Jon Stewart
When Jon Stewart took over The Daily Show in 1999, he created a brand of comedy news that was practically unheard of in the television landscape. He quickly became a staple in late-night TV, and for years now, Americans have tuned in for a few laughs and hot takes on the biggest political stories that are still hard to find anywhere else.
At his peak, Stewart was more than just a comedian, and viewers trusted his style of carefully-crafted satire to fill in the gaps left by larger networks and to hold those in power accountable.
In 2005, Daily Show correspondent Stephen Colbert left to start The Colbert Report. This past December, Colbert announced he would be leaving the show to take over David Letterman’s spot on Late Show, stepping out of comedy news and into one of the most coveted roles in late-night television.
For years, Colbert and Stewart were the dynamic duo of comedy news. Colbert’s departure felt like a twin getting married, leaving Stewart lonely and contemplating his own future. Naturally, questions arose: How much longer is Stewart going to stay? And at this point, might The Daily Show be a little past its prime?
Stewart’s contract with Comedy Central will expire this fall. Since Colbert’s departure, he’s often hinted at the possibility that it might be time for him to move on.
“You can’t just stay in the same place because you feel like you’ve built a nice house there,” Stewart said in an interview with NPR’s Terry Gross in November. “That’s really the thing that I struggle with and it is unclear to me.”
During the summer of 2013, Stewart handed over his desk to correspondent John Oliver to direct the film Rosewater. His time away from New York seemed to indicate that he’s looking to broaden his horizons.
“There are moments when you realize that that’s not enough anymore, or that maybe it’s time for some discomfort,” he said to Gross, referencing his 16 years on the show.
Watching the show now, it’s hard to deny that Stewart seems tired. His show has lost some of its most beloved and hilarious correspondents, including John Oliver and Wyatt Cenac, and the writing quality has suffered in recent years. The Daily Show has become far too hit-or-miss, often relying more on funny facial expressions than funny jokes.
Part of the problem is predictability, which Stewart himself recognizes.
“It’s hard to retain that first blush of love that you have when you first find something that takes you,” he said.
And the truth is, the show has become rather stale, caught between cringeworthy puns and correspondent segments that are so ridiculous they’re only worth a pity smile. The Daily Show used to represent a standard of satire and comedy news that was deserving of its 20 Emmys. Now it seems as exhausted as the viewers who turn it on before bed.
The Nightly Show with Larry Wilmore, the successor in Colbert’s old timeslot, is still in its infancy, so Comedy Central probably isn’t looking for another newbie to fill the shoes of a seasoned pro. The impending drama of the 2016 election also gives Stewart some leverage with the network.
But even Stewart admits that while he’s proud of his work, the show might have run its course. He seems to be looking forward to the potential that awaits on the other side of the desk. At this point, viewers should be, too.
