In a surprising turn of events, Jon Stewart is set to return to late-night television as the new host of The Daily Show. The announcement, made by Showtime/MTV Entertainment Studios CEO Chris McCarthy, caught fans and industry insiders off guard. Stewart's return comes after Trevor Noah announced his departure from the show in late 2022, leaving a void that needed to be filled.
Facing pressure to find a replacement quickly, McCarthy resisted the urge and instead assembled a roster of guest hosts, including prominent names like Sarah Silverman and Chelsea Handler, as well as former correspondents from the show. Seeking guidance, McCarthy turned to James 'Babydoll' Dixon, manager of late-night hosts Jon Stewart, Stephen Colbert, and Jimmy Kimmel, and a former executive producer of The Daily Show. Stewart himself was consulted, even though he was busy hosting his own show, The Problem with Jon Stewart, on Apple TV+.
Stewart advised McCarthy to take his time and trust in the longtime showrunner, Jen Flanz. Following Stewart's advice, Flanz and her team brought in guest hosts and reworked the show each week to showcase their strengths. The original plan was to select a permanent host in the spring and relaunch the show in the fall. However, this plan was derailed by strikes and a brief dalliance with Hasan Minhaj as the potential replacement.
Minhaj's deal to take over as Noah's replacement seemed all but done until an article in The New Yorker alleged that he had exaggerated and fabricated autobiographical details in his comedy. This revelation cast doubt on Minhaj's suitability for the role, prompting the search for a host to begin anew. Time was running out, and patience among the show's staff was wearing thin, as evidenced by Roy Wood Jr.'s plea to 'Please hire a host' at the Emmy Awards.
Amidst this uncertainty, McCarthy made a dramatic move. Gathering the Daily Show staff to celebrate their surprise Emmy win, he surprised them by bringing out Jon Stewart himself. The announcement of Stewart's return as host was met with astonishment and excitement. McCarthy hailed Stewart as 'the voice of our generation,' and a formal announcement followed shortly after.
The fact that news of Stewart's hiring was kept under wraps speaks to the tight-knit nature of his inner circle, believed to consist mainly of his wife and Babydoll Dixon. Stewart's return to late-night comes at an opportune time, as his previous post-Daily Show projects failed to gain traction. His recent Apple TV+ series, The Problem with Jon Stewart, faced creative differences with the tech giant, resulting in its cancellation in October 2023.
Now available and free from commitments, Stewart can return to a more topical and politically relevant platform on The Daily Show, particularly as the crucial election cycle approaches. His role as host will be limited to Mondays, with a team of correspondents leading the show on other nights. Paramount's flexibility in accommodating Stewart's limited schedule is indicative of his clout and the evolving late-night landscape.
When Stewart left The Daily Show in 2015, executives were only interested in finding a long-term replacement. However, the times have changed, and nightly commitments are no longer the norm for late-night hosts. Despite this shift, former Comedy Central executive Doug Herzog believes that Stewart's return will boost ratings and advertiser interest. Describing Stewart as a 'mini Lorne Michaels,' Herzog sees his involvement as a major win for the show and the industry as a whole.
The world has undergone significant changes since Stewart left the late-night scene, with events like the Trump presidency, the #MeToo movement, George Floyd's murder, and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Amidst these tumultuous years, the return of Jon Stewart represents the opportunity to navigate these complex times with his unique brand of political satire and insight. Audiences can expect Stewart to offer his incisive commentary and share his opinions on the pressing issues of our time.
As we eagerly await Stewart's return to The Daily Show, there is no doubt that his comeback will be met with anticipation and enthusiasm. The world needs his voice, his humor, and his ability to shed light on the most critical issues facing our society. The stage is set for Jon Stewart to make his mark once again, and there's no doubt that he still has plenty to say.
