The Colbert Report
The Colbert Report: Season 5

Air Date

January 5, 2009

Episodes

161 episodes

The Colbert Report

Season 5

Episodes

John King

1. John King

January 5, 2009

Stephen congratulates John King and the rest of the media on getting Obama elected.

Matt Miller

2. Matt Miller

January 6, 2009

Matt Miller says the government must make sure we have basic securities like health care and pensions.

Benicio Del Toro

3. Benicio Del Toro

January 7, 2009

Benicio Del Toro talks about meeting Castro to prepare for "Che."

Lawrence Lessig

4. Lawrence Lessig

January 8, 2009

Lawrence Lessig says the outdated copyright laws have turned our kids into criminals.

Anthony Romero

5. Anthony Romero

January 12, 2009

Anthony Romero believes it will be a huge mistake if Barack Obama doesn't close Guantanamo immediately.

Niall Ferguson

6. Niall Ferguson

January 13, 2009

Niall Ferguson explains how money is a relationship between a creditor and a debtor.

Alan Khazei

7. Alan Khazei

January 14, 2009

Barack Obama may be over-marketed, and Alan Khazei wants Americans to volunteer.

David Gregory, Shepard Fairey

8. David Gregory, Shepard Fairey

January 15, 2009

A look back on President Bush's relationship with the media -- Stephen wonders if tonight's the night they finally do it and Shepard Fairey's "Hope" poster belongs to everyone.

Frank Rich

9. Frank Rich

January 19, 2009

Frank Rich says George W. Bush delivers a message of hope for mediocrity.

Jabari Asim

10. Jabari Asim

January 20, 2009

Tonight Stephen welcomes Washington Post columnist and author of The N Word: Who Can Say It, Who Shouldn't, and Why, Jabari Asim.

Elizabeth Alexander

11. Elizabeth Alexander

January 21, 2009

Elizabeth Alexander explains to Stephen the difference between a metaphor and a lie.

Jon Meacham

12. Jon Meacham

January 22, 2009

Tonight Stephen welcomes Newsweek editor and author of American Lion: Andrew Jackson in the White House, Jon Meacham.

Chris Mooney, Ed Young

13. Chris Mooney, Ed Young

January 26, 2009

Obama changes Bush's policy on science, and Ed Young thinks married people should have more sex.

Philippe Petit

14. Philippe Petit

January 27, 2009

Documentary, "Man on Wire"

Paul McCartney, Denis Dutton

15. Paul McCartney, Denis Dutton

January 28, 2009
John Podesta

16. John Podesta

January 29, 2009

President and CEO, Center for American Progress

Dan Zaccagnino

17. Dan Zaccagnino

February 2, 2009

The government collapses in Iceland, and Stephen gets mad at Dan Zaccagnino.

Henry Louis Gates Jr.

18. Henry Louis Gates Jr.

February 3, 2009

Henry Louis Gates, Jr. says Abraham Lincoln was always against slavery, but he wasn't a fan of black people.

Steve Martin

19. Steve Martin

February 4, 2009

Actor, "The Pink Panther 2"

James Surowiecki, Jonah Lehrer

20. James Surowiecki, Jonah Lehrer

February 5, 2009

Stephen salutes the Boy Scouts, and Jonah Lehrer discusses the neuroscience of decision-making.

TV on the Radio

21. TV on the Radio

February 9, 2009

Stephen welcomes musical guest TV On The Radio.

Robert Ballard

22. Robert Ballard

February 10, 2009

It's tough times for the Republican Party, and Stephen gives a shout out to a former employee.

Eleanor Holmes Norton, Steven Pinker

23. Eleanor Holmes Norton, Steven Pinker

February 11, 2009

New York Times article, "My Genomic Self"

David Ross, Ed Colbert, Adam Gopnik

24. David Ross, Ed Colbert, Adam Gopnik

February 12, 2009

Adam Gopnik claims that faith and fear no longer rule our lives because of Abraham Lincoln and Charles Darwin.

Father James Martin, Helen Fisher

25. Father James Martin, Helen Fisher

February 23, 2009

Tonight Stephen welcomes the chief scientific advisor for chemistry.com, anthropology professor and author of Why Him? Why Her?: Finding Real Love By Understanding Your Personality Type, Helen Fisher.

Cliff Sloan

26. Cliff Sloan

February 24, 2009

Cliff Sloan believes that Marbury v. Madison is significant because it established the rule of law.

John Fetterman

27. John Fetterman

February 25, 2009

Mayor John Fetterman believes Braddock, PA is a great place to spend some of the stimulus money.

Kris Kristofferson

28. Kris Kristofferson

February 26, 2009

Stephen wants to know how Kris Kristofferson can be a country musician and a liberal at the same time.

David Byrne

29. David Byrne

March 2, 2009

Late at night, who does David Byrne fear David Byrne is?

Mark Bittman

30. Mark Bittman

March 3, 2009

President Obama taxes the rich to pay for universal health care, and South Carolina may finally end gun prostitution.

Carl Wilson

31. Carl Wilson

March 4, 2009

Carl Wilson tries to understand the popularity of Celine Dion in "Let's Talk About Love" and will NASA name part of the space station after Stephen if he changes his name to Stephen Urine Filtration System?

Steven Johnson

32. Steven Johnson

March 5, 2009

Steven Johnson talks about Joseph Priestley, the man who first realized that plants actually create the oxygen we breathe.

Lisa Hannigan

33. Lisa Hannigan

March 9, 2009

Lisa Hannigan sewed the cover, liner notes and lyrics of her album "Sea Sew."

William Gerstenmaier, Dr. Jay Keasling

34. William Gerstenmaier, Dr. Jay Keasling

March 10, 2009

Tonight Stephen welcomes microbiologist and member of the Joint BioEnergy Institute, Dr. Jay Keasling. Also Stephen talks with NASA's associate administrator for space operations Bill Gerstenmaier about the Kepler Probe and other space exploration.

Howard Fineman

35. Howard Fineman

March 11, 2009

Tonight Stephen welcomes Newsweek correspondent and author of 'The Thirteen American Arguments: Enduring Debates that Define and Inspire Our Country', Howard Fineman.

Simon Johnson, Peter Singer

36. Simon Johnson, Peter Singer

March 12, 2009

Peter Singer urges Stephen to give money to poor people rather than enjoying it himself.

Jonathan Chait, Neil Gaiman

37. Jonathan Chait, Neil Gaiman

March 16, 2009

Tonight Stephen welcomes the author of 'The Graveyard Book'.

David Grann

38. David Grann

March 17, 2009

Tonight Stephen welcomes the author of 'The Lost City of Z: A Tale of Deadly Obsession in the Amazon'.

Juan Cole

39. Juan Cole

March 18, 2009

Tonight Stephen welcomes the author of 'Engaging the Muslim World'.

John McCardell

40. John McCardell

March 19, 2009

Tonight Stephen welcomes the president of Choose Responsibility.

Derrick Pitts

41. Derrick Pitts

March 30, 2009

The guest tonight is Derrick Pitts, Chief Astronomer at The Franklin Institute.

David Plotz

42. David Plotz

March 31, 2009

David Plotz, Author of 'Good Book LP' talks to Stephen tonight.

Dambisa Moyo

43. Dambisa Moyo

April 1, 2009

Author of "Dead Aid", Dambisa Moyo is the guest on tonight's show.

Biz Stone

44. Biz Stone

April 2, 2009

One of the co-founders of Twitter is the guest for tonight's show.

Tom Brokaw, Rich Lowry

45. Tom Brokaw, Rich Lowry

April 6, 2009

Tonight Stephen welcomes the co-author of Banquo's Ghosts, Rich Lowry.

Queen Noor

46. Queen Noor

April 7, 2009

Tonight Stephen welcomes Jordan's Queen Noor.

Phil Bronstein

47. Phil Bronstein

April 8, 2009

Tonight Stephen welcomes the editor at large for the San Francisco Chronicle, Phil Bronstein.

48. Bart Ehrman

April 9, 2009

Tonight Stephen welcomes Bible expert and author of Jesus, Interrupted: Revealing the Hidden Contradictions in the Bible (And Why We Don't Know About Them), Bart Ehrman.

49. Sunita L. Williams, Susie Orbach

April 14, 2009

Tonight Stephen welcomes psychotherapist and author of Bodies, Susie Orbach. Also, Stephen talks with NASA's Deputy Chief, Astronaut Office at the Johnson Space Center, Sunita Williams about the naming of the new node on the International Space Station.

50. Jim Lehrer

April 15, 2009

Tonight Stephen welcomes the anchor of PBS' NewsHour and author of Oh, Jonny, Jim Lehrer.

51. Kanishk Tharoor, Doug Kmiec

April 16, 2009

Tonight Stephen welcomes the former head of the Office of Legal Council for both President Reagan and George Bush Sr., and author of Can a Catholic Support Him? Asking the Big Questions about Barack Obama, Doug Kmiec. Also, Stephen talks with the associate editor for opendemocracy.net, Kanishk Tharoor.

52. Ken Quinn, Sheriff Joe Arpaio

April 20, 2009

Sheriff Joe Arpaio denies that he focuses too much on illegal immigration.

53. Coach Mike Kryzewski

April 21, 2009

Tonight Stephen talks with Duke University men's basketball coach Mike Krzyzewski.

54. Ira Glass

April 22, 2009

Tonight Stephen talks with host of This American Life, Ira Glass.

55. Elizabeth Bintliff

April 23, 2009

Tonight Stephen welcomes the West Africa Program Officer for Heifer International, Elizabeth Bintliff.

56. The Decemberists

April 27, 2009

Tonight Stephen welcomes musical group The Decemberists.

57. David Gross

April 28, 2009

Tonight Stephen welcomes journalist and author of 'Dumb Money: How Our Greatest Financial Minds Bankrupted the Nation', Daniel Gross. Also, Stephen talks with war correspondent Richard Engel.

58. David Kessler

April 29, 2009

Tonight Stephen welcomes former FDA commissioner and author of The End of Overeating: Taking Control of the Insatiable American Appetite, David Kessler.

59. Jonathan Alter, Ethan Nadelman

April 30, 2009

Tonight Stephen welcomes the founder and executive director of the Drug Policy Alliance, Ethan Nadlemann.

60. J.J. Abrams

May 4, 2009

The Prescott Group needs a bailout, and J.J. Abrams reveals clues to Stephen's Persian Gulf mystery.

61. Cliff Sloan, Paul Rieckhoff

May 5, 2009

Cliff Sloan believes that Marbury v. Madison is significant because it established the rule of law and Paul Rieckhoff wants to make sure returning veterans get education, employment and health care support.

62. Laurie Garrett

May 6, 2009

President Obama's approval numbers are at 67%, and public health expert Laurie Garrett is here to shed some light on the swine flu.

63. Mitchell Joachim

May 7, 2009

It's Bring Your Savior to Work Day, and Mitchell Joachim wants to build carbon-neutral cities.

64. Jeff Daniels

May 11, 2009

Tonight Stephen welcomes actor Jeff Daniels Also, Stephen talks with the vice president of policy at Demos.org, Tamara Draut about credit cart reform.

65. Ron Howard

May 12, 2009

Tonight Stephen welcomes the producer & director of Angels & Demons, Ron Howard. Also, Stephen talks with the head of Latin American Division of the Council on Foreign Relations, Julia Sweig about Cuba.

66. Michael Pollan

May 13, 2009

Tonight Stephen welcomes the author of In Defense of Food: An Eater's Manifesto, Michael Pollan.

67. Yusuf Islam

May 14, 2009

Donald Trump allows Miss California to keep her crown, the DonorsChoose competition continues, and Yusuf performs.

68. Meghan McCain

May 18, 2009

Meghan McCain loves the Republican Party and wants to save it from the people trying to make it more extreme.

69. Walter Kirn

May 19, 2009

Republicans find a way to make us love them again, and a Difference Maker stands up to the government.

70. Seth Shostak

May 20, 2009

Torture memo author John Yoo gets a newspaper column, and Nancy Pelosi says the CIA lied to her.

71. Green Day

May 21, 2009

Stephen reveals most of the Indian election results, and Green Day talks about their album, "21st Century Breakdown."

72. Jeffrey Toobin, Sen. Byron Dorgan

June 1, 2009

Republicans could lose their Latino voter, and you can see Stephen's Persian Gulf destination from Sarah Palin's house.

73. Katty Kay

June 2, 2009

The FDA challenges medical claims made by Cheerios, and Jim Moran protects kids from erectile dysfunction advertising.

74. Eric Schlosser

June 3, 2009

California allows some gay couples to stay married, and Obama invites Iran to celebrate 4th of July.

75. Dag Soderberg, David Byrne

June 4, 2009

Wikipedia takes on the Church of Scientology, and the latest on abstinence-only education will be worth the wait.

General Raymond Odierno

76. General Raymond Odierno

June 8, 2009

General Ray Odierno steps up to the plate to be Stephen’s first guest in Iraq.

Specialist Tareq Salha, Sgt. Robin Balcom

77. Specialist Tareq Salha, Sgt. Robin Balcom

June 9, 2009

Stephen welcomes Sergeant Robin Balcom and Specialist Tareq Salha to his international desk of wisdom and truthiness.

Lieutenant General Charles Jacoby

78. Lieutenant General Charles Jacoby

June 10, 2009

Tom Hanks and Stephen prepare a care package, and Charles H. Jacoby Jr. picks his favorite soldier.

Stephen broadcasts from Iraq, Command Sgt. Major Frank Grippe

79. Stephen broadcasts from Iraq, Command Sgt. Major Frank Grippe

June 11, 2009

George W. Bush praises the troops, and Frank A. Grippe orders his officers to sing the Army song.

80. Austan Goolsbee

June 15, 2009

Stephen gives advice to the next leader of North Korea, and asks Austan Goolsbee if his arm gets tired from throwing money at problems.

81. Karim Sadjadpour, Jim Rogers

June 16, 2009

According to polls, 120% say the Iranian election wasn't rigged, and Jim Rogers wants to reduce Duke Energy's carbon footprint.

82. Joshua Micah Marshall

June 17, 2009

Sonia Sotomayor belongs to an exclusive women's-only club, and Joshua Micah Marshall won't be doing the pointing and talking.

83. Paul Muldoon

June 18, 2009

Someone finally agrees to accept Gitmo detainees, and Stephen nails poet Paul Muldoon.

84. Simon Schama

June 22, 2009

Stephen suggests punching randomly until we find the enemy among us, and Simon Schama writes a history of the future of America.

85. Howard Dean, David Kilcullen

June 23, 2009

David Kilcullen fights wars by taking a local approach to combat smaller guerrilla movements.

86. Matthew Crawford

June 24, 2009

The Jonas Brothers don't abstain from making awesome rock, and Matthew Crawford believes in working with his hands.

87. Jim Fouratt

June 25, 2009

ABC turns their network over to Barack Obama, and Jim Fouratt meets the leader of the gay shame movement.

88. Neil DeGrasse Tyson

June 29, 2009

Neil deGrasse Tyson tries to make science accessible to whomever wants to reach out and touch it.

89. Alexi Lalas, Kevin Mattson

June 30, 2009

Stephen questions whether America should embrace soccer, and Kevin Mattson thinks Jimmy Carter was underappreciated.

90. Nicholas Kristof

July 1, 2009

The Supreme Court takes its recess, and Nicholas Kristof discusses "It's Time to Learn From Frogs" after crossing five lanes of busy traffic.

91. Ed Viesturs

July 2, 2009

Congress passes a renewable energy bill, and climber Ed Viesturs scales Stephen's ego.

92. Paul Rieckhoff, Paul Krugman

July 13, 2009

The Sotomayor confirmation hearings begin, and New York Times columnist Paul Krugman knows a lot about money.

93. Leymah Gbowee

July 14, 2009

Stephen suggests looking for change in the folds of Barney Frank, and asks Leymah Gbowee where Liberia is.

94. Douglas Rushkoff

July 15, 2009

There's bad news for people with target-shaped birthmarks, and Douglas Rushkoff lets Jews and Freemasons off the hook.

Edmund Andrews

95. Edmund Andrews

July 16, 2009

Stephen is emotionally dead inside, and Ed Andrews should write about teen vampires if he wants to get out of debt.

Geoffrey Canada, Bob Park

96. Geoffrey Canada, Bob Park

July 20, 2009

Geoffrey Canada can't find any area where white men are being disproportionately victimized and Bob Park doesn't understand why humans need go to space when robots can do a better job.

Dr. Aaron Carroll

97. Dr. Aaron Carroll

July 21, 2009

Stephen will be the mighty oak when he investigates Acorn, and Aaron Carroll believes America should have a single-payer system.

Matthew Waxman, Chris Anderson

98. Matthew Waxman, Chris Anderson

July 22, 2009

The truth behind the CIA's secret assassination squad is revealed, and Chris Anderson talks about a future economy where everything is free.

99. Zev Chafets

July 23, 2009

The British announce plans to cut and run, Tom Vilsack drops out of the presidential race, and Zev Chafets angles for a Christmas present.

Movits!

100. Movits!

July 27, 2009

A report on tasers may shock you, and Swedish band Movits! helps Stephen put his Ikea futon together

Arianna Huffington

101. Arianna Huffington

July 28, 2009

Arianna Huffington was born in the United States, but she cultivated an accent to give herself an air of being an ethnic minority.

Kevin Baker

102. Kevin Baker

July 29, 2009

Lance Armstrong comes in third in the Tour de France, and Kevin Baker says Obama is the new Hoover.

Kathryn Bigelow

103. Kathryn Bigelow

July 30, 2009

Kathryn Bigelow's war movie, "The Hurt Locker," is getting great reviews, despite not having explosions and ear-splitting sound effects.

General Anthony Zinni

104. General Anthony Zinni

August 3, 2009

President Obama finds a way to pay for health care, and General Anthony Zinni will wax Stephen's chest.

Kurt Andersen

105. Kurt Andersen

August 4, 2009

According to Kurt Andersen, the economic and health crises give Americans a brief chance to get things where they want them.

Kris Kobach

106. Kris Kobach

August 5, 2009

Kris Kobach wants to fight illegal immigration on the local level and reward the people willing to come to this country legally.

Meryl Streep

107. Meryl Streep

August 6, 2009

Stephen reviews the movies that are destroying America and talks to Meryl Streep about her role as Julia Child.

Sen. Barbara Boxer

108. Sen. Barbara Boxer

August 10, 2009

Vladimir Putin returns to the spotlight, and Stephen interviews Barbara Boxer with deaf suspicion.

Jonathan Cohn

109. Jonathan Cohn

August 11, 2009

Afghanistan prepares for Bring Your Rocket Launcher to Work Day, and Jonathan Cohn explains why America's having a health care crisis.

Mark Johnson

110. Mark Johnson

August 12, 2009

Americans speak Glenn Beck's mind at town hall meetings, and Mark Johnson spreads peace through music.

Mark Devlin

111. Mark Devlin

August 13, 2009

Glenn Beck loses his sponsors, and Mark Devlin uses giant balloons to life telescopes to the edge of space.

Bill McKibben

112. Bill McKibben

August 17, 2009

Reporters get so desperate they'll even work for a newspaper, and Bill McKibben lowers carbon dioxide levels by not exhaling when he talks.

Robert Wright

113. Robert Wright

August 18, 2009
Ang Lee

114. Ang Lee

August 19, 2009

Ang Lee captures the hope and optimism of tired, dirty kids in his movie, "Taking Woodstock."

Chris Matthews

115. Chris Matthews

August 20, 2009

The Earth's population nears 7 billion, and Chris Matthews discusses his documentary, "The Kennedy Brothers."

Cory Booker

116. Cory Booker

September 14, 2009

The health care debate rages on, MTV's VMAs deliver a shock, and Cory Booker admits he is the mayor of Newark.

Christiane Amanpour

117. Christiane Amanpour

September 15, 2009

Christiane Amanpour is going to make Americans care about the rest of the world with her CNN show "Amanpour."

Tony Danza

118. Tony Danza

September 16, 2009

Obama indoctrinates America's school children, Tucker Carlson reveals Muslims' influence on textbooks, and The Flaming Lips perform.

Frank Bruni

119. Frank Bruni

September 17, 2009

Stephen resurrects the U.S. military technique of staring at a goats and Frank Bruni talks about mastering his addiction to compulsive eating as a food critic for the New York Times.

Tue, Sep 22, 2009

120. Tue, Sep 22, 2009

September 22, 2009

The Senate votes to allow guns on trains, and Shai Agassi wants us all to drive electric cars.

AJ Jacobs

121. AJ Jacobs

September 23, 2009

AJ Jacobs' life experiments include following all the rules of the Bible, trying to be the most rational person alive and radical honesty.

Ken Burns

122. Ken Burns

September 24, 2009

The Republican Party is accused of racism, another holiday is under attack, and Ken Burns makes a documentary about national parks.

Sheryl WuDunn

123. Sheryl WuDunn

September 28, 2009

Sheryl WuDunn believes giving women loans and educating girls is the way to lift developing nations out of poverty.

Matt Latimer / Out Of The Closet

124. Matt Latimer / Out Of The Closet

September 29, 2009

An exciting new tobacco product hits the market, and Matt Latimer recalls his Bush speechwriting days.

Wed, Sep 30, 2009

125. Wed, Sep 30, 2009

September 30, 2009

Stephen has an update on his space treadmill, and he'll evolve Richard Dawkins' book into tiny shreds of paper.

Francis Collins

126. Francis Collins

October 1, 2009

Francis Collins informs Stephen that it's going to take time for stem cell research to give him crab claws.

Arne Duncan

127. Arne Duncan

October 5, 2009

President Obama proposes a longer school year, and Arne Duncan could only get a job as a secretary.

The Mountain Goats

128. The Mountain Goats

October 6, 2009

The Mountain Goats perform "Psalms 40:2" from their album, "The Life of the World to Come."

Alison Gopnik

129. Alison Gopnik

October 7, 2009

Doctors invent a radical new surgery, and Alison Gopnik says babies can help us understand deep philosophical questions.

Thu, Oct 8, 2009

130. Thu, Oct 8, 2009

October 8, 2009

The media attacks Glenn Beck, Rush Limbaugh may buy a football team, and Colin Beavan makes no environmental impact.

Shashi Tharoor,  Dr. Sanjay Gupta

131. Shashi Tharoor, Dr. Sanjay Gupta

October 12, 2009

Stephen takes on Norwegians for giving Obama the Nobel Peace Prize, plays tennis with James Blake and talks zombies with Sanjay Gupta.

David Javerbaum, Sylvia Earle

132. David Javerbaum, Sylvia Earle

October 13, 2009

Stephen posts Twitter updates on Miley Cyrus, talks fetuses with David Javerbaum and asks Sylvia Earle why he should care about the ocean.

Amy Farrell, The RZA

133. Amy Farrell, The RZA

October 14, 2009

Stephen gets angry over health care reform, discusses obesity with Amy Farrell, and talks wisdom with the RZA.

Jerry Mitchell

134. Jerry Mitchell

October 15, 2009

Stephen proves that mayo is the illest condiment, asks Jerry Mitchell what a newspaper reporter is and unveils his new portrait.

Cornel West

135. Cornel West

October 26, 2009

Stephen criticizes Washington State, endorses your job application and disagrees with everything Cornel West stands for.

Tue, Oct 27, 2009

136. Tue, Oct 27, 2009

October 27, 2009

The Catholic Church reaches out to former members, and Gail Collins talks about the modern American woman.

Brian Cox

137. Brian Cox

October 28, 2009

Stephen finds out what broke the largest particle accelerator and preps for his interview with Brian Cox by watching "Baby Einstein" tapes.

Bill Simmons

138. Bill Simmons

October 29, 2009

Stephen talks to Rosanne Cash about torturing detainees with music and discusses "Teen Wolf" with Bill Simmons.

Nicholas Thompson

139. Nicholas Thompson

November 2, 2009

Stephen sponsors the U.S. speedskating team, analyzes Arnold Schwarzenegger's breakfast and disputes the end of the Cold War with Nicholas Thompson.

Andrew Sullivan

140. Andrew Sullivan

November 3, 2009

Stephen makes history with the U.S. Speedskating team, covers a gay couple's arrest on Mormon Church property and wants Andrew Sullivan to admit he's wrong.

Harold Evans

141. Harold Evans

November 4, 2009

Stephen declares Barack Obama the loser, gets dunked in water by Al Gore and asks Harold Evans if he's going to be a chimney sweep.

Thu, Nov 5, 2009

142. Thu, Nov 5, 2009

November 5, 2009

Stephen puts Canada on notice with Joey Cheek, introduces Vaxaconda and talks to William Bratton about McGruff the Crime Dog.

Mon, Nov 9, 2009

143. Mon, Nov 9, 2009

November 9, 2009

Stephen asks Mike Castle why he can't marry a chicken, helps Katherine Reutter win a gold medal, and talks art with Thomas Campbell.

Maria Shriver

144. Maria Shriver

November 10, 2009

Stephen defends Barney Frank for not recognizing marijuana, enjoys a Taser XREP ad and feeds ice cream to Maria Shriver.

Christopher Caldwell

145. Christopher Caldwell

November 11, 2009

Stephen believes bankers are God's representatives, criticizes "Sesame Street" and asks Christopher Caldwell where the Muslim pope is.

Woody Harrelson

146. Woody Harrelson

November 12, 2009

Stephen uses Miracle Whip money to buy mayo, claims Lou Dobbs' audience and shaves Woody Harrelson's head.

Mon, Nov 16, 2009

147. Mon, Nov 16, 2009

November 16, 2009

Stephen shows Barack Obama how to greet foreign leaders, offers to sing in Aerosmith, and discusses architecture with Paul Goldberger.

Malcolm Gladwell

148. Malcolm Gladwell

November 17, 2009

Stephen talks to Marc Kielburger about child labor, skateboards with Jackie Speier and asks Malcolm Gladwell to explain a New Yorker cartoon.

Norah Jones

149. Norah Jones

November 18, 2009

Sarah Palin has a 400-page book, "2012" takes the world by storm, and Norah Jones talks about her famous father, Indiana.

Thu, Nov 19, 2009

150. Thu, Nov 19, 2009

November 19, 2009

The Senate introduces a tax on plastic surgery, and Elvis Costello plays "Cheap Reward" with Stephen.

Dan Esty, Cevin Soling

151. Dan Esty, Cevin Soling

November 30, 2009

Stephen talks to Dan Esty about global warming, forces Joseph Cirincione to play "Sanction, Bomb, Marry?" and compares school to prison with Cevin Soling

Tue, Dec 1, 2009

152. Tue, Dec 1, 2009

December 1, 2009

Stephen profiles a made-up district, discusses alien Jesus with Guy Consolmagno and helps Sherman Alexie save part of white culture

Wed, Dec 2, 2009

153. Wed, Dec 2, 2009

December 2, 2009

Stephen critiques President Obama's speech, presents a device that lets him poop whenever he wants, and questions Craig Watson's innocence

Thu, Dec 3, 2009

154. Thu, Dec 3, 2009

December 3, 2009

Stephen covers Tiger Woods' car crash, tries out for the U.S. skeleton team and talks to Janet Napolitano about the color-coded threat level.

Mon, Dec 7, 2009

155. Mon, Dec 7, 2009

December 7, 2009

Bill T. Jones describes how Fela Kuti fought against the Nigerian government with his music.

Senator Bernie Sanders, Andy Schlafly

156. Senator Bernie Sanders, Andy Schlafly

December 8, 2009

Stephen gives Bernie Sanders a chance to address the vicious socialist rumors and discusses the best of the public with Andy Schlafly.

Wed, Dec 9, 2009

157. Wed, Dec 9, 2009

December 9, 2009

Stephen appeals to the monkey demographic, gets a visit from Krampus and calls out Goldman Sachs with Matt Taibbi.

Thu, Dec 10, 2009

158. Thu, Dec 10, 2009

December 10, 2009

Stephen details Russia's battle plan for Afghanistan, tries out for the U.S. bobsled team and puts words in Lara Logan's mouth.

Snoop Dogg

159. Snoop Dogg

December 14, 2009

Stephen interviews President Obama's cardboard cutout, signs Katherine Reutter's thigh and pre-censors Snoop Dogg.

Alicia Keys

160. Alicia Keys

December 15, 2009

John Slattery sells gold, Stephen relays the story of Treesus, and Alicia Keys performs her hit song.

Tom Brokaw

161. Tom Brokaw

December 16, 2009

Stephen encourages Tiger Woods, sees the ghost of Stephen King and remembers the wacky decade with Tom Brokaw.