The Daily Show Season 16, Episode 15: Jonathan Alter

Paul Giamatti

The media calls Barack Obama the "comeback kid," and Paul Giamatti says "rapscallion.

Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand

Republicans focus on 2010 issues, and Kirsten Gillibrand wants to reform the Senate filibuster rules.

Jimmy Wales

John McCain gets cranky, and Jimmy Wales imagines Wikipedia's relevance in 500 years.

Patton Oswalt

Facebook refuses to disclose its financial results, and Patton Oswalt uses a prisoner ghostwriter.

Denis Leary

John Oliver reports on the Arizona shootings in his PJs, and Denis Leary discusses "Suck on This Year.

Colin Firth

John Oliver celebrates Verizon's iPhone announcement, and Colin Firth talks about "The King's Speech.

Tim Pawlenty

Members of Congress introduce gun legislation, and Tim Pawlenty defends Republican rhetoric.

Ron Howard

John Hodgman makes NASCAR more exciting, and Ron Howard shares his enthusiasm for show business.

Peter Bergen

Michael Steele steps down as RNC chairman, and Peter Bergen talks about progress in Afghanistan.

Neil deGrasse Tyson

Jon promises Sarah Palin a classy conversation and reveals his love for Neil deGrasse Tyson.

Paul Clemens

Glenn Beck appears on the "Today" show, and Paul Clemens discusses blue-collar decline.

Kambiz Hosseini & Saman Arbabi

Steve Cohen compares Republicans to Nazis, and Kambiz Hosseini and Saman Arbabi call Jon a prophet.

Anand Giridharadas

Wyatt Cenac dons a parrot suit in Mississippi, and Anand Giridharadas tells Jon the truth.

James Franco

A reporter searches for homeless talent, and Jon composes an ode to James Franco's Oscar nomination.

T. Boone Pickens

Bill O'Reilly defends his Nazi analogies, and T. Boone Pickens wants America on an energy plan.

Bill Gates

Egyptian forces use American tear gas canisters, and Bill Gates works on curing polio.

Michael Steele

Conservatives turn into political hypochondriacs, and Michael Steele must prove his identity.

Matthew Perry

Republicans close the rape loophole, and Matthew Perry talks about his happy friend.

Adm. Michael Mullen

Justin Bieber switches bodies with Jon, and Mike Mullen talks about the crisis in Egypt.

Edward Glaeser

January Jones

Brian Williams

Anchor and Managing Editor, NBC Nightly News. The award-winning journalist and friend-of-the-show stops by.

Ed Gillespie

Lisa Ling

Anderson Cooper

Donald Rumsfeld

Austan Goolsbee

Howard Stern

CNN anchors take viewer requests, and Howard Stern hopes to talk to Charlie Sheen.

Prince Zeid Ra'ad

Prince Zeid Ra'ad Representative, The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan The U.N. representative of Jordan discusses King Abdullah II's new book, "Our Last Best Chance.

Allison Stanger

Diane Ravitch

Sen. Rand Paul

Brian Christian

Author Brian Christian ('The Most Human Human: What Talking with Computers Teaches Us About What It Means to Be Alive').

Aaron Eckhart

From 'Battle: Los Angeles,' actor Aaron Eckhart.

Trey Parker & Matt Stone

'South Park,' creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone.

Sarah Vowell

Author, "Unfamiliar Fishes." The author discusses her new book about American colonization of Hawaii in the 1800s.

T.J. English

The author of "The Savage City" discusses his new book about murder and corruption in New York City during the 1960s and 70s.

Richard Lewis

Bret Baier

Dr. Mansour O.El-Kikhia

Republicans want to lower the corporate tax rate, and Mansour O. El-Kikhia discusses Libya.

Miguel Nicoleles

Joe Biden works the room at a war speech, and Miguel Nicolelis helps paralyzed people walk again.

Jake Gyllenhaal

Republicans appeal to their narrow base, and Jake Gyllenhaal considers marrying a stranger.

Norm MacDonald

CIA operatives might arm Libyan rebels, and Norm Macdonald wants to blow up his stupid high school.

Billy Crystal

The comedian and actor discusses his role as a vampire in an upcoming Funny Or Die short.

Colin Quinn

The comedian discusses his one-man Broadway show and special on HBO.

Mike Huckabee

The former governor of Arkansas discusses his views on government, families and his latest book.

Jamie Oliver

The chef talks about healthy cooking habits and the upcoming season of his Emmy-winning series.

Foo Fighters

The rock band visits to perform a song from their latest album.

Governor Deval Patrick

The governor of Massachusetts discusses his rise from poverty and what gives him hope for America's future.

Tracy Morgan

The actor and comedian discusses his role in the upcoming animated film.

Ricky Gervais

The comedian talks about his new HBO special with Jerry Seinfeld, Chris Rock and Louis C.K.

Gigi Ibrahim

John Oliver highlights royal wedding coverage, and Gigi Ibrahim talks about the Egyptian uprising.

Elizabeth Warren

Olivia Munn looks into tiger mothering, and Elizabeth Warren wants to protect consumers.

Bernie Sanders

Obama releases his long-form birth certificate, and Bernie Sanders fights for workers' rights.

William Cohan

John Oliver talks to British taxpayers about the wedding, and William Cohan discusses Goldman Sachs.

Philip K. Howard

The U.S. kills Osama bin Laden, and Philip K. Howard explains why the government can't make choices.

Rachel Maddow

A royal wedding simulation reveals the consummation, and Rachel Maddow discusses Bin Laden's death.

David Barton

The White House hides the Bin Laden photo, and David Barton discusses religion in the Constitution.

Joe Meacham

Donald Trump steals the crazy oxygen from Sarah Palin, and Jon Meacham discusses the Civil War.

Keira Knightley

Jason Jones visits the gayest city in America, and Keira Knightley learns about the Santorum.

Will Ferrell

Republicans take credit for Bin Laden's death, and Will Ferrell simulates sex with a baseball bat.

Albert Brooks

Common causes controversy, and Albert Brooks talks about his Kate Middleton obsession.

Kristen Wiig

Newt Gingrich announces his candidacy on Twitter, and Kristen Wiig talks about "Bridesmaids.

Jon Ronson

Osama bin Laden's porn stash is discovered, and Jon Ronson talks about psychopaths.

Annie Jacobsen

Al Madrigal weighs in on immigration reform, and Annie Jacobsen talks about Area 51.

Richard Beeman

Newt Gingrich outrages Republicans, and Richard Beeman discusses religion in government.

Lisa P. Jackson

John Hodgman creates a Bin Laden conspiracy theory, and Lisa P. Jackson addresses EPA criticism.

Jimmy Fallon

Sarah Palin takes a bus tour with her family, and Jimmy Fallon reads a thank you note.

Bill Moyers

Donald Trump eats his pizza with a fork, and Bill Moyers discusses good journalism.

Tim Tebow

Eric Cantor wants to justify tornado relief, and Tim Tebow talks about his missionary parents.

Maziar Bahari

Sarah Palin offers her version of Paul Revere, and Maziar Bahari recounts his Iranian imprisonment.

Fareed Zakaria

John Oliver promises to mock Anthony Weiner, and Fareed Zakaria discusses American labor.

Larry King

Anthony Weiner apologizes to Bill Clinton, and Larry King prepares for his European stand-up tour.

Howard Wasdin

Jon spins the penis wheel, and Howard Wasdin talks about SEAL Team Six.

Alex Prud'homme

Nancy Pelosi calls on Anthony Weiner to resign, and Alex Prud'homme discusses water pollution.

J.J. Abrams

Republican hopefuls gather for their second debate, and J.J. Abrams talks about writing for TV.

Trey Parker & Matt Stone

Barack Obama visits Puerto Rico, and Trey Parker and Matt Stone become the Broadway establishment.

Ray Nagin

Sam Bee reports on the smoking ban in NYC parks, and Ray Nagin discusses Hurricane Katrina.

Cameron Diaz

PolitiFact checks Fox News for false statements, and Cameron Diaz removes Jon's stitches.

Mitchell Zuckoff

Greece protests proposed austerity measures, and Mitchell Zuckoff recounts an unlikely WWII rescue.

Bruce Headlam

John Hodgman battles hackers on their own turf, and Bruce Headlam discusses "Page One.

Jennifer Aniston

New York legalizes gay marriage, and Jennifer Aniston talks about her movie, "Horrible Bosses.

Louis C.K.

Rod Blagojevich has much to look forward to in prison, and Louis C.K. deconstructs fart jokes.

Tom Hanks

Democrats and Republicans can't agree on the debt ceiling, and Tom Hanks discusses his movie "Larry Crowne.

Bill Kristol

Mark Halperin calls Barack Obama a dick, and Bill Kristol discusses American war strategy in Afghanistan.

Denis Leary

Aasif Mandvi finds out why America's birds are dying, and Denis Leary talks about potato Vodka.

Kid Rock

China might repossess America if Republicans and Democrats don't come to an agreement over the debt crisis, and Kid Rock is a responsible parent with his own brand of beer.

Matthew Richardson

Jerry Seinfeld helps Jon repress his urge to make gay jokes about Marcus Bachmann, and Matthew Richardson reveals his plan to solve America's mortgage crisis.

Sgt. 1st Class Leroy Petry

The ongoing debt ceiling negotiations get heated, and Leroy Petry demonstrates his robotic hand.

Daniel Radcliffe

Barack Obama breaks out his I-mean-business podium and sets a deadline to solve the debt ceiling crisis, and Daniel Radcliffe talks about the last "Harry Potter" movie.

Pervez Musharraf

The Murdoch scandal turns ugly, and Pervez Musharraf enjoys a beverage and converses about Pakistan.

Steve Carell

Rupert Murdoch throws his employees under the bus, his wife pummels a pie-wielding idiot, and Steve Carell loves his papa bear.

Scott Miller

A battle for survival rages among GOP presidential candidates, Allen West doesn't hate women, and Scott Miller discusses William McKinley's ill-liked, anarchist assassin.

Neil Patrick Harris

Wyatt Cenac proves his commitment to weather reporting, Samantha Bee and Jason Jones interview gay newlyweds, and Neil Patrick Harris talks Smurf sex and circus tricks.

Juan Williams

Barack Obama urges Americans to call their members of Congress about the debt crisis, and Juan Williams discusses the assault on honest debate.

Rachel Weisz

Conservatives in America live a lonely life of persecution, and Rachel Weisz discusses filming "The Whistleblower" in Romania.

Peter Tomsen

Congressional Republicans try to rev support for John Boehner's debt ceiling plan with a clip from "The Town," and Peter Tomsen discusses the wars of Afghanistan.

Freida Pinto

Congress reaches a budget deal that Tea Partiers don't like, Jon salutes the troops he met in Afghanistan, and Freida Pinto talks apes.

Jason Bateman

Joe Biden charges his Secret Servicemen rent, Aasif Mandvi explores the effects of wind farming on Florida's ducks, and Jason Bateman talks R-rated body swaps.

Austan Goolsbee

A congressional super committee answers America's prayers, Wyatt Cenac interprets public sentiment, and Austan Goolsbee finds it hard to work in Washington.

Dick Durbin

Jon gives Barack Obama a birthday present, Jason Jones survives a vasectomy, and Senator Dick Durbin understands America's disappointment in Congress.

Mark Adams

America's credit gets downgraded, John Oliver tells the single greatest story he's ever heard, and Mark Adams turns right at Machu Picchu.

Jay Bahadur

Looters queue up in the U.K., Europe needs a war to cling to, and Jay Bahadur gets the pirates of Somalia talking.

John Coffee

Wisconsin's populist-off comes to a head, Larry Wilmore wants Barack Obama to go blacker, and John Coffee pins down credit rating agencies.

Michael Wallis

The Best F#@king News Team covers the Iowa straw poll, Megyn Kelly comes back fighting, and Michael Wallis reveals the real David Crockett.

Ali Velshi

Michele Bachmann wins the Iowa straw poll, Rick Perry announces his presidential candidacy, and Ali Velshi knows how to speak money.

Matt Long

The media loves Michele Bachmann, Rick Perry hits on America, John Hodgman rethinks bookstores, and veteran firefighter Matt Long survived being crushed by a bus.

Michael Steele

The media shifts its focus to Paul Ryan, John Oliver and Wyatt Cenac explore racial language in politics, and Michael Steele discusses the field of GOP candidates.

Anne Hathaway

Warren Buffett enters the "class warfare" fray, Fitch downgrades New Jersey's credit rating, and Anne Hathaway talks Scrabble strategy.

Buddy Roemer

The media scrutinizes Barack Obama's speech scheduling, James Hoffa Jr. upsets conservatives, and Buddy Roemer discusses his presidential candidacy.

Dr. Sanjay Gupta

Mitt Romney and Rick Perry battle it out, the U.S. Postal Service faces bankruptcy, and Dr. Sanjay Gupta explores the terrifying effects of the World Trade Center's dust.

Marion Cotillard

GOP candidates square off at the presidential debate, Rick Perry rickrolls Mitt Romney, and Marion Cotillard discusses her fear of contagion.

Mike Mullen

Barack Obama hits congressional Republicans with his jobs speech, America should settle for a campaign-driven economy, and Admiral Mike Mullen discusses the troops.

Jim Lehrer

CNN and the Tea Party team up, Rick Perry gets a beatdown, and Jim Lehrer discusses the tensions of presidential debates.

Common

Dick Cheney's medical equipment humanizes him, the Democrats lose a congressional seat, and Common tries to make sense of it all in his memoir.

Caroline Kennedy

Congress investigates the Solyndra scandal, Kristen Schaal unveils her pro-vagina campaign products, and Caroline Kennedy commemorates her parents' legacy.

Ron Suskind

Jason Jones reports on the end of "don't ask, don't tell"; Wyatt Cenac examines America's loss of UFOs to China; and Ron Suskind evaluates Barack Obama's confidence.

Mitch Daniels

Barack Obama presents his tax plan, the super rich risk extinction, and Mitch Daniels discusses the American economy.

Jennifer Granholm

John Oliver and Aasif Mandvi fight over sacred ground, Lewis Black evaluates the threats American kids face, and Jennifer Granholm discusses America's economic future.

Ron Paul

Rick Santorum thinks sex is a non-issue, the GOP calls for Chris Christie to run for president, and Ron Paul delivers his political message.

Seth Rogen

Barack Obama gets heckled in Hollywood, Larry Wilmore discusses the black vote, and Seth Rogen explores the lighter side of cancer.

Bill O'Reilly

Pundits interpret Chris Christie's message, Sarah Palin weighs the presidential pros and cons, and Bill O'Reilly talks job creator taxes.

Tony Bennett

An NYPD officer pepper-sprays protestors, the NRA unveils a conspiracy theory, and Tony Bennett collaborates with young artists on "Duets II.