Jon Stewart is returning to “The Daily Show.” The Paramount Global network announced that Stewart, who hosted the late-night mainstay’s most popular period, has been hired to host on Monday nights for the 2024 election season, ending a months-long search for a new host. He is scheduled to begin his on-air duties on February 12 and is anticipated to perform an Executive Producer role at the show that may last until 2025. Tuesday through Thursday nights, the program will be hosted by a variety of “Daily Show” correspondents. Jen Flanz, the executive producer of the show, will remain in her role.
“Jon Stewart is the voice of our generation, and we are honored to have him return to Comedy Central’s ‘The Daily Show’ to help us all make sense of the insanity and division roiling the country as we enter the election season,” said Chris McCarthy, President/CEO of Showtime/MTV Entertainment Studios, in a statement. “In our age of staggering hypocrisy and performative politics, Jon is the perfect person to puncture the empty rhetoric and provide much-needed clarity with his brilliant wit.”
Originally hosted by Craig Kilborn, “The Daily Show” started as a pop culture focused talk show, but was transformed into a Emmy and Peabody award-winning staple of political satire and commentary when Stewart took over. Following his departure in 2015, Stewart has focused on other endeavors. In addition to serving as executive producer of CBS’s “The Late Show With Stephen Colbert,” he oversaw the weekly topical comedy series “The Problem With Jon” on Apple’s streaming service.
The show has struggled to find a permanent host after Trevor Noah’s abrupt departure in 2022. It’s possible that network executives are hoping Stewart will discover fresh talent for “Daily” and eventually locate the program’s future host. Stewart launched the careers of other comedians throughout his time on “Daily,” including Steve Carell, Samantha Bee, and John Oliver.
Source: Variety