The Daily Show – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

The Daily Show

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

show1996

58%

WISE Score

Jon Stewart's satirical news desk returns—smart political comedy for teens ready to dissect the media circus.

The Daily Show

show

TV-14, 1996

58%

WISE Score

Jon Stewart's satirical news desk returns—smart political comedy for teens ready to dissect the media circus.

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Screenwise Verdict

Look, The Daily Show is what it is: smart, sharp political satire that's been a cultural institution since 1996. Jon Stewart's back, which is a big deal for millennials who grew up on it.

For families? This is strictly high school territory. It's not going to corrupt your 14-year-old, and honestly, if they're watching this instead of doomscrolling TikTok, you're probably winning. It teaches genuine media literacy—how to question sources, spot spin, think critically about news.

The downsides: it's partisan (let's be real), the humor can be cynical, and it's definitely not wholesome family bonding time. But for a politically curious teen who can handle one-sided commentary with some parental discussion? It's actually pretty enriching.

Just don't mistake it for news. It's comedy commentary with a perspective, and that's fine—as long as everyone knows what they're watching.

Age Fit

Best for high schoolers (14+) who are developing political awareness and can handle partisan commentary with critical thinking. Adults will appreciate the satire, but younger teens may miss context or absorb viewpoints without nuance.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

Political satire with sharp, often cynical humor. While it models critical thinking, the tone is frequently sarcastic and adversarial rather than kind/cooperative. Pacing is fine, but emotional tone skews toward mockery and partisan commentary rather than wholesome content.

Imaginative

Creative satirical format that reimagines news delivery through comedy. Encourages viewers to think critically about media and politics from unconventional angles. However, it's reactive commentary rather than truly original world-building or creative expression.

Safe

Late-night comedy format means occasional crude humor, political controversy, and adult themes. Common Sense Media rates it 14+. No graphic violence or nudity, but contains political content that can be divisive, occasional profanity, and discussion of mature topics. Not something you'd want a young child stumbling upon.

Enriching

Strong IMDb rating (8.3/10) reflects its value for media literacy and political awareness. Teaches critical thinking about news, encourages civic engagement, and provides cultural commentary. However, enrichment is heavily slanted toward one political perspective, which limits balanced growth.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Teaches media literacy and how to question what you see on the news—genuinely valuable skill
Sharp, intelligent humor that treats viewers like thinking adults
Strong track record (IMDb 8.3) as cultural touchstone for political satire
Can spark real conversations about current events and civic engagement
Jon Stewart's return brings back the show's golden-era credibility

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What to Watch For

Definitely not family viewing—this is 14+ territory with political edge and occasional language
Heavy partisan lean means you're getting one perspective, not balanced news analysis
Some segments discuss mature topics (war, discrimination, political scandals) that need context
The cynical tone can be a lot—not exactly wholesome bedtime viewing

Conversation Starters

"What did you think about how they presented that story? How is it different from regular news?"
"Do you think comedy is a good way to talk about serious topics, or does it make light of important issues?"
"What's the difference between satire and just making fun of people?"
"How do you think people with different political views would react to this segment?"

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