The comedian, who established Comedy Central as a cultural and entertainment powerhouse during his 16-year tenure as presenter, will return to the program each week on Mondays beginning February 12, Showtime and MTV Entertainment Studios announced Wednesday.
As the 2024 presidential election season approaches, Stewart will return as executive producer of the show. During the remaining days of the week, Tuesdays through Thursdays, the program will be helmed by a rotating group of comedians.
As the news broke, “Last Week Tonight” presenter John Oliver and NBC News’ Willie Geist talked about Jon Stewart’s imminent return to host “The Daily Show.” In an interview taped for NBC’s “Today,” Geist quizzed the former “Daily Show” correspondent about his old boss’s return to once-a-week hosting duties.
“So, we hear. We’re repeating what was just told to us over the phone,” Oliver said, evidently new to the news.
“I think that is a surprise, yes. “That is a show that needs a host,” Oliver stated of Comedy Central’s currently unhosted show. “He’s undoubtedly a very good one. So, yes, it will be intriguing to see what he does.”
“I do think, after 2025, they should appoint a permanent host,” he said. “I would have hired Roy Wood, or Amber Ruffin, were very good.”
Wood made headlines after leaving his position as a journalist for the show last year, following a lengthy run of guest hosts after Trevor Noah decided to leave the show. While Stewart hosts on Mondays, the show’s correspondents will host Tuesdays through Thursdays.
Oliver continued, “But it’s going to be very exciting to see Jon, and in an election year as well.”
Stewart is scheduled to headline Monday nights through the 2024 election season and executive produce until 2025. Oliver commented, “That is watchable” in an understated manner while broadly smiling and nodding, indicating that he was considering it over.
He went on to compare Stewart to NBA superstar Michael Jordan, who famously returned from what appeared to be his retirement. “Jordan’s back,” Oliver remarked, laughing.