After an extensive search lasting over a year to identify a new host, The Daily Show has selected the individual who initially shaped it into a media and show business powerhouse to guide its upcoming phase.
Jon Stewart, the original host of the show for 16 years until his departure in 2015, is making a comeback to The Daily Show as both a part-time host and executive producer throughout the 2024 presidential election cycle. Starting from February 12, he will take the lead on Monday nights, with the remaining hosting duties from Tuesday to Thursday being handled by the show’s correspondents.
Crucially, Stewart, along with his manager James Dixon, will take on the role of executive producers for all episodes until 2025. The statement notes that Stewart will be instrumental in “shaping the next chapter of the franchise,” leaving the question of a permanent host for the show to be addressed later, extending beyond the period when Americans will be selecting the next president.
This arrangement makes perfect sense. The announcement instantly injects new life into the show and grants Stewart the opportunity to play a role in shaping a fresh identity for the program, similar to how he selected Trevor Noah as his successor in 2015.
The quest for a new host
In the previous year, Jennifer Flanz, executive producer, and showrunner for The Daily Show, shared that Stewart expressed his willingness to assist the show after Trevor Noah announced his departure. This commitment manifested in Stewart’s cameo appearance during Roy Wood Jr.’s guest hosting stint. Stewart’s return also underscores the challenges in finding a permanent host for the program, considering the recent departures from late-night jobs due to a shrinking audience, including Noah, James Corden, and former Daily Show correspondent Samantha Bee.
The show has witnessed a rotation of comedians as guest hosts since January of the preceding year. However, the repetition of some individuals in these roles, such as Leslie Jones and Sarah Silverman hosting twice, suggests potential difficulties in securing a diverse pool of guest hosts. Speculations about former correspondent Hasan Minhaj taking over the show surfaced, but controversies surrounding his past standup specials appeared to quash that possibility.
Jon Stewart’s recent departure from a deal with Apple to pursue a show called The Problem with Jon Stewart, prompted by content conflicts, has left him free to return to the place where he achieved his greatest success. This return aligns with the sentiments of old-school fans who often express their desire for Stewart to resume hosting The Daily Show.