The Circus: Inside the Greatest Political Show on Earth
{{short description|American documentary television series}}
{{Redirect|The Circus (TV series)|the Indian drama series|Circus (Indian TV series)}}
{{use mdy dates|date=November 2023}}
{{Infobox television
| alt_name = The Circus
| image = The Circus - Inside the Greatest Political Show on Earth poster.jpg
| caption =
| genre = Documentary
| creator =
| based_on =
| presenter = {{Plainlist|
- Mark Halperin
(seasons 1–2) - John Heilemann
(seasons 1–8) - Mark McKinnon
(seasons 1–8) - Alex Wagner
(seasons 3–7) - Jennifer Palmieri
(seasons 6–8)
}}
| starring =
| theme_music_composer =
| opentheme =
| endtheme =
| composer =
| country = United States
| language = English
| num_seasons = 8
| num_episodes = 130
| list_episodes =
| executive_producer =
| producer =
| location =
| cinematography =
| editor =
| camera =
| runtime = 28–30 minutes, 57–61 minutes (specials)
| company = Left/Right Productions
| first_aired = {{Start date|2016|1|17}}
| last_aired = {{End date|2023|11|12}}
| network = Showtime
}}
The Circus is an American documentary television series initially following the 2016 presidential race,{{cite web|title='The Circus: Inside the Greatest Political Show on Earth': TV Review|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/review/circus-inside-greatest-political-show-856684|work=The Hollywood Reporter|date=2016-01-18|access-date=2016-05-23}}{{cite web|last=Lowry|first=Brian|title='The Circus' Chronicles 2016 Presidential Campaign on Showtime|url=https://variety.com/2016/tv/reviews/the-circus-review-bloomberg-politics-showtime-2016-presidential-race-1201681515/|work=Variety|date=2016-01-17|access-date=2016-05-23}} the Trump administration, the 2020 United States presidential election, and then the Biden administration. It was produced by Left/Right Productions, a North Road company, for Showtime.{{cite web|title=Showtime : The Circus : Home|url=http://www.sho.com/sho/the-circus-inside-the-greatest-political-show-on-earth/home|work=Showtime|date=2015-07-07|access-date=2016-05-23}}
The docu-series premiered on January 17, 2016, and focused on the 2016 U.S. presidential election, January to November. It was renewed for a second season, which premiered on March 19, 2017, and focused on President Trump's first 100 days.{{Cite web|last=Schwindt|first=Oriana|title='The Circus: Inside the Greatest Political Show on Earth' Gets Second Batch at Showtime|url=https://variety.com/2017/tv/news/the-circus-season-2-showtime-mark-halperin-john-heilemann-1201997907/|work=Variety|date=2017-02-27|access-date=2017-03-03|language=en-US}} It returned on April 15, 2018 for a third season, and focused on the mid-term elections, with CBS News anchor Alex Wagner stepping in as co-host to replace Mark Halperin, who was replaced on January 3, 2018,{{cite news|title=Showtime's 'The Circus' Will Go On Without Mark Halperin|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/01/02/business/media/showtime-the-circus-halperin.html|work=The New York Times|date=3 January 2018 |access-date=15 October 2018|last1=Grynbaum |first1=Michael M. }}{{cite web|last=Evans|first=Greg|title=Showtime's 'The Circus' Sets Fall Premiere Date In Time For Midterm Elections|url=https://deadline.com/2018/08/showtime-the-circus-sets-fall-return-date-1202439741/|work=Deadline Hollywood|date=3 August 2018|access-date=15 October 2018}} by the show, after sexual harassment allegations.{{Cite web|last=Littleton|first=Cynthia|title=Showtime Renews 'The Circus,' Alex Wagner Joins as Co-Host|url=https://variety.com/2018/tv/news/showtime-the-circus-alex-wagner-mark-halperin-1202652033/|work=Variety|date=2018-01-03|access-date=2018-01-07|language=en-US}}{{cite web|last=de Moraes|first=Lisa|title=NBC News Terminates Mark Halperin's Contract|url=https://deadline.com/2017/10/mark-halperin-nbc-news-fired-sexual-harassment-morning-joe-1202196008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171030174730/http://deadline.com/2017/10/mark-halperin-nbc-news-fired-sexual-harassment-morning-joe-1202196008/|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 30, 2017|work=Deadline Hollywood|date=30 October 2017}}{{cite web|title=Journalist sacked over alleged harassment|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-41808552|work=BBC News|date=30 October 2017}} Jennifer Palmieri joined as guest host beginning October 13, 2019, with season four episode twelve, Desperate Times, Desperate Measures, and joined as a permanent co-host in season 6.{{cite web |last1=Heilemann |first1=John |authorlink1=John Heilemann |title=@jheil John Heilemann on Twitter: "#Superstar… " |url=https://twitter.com/jheil/status/1183482796863623168 |website=Twitter |access-date=21 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191013232651/https://twitter.com/jheil/status/1183482796863623168 |archive-date=2019-10-13 |date=13 October 2019 |quote=@jheil Retweeted @jmpalmieri Friends, I had the pleasure of being a guest host on @SHO_TheCircus this week. So impressed with talent & professionalism of entire team. Minor miracle that they pull off this high quality show week after week. Tune in tonight at 8 pm to see me & @jheil w/ @CoryBooker in DSM. pic.twitter.com/jm4dJzcYU2}}{{cite web |title=THE CIRCUS CRISSCROSSES IOWA FOR THE FINAL CAUCUS SPRINT |url=https://www.viacomcbspressexpress.com/showtime/shows/the-circus/releases/view?id=54516 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20200821113621/https://www.viacomcbspressexpress.com/showtime/releases/view?id=54516 |url-status= live |archive-date= 2020-08-21 |website=ViacomCBS Press Express |publisher=CBS Broadcasting Inc. |access-date=21 August 2020 |date=2020-02-03}}{{cite web |title=THE CIRCUS HEADS SOUTH FOR A PALMETTO STATE BRAWL|url=https://www.viacomcbspressexpress.com/showtime/shows/the-circus/releases/view?id=54705 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20200821113656/https://www.viacomcbspressexpress.com/showtime/releases/view?id=54705 |url-status= live |archive-date= 2020-08-21 |website=ViacomCBS Press Express |publisher=CBS Broadcasting Inc. |access-date=21 August 2020 |date=2020-02-28}}{{cite web |title=THE CIRCUS IS BACK ON SHOWTIME FOR BIDEN'S VP PICK |url=https://www.viacomcbspressexpress.com/showtime/releases/view?id=55781 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20200821113626/https://www.viacomcbspressexpress.com/showtime/releases/view?id=55781 |url-status= live |archive-date= 2020-08-21 |website=ViacomCBS Press Express |publisher=CBS Broadcasting Inc. |access-date=21 August 2020 |date=2020-08-14}}
The first half of the fifth season premiered on January 26, 2020.{{cite web|title='The Circus' Returns to Showtime(R) in January Ahead of the Crucial Iowa Democratic Caucuses|url=http://www.thefutoncritic.com/news/2019/12/11/the-circus-returns-to-showtime-in-january-ahead-of-the-crucial-iowa-democratic-caucuses-546010/20191211showtime01/|work=The Futon Critic|date=December 11, 2019}} The second half of the fifth season premiered August 16, 2020.{{cite web|last=Pedersen|first=Erik|title='The Circus' Coming Back To Town In August On Showtime|url=https://deadline.com/2020/06/the-circus-premiere-date-donald-trump-showtime-1202965994/|work=Deadline Hollywood|date=June 22, 2020}} The sixth season premiered on January 10, 2021.{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2021/01/premiere-dates-2021-tv-midseason-winter-broadcast-cable-streaming-series-1202934647/|title=Midseason/Winter 2021 Premiere Dates For New & Returning Series On Broadcast, Cable & Streaming|work=Deadline Hollywood|first=Erik|last=Pedersen|date=January 1, 2021|access-date=January 1, 2021}} The seventh season premiered on March 6, 2022.{{Cite web|url=https://tvline.com/2022/03/05/tv-schedule-what-to-watch-courteney-cox-shining-vale-starz/|title=The TVLine-Up: What's New, Returning and Leaving the Week of March 6|work=TVLine|first=Ryan|last=Schwartz|date=March 5, 2022|access-date=March 6, 2022}} The second half of the seventh season premiered on September 25, 2022.{{cite web |last1=Johnson |first1=Ted |title=Showtime's The Circus Season 7 Gets September Premiere Date; Watch Trailer |url=https://deadline.com/2022/08/showtimes-the-circus-returns-1235097402/ |website=Deadline Hollywood |date=August 22, 2022 |access-date=August 22, 2022}} The eighth and final season premiered on February 26, 2023.{{cite press release|url=https://www.paramountpressexpress.com/showtime/shows/the-circus/releases/?view=101725-new-season-of-the-circus-premieres-sunday-february-26-at-8-pm-etpt-on-showtime|title=NEW SEASON OF THE CIRCUS PREMIERES SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 26 AT 8 PM ET/PT ON SHOWTIME|website=Paramount Press Express|date=February 1, 2023|access-date=February 26, 2023}}
On November 7, 2023, it was announced the series would come to an end after eight seasons, with the final episode airing on November 12, 2023.{{cite web |last1=Johnson |first1=Ted |title=Showtime's Political Docuseries 'The Circus' To End Run After Current Season |url=https://deadline.com/2023/11/the-circus-canceled-showtime-1235595373/ |website=Deadline Hollywood |date=November 7, 2023 |access-date=November 7, 2023}}
Episodes
=Series overview=
{{Series overview
| color1 = #9A2527
| link1 = #Season 1: Inside the Greatest Political Show on Earth (2016)
| episodes1 = 26
| start1 = {{Start date|2016|1|17}}
| end1 = {{End date|2016|11|13}}
| color2 = #27274B
| link2 = #Season 2: Inside the Biggest Story on Earth (2017)
| episodes2 = 8
| start2 = {{Start date|2017|3|19}}
| end2 = {{End date|2017|5|7}}
| color3 = #274B27
| link3 = #Season 3: Inside the Wildest Political Show on Earth (2018)
| episodes3 = 15
| start3 = {{Start date|2018|4|15}}
| end3 = {{End date|2018|11|11}}
| color4 = #B0A69F
| link4 = #Season 4: Inside the Wildest Political Show on Earth (2019)
| episodes4 = 16
| start4 = {{Start date|2019|1|27}}
| end4 = {{End date|2019|11|10}}
| color5 = #F5DF3E
| link5 = #Season 5: Inside the Craziest Political Campaign on Earth (2020)
| episodes5 = 21
| start5 = {{Start date|2020|1|26}}
| end5 = {{End date|2020|11|8}}
| color6 = #33588D
| link6 = #Season 6: Inside the Greatest Political Show on Earth (2021)
| episodes6 = 16
| start6 = {{Start date|2021|1|10}}
| end6 = {{End date|2021|11|7}}
| color7 = #B60003
| link7 = #Season 7: Inside the Greatest Political Show on Earth (2022)
| episodes7 = 16
| start7 = {{Start date|2022|3|6}}
| end7 = {{End date|2022|11|13}}
| color8 = #799F77
| link8 = #Season 8: Inside the Greatest Political Show on Earth (2023)
| episodes8 = 12
| start8 = {{Start date|2023|2|26}}
| end8 = {{End date|2023|11|12}}
}}
=Season 1: Inside the Greatest Political Show on Earth (2016)=
{{Episode table|background=#9A2527|overall=5|season=5|title=52|airdate=38|episodes=
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 1
|EpisodeNumber2 = 1
|Title = The Outsiders
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2016|1|17}}
|ShortSummary =
|LineColor = 9A2527
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 2
|EpisodeNumber2 = 2
|Title = Prisoner's Dilema
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2016|1|24}}
|ShortSummary =
|LineColor = 9A2527
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 3
|EpisodeNumber2 = 3
|Title = Tension City
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2016|1|31}}
|ShortSummary =
|LineColor = 9A2527
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 4
|EpisodeNumber2 = 4
|Title = The Big Mo
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2016|2|7}}
|ShortSummary =
|LineColor = 9A2527
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 5
|EpisodeNumber2 = 5
|Title = The Winnowing
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2016|2|14}}
|ShortSummary =
|LineColor = 9A2527
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 6
|EpisodeNumber2 = 6
|Title = Fear and Loathing
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2016|2|21}}
|ShortSummary =
|LineColor = 9A2527
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 7
|EpisodeNumber2 = 7
|Title = Confidence Game
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2016|2|28}}
|ShortSummary =
|LineColor = 9A2527
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 8
|EpisodeNumber2 = 8
|Title = The Reckoning
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2016|3|6}}
|ShortSummary =
|LineColor = 9A2527
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 9
|EpisodeNumber2 = 9
|Title = Dead or Alive
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2016|3|13}}
|ShortSummary =
|LineColor = 9A2527
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 10
|EpisodeNumber2 = 10
|Title = High Hopes
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2016|3|20}}
|ShortSummary =
|LineColor = 9A2527
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 11
|EpisodeNumber2 = 11
|Title = Home and Abroad
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2016|3|27}}
|ShortSummary =
|LineColor = 9A2527
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 12
|EpisodeNumber2 = 12
|Title = On, Wisconsin
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2016|4|3}}
|ShortSummary =
|LineColor = 9A2527
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 13
|EpisodeNumber2 = 13
|Title = Recap
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2016|4|10}}
|ShortSummary =
|LineColor = 9A2527
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 14
|EpisodeNumber2 = 14
|Title = Game On
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2016|7|10}}
|ShortSummary =
|LineColor = 9A2527
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 15
|EpisodeNumber2 = 15
|Title = Veepstakes
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2016|7|17}}
|ShortSummary =
|LineColor = 9A2527
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 16
|EpisodeNumber2 = 16
|Title = Trump Show
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2016|7|24}}
|ShortSummary =
|LineColor = 9A2527
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 17
|EpisodeNumber2 = 17
|Title = In the Arena
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2016|7|31}}
|ShortSummary =
|LineColor = 9A2527
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 18
|EpisodeNumber2 = 18
|Title = Closing the Gap
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2016|9|11}}
|ShortSummary =
|LineColor = 9A2527
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 19
|EpisodeNumber2 = 19
|Title = Fit to Serve
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2016|9|18}}
|ShortSummary =
|LineColor = 9A2527
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 20
|EpisodeNumber2 = 20
|Title = Battleground
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2016|9|25}}
|ShortSummary =
|LineColor = 9A2527
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 21
|EpisodeNumber2 = 21
|Title = The Newsrooms
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2016|10|2}}
|ShortSummary =
|LineColor = 9A2527
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 22
|EpisodeNumber2 = 22
|Title = Tale of the Tape
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2016|10|16}}
|ShortSummary =
|LineColor = 9A2527
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 23
|EpisodeNumber2 = 23
|Title = From Russia With Love
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2016|10|23}}
|ShortSummary =
|LineColor = 9A2527
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 24
|EpisodeNumber2 = 24
|Title = His Word as a Biden
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2016|10|30}}
|ShortSummary =
|LineColor = 9A2527
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 25
|EpisodeNumber2 = 25
|Title = Nobody F***ing Knows
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2016|11|6}}
|ShortSummary =
|LineColor = 9A2527
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 26
|EpisodeNumber2 = 26
|Title = President Trump
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2016|11|13}}
|ShortSummary =
|LineColor = 9A2527
}}
}}
=Season 2: Inside the Biggest Story on Earth (2017)=
{{Episode table|background=#27274B|overall=5|season=5|title=52|airdate=38|episodes=
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 27
|EpisodeNumber2 = 1
|Title = Shocking But Not Surprising
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2017|3|19}}
|ShortSummary =
|LineColor = 27274B
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 28
|EpisodeNumber2 = 2
|Title = Checking and Balancing
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2017|3|26}}
|ShortSummary =
|LineColor = 27274B
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 29
|EpisodeNumber2 = 3
|Title = How's He Doing?
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2017|4|2}}
|ShortSummary =
|LineColor = 27274B
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 30
|EpisodeNumber2 = 4
|Title = The Whole World Is Watching
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2017|4|9}}
|ShortSummary =
|LineColor = 27274B
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 31
|EpisodeNumber2 = 5
|Title = Recess Reset
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2017|4|16}}
|ShortSummary =
|LineColor = 27274B
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 32
|EpisodeNumber2 = 6
|Title = The Resistance
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2017|4|23}}
|ShortSummary =
|LineColor = 27274B
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 33
|EpisodeNumber2 = 7
|Title = Learning Curve
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2017|4|30}}
|ShortSummary =
|LineColor = 27274B
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 34
|EpisodeNumber2 = 8
|Title = Looking Back and Moving On
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2017|5|7}}
|ShortSummary =
|LineColor = 27274B
}}
}}
=Season 3: Inside the Wildest Political Show on Earth (2018)=
{{Episode table|background=#274B27|overall=5|season=5|title=52|airdate=38|episodes=
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 35
|EpisodeNumber2 = 1
|Title = The Looking Glass War
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2018|4|15}}
|ShortSummary =
|LineColor = 274B27
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 36
|EpisodeNumber2 = 2
|Title = Too Many Lawyers
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2018|4|22}}
|ShortSummary =
|LineColor = 274B27
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 37
|EpisodeNumber2 = 3
|Title = Man of the World
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2018|4|29}}
|ShortSummary =
|LineColor = 274B27
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 38
|EpisodeNumber2 = 4
|Title = Trump Country
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2018|5|6}}
|ShortSummary =
|LineColor = 274B27
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 39
|EpisodeNumber2 = 5
|Title = War and Peace
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2018|5|13}}
|ShortSummary =
|LineColor = 274B27
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 40
|EpisodeNumber2 = 6
|Title = Their Brand Is Crisis
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2018|5|20}}
|ShortSummary =
|LineColor = 274B27
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 41
|EpisodeNumber2 = 7
|Title = The Gathering Storm
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2018|9|16}}
|ShortSummary =
|LineColor = 274B27
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 42
|EpisodeNumber2 = 8
|Title = Burden of Proof
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2018|9|23}}
|ShortSummary =
|LineColor = 274B27
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 43
|EpisodeNumber2 = 9
|Title = Judgment Day
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2018|9|30}}
|ShortSummary =
|LineColor = 274B27
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 44
|EpisodeNumber2 = 10
|Title = The Verdict
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2018|10|7}}
|ShortSummary =
|LineColor = 274B27
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 45
|EpisodeNumber2 = 11
|Title = California Dreaming
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2018|10|14}}
|ShortSummary =
|LineColor = 274B27
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 46
|EpisodeNumber2 = 12
|Title = Senatorial Combat
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2018|10|21}}
|ShortSummary =
|LineColor = 274B27
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 47
|EpisodeNumber2 = 13
|Title = Black and White
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2018|10|28}}
|ShortSummary =
|LineColor = 274B27
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 48
|EpisodeNumber2 = 14
|Title = A Place Called Fear
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2018|11|4}}
|ShortSummary =
|LineColor = 274B27
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 49
|EpisodeNumber2 = 15
|Title = Mother(F***er) of All Midterms
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2018|11|11}}
|ShortSummary =
|LineColor = 274B27
}}
}}
=Season 4: Inside the Wildest Political Show on Earth (2019)=
{{Episode table|background=#B0A69F|overall=5|season=5|title=52|airdate=38|episodes=
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 50
|EpisodeNumber2 = 1
|Title = New World Disorder
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2019|1|27}}
|ShortSummary =
|LineColor = B0A69F
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 51
|EpisodeNumber2 = 2
|Title = Circling Vultures
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2019|2|3}}
|ShortSummary =
|LineColor = B0A69F
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 52
|EpisodeNumber2 = 3
|Title = The State of Our Union Is…
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2019|2|10}}
|ShortSummary =
|LineColor = B0A69F
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 53
|EpisodeNumber2 = 4
|Title = 2020 Is Here
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2019|2|17}}
|ShortSummary =
|LineColor = B0A69F
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 54
|EpisodeNumber2 = 5
|Title = States of Emergency
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2019|2|24}}
|ShortSummary =
|LineColor = B0A69F
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 55
|EpisodeNumber2 = 6
|Title = The Big Split
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2019|3|3}}
|ShortSummary =
|LineColor = B0A69F
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 56
|EpisodeNumber2 = 7
|Title = To the Left
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2019|3|10}}
|ShortSummary =
|LineColor = B0A69F
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 57
|EpisodeNumber2 = 8
|Title = What the F... Happens Next?
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2019|3|17}}
|ShortSummary =
|LineColor = B0A69F
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 58
|EpisodeNumber2 = 9
|Title = The People on That Stage
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2019|9|22}}
|ShortSummary =
|LineColor = B0A69F
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 59
|EpisodeNumber2 = 10
|Title = Across the Rubicon
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2019|9|29}}
|ShortSummary =
|LineColor = B0A69F
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 60
|EpisodeNumber2 = 11
|Title = Impeachmentland
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2019|10|6}}
|ShortSummary =
|LineColor = B0A69F
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 61
|EpisodeNumber2 = 12
|Title = Desperate Times, Desperate Measures
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2019|10|13}}
|ShortSummary =
|LineColor = B0A69F
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 62
|EpisodeNumber2 = 13
|Title = The Widening Gyre
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2019|10|20}}
|ShortSummary =
|LineColor = B0A69F
}}{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 63
|EpisodeNumber2 = 14
|Title = The Deep State
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2019|10|27}}
|ShortSummary =
|LineColor = B0A69F
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 64
|EpisodeNumber2 = 15
|Title = Field of Dreams
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2019|11|3}}
|ShortSummary =
|LineColor = B0A69F
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 65
|EpisodeNumber2 = 16
|Title = Here Be Dragons
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=Season 5: Inside the Craziest Political Campaign on Earth (2020)=
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{{Episode list
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|EpisodeNumber2 = 2
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{{Episode list
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|EpisodeNumber2 = 3
|Title = Clusterf**k
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2020|2|9}}
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{{Episode list
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|EpisodeNumber2 = 4
|Title = Unfinished Business
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2020|2|16}}
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{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 70
|EpisodeNumber2 = 5
|Title = What Happens in Vegas
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{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 71
|EpisodeNumber2 = 6
|Title = On the Boil
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{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 72
|EpisodeNumber2 = 7
|Title = Super Duper Tuesday
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2020|3|8}}
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{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 73
|EpisodeNumber2 = 8
|Title = The Cruelest Month
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2020|3|15}}
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{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 74
|EpisodeNumber2 = 9
|Title = The New Abnormal
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2020|8|16}}
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{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 75
|EpisodeNumber2 = 10
|Title = Unconventional
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2020|8|23}}
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{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 76
|EpisodeNumber2 = 11
|Title = Party of One
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2020|8|30}}
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{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 77
|EpisodeNumber2 = 12
|Title = Law and Disorder
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2020|9|6}}
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{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 78
|EpisodeNumber2 = 13
|Title = Going Postal
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2020|9|13}}
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{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 79
|EpisodeNumber2 = 14
|Title = Force Majeure
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2020|9|20}}
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{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 80
|EpisodeNumber2 = 15
|Title = Full Court Press
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2020|9|27}}
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{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 81
|EpisodeNumber2 = 16
|Title = October Surprise
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2020|10|4}}
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{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 82
|EpisodeNumber2 = 17
|Title = Crisis Mismanagement
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2020|10|11}}
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{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 83
|EpisodeNumber2 = 18
|Title = Steal This Election
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2020|10|18}}
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{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 84
|EpisodeNumber2 = 19
|Title = End Games
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2020|10|25}}
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{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 85
|EpisodeNumber2 = 20
|Title = Landslide?
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2020|11|1}}
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{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 86
|EpisodeNumber2 = 21
|Title = Who the F... Are We?
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2020|11|8}}
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=Season 6: Inside the Greatest Political Show on Earth (2021) =
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{{Episode list
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|EpisodeNumber2 = 1
|Title = Reigning Chaos
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2021|1|10}}
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{{Episode list
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|EpisodeNumber2 = 2
|Title = Clear and Present Danger
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2021|1|17}}
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{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 89
|EpisodeNumber2 = 3
|Title = President Biden
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2021|1|24}}
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{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 90
|EpisodeNumber2 = 4
|Title = Rubber Meets Road
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2021|1|31}}
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{{Episode list
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|EpisodeNumber2 = 5
|Title = Dysfunction Junction
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2021|2|7}}
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{{Episode list
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|EpisodeNumber2 = 6
|Title = Persona Non Grata
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2021|2|14}}
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{{Episode list
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|EpisodeNumber2 = 7
|Title = Being Green
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2021|2|21}}
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{{Episode list
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|EpisodeNumber2 = 8
|Title = Points on the Board
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2021|2|28}}
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{{Episode list
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|EpisodeNumber2 = 9
|Title = Calling the Shots
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2021|9|19}}
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{{Episode list
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|EpisodeNumber2 = 10
|Title = The Biden Doctrine
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|EpisodeNumber2 = 11
|Title = It's All Happening
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|EpisodeNumber2 = 12
|Title = Lone Star Blues
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{{Episode list
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|EpisodeNumber2 = 13
|Title = Coup Part Two
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2021|10|17}}
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{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 100
|EpisodeNumber2 = 14
|Title = Virginia Is For...
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2021|10|24}}
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{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 101
|EpisodeNumber2 = 15
|Title = Big F...ing Deal
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2021|10|31}}
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{{Episode list
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|EpisodeNumber2 = 16
|Title = The Broken Place
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2021|11|7}}
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=Season 7: Inside the Greatest Political Show on Earth (2022)=
File:THE CIRCUS Season 7 Premiere - Full Episode (TVMA) - SHOWTIME.webm
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{{Episode list
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|EpisodeNumber2 = 2
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{{Episode list
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|EpisodeNumber2 = 4
|Title = The Nuclear Option
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{{Episode list
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|EpisodeNumber2 = 5
|Title = The Home Front
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2022|4|3}}
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{{Episode list
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|EpisodeNumber2 = 6
|Title = There Will Be Blood
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{{Episode list
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|EpisodeNumber2 = 7
|Title = Keystone Chaos
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2022|4|17}}
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{{Episode list
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|EpisodeNumber2 = 8
|Title = Tip of the Spear
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{{Episode list
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|EpisodeNumber2 = 9
|Title = Not in Kansas Anymore
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{{Episode list
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|EpisodeNumber2 = 10
|Title = Rule of Law
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2022|10|2}}
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{{Episode list
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|EpisodeNumber2 = 11
|Title = State of Denial
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2022|10|9}}
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{{Episode list
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|EpisodeNumber2 = 12
|Title = Buckeyes and Bulldogs
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2022|10|16}}
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{{Episode list
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|EpisodeNumber2 = 13
|Title = This Land Is Greene-Land
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2022|10|23}}
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{{Episode list
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|EpisodeNumber2 = 14
|Title = The Main Event
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{{Episode list
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|EpisodeNumber2 = 15
|Title = Here Comes the Flood
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2022|11|6}}
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{{Episode list
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|EpisodeNumber2 = 16
|Title = Rip Tides
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=Season 8: Inside the Greatest Political Show on Earth (2023)=
{{Episode table |background=#799F77 |overall=5 |season=5 |title=52 |titleR={{cite web|title=The Circus – Listings|url=https://tvlistings.zap2it.com/overview.html?programSeriesId=SH02345600|quote=Click the "Episode Guide" tab to view all listed episodes.|website=Zap2it|access-date=April 2, 2023}}{{dead link|date=April 2025|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} |airdate=38 |airdateR={{cite web |title=Shows A-Z – The Circus on Showtime |url=http://www.thefutoncritic.com/showatch/circus/listings/ |website=The Futon Critic |access-date=October 16, 2023}} |episodes=
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|EpisodeNumber2 = 1
|Title = The Year of Living Dangerously
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{{Episode list
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|EpisodeNumber2 = 2
|Title = Off to the Races
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{{Episode list
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|EpisodeNumber2 = 3
|Title = Kevin's House
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2023|3|12}}
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{{Episode list
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|EpisodeNumber2 = 4
|Title = Fake News?
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2023|3|19}}
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{{Episode list
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|EpisodeNumber2 = 5
|Title = Wheels of Justice
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{{Episode list
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|EpisodeNumber2 = 6
|Title = Nothing But the Truth
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{{Episode list
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|EpisodeNumber2 = 7
|Title = Exhaustion, Depression and Dread...Oy Vey
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{{Episode list
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|EpisodeNumber2 = 8
|Title = Piercing the Bubble
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{{Episode list
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|EpisodeNumber2 = 9
|Title = The Crucible
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{{Episode list
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|EpisodeNumber2 = 10
|Title = This Thing of His
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2023|10|29}}
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{{Episode list
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|EpisodeNumber2 = 11
|Title = The AI Election
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{{Episode list
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|EpisodeNumber2 = 12
|Title = Life During Wartime
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Reception
The Circus received generally positive reviews from critics. On the review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, season 1 has a rating of 75%, based on 12 reviews, with an average rating of 7/10. The consensus reads: "The Circus reveals a more human side of the candidates and paints a clear picture of how grueling life can be on the campaign trail, yet the show fails to provide the type of candid analysis and discourse it alludes to during this incredibly unique and cantankerous election cycle."{{cite web|title=The Circus: Inside The Greatest Political Show on Earth: Miniseries|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/the_circus_inside_the_greatest_political_show_on_earth/s01/|work=Rotten Tomatoes|access-date=August 14, 2020}} On Metacritic, the series has a score of 75 out of 100, based on 5 reviews, indicating "Generally favorable reviews".{{cite web|title=The Circus: Inside the Greatest Political Show on Earth - Season 1 Reviews|url=https://www.metacritic.com/tv/the-circus-inside-the-greatest-political-show-on-earth|work=Metacritic|access-date=December 2, 2016}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [https://www.paramountplus.com/shows/the-circus/ Official website]
{{Showtime Network programming}}
{{Trump media}}
{{Joe Biden}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Circus: Inside the Greatest Political Show on Earth, The}}
Category:2016 American television series debuts
Category:2016 United States presidential election in popular culture
Category:2010s American documentary television series
Category:2020s American documentary television series
Category:2010s American political television series
Category:2020s American political television series
Category:Media about the first Trump presidency
Category:Showtime (TV network) original programming