discuss what Americ...

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...