Summary
- Jon Stewart’s highly anticipated return to television with The Problem with Jon Stewart came to an end, as he and Apple executives decided to part ways.
- Apple had concerns about the subject matter Stewart planned to cover in the third season, including China, Israel, and artificial intelligence.
- A surprising announcement will bring Stewart back to linear television sooner than expected.
Jon Stewart ruled the post-9/11 political comedy scene with his legendary run as the host of The Daily Show, a series which has led to the successful careers of numerous actors and comedians (Steve Carell, Stephen Colbert, John Oliver, Michael Che, Samantha Bee, Wyatt Cenac, Rob Corddry, Ed Helms, and many more). He left the show just before the candidacy of Donald Trump swept America, and swept Trump into office. Stewart’s long-awaited return to television came with the Apple TV+ series, The Problem with Jon Stewart in 2021. But now, it’s over.
Updated Jan. 27, 2024: This article has been updated with new information regarding Jon Stewart’s pending return to television.
According to The New York Times, “Mr. Stewart and Apple executives decided to part ways in recent days, two of the people said. Members of the show’s staff were informed about its end on Thursday. Taping of episodes for the third season was scheduled to begin within a couple of weeks, one of the people said.” CNN elaborated:
He told staff that the company had concerns about the subject matter Stewart planned for three shows during the upcoming season. Those topics included China, Israel and artificial intelligence.
It was originally unclear where Stewart could go once the show was over, but with his pedigree, he likely could’ve done anything he wanted. Though it’s been a quiet few months since The Problem with Jon Stewart was originally canceled, a shocking announcement in late January turned heads just about everywhere.
Jon Stewart’s Daily Show Return
Even if Jon Stewart’s brief return to the world of talk shows didn’t last, a sudden announcement left many agape. Following an unsuccessful search for a new permanent host on The Daily Show after Trevor Noah’s departure in 2022, The Hollywood Reporter would arrive with a joyful announcement: Jon Stewart would be returning to The Daily Show after being absent from the series for nearly a decade.
Per the announcement, Jon Stewart will be enjoying a limited role on the series as the host on Mondays. A group of correspondents, not dissimilar to how the series has been operating up to this point, will fill in for Stewart’s absence throughout the ensuing week. Stewart is also expected to serve as an executive producer for the series as a whole, with his first on-screen appearance currently slated for February 12. The timing couldn’t have been more perfect, given the looming United States presidential election and ongoing primaries amid other newsworthy events around the globe.
Though Stewart’s return to linear television has many jumping for joy, it’ll certainly be a creative adjustment for Stewart. The focused freedom found in The Problem with Jon Stewart will have to go to the wayside, trading individual issues for more widespread coverage of topical events. The ability to say naughty words without an annoying bleep is also, unfortunately, a casualty of this return. Overall, though, you could argue that Stewart’s return to The Daily Show will fit like a glove, free from the corporate oversight of Apple.
The Best Late-Night Talk Show Hosts in History
Late-night talk shows have evolved over the decades, as have the hosts themselves. Here are late-night’s best ever hosts.
The Problem with Jon Stewart (and Apple)
Admittedly, Stewart and Apple were an odd pair; as Salon put it, “It was inevitable that Apple would have a problem with The Problem with Jon Stewart.” Stewart has always been an advocate for people over profits, and so Apple’s history of controversial practices is incongruous with Stewart’s political ethos.
Then again, Apple TV+ does feel like a distinct entity from the rest of Apple’s practices, and they have produced some of the most prestigious and acclaimed programming of recent years. It’s the same issue with Disney; people may ideologically or morally disagree with their practices, but they watch their titles.
Stewart, however, rightfully wanted creative control over The Problem with Jon Stewart, so when Apple voiced their concerns (at best) about Stewart tackling issues surrounding Israel, China, and artificial intelligence, it made sense that Stewart would rather shut things down than compromise. It also made sense that Apple shot down these subjects, considering its corporate ties with China, the fact that it’s likely one of the studios on the opposite side of actors striking over artificial intelligence, and the fact that Stewart has been vocal about Israel’s war crimes against Gazans and the Palestinian people in general. All three of these subjects obviously ruffled feathers with Apple. With his return to Comedy Central, as well as a lightened workload compared to his last tenure there, we’ll likely get to see him at his best and brightest yet.
Stream The Problem With Jon Stewart on Apple TV+
