
Beyond the Scenes from The Daily Show
Imagine The Daily Show, but deeper. Host Roy Wood Jr. dives further into segments and topics covered on The Daily Show — from racial injustice to gun control to K-pop. Each week, he’s joined by Daily Show writers, producers, correspondents, as well as outside experts to unpack a different topic or segment in a way that's hilarious, nuanced, and compelling.
Beyond the Scenes features a rotating cast of The Daily Show correspondents including Desi Lydic, Dulcé Sloan, Ronny Chieng, and Michael Kosta, as well as contributors Jordan Klepper and Lewis Black. New episodes every Tuesday.
Latest episodes

Mar 21, 2023 • 51min
How The Matilda Effect Removes Women in STEM From History
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 overlooked in the sciences and how this can be improved through representation and exposure. Watch the original segment: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NmoMm7JSHbY&t=6s Listen to The Lost Women of Science podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/lost-women-of-science/id1590670779See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mar 14, 2023 • 46min
Honoring Female Trailblazers: From Recording Studios to the White House
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 how female rappers made a name for themselves in a male-dominated industry. And finally, he’s joined by Daily Show correspondent Desi Lydic and writer Kat Radley to discuss how female pleasure on screen has evolved over the years to be more sex-positive.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mar 7, 2023 • 56min
Redefining Masculinity & Embracing Vulnerability
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 how boy’s friendships evolve as they get older, the additional cultural pressures that Black and Brown men face, what men can do to prioritize their mental health, and how therapy could be transformative for a lot of men. Watch the original segment: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9pmiHDeTi-w See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Feb 28, 2023 • 51min
Black Superheroes Deserve the Space to Make an Impact
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 Black superhero stories have more capacity to bring authentic Black experiences to the big screen. Watch the Original Segment: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jx3ErVQmXKc Link to purchase Hebru Brantley’s coffee table book: https://www.amazon.com/Hebru-Brantley/dp/084787219XSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Feb 21, 2023 • 56min
Leslie Jones Reflects on Her Week as Daily Show Host
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 Daily Show correspondents. Also, find out her thoughts on Rihanna’s Super Bowl halftime performance, Ron DeSantis, and the Chinese spy balloonSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Feb 14, 2023 • 40min
How Politics Affects Online Dating & Relationships
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 inter-political relationship can make it work. They even offer their own advice for those looking for love this Valentine’s Day! Watch the original segment: https://www.cc.com/video/1dwd40/the-daily-show-with-jon-stewart-inter-political-datingSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Feb 7, 2023 • 40min
The Explosion of Legalized Sports Gambling
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 sports betting makes people more vulnerable to gambling addiction, and what’s being done to enforce responsible gambling. Watch the original segment: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8_WKErpF1ZM See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jan 31, 2023 • 48min
How the Subminimum Wage Affects Disabled and Tipped Workers
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 tipping is a legacy of slavery, why restaurant workers aren’t running back to their jobs after the pandemic, and how the “other” NRA, the National Restaurant Association is the biggest obstacle to raising the minimum wage. Head to One Fair Wage to learn more about their work, join organized protests and continue the fight for fair wages: https://onefairwage.site/ Watch the original segment: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wAtjGY9vQRA&tSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jan 24, 2023 • 46min
Esports: A Booming Billion Dollar Industry
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 and electronic sports and how professional gaming is making its way into the mainstream. Watch the Original Segment: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lE4qsJ1Lq1oSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jan 17, 2023 • 33min
The Fight for Lifetime NFL Benefits (feat. Nate Burleson)
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 for lifetime insurance in the NFL.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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