Jon Stewart, the former host of the popular satirical news show “The Daily Show”, is making a comeback to the show after nearly nine years of absence. He will be hosting the show every Monday night until the 2024 presidential election, bringing his sharp wit and biting commentary to the current political and social issues. Stewart’s return is a big deal for fans of the show, as well as for the late-night comedy scene, which has changed a lot since he left.
Jon Stewart’s Return to “The Daily Show”
Why he’s returning
Stewart decided to return to “The Daily Show” because he felt a need to be part of the conversation in this turbulent and divisive world. He said on the show’s podcast that he wanted to be “relentless and tenacious” in speaking out against the “weaponization” of information and the threats to democracy. He also said he missed the fun and the challenge of making jokes about the news and the people in power.
What to expect
Stewart’s fans can expect him to deliver the same kind of humor and insight that made him famous and influential during his 16-year tenure on the show. He will be covering the latest headlines, interviewing guests, and mocking the absurdities and hypocrisies of the media and the politicians. He will also be joined by the show’s current correspondents, who will provide their own perspectives and reports on various topics.
Changes in the world since his departure
Stewart left “The Daily Show” in 2015, shortly after Donald Trump announced his candidacy for president. Since then, the world has changed dramatically, with the rise of populism, nationalism, authoritarianism, and extremism around the globe. The Covid-19 pandemic, the climate crisis, the social justice movements, and the technological innovations have also reshaped the society and the culture. Stewart will have a lot to catch up on and comment on, as he faces a very different and more complex reality than he did before.
Stewart’s Impact on Late-Night Comedy
How he changed the landscape of late-night TV
Stewart is widely regarded as one of the most influential and successful figures in late-night comedy. He transformed “The Daily Show” from a simple parody of news shows into a powerful platform for political satire, social criticism, and civic engagement. He also launched the careers of many talented comedians, such as Stephen Colbert, John Oliver, Samantha Bee, and Trevor Noah, who went on to host their own shows and follow his footsteps. Stewart’s style and approach inspired a whole generation of comedians and viewers, who looked up to him as a voice of reason, a source of information, and a force for change.
His legacy and influence on current political comedy
Stewart’s legacy and influence are still evident in the current landscape of political comedy. Many of the shows that followed his model, such as “The Colbert Report”, “Last Week Tonight”, “Full Frontal”, and “The Daily Show with Trevor Noah”, continue to thrive and attract audiences. They also carry on his mission of exposing the lies, the corruption, and the absurdity of the powerful, and of informing and empowering the public. Stewart’s impact is also felt in the broader culture, as his fans and admirers include celebrities, politicians, activists, and journalists, who often quote him, praise him, or invite him to their events.
Details of Stewart’s Return
Premiere date and time
Stewart’s first episode back on “The Daily Show” will air on Monday, February 12, 2024, at 11 p.m. EST/PST. He will be hosting the show every Monday night until the 2024 presidential election, which is scheduled for November 5, 2024.
Where to watch
“The Daily Show” is broadcast on Comedy Central, a cable TV network that specializes in comedy programming. Viewers can also stream new episodes on Paramount+, a streaming service that offers content from various networks, including Comedy Central. Paramount+ requires a subscription, which costs $4.99 per month with ads, or $9.99 per month without ads.
Length of his hosting stint
Stewart’s hosting stint is temporary, as he has signed on to appear as a one-night-a-week host until the election is over. He will not be replacing Trevor Noah, the current host of “The Daily Show”, who will continue to host the show on the other nights of the week. Stewart will also remain as an executive producer of the show, a role he has held since he left in 2015.
What to Look Forward to from Stewart’s Return
Potential topics and guests
Stewart’s return to “The Daily Show” will offer a lot of opportunities for him to tackle the most relevant and controversial topics of the day. Some of the potential topics he might cover include:
- The 2024 presidential election, which will feature a rematch between Joe Biden and Donald Trump, as well as other candidates from various parties and backgrounds.
- The Covid-19 pandemic, which has killed over 5 million people worldwide and caused unprecedented social and economic disruptions.
- The climate crisis, which has led to more frequent and severe natural disasters, such as wildfires, floods, droughts, and storms.
- The social justice movements, which have raised awareness and demanded action on issues such as racial discrimination, police brutality, gender equality, and LGBTQ+ rights.
- The technological innovations, which have brought new possibilities and challenges, such as artificial intelligence, biotechnology, cryptocurrency, and social media.
Stewart will also have a chance to interview some of the most prominent and influential figures in the world, such as:
- Zanny Minton Beddoes, the editor-in-chief of The Economist, a prestigious and influential magazine that covers global news, politics, and economics.
- Barack Obama, the former president of the United States, who was a frequent guest and a friend of Stewart during his presidency.
- Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, who is an actress, a humanitarian, and a member of the British royal family, who recently moved to the US with her husband Prince Harry and their children.
- Elon Musk, the founder and CEO of Tesla, SpaceX, and Neuralink, who is a visionary and a controversial entrepreneur, who is working on projects such as electric cars, reusable rockets, and brain-computer interfaces.
His perspective on current political climate
Stewart’s perspective on the current political climate will be one of the most anticipated and interesting aspects of his return. Stewart is known for his liberal and progressive views, as well as for his criticism of both the Republican and the Democratic parties. He is also known for his advocacy for causes such as veterans’ health, 9/11 first responders, and media literacy. Stewart will likely offer his opinions and insights on the policies, the actions, and the rhetoric of the current administration, the opposition, and the other players in the political arena. He will also likely address the challenges and the opportunities that the country and the world face in the near future.
Reactions and expectations from fans and critics
Stewart’s return to “The Daily Show” will elicit various reactions and expectations from fans and critics. Some of the possible reactions and expectations are:
- Fans of the show will be excited and happy to see Stewart back on the screen, as they have missed his humor and his voice for a long time. They will also be curious and eager to see how he will adapt and evolve in the new environment and the new context.
- Critics of the show will be skeptical and dismissive of Stewart’s comeback, as they will see him as outdated, irrelevant, or biased. They will also be ready and willing to point out his flaws, his mistakes, or his controversies.
- The media and the public will be interested and attentive to Stewart’s return, as they will see him as a significant and influential figure in the cultural and political landscape. They will also be looking for his insights, his jokes, or his controversies.
Conclusion
Jon Stewart’s comeback to “The Daily Show” is a big event for the late-night comedy scene, as well as for the fans of the show and the followers of the news. Stewart will bring his unique and distinctive style and approach to the show, as he will cover the most important and relevant topics of the day, interview the most prominent and influential guests, and offer his perspective and commentary on the current political climate. Stewart’s return will also have an impact and an influence on the late-night comedy landscape, as he will continue his legacy and his mission of political satire, social criticism, and civic engagement. Stewart’s return will be a source of entertainment, information, and inspiration for many viewers, who will look forward to his humor, his insight, and his voice.
