Jon Stewart is back at the helm of The Daily Show-but this time, just once a week. After nearly a decade away, the Emmy-winning satirist returns as the Monday night host and executive producer, steering the show through the 2024 election and beyond, with a rotating cast filling in the rest of the week. Fans can expect Stewart’s sharp wit and incisive political commentary to bring renewed energy to the iconic Comedy Central program through 2025.
Stewart will host episodes on Mondays and will executive produce the long-running news-comedy show through 2025. A rotating lineup of members of The Daily Show News Team will host the show the rest of the week (Tuesday through Thursday).
Stewart was the host of The Daily Show from 1999 to 2015, which was its most popular and award-winning era. That incarnation of the show helped supercharge the careers of correspondents (and sometimes replacement hosts) such as Stephen Colbert, John Oliver, Trevor Noah, Michael Che, and Samantha Bee.
Comedian Trevor Noah took over for Stewart in 2015, but he left the show abruptly in 2022, and Comedy Central has struggled to find a replacement. The Daily Show has since been hosted by a long list of correspondents and celebrity guests, including Hasan Minhaj, Leslie Jones, Wanda Sykes, Sarah Silverman, Kal Penn, Al Franken, and John Leguizamo.
In recent years, Stewart has served as host of the TV series and podcast The Problem with Jon Stewart. The TV show, which streamed on Apple TV Plus, was canceled after two seasons, reportedly over coverage of artificial intelligence and China.
“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 and CEO of Showtime/MTV Entertainment Studios, in a news release announcing Stewart’s return. “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.”
How will Jon Stewart’s part-time return reshape “The Daily Show” during the election
Jon Stewart’s part-time return to The Daily Show as Monday night host and executive producer is poised to reshape the show during the 2024 election by bringing back his signature incisive political satire and media criticism at a critical moment of political division and media misinformation. His presence aims to reinvigorate the program with a familiar voice known for cutting through performative politics and hypocrisy, providing clarity amid the fraught Biden-Trump rematch and the broader challenges of the digital information age, including the rise of AI and weaponized misinformation. Stewart’s role as executive producer through 2025 also signals his involvement in guiding the show’s future identity beyond the election, potentially stabilizing the program after a period of hosting transitions and helping it reconnect with audiences who long for his style of commentary. This strategic return not only boosts the show’s relevance during the election cycle but also positions Stewart as a key figure in navigating the evolving late-night landscape and media environment.
How will Stewart’s return influence the show’s coverage of the election
Jon Stewart’s return to The Daily Show as a part-time host during the 2024 election will significantly influence the show’s coverage by reintroducing his distinctive blend of sharp political satire and balanced critique. His presence offers a “unique brand of sensible social and political commentary” that critiques both sides of the aisle with clarity and wit, filling a gap in the current late-night landscape. Stewart’s Monday-night episodes are expected to provide incisive analysis of the election cycle, cutting through political spin and media noise with authenticity and humor, which he has long been celebrated for. This approach not only aims to engage viewers with thoughtful yet entertaining election coverage but also revitalizes the show’s appeal amid declining late-night viewership, potentially drawing back audiences who value Stewart’s style of commentary. Additionally, his role as executive producer ensures his influence extends beyond hosting, shaping the show’s editorial direction through the election and into 2025.
