Dear Jon
February 10, 2015 4:36 PM Subscribe
Comedy Central has confirmed that Jon Stewart will announce tonight he is leaving The Daily Show later this year.
This post was deleted for the following reason: Poster's Request -- Brandon Blatcher
nooooo am I really going to be left with only Larry Wilmore's crap show for my fake news fix???
posted by indubitable at 4:38 PM on February 10, 2015 [2 favorites]
posted by indubitable at 4:38 PM on February 10, 2015 [2 favorites]
Ugh, how long is Oliver's contract with HBO? Can Comedy Central retroactively offer him the big chair?
And is it too early to worry about the 2016 elections without Stewart and Colbert around make sense of the bullshit for us?
posted by T.D. Strange at 4:38 PM on February 10, 2015 [5 favorites]
And is it too early to worry about the 2016 elections without Stewart and Colbert around make sense of the bullshit for us?
posted by T.D. Strange at 4:38 PM on February 10, 2015 [5 favorites]
"For the better part of the last two decades, we have had the incredible honor and privilege of working with Jon Stewart. His comedic brilliance is second to none. Jon has been at the heart of Comedy Central, championing and nurturing the best talent in the industry, in front of and behind the camera. Through his unique voice and vision, The Daily Show has become a cultural touchstone for millions of fans and an unparalleled platform for political comedy that will endure for years to come. Jon will remain at the helm of The Daily Show until later this year. He is a comic genius, generous with his time and talent, and will always be a part of the Comedy Central family.".
(and another . for my sanity during the 2016 campaign.)
posted by Rhaomi at 4:38 PM on February 10, 2015 [4 favorites]
I got a CNN breaking news email about this and could only read part of the first line, and totally thought it was an obituary email. So this is temporarily comparatively good news for me. It will be interesting to see what he does next.
posted by skycrashesdown at 4:38 PM on February 10, 2015 [8 favorites]
posted by skycrashesdown at 4:38 PM on February 10, 2015 [8 favorites]
@TheDailyShow: Tonight! For once, you wanna stay through the interview.
posted by We had a deal, Kyle at 4:39 PM on February 10, 2015 [3 favorites]
posted by We had a deal, Kyle at 4:39 PM on February 10, 2015 [3 favorites]
on the other hand, i would watch the shit out of the Jessica Williams Show With Jessica Williams
posted by indubitable at 4:39 PM on February 10, 2015 [94 favorites]
posted by indubitable at 4:39 PM on February 10, 2015 [94 favorites]
I already got one friend threatening to shoot the messenger for posting it on facebook. So sad about this. But I can understand it, it's been 15+ years in one job.
posted by Lemurrhea at 4:39 PM on February 10, 2015
posted by Lemurrhea at 4:39 PM on February 10, 2015
Cold open, September 20, 2001.
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 4:40 PM on February 10, 2015 [38 favorites]
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 4:40 PM on February 10, 2015 [38 favorites]
Ugh, how long is Oliver's contract with HBO? Can Comedy Central retroactively offer him the big chair?
No, we need him where he is doing the longer form pieces.
posted by ChurchHatesTucker at 4:40 PM on February 10, 2015 [59 favorites]
No, we need him where he is doing the longer form pieces.
posted by ChurchHatesTucker at 4:40 PM on February 10, 2015 [59 favorites]
At least there's always The Schmaily Schmow.
posted by Rhaomi at 4:41 PM on February 10, 2015 [4 favorites]
posted by Rhaomi at 4:41 PM on February 10, 2015 [4 favorites]
Weird to hear the statement coming from CC rather than Stewart himself.
It seems that they did let Stewart make the first announcement as part of the show but the audience members (naturally) told everyone.
posted by dances with hamsters at 4:42 PM on February 10, 2015 [3 favorites]
It seems that they did let Stewart make the first announcement as part of the show but the audience members (naturally) told everyone.
posted by dances with hamsters at 4:42 PM on February 10, 2015 [3 favorites]
The Daily Show: With Joe Biden
posted by T.D. Strange at 4:42 PM on February 10, 2015 [60 favorites]
posted by T.D. Strange at 4:42 PM on February 10, 2015 [60 favorites]
Look, Jon, is it human sacrifice that will appease you? 'Cause I knows some folks as what deserves it, all I'm sayin'.
posted by Halloween Jack at 4:42 PM on February 10, 2015 [6 favorites]
posted by Halloween Jack at 4:42 PM on February 10, 2015 [6 favorites]
Fuck.
posted by dbiedny at 4:43 PM on February 10, 2015 [2 favorites]
posted by dbiedny at 4:43 PM on February 10, 2015 [2 favorites]
MetaFilter has posted that Comedy Central has confirmed that Jon Stewart will announce tonight he is leaving The Daily Show later this year.
posted by Wolfdog at 4:46 PM on February 10, 2015 [22 favorites]
posted by Wolfdog at 4:46 PM on February 10, 2015 [22 favorites]
I can only assume CNN offered him a spot on Crossfire.
posted by ckape at 4:47 PM on February 10, 2015 [21 favorites]
posted by ckape at 4:47 PM on February 10, 2015 [21 favorites]
XQUZYPHYR, excellent choice of title, btw
posted by indubitable at 4:48 PM on February 10, 2015 [5 favorites]
posted by indubitable at 4:48 PM on February 10, 2015 [5 favorites]
I'm pretty sure this is my fault. Tonight we were watching last night's Daily Show on the DVR. I said to my family, "Jon Stewart is never allowed to go off the air." So yeah.
Sorry about this, guys.
posted by cooker girl at 4:49 PM on February 10, 2015 [9 favorites]
Sorry about this, guys.
posted by cooker girl at 4:49 PM on February 10, 2015 [9 favorites]
He was a really good substitute host, but I look forward to Craig Kilborn coming back from vacation.
posted by dr_dank at 4:49 PM on February 10, 2015 [73 favorites]
posted by dr_dank at 4:49 PM on February 10, 2015 [73 favorites]
Am I the only person of a generally leftish political persuasion who finds Jon Stewart insufferably smug, then?
posted by Pseudonymous Cognomen at 4:49 PM on February 10, 2015 [10 favorites]
posted by Pseudonymous Cognomen at 4:49 PM on February 10, 2015 [10 favorites]
The perfect replacement: Brian Williams
I'm kidding...that chair has suffered enough with an out of touch multi-millionaire at the helm. Get some real new hungry blood in there with some skin in the game.
posted by any major dude at 4:50 PM on February 10, 2015 [1 favorite]
I'm kidding...that chair has suffered enough with an out of touch multi-millionaire at the helm. Get some real new hungry blood in there with some skin in the game.
posted by any major dude at 4:50 PM on February 10, 2015 [1 favorite]
Craig Kilborn is available. //ducks
posted by humanfont at 4:52 PM on February 10, 2015 [3 favorites]
posted by humanfont at 4:52 PM on February 10, 2015 [3 favorites]
Like with Colbert, I am happy to see Stewart move on to something else after doing one thing for so long.
posted by mullacc at 4:53 PM on February 10, 2015 [3 favorites]
posted by mullacc at 4:53 PM on February 10, 2015 [3 favorites]
Am I the only person of a generally leftish political persuasion who finds Jon Stewart insufferably smug, then?
I don't find him insufferably smug, just not left enough on some issues.
posted by polymodus at 4:53 PM on February 10, 2015 [13 favorites]
I don't find him insufferably smug, just not left enough on some issues.
posted by polymodus at 4:53 PM on February 10, 2015 [13 favorites]
I was reading a piece on Colbert back when he made his announcement and someone on the inside of CC hinted that Jon was about ready to get out as well. Fifteen years is a long damn time in television and for a good part of that he was the one light amid the darkness (at least until Colbert debuted). I'll miss the hell out of him but good for him to get out and try something else.
Man, we lost Ferguson, Colbert, and now Stewart. Not a good time span for smart late night TV.
posted by Ber at 4:54 PM on February 10, 2015 [16 favorites]
Man, we lost Ferguson, Colbert, and now Stewart. Not a good time span for smart late night TV.
posted by Ber at 4:54 PM on February 10, 2015 [16 favorites]
Well, you know, Amy Poehler already has practice with the late night comedy news thing and is just finished with another commitment, so...
posted by psoas at 4:55 PM on February 10, 2015 [101 favorites]
posted by psoas at 4:55 PM on February 10, 2015 [101 favorites]
I honestly think that Jon Stewart (and Colbert) will someday be remembered like we remember Edward R Murrow: courageous and willing to speak truth to power when all too few others in the media would. It's certainly how I thought of the media landscape during the Bush years.
posted by scaryblackdeath at 4:55 PM on February 10, 2015 [46 favorites]
posted by scaryblackdeath at 4:55 PM on February 10, 2015 [46 favorites]
Ugh, how long is Oliver's contract with HBO? Can Comedy Central retroactively offer him the big chair?
At this point? I don't think he'd take it. The HBO gig has been really well received, and there has been at least some talk of expanding to an hour or airing multiple nights a week if he eventually wants to do it. I bet he sees plenty of room for growth if he wants it and with HBO GO becoming a standalone service later this year (?) his potential audience there is only going to increase.
posted by Mothlight at 4:55 PM on February 10, 2015 [6 favorites]
At this point? I don't think he'd take it. The HBO gig has been really well received, and there has been at least some talk of expanding to an hour or airing multiple nights a week if he eventually wants to do it. I bet he sees plenty of room for growth if he wants it and with HBO GO becoming a standalone service later this year (?) his potential audience there is only going to increase.
posted by Mothlight at 4:55 PM on February 10, 2015 [6 favorites]
(Also, Nthing the hell out of wanting to see Jessica Williams take over as lead.)
posted by scaryblackdeath at 4:56 PM on February 10, 2015 [15 favorites]
posted by scaryblackdeath at 4:56 PM on February 10, 2015 [15 favorites]
Id also accept a daily John Oliver show on HBO, someone get this man a bigger research staff!
posted by T.D. Strange at 4:57 PM on February 10, 2015
posted by T.D. Strange at 4:57 PM on February 10, 2015
This is GREAT NEWS! FOR JOHN HODGMAN!
posted by drezdn at 4:58 PM on February 10, 2015 [25 favorites]
posted by drezdn at 4:58 PM on February 10, 2015 [25 favorites]
please tell me 2/3rds of the flophouse will remain employed
posted by robocop is bleeding at 4:58 PM on February 10, 2015 [11 favorites]
posted by robocop is bleeding at 4:58 PM on February 10, 2015 [11 favorites]
I'm worried this is the end of an era. It takes a lot of hard effort, talent, and luck to get the sort of brilliant comedy we see on The Daily Show and had with Colbert. Hopefully, the infrastructure is set up well enough that it can continue without him... But who knows.
Sigh. Where are we supposed to see Fox News mocked now?
posted by meese at 4:58 PM on February 10, 2015 [4 favorites]
Sigh. Where are we supposed to see Fox News mocked now?
posted by meese at 4:58 PM on February 10, 2015 [4 favorites]
Watching the Daily Show with Jon Stewart was my first experience really engaging with and thinking about politics, as I'm sure is the case for many people around my age. What a crazy, amazing accomplishment.
posted by a hat out of hell at 4:59 PM on February 10, 2015 [10 favorites]
posted by a hat out of hell at 4:59 PM on February 10, 2015 [10 favorites]
Id also accept a daily John Oliver show, someone get this man a bigger research staff!
I think that Vox conclusively proved that you can't produce quality journalism by grabbing a bunch of pretty good journalists, giving them a big staff, and asking them to churn out a ton of content....
I'd hate to see the same thing happen to Oliver. He's doing really well with his current format.
posted by schmod at 5:00 PM on February 10, 2015 [3 favorites]
I think that Vox conclusively proved that you can't produce quality journalism by grabbing a bunch of pretty good journalists, giving them a big staff, and asking them to churn out a ton of content....
I'd hate to see the same thing happen to Oliver. He's doing really well with his current format.
posted by schmod at 5:00 PM on February 10, 2015 [3 favorites]
Hm. Stewart has done good stuff over the years, but personally I got really tired of his schtick, the mugging, squealing, yelling etc.
posted by jeff-o-matic at 5:00 PM on February 10, 2015 [5 favorites]
posted by jeff-o-matic at 5:00 PM on February 10, 2015 [5 favorites]
I vote Aisha Tyler as replacement. She might open the floodgates for talented women of colour.
posted by Renoroc at 5:00 PM on February 10, 2015 [28 favorites]
posted by Renoroc at 5:00 PM on February 10, 2015 [28 favorites]
This is GREAT NEWS! FOR JOHN HODGMAN!
Fuck that. If you're going for a white dude, the only choice is Andy Daly.
IT'S IN THE NAME PEOPLE
posted by robocop is bleeding at 5:01 PM on February 10, 2015 [9 favorites]
Fuck that. If you're going for a white dude, the only choice is Andy Daly.
IT'S IN THE NAME PEOPLE
posted by robocop is bleeding at 5:01 PM on February 10, 2015 [9 favorites]
I don't know if I would have made it through the 2004 election and especially its aftermath without him. I will always love him for being a tiny light in that hellpit of despair and hopelessness.
posted by sallybrown at 5:01 PM on February 10, 2015 [25 favorites]
posted by sallybrown at 5:01 PM on February 10, 2015 [25 favorites]
I watched the "first post-9/11 cold open" linked above, but all I can think of is how many times the hopes that Jon had in that speech were dashed by this government.
For example.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 5:03 PM on February 10, 2015 [8 favorites]
For example.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 5:03 PM on February 10, 2015 [8 favorites]
I'm available if they need somebody. Just sending that out there, universe.
posted by Joey Michaels at 5:03 PM on February 10, 2015
posted by Joey Michaels at 5:03 PM on February 10, 2015
Am I the only person of a generally leftish political persuasion who finds Jon Stewart insufferably smug, then?
I think some of the smugness came from him trying to have it both ways, re: winking to the audience about not being a part of the news media and not having a political bias (a bias that I mostly shared), while at the same time being a part of the news media and indeed having a political bias (a bias that I mostly shared).
posted by a lungful of dragon at 5:04 PM on February 10, 2015 [1 favorite]
I think some of the smugness came from him trying to have it both ways, re: winking to the audience about not being a part of the news media and not having a political bias (a bias that I mostly shared), while at the same time being a part of the news media and indeed having a political bias (a bias that I mostly shared).
posted by a lungful of dragon at 5:04 PM on February 10, 2015 [1 favorite]
Wait a second.
Marvel and Sony announce Spider-Man is coming to the MCU.
The same day, Jon Stewart announces he's leaving the Daily Show.
Jon Stewart confirmed as new Spider-Man.
posted by Sangermaine at 5:04 PM on February 10, 2015 [46 favorites]
Marvel and Sony announce Spider-Man is coming to the MCU.
The same day, Jon Stewart announces he's leaving the Daily Show.
Jon Stewart confirmed as new Spider-Man.
posted by Sangermaine at 5:04 PM on February 10, 2015 [46 favorites]
Welp, gettin' drunk.
Aw, who am I kidding- it's Tuesday. I was gettin' drunk anyway.
posted by TheWhiteSkull at 5:06 PM on February 10, 2015 [11 favorites]
Aw, who am I kidding- it's Tuesday. I was gettin' drunk anyway.
posted by TheWhiteSkull at 5:06 PM on February 10, 2015 [11 favorites]
Just in time for a presidential bid....!
posted by julialikesred at 5:06 PM on February 10, 2015 [6 favorites]
posted by julialikesred at 5:06 PM on February 10, 2015 [6 favorites]
Does this mean I will actually have to watch fox news to find out what they are saying?
Nooooooooooooooooooo
posted by tuesdayschild at 5:07 PM on February 10, 2015 [3 favorites]
Nooooooooooooooooooo
posted by tuesdayschild at 5:07 PM on February 10, 2015 [3 favorites]
Yeah, just to confirm, he announced it in the last segment of tonight's show, the audience immediately left and tweeted it, then Comedy Central confirmed the tweets. (source: my boss just quit)
posted by nevercalm at 5:08 PM on February 10, 2015 [87 favorites]
posted by nevercalm at 5:08 PM on February 10, 2015 [87 favorites]
Vox is funded by ad clicks just like Buzzfeed, Huffpo and Cracked, they're more similar to paparazzi bikini pics sites than journalism or even The Daily Show's version of journo-comedy.
posted by T.D. Strange at 5:08 PM on February 10, 2015
posted by T.D. Strange at 5:08 PM on February 10, 2015
I think he should have retired years ago. He made his name mocking "both sides do it"-flavored insidery media coverage that treated politics like sports instead of like something important, but over the past decade he's gradually become exactly the sort of media insider whose bullshit he called out at the start of his career. Oliver's show is driven by both immaculate research and prophetic wrath; watching it and then watching what's become of the Daily Show just highlights how all of that is missing from the Daily Show, having been gradually replaced with easy jokes and lazy "common sense" that's actually total nonsense.
posted by You Can't Tip a Buick at 5:10 PM on February 10, 2015 [14 favorites]
posted by You Can't Tip a Buick at 5:10 PM on February 10, 2015 [14 favorites]
nevercalm! Did you have an inkling? What was the mood?
MOAR DETAILS PLZ
posted by potsmokinghippieoverlord at 5:10 PM on February 10, 2015 [2 favorites]
MOAR DETAILS PLZ
posted by potsmokinghippieoverlord at 5:10 PM on February 10, 2015 [2 favorites]
As far as possible replacements go, I'd be pretty happy with Tina Fey or Amy Poehler...
posted by schmod at 5:14 PM on February 10, 2015 [4 favorites]
posted by schmod at 5:14 PM on February 10, 2015 [4 favorites]
I saw a post on the AV Club saying exactly what nevercalm reports about five minutes before this news was suddenly everywhere.
(I also saw Goody Proctor dance with the devil, so I may not be the best source.)
posted by scaryblackdeath at 5:14 PM on February 10, 2015 [8 favorites]
(I also saw Goody Proctor dance with the devil, so I may not be the best source.)
posted by scaryblackdeath at 5:14 PM on February 10, 2015 [8 favorites]
I vote Aisha Tyler as replacement.
Seconded.
posted by Aizkolari at 5:15 PM on February 10, 2015 [2 favorites]
Seconded.
posted by Aizkolari at 5:15 PM on February 10, 2015 [2 favorites]
I have watched Jon Stewart and the Daily Show for a great portion of my adult life. I learned quite a bit about politics, satire, comedy, & the media in large part due to this show. He will be missed.
That being said, I think this is a good move. There has been this kind of exasperated edge to his humour the last year or so. He looks tired. And I think he's become frustrated with the media and the humour on his show has become darker as a result of it. I think the show and this particular brand of satire weighs heavy on Jon. It cannot be easy putting so much of yourself into a show like this. Change is some times good. I wish him well.
posted by Fizz at 5:16 PM on February 10, 2015 [22 favorites]
That being said, I think this is a good move. There has been this kind of exasperated edge to his humour the last year or so. He looks tired. And I think he's become frustrated with the media and the humour on his show has become darker as a result of it. I think the show and this particular brand of satire weighs heavy on Jon. It cannot be easy putting so much of yourself into a show like this. Change is some times good. I wish him well.
posted by Fizz at 5:16 PM on February 10, 2015 [22 favorites]
As far as possible replacements go, I'd be pretty happy with Tina Fey or Amy Poehler...
Or both.
posted by wabbittwax at 5:19 PM on February 10, 2015 [4 favorites]
Or both.
posted by wabbittwax at 5:19 PM on February 10, 2015 [4 favorites]
Kristen Schaal. Her ditsy routines are good, but there's a sharpness about her that would be useful in interview and political dissection. Knows the Daily Show well. Also, super industrious.
posted by Wordshore at 5:21 PM on February 10, 2015 [13 favorites]
posted by Wordshore at 5:21 PM on February 10, 2015 [13 favorites]
I think the show and this particular brand of satire weighs heavy on Jon.
We only watch the clips of FOX and CNN on The Daily Show...he had to actually watch that shit every day. For 15 years.
posted by T.D. Strange at 5:22 PM on February 10, 2015 [10 favorites]
We only watch the clips of FOX and CNN on The Daily Show...he had to actually watch that shit every day. For 15 years.
posted by T.D. Strange at 5:22 PM on February 10, 2015 [10 favorites]
During the run up to and first months of the Iraq war, there were two American mass-media news outlets that expressed any kind of skepticism about the claims being made by the Bush administration. One was NPR and the other was The Daily Show.
I not a huge Jon Stewart fan, but boy was he ever right when it counted.
posted by seymourScagnetti at 5:26 PM on February 10, 2015 [13 favorites]
I not a huge Jon Stewart fan, but boy was he ever right when it counted.
posted by seymourScagnetti at 5:26 PM on February 10, 2015 [13 favorites]
. It takes a lot of hard effort, talent, and luck to get the sort of brilliant comedy we see on The Daily Show
In all fairness, The Daily Show was pretty fucking biting and hilarious when Kilborn hosted it and an absolute staple for us college kids before that MTV guy ever got hired. There's a lot more to it than Stewart.
posted by fshgrl at 5:27 PM on February 10, 2015 [3 favorites]
In all fairness, The Daily Show was pretty fucking biting and hilarious when Kilborn hosted it and an absolute staple for us college kids before that MTV guy ever got hired. There's a lot more to it than Stewart.
posted by fshgrl at 5:27 PM on February 10, 2015 [3 favorites]
When he was on Howard Stern a couple months ago, Stewart acknowledged that he was starting to get a little burned out on doing the show (Link). I kind of figured the clock was ticking after listening to that interview.
posted by The Gooch at 5:28 PM on February 10, 2015 [3 favorites]
posted by The Gooch at 5:28 PM on February 10, 2015 [3 favorites]
I'll, what, third? fourth? that Jessica Williams is a real break-out talent; but I don't think that she could do the "fake anchor" show-format. I think if you were to hand the show over to her you'd want to shake the format up considerably. I think Larry Wilmore could have stepped into something more like Stewart's role, but now he's in that other show.
It's good that he's going out on his own terms and with the show still successful. He's been a class act throughout; has there ever been another show with such a track record of nurturing talent?
posted by yoink at 5:31 PM on February 10, 2015 [2 favorites]
It's good that he's going out on his own terms and with the show still successful. He's been a class act throughout; has there ever been another show with such a track record of nurturing talent?
posted by yoink at 5:31 PM on February 10, 2015 [2 favorites]
Amy Poehler and Tina Fey are too good for the Daily Show job. Heck, Aisha Tyler is almost too good for it. Stewart was like 34 when he started the job - I'd love to see someone equally young and relatively unknown to replace him. Certainly Jessica Williams, or Jenny Slate? Even more unknown: Carmen Espinosa?
posted by muddgirl at 5:32 PM on February 10, 2015 [5 favorites]
posted by muddgirl at 5:32 PM on February 10, 2015 [5 favorites]
...you'd want to shake the format up considerably.
This is a great idea. Colbert did so well because he didn't copy Jon or the Daily Show, he made his show his own. He left his own mark. John Oliver and Larry Wilmore are also attempting to do the same with their own type of humour.
I think it would be very difficult for someone to step into the same show and still keep me watching.
posted by Fizz at 5:36 PM on February 10, 2015
This is a great idea. Colbert did so well because he didn't copy Jon or the Daily Show, he made his show his own. He left his own mark. John Oliver and Larry Wilmore are also attempting to do the same with their own type of humour.
I think it would be very difficult for someone to step into the same show and still keep me watching.
posted by Fizz at 5:36 PM on February 10, 2015
Damn. But if they give the chair (or a chair) to Jessica Williams, Aisha Tyler or Amy Poehler, I would be really happy with that. All three of them are smart, funny and unabashedly feminist.
posted by Sophie1 at 5:38 PM on February 10, 2015 [2 favorites]
posted by Sophie1 at 5:38 PM on February 10, 2015 [2 favorites]
BREAKING: Jon Stewart to replace Brian Williams
If only dreams came true.....
posted by Fizz at 5:39 PM on February 10, 2015 [4 favorites]
If only dreams came true.....
posted by Fizz at 5:39 PM on February 10, 2015 [4 favorites]
Even more unknown: Carmen Espinosa?
I'm having trouble googling information about this person, except a judge in Connecticut. Did you mean Cameron Esposito, or is Carmen Espinosa too underground for the google?
posted by Kwine at 5:41 PM on February 10, 2015 [2 favorites]
I'm having trouble googling information about this person, except a judge in Connecticut. Did you mean Cameron Esposito, or is Carmen Espinosa too underground for the google?
posted by Kwine at 5:41 PM on February 10, 2015 [2 favorites]
Man, WTF is going on in late night TV lately? The big shakeup started a couple of years ago with the whole Conan/Leno debacle, then we had Letterman retiring, Craig Ferguson gone, Colbert off the air for like a year as he preps for a whole new kind of show, and now this. Late night seemed pretty stable for the longest time, but soon Jimmy Kimmel is gonna be the old veteran in the biz and his show is only like 10 years old.
It's hard to imagine what Stewart is planning, after this. He spent a long time kind of flailing around before he signed on to the Daily Show. He had other shows, he was in movies, but nothing really clicked until he got behind that desk. And even if the Daily Show continues without him, I think it will be so different they may as well change the name.
I think the show has pretty obviously been suffering under the Obama administration. Stewart pushes the false equivalence pretty damn hard some nights, trying to make the Democrats seem just as ridiculous and dangerous and the Republicans, and it just doesn't work. The current crop of correspondents isn't exactly shining either. There are some really talented people in there, but the correspondents don't show up as much anymore and it seems like the show has been trying to phase out great people like Samantha Bee, Jason Jones and Aasif Mandvi in favor of newer folks who just don't pop the same way. The show seems to be coasting a little bit, not unwatchable but not essential either.
But if another Republican gets in, in 2016, we are going to miss Jon Stewart so bad.
Why is Stewart announcing this on some random Tuesday? It seems like a weird time for it.
posted by Ursula Hitler at 5:42 PM on February 10, 2015 [4 favorites]
It's hard to imagine what Stewart is planning, after this. He spent a long time kind of flailing around before he signed on to the Daily Show. He had other shows, he was in movies, but nothing really clicked until he got behind that desk. And even if the Daily Show continues without him, I think it will be so different they may as well change the name.
I think the show has pretty obviously been suffering under the Obama administration. Stewart pushes the false equivalence pretty damn hard some nights, trying to make the Democrats seem just as ridiculous and dangerous and the Republicans, and it just doesn't work. The current crop of correspondents isn't exactly shining either. There are some really talented people in there, but the correspondents don't show up as much anymore and it seems like the show has been trying to phase out great people like Samantha Bee, Jason Jones and Aasif Mandvi in favor of newer folks who just don't pop the same way. The show seems to be coasting a little bit, not unwatchable but not essential either.
But if another Republican gets in, in 2016, we are going to miss Jon Stewart so bad.
Why is Stewart announcing this on some random Tuesday? It seems like a weird time for it.
posted by Ursula Hitler at 5:42 PM on February 10, 2015 [4 favorites]
I really should google before trusting my memory for names. I did mean Cameron Esposito. I think she'd be a great fake-news anchor if she were so inclined.
posted by muddgirl at 5:45 PM on February 10, 2015 [2 favorites]
posted by muddgirl at 5:45 PM on February 10, 2015 [2 favorites]
This is basically what twitter is right now.
posted by Fizz at 5:46 PM on February 10, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by Fizz at 5:46 PM on February 10, 2015 [1 favorite]
Cecily Strong already has fake news experience.
posted by drezdn at 5:48 PM on February 10, 2015 [9 favorites]
posted by drezdn at 5:48 PM on February 10, 2015 [9 favorites]
And is it too early to worry about the 2016 elections without Stewart and Colbert around make sense of the bullshit for us?
You know how you get the government you deserve?
Stewart + Colbert 2016.
posted by RobotVoodooPower at 5:52 PM on February 10, 2015 [5 favorites]
You know how you get the government you deserve?
Stewart + Colbert 2016.
posted by RobotVoodooPower at 5:52 PM on February 10, 2015 [5 favorites]
Just... not a ham, please (which disqualifies pretty much the whole current cast).
posted by aaronetc at 5:57 PM on February 10, 2015 [2 favorites]
posted by aaronetc at 5:57 PM on February 10, 2015 [2 favorites]
I was trying to think of someone that could be brought up from the Podcast ranks, and imagined Marc Maron for a minute. That was immediately followed by a full body shudder. So, how about Sara Benincasa?
posted by drezdn at 5:59 PM on February 10, 2015 [3 favorites]
posted by drezdn at 5:59 PM on February 10, 2015 [3 favorites]
I know there's other good stuff on Comedy Central, but losing Oliver, Colbert and Stewart in such quick succession must be like getting hit by a blizzard and a couple other major storms in the span of just a few weeks. And I can't even begin to imagine what that must be like.
posted by uosuaq at 6:00 PM on February 10, 2015 [8 favorites]
posted by uosuaq at 6:00 PM on February 10, 2015 [8 favorites]
I feel like Jon Stewart did such a great job given what he was up against keeping a show on the air- I think there are even more possibilities now, and he's given many gifts that could be built on. Honestly- people doing these kinds of shows can either side with stagnation/their pocketbooks, or push things hopefully towards human welfare and progress. I really want to see more of that, although it's a skill balancing what you want to do with what you can do while keeping on air....
I think in any profession (maybe not ANY but most) there are those who have good hearts and are genuinely trying to do good-- I feel like Jon was in that category though of course I don't know him. It's a courageous thing in a world that will do everything to stamp the heart of you, to try to keep it alive. I hope he is going on to something he wants to be doing (including hanging with family or whatever the shit he wants, I think he's earned!)
I'm hopeful that more will crop up, willing to bring heart, humor, ethics and wit toward understanding and making better an often incomprehensibly suffering and complicated world. I'm already glad for what John Oliver is doing, and hopefully many more to come!
posted by xarnop at 6:04 PM on February 10, 2015 [3 favorites]
I think in any profession (maybe not ANY but most) there are those who have good hearts and are genuinely trying to do good-- I feel like Jon was in that category though of course I don't know him. It's a courageous thing in a world that will do everything to stamp the heart of you, to try to keep it alive. I hope he is going on to something he wants to be doing (including hanging with family or whatever the shit he wants, I think he's earned!)
I'm hopeful that more will crop up, willing to bring heart, humor, ethics and wit toward understanding and making better an often incomprehensibly suffering and complicated world. I'm already glad for what John Oliver is doing, and hopefully many more to come!
posted by xarnop at 6:04 PM on February 10, 2015 [3 favorites]
I'm in fake-love with Cecily Strong.
posted by jeff-o-matic at 6:04 PM on February 10, 2015
posted by jeff-o-matic at 6:04 PM on February 10, 2015
This is leading the Maddow show. I have no idea how to to even deal with that.
posted by ob1quixote at 6:11 PM on February 10, 2015
posted by ob1quixote at 6:11 PM on February 10, 2015
Jon was the only thing that kept me going through the Bush years. Thank you sir.
posted by dry white toast at 6:11 PM on February 10, 2015 [11 favorites]
posted by dry white toast at 6:11 PM on February 10, 2015 [11 favorites]
Jesus, no. His show was basically how I got through the Bush years without experiencing an aneurysm. I actually feel like someone near and dear to me has died, which in a way is true, since no one will be able to capture the same magic Jon did with the Daily Show. (Yes, I've watched John Oliver and I don't think he's as good as Jon Stewart.)
Thank you, Mr. Stewart. Thank you for keeping me sane and making me laugh at the same time.
posted by longdaysjourney at 6:13 PM on February 10, 2015 [6 favorites]
Thank you, Mr. Stewart. Thank you for keeping me sane and making me laugh at the same time.
posted by longdaysjourney at 6:13 PM on February 10, 2015 [6 favorites]
Pet theory - borrowed from a friend. Jon and his Egyptian journalist buddy Youssef are getting together to do.....something. A Jew and an Egyptian working together, there are some interesting possibilities.
posted by COD at 6:14 PM on February 10, 2015 [2 favorites]
posted by COD at 6:14 PM on February 10, 2015 [2 favorites]
In all fairness, The Daily Show was pretty fucking biting and hilarious when Kilborn hosted it and an absolute staple for us college kids before that MTV guy ever got hired. There's a lot more to it than Stewart.
I agree. Stewart never understood that TDS is a satire of news shows, not a satire of the news. He turned it into something else, a show that is hurting America, far worse than Crossfire ever did. He incites cynicism and apathy that hurts everyone.
We need Kilborn and Winstead back.
posted by charlie don't surf at 6:15 PM on February 10, 2015
I agree. Stewart never understood that TDS is a satire of news shows, not a satire of the news. He turned it into something else, a show that is hurting America, far worse than Crossfire ever did. He incites cynicism and apathy that hurts everyone.
We need Kilborn and Winstead back.
posted by charlie don't surf at 6:15 PM on February 10, 2015
The show would do well to break up Jon's salary and hire a bigger cast with more field pieces and less reliance on whoever takes over as anchor. I miss the different segments from the Colbert, Helms, Carrell days.
The show can still be great but sometimes gets in a rut of entire segments of nothing but idiots saying stupid things on Fox News. I get it, no matter what the topic is you can find a clip of Steve Doocy saying something dumb. It gets dull after a while and might be time for a staff of hungry comedians trying something new.
I do wish Jon a Fox-free election year in 2016. He deserves it.
posted by Gary at 6:17 PM on February 10, 2015 [3 favorites]
The show can still be great but sometimes gets in a rut of entire segments of nothing but idiots saying stupid things on Fox News. I get it, no matter what the topic is you can find a clip of Steve Doocy saying something dumb. It gets dull after a while and might be time for a staff of hungry comedians trying something new.
I do wish Jon a Fox-free election year in 2016. He deserves it.
posted by Gary at 6:17 PM on February 10, 2015 [3 favorites]
Man, WTF is going on in late night TV lately?
It's all been downhill since Johnny Carson signed off...
posted by mikelieman at 6:18 PM on February 10, 2015 [2 favorites]
It's all been downhill since Johnny Carson signed off...
posted by mikelieman at 6:18 PM on February 10, 2015 [2 favorites]
Add my vote for Jason & Samantha duo-anchoring.
posted by Zangal at 6:21 PM on February 10, 2015 [3 favorites]
posted by Zangal at 6:21 PM on February 10, 2015 [3 favorites]
In his best years, he was more critical and insightful - of politics and the people reporting on them - than most other media outlets. Even with the bet-hedging, it was still refreshing and invigorating. I think over the past couple years, though, for whatever reason - fatigue, maybe, ok probably - the Top Stories have lost a lot of their bite and the interviews could be not so great. Like frequently cutting in over some actual thoughtful and amazing guest saying something thoughtful and amazing to make zingers that often lasted way too long.
I think he's chosen well to bow out now, to be honest, when his legacy will still be largely populated by his best years. No idea who could step in, but I think his best work set a standard at least for TV-comedy-as-social-criticism. Look forward to seeing who's next.
posted by Aya Hirano on the Astral Plane at 6:24 PM on February 10, 2015 [3 favorites]
I think he's chosen well to bow out now, to be honest, when his legacy will still be largely populated by his best years. No idea who could step in, but I think his best work set a standard at least for TV-comedy-as-social-criticism. Look forward to seeing who's next.
posted by Aya Hirano on the Astral Plane at 6:24 PM on February 10, 2015 [3 favorites]
It's all been downhill since Johnny Carson signed off...
I could have lived without Johnny Carson, but I would have died without Tom Snyder.
posted by charlie don't surf at 6:27 PM on February 10, 2015 [7 favorites]
I could have lived without Johnny Carson, but I would have died without Tom Snyder.
posted by charlie don't surf at 6:27 PM on February 10, 2015 [7 favorites]
We need Kilborn and Winstead back.
To say that's a minority opinion is putting it mildly.
Part of the reason why the Left has often been disappointed in Stewart is precisely because he keeps making the satire about news shows rather than the news. He tends to reserve his real contempt for the talking heads, rather than the people who are really running the country.
I would agree that if the show does continue they would be wise to go back to a format with more correspondents and less of a focus on the host. But that host has to be damn strong to keep the whole thing running. It's a real shame Colbert and John Oliver aren't available, because either would have been ideal. I doubt any of the current correspondents will get the gig.
I'd like to see Stewart continue with political satire in some way, but I have a hunch he's just done. I suspect he wants to direct movies or write books, or maybe even host a non-political show. As engaged as he always seems on the Daily Show, in interviews he's often crabbed about what a chore it is to come up with a funny spin on depressing headlines.
I kind of thought he'd ride this train until he retired. It's hard to imagine he'll ever top this gig for acclaim or influence. Where the heck do you go, when you've been a comedian who is widely considered the most trusted news source in America?
posted by Ursula Hitler at 6:29 PM on February 10, 2015 [14 favorites]
To say that's a minority opinion is putting it mildly.
Part of the reason why the Left has often been disappointed in Stewart is precisely because he keeps making the satire about news shows rather than the news. He tends to reserve his real contempt for the talking heads, rather than the people who are really running the country.
I would agree that if the show does continue they would be wise to go back to a format with more correspondents and less of a focus on the host. But that host has to be damn strong to keep the whole thing running. It's a real shame Colbert and John Oliver aren't available, because either would have been ideal. I doubt any of the current correspondents will get the gig.
I'd like to see Stewart continue with political satire in some way, but I have a hunch he's just done. I suspect he wants to direct movies or write books, or maybe even host a non-political show. As engaged as he always seems on the Daily Show, in interviews he's often crabbed about what a chore it is to come up with a funny spin on depressing headlines.
I kind of thought he'd ride this train until he retired. It's hard to imagine he'll ever top this gig for acclaim or influence. Where the heck do you go, when you've been a comedian who is widely considered the most trusted news source in America?
posted by Ursula Hitler at 6:29 PM on February 10, 2015 [14 favorites]
Stewart never understood that TDS is a satire of news shows, not a satire of the news. He turned it into something else, a show that is hurting America, far worse than Crossfire ever did. He incites cynicism and apathy that hurts everyone.
Okay, don't worry everyone, I thiiiink we just found ourselves a new host!
Well played, sirrah!
posted by Alvy Ampersand at 6:30 PM on February 10, 2015 [2 favorites]
Okay, don't worry everyone, I thiiiink we just found ourselves a new host!
Well played, sirrah!
posted by Alvy Ampersand at 6:30 PM on February 10, 2015 [2 favorites]
Like frequently cutting in over some actual thoughtful and amazing guest saying something thoughtful and amazing to make zingers that often lasted way too long.
This is a problem I keep having with Larry Wilmore's show. I get so annoyed at how these Comedy Central shows put so much emphasis on involving comedy!
posted by meese at 6:31 PM on February 10, 2015 [4 favorites]
This is a problem I keep having with Larry Wilmore's show. I get so annoyed at how these Comedy Central shows put so much emphasis on involving comedy!
posted by meese at 6:31 PM on February 10, 2015 [4 favorites]
He turned it into something else, a show that is hurting America, far worse than Crossfire ever did. He incites cynicism and apathy that hurts everyone.
Hyperbole much?
posted by blucevalo at 6:33 PM on February 10, 2015 [31 favorites]
Hyperbole much?
posted by blucevalo at 6:33 PM on February 10, 2015 [31 favorites]
Where the heck do you go, when you've been a comedian who is widely considered the most trusted news source in America?
Maybe he has more films to do?
posted by vverse23 at 6:34 PM on February 10, 2015
Maybe he has more films to do?
posted by vverse23 at 6:34 PM on February 10, 2015
He turned it into something else, a show that is hurting America, far worse than Crossfire ever did.
...no.
posted by scaryblackdeath at 6:36 PM on February 10, 2015 [33 favorites]
...no.
posted by scaryblackdeath at 6:36 PM on February 10, 2015 [33 favorites]
I'd like to see Stewart continue with political satire in some way, but I have a hunch he's just done.
I think that was pretty obvious a long time ago.
Oh hey, I just thought of who would be perfect: Olberman. He is uniquely qualified. You tell me what other national news anchor would sometimes finish his show by reading aloud an entire short story by James Thurber.
posted by charlie don't surf at 6:38 PM on February 10, 2015 [12 favorites]
I think that was pretty obvious a long time ago.
Oh hey, I just thought of who would be perfect: Olberman. He is uniquely qualified. You tell me what other national news anchor would sometimes finish his show by reading aloud an entire short story by James Thurber.
posted by charlie don't surf at 6:38 PM on February 10, 2015 [12 favorites]
If they aren't going to get Biden, they should get a kid. Let's let someone who doesn't even remember Reagan try.
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 6:40 PM on February 10, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 6:40 PM on February 10, 2015 [1 favorite]
Don't worry. He's just gearing up to run for president for all of you.
Love him. He must have lived near where I worked in 2001. Used to run into him here and there, and can't imagine someone else being able to carry the show the way he has.
posted by brainimplant at 6:42 PM on February 10, 2015
Love him. He must have lived near where I worked in 2001. Used to run into him here and there, and can't imagine someone else being able to carry the show the way he has.
posted by brainimplant at 6:42 PM on February 10, 2015
This is a problem I keep having with Larry Wilmore's show. I get so annoyed at how these Comedy Central shows put so much emphasis on involving comedy!
Point taken, but still - it's an interview format. Give the guest a chance to talk a little now and then, you know? I mean I could understand cutting someone off at points or jumping in before the air goes dead to keep the pacing fresh. Just seems Stewart, at times, sucks up all the oxygen in a very brief interview with some incredible guest that we don't hear much from because Stewart is on some self-deprecating tangent again, several times. But maybe that's part of his plan to hurt America.
posted by Aya Hirano on the Astral Plane at 6:49 PM on February 10, 2015 [1 favorite]
Point taken, but still - it's an interview format. Give the guest a chance to talk a little now and then, you know? I mean I could understand cutting someone off at points or jumping in before the air goes dead to keep the pacing fresh. Just seems Stewart, at times, sucks up all the oxygen in a very brief interview with some incredible guest that we don't hear much from because Stewart is on some self-deprecating tangent again, several times. But maybe that's part of his plan to hurt America.
posted by Aya Hirano on the Astral Plane at 6:49 PM on February 10, 2015 [1 favorite]
I would agree that if the show does continue they would be wise to go back to a format with more correspondents and less of a focus on the host. But that host has to be damn strong to keep the whole thing running. It's a real shame Colbert and John Oliver aren't available, because either would have been ideal. I doubt any of the current correspondents will get the gig.
Because comments are picking apart context...
Maybe not, but it was his brain / face that really sold the show. I started watching in the Kilborn era and when Jon hosted I always thought...damn this guy get's it. It's not about politics, it's about the reaction and absurdities of the people we elect. That sold it for me.
As far as a new host...I am sure CC is well into the interviewing process.
posted by Benway at 6:49 PM on February 10, 2015
Because comments are picking apart context...
Maybe not, but it was his brain / face that really sold the show. I started watching in the Kilborn era and when Jon hosted I always thought...damn this guy get's it. It's not about politics, it's about the reaction and absurdities of the people we elect. That sold it for me.
As far as a new host...I am sure CC is well into the interviewing process.
posted by Benway at 6:49 PM on February 10, 2015
Oh hey, I just thought of who would be perfect: Olberman.
sigh
posted by nevercalm at 6:49 PM on February 10, 2015 [8 favorites]
sigh
posted by nevercalm at 6:49 PM on February 10, 2015 [8 favorites]
Oh hey, I just thought of who would be perfect: Olberman.
That would have a certain Sports Night balance to it. Speaking of Sorkin, I guess Will MacAvoy is free these days.
posted by ricochet biscuit at 6:59 PM on February 10, 2015 [3 favorites]
That would have a certain Sports Night balance to it. Speaking of Sorkin, I guess Will MacAvoy is free these days.
posted by ricochet biscuit at 6:59 PM on February 10, 2015 [3 favorites]
That would have a certain Sports Night balance to it.
Oh, there's a terrifically fun idea: if there's a transition period (as there is now with the Late Late Show), bring in some guest hosts. Let Peter Krause and Josh Charles host for a night, or a week. I know the actors aren't necessarily as good off the cuff, but man, I'd pay money to see Danny and Casey back in the saddle.
posted by aureliobuendia at 7:02 PM on February 10, 2015 [10 favorites]
Oh, there's a terrifically fun idea: if there's a transition period (as there is now with the Late Late Show), bring in some guest hosts. Let Peter Krause and Josh Charles host for a night, or a week. I know the actors aren't necessarily as good off the cuff, but man, I'd pay money to see Danny and Casey back in the saddle.
posted by aureliobuendia at 7:02 PM on February 10, 2015 [10 favorites]
I don't blame him for ducking out before the apocalypse. There is not enough smart in the world, good smart anyway. The news media is over. Freedom to depress, the new paradigm.
posted by Oyéah at 7:02 PM on February 10, 2015
posted by Oyéah at 7:02 PM on February 10, 2015
Speaking of the apocalypse, it's like NASA sent out a memo to White Guys in Media of a Certain Age and said "Hey look, the comet is coming next year and it doesn't look good for Earth. But we have a rocket leaving soon and you are more than welcome...."
posted by potsmokinghippieoverlord at 7:08 PM on February 10, 2015 [5 favorites]
posted by potsmokinghippieoverlord at 7:08 PM on February 10, 2015 [5 favorites]
Chu Chu Chu Chu Chu Chu
A-CHU
(If none of the current correspondents get it, I wouldn't mind him. Although I don't know if he's tried comedy...
posted by halifix at 7:09 PM on February 10, 2015 [1 favorite]
A-CHU
(If none of the current correspondents get it, I wouldn't mind him. Although I don't know if he's tried comedy...
posted by halifix at 7:09 PM on February 10, 2015 [1 favorite]
half baked 2 confirmed
posted by Ferreous at 7:10 PM on February 10, 2015 [13 favorites]
posted by Ferreous at 7:10 PM on February 10, 2015 [13 favorites]
Hey Crossfire was an excellent board game.
posted by hellojed at 7:10 PM on February 10, 2015 [5 favorites]
posted by hellojed at 7:10 PM on February 10, 2015 [5 favorites]
Ha! I started in shock and mourning, with a dash of denial, but watching Rachel Maddow has given me a laugh...they had cameras following Stewart leaving his show today, wearing his uniform of choice and it was just so ridiculous. Maybe tomorrow I'll be ready to think of what happens next in that time slot, tonight I will console myself with Daily Show clips - maybe I can find the one of Colbert flipping off Jon "from Iraq," when Colbert stumbled over the word urn after getting all the local official names correct (ish).
posted by dawg-proud at 7:12 PM on February 10, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by dawg-proud at 7:12 PM on February 10, 2015 [1 favorite]
charlie don't surf: Oh hey, I just thought of who would be perfect: Olberman.
"My apologies to President Obama, but due to my 19 minute soliloquy about how much of a dick Bill O'Reilly is, we're out of time. We'll make sure and get the leader of the free world back ASAP."
posted by tonycpsu at 7:13 PM on February 10, 2015 [8 favorites]
"My apologies to President Obama, but due to my 19 minute soliloquy about how much of a dick Bill O'Reilly is, we're out of time. We'll make sure and get the leader of the free world back ASAP."
posted by tonycpsu at 7:13 PM on February 10, 2015 [8 favorites]
He turned it into something else, a show that is hurting America, far worse than Crossfire ever did.
I dunno.
Except it was a comedy show, whereas on Crossfire, Michael Kinsley in the role of "I'm not a liberal but I play one on TV" did an absolute shit job of countering real-life political operators and bigots like Pat fucking Buchanan, and more often than not ended up agreeing with him. And still does, with "At the moment, simply opposing gay marriage doesn’t make you a homophobe."
Having watched Crossfire during its Kinsley vs. Novak and/or Buchanan heyday, I'd say it did way more to create a sense of cynicism than anything Jon Stewart's ever done.
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 7:16 PM on February 10, 2015 [10 favorites]
I dunno.
Except it was a comedy show, whereas on Crossfire, Michael Kinsley in the role of "I'm not a liberal but I play one on TV" did an absolute shit job of countering real-life political operators and bigots like Pat fucking Buchanan, and more often than not ended up agreeing with him. And still does, with "At the moment, simply opposing gay marriage doesn’t make you a homophobe."
Having watched Crossfire during its Kinsley vs. Novak and/or Buchanan heyday, I'd say it did way more to create a sense of cynicism than anything Jon Stewart's ever done.
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 7:16 PM on February 10, 2015 [10 favorites]
Because if the political spectrum boils down to "On the left, Michael Kinsley. On the right, Pat Buchanan," I mean, how can you NOT be cynical and apathetic?
There's a lot more to it than Stewart.
That said, it doesn't take much to skewer Fox or CNN coverage of anything, so I kind of take your point.
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 7:21 PM on February 10, 2015
There's a lot more to it than Stewart.
That said, it doesn't take much to skewer Fox or CNN coverage of anything, so I kind of take your point.
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 7:21 PM on February 10, 2015
Jon Stewart is going to visit Brian Williams and discuss not getting hit by rocket-propelled grenades.
posted by Cool Papa Bell at 7:25 PM on February 10, 2015
posted by Cool Papa Bell at 7:25 PM on February 10, 2015
"I win at last." -- Tucker Carlson, jerking off into his bow tie drawer #JonStewart
posted by Cool Papa Bell at 7:29 PM on February 10, 2015 [9 favorites]
posted by Cool Papa Bell at 7:29 PM on February 10, 2015 [9 favorites]
They should cancel the show. (Sorry nevercalm!). But seriously this isn't going to be the same show. And there's basically almost nobody who could have the comedic power to make this institution their own. Except like, literally Tina Fey.
posted by Potomac Avenue at 7:36 PM on February 10, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by Potomac Avenue at 7:36 PM on February 10, 2015 [1 favorite]
Stewart looked so happy and energized during the Rosewater post-premiere Q&A with Colbert, more so than he has in ages on the show. He's going to keep directing, and possibly do more writing/adapting others' words, and if he does anything political it will be something like filming an election documentary (and not necessarily the U.S. one).
posted by Iris Gambol at 7:41 PM on February 10, 2015 [2 favorites]
posted by Iris Gambol at 7:41 PM on February 10, 2015 [2 favorites]
So, Iooked for the clip of Colbert reporting from Iraq, and I found it. It's called The New Iraq:
I highly recommend.
posted by dawg-proud at 7:42 PM on February 10, 2015 [2 favorites]
I highly recommend.
posted by dawg-proud at 7:42 PM on February 10, 2015 [2 favorites]
Man is it weird to start the day with the best job in the world and end it with the future all crazy and talk from all directions about how the show should end bc it'll never be the same, and meanwhile we showed up and did exactly the same thing we do every day. Don't ever let anyone say that showbiz is glamorous or easy.
The show will go on. If not, the business will. Either way, the hustle never ends.
posted by nevercalm at 7:42 PM on February 10, 2015 [40 favorites]
The show will go on. If not, the business will. Either way, the hustle never ends.
posted by nevercalm at 7:42 PM on February 10, 2015 [40 favorites]
Jon's been excellent but it's the right time to go. The show is getting increasingly jaded. Jon deserves a standing ovation every time he walks into any room but you can tell he was simply not feeling it anymore.
Now- Get Jessica Williams to host this and I will pay a buck every damn day to watch the show. I love her more than any person on TV should be loved. I will admit without being ashamed of being severely disappointed when I learnt she isn't single.
posted by savitarka at 7:49 PM on February 10, 2015 [4 favorites]
Now- Get Jessica Williams to host this and I will pay a buck every damn day to watch the show. I love her more than any person on TV should be loved. I will admit without being ashamed of being severely disappointed when I learnt she isn't single.
posted by savitarka at 7:49 PM on February 10, 2015 [4 favorites]
Muddgirl - Cameron didn't leap straight to mind when I heard the news, but now you mention her, I love the idea. She's got the right mix of relaxed and goofy, with a deep reserve of outrage to call on when necessary.
posted by wotsac at 7:53 PM on February 10, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by wotsac at 7:53 PM on February 10, 2015 [1 favorite]
I hope I'm wrong nevercalm. All shows end and the years TDS gave us have been unprecedented and amazing.
posted by Potomac Avenue at 8:01 PM on February 10, 2015
posted by Potomac Avenue at 8:01 PM on February 10, 2015
Hope Kroll show got a nice bump from the hype ;)
posted by Potomac Avenue at 8:02 PM on February 10, 2015
posted by Potomac Avenue at 8:02 PM on February 10, 2015
Whomever takes the reins of the Daily Show should be allowed to put their own imprint on it, as Stewart and Kilborn did.
posted by ZeusHumms at 8:04 PM on February 10, 2015
posted by ZeusHumms at 8:04 PM on February 10, 2015
Show's coming on any minute, fyi.
Speaking of FYI, maybe Candice Bergen could be the new host.
posted by Sys Rq at 8:05 PM on February 10, 2015 [4 favorites]
Speaking of FYI, maybe Candice Bergen could be the new host.
posted by Sys Rq at 8:05 PM on February 10, 2015 [4 favorites]
Patton Oswalt: Somewhere, Craig Kilborn's eyes just snapped open like Lobot.
posted by Atom Eyes at 8:07 PM on February 10, 2015 [3 favorites]
posted by Atom Eyes at 8:07 PM on February 10, 2015 [3 favorites]
Craig Ferguson should get the gig. He would do well.
posted by humanfont at 8:07 PM on February 10, 2015 [11 favorites]
posted by humanfont at 8:07 PM on February 10, 2015 [11 favorites]
I would not be suprised to see Stewart as the new host of NBC nightly news. NBC really wanted him for Meet the Press. Brian Williams just got a six month suspension and many think he won't be back.
posted by humanfont at 8:10 PM on February 10, 2015
posted by humanfont at 8:10 PM on February 10, 2015
Oh, hey, I just thought of who would be perfect: Olberman.
Please, god, no. Signed, a former Countdown producer.
posted by none of these will bring disaster at 8:13 PM on February 10, 2015 [25 favorites]
Please, god, no. Signed, a former Countdown producer.
posted by none of these will bring disaster at 8:13 PM on February 10, 2015 [25 favorites]
No, they shouldn't cancel the show. The writers make the show as much or more than the host, all those people will still be around to make the same jokes with the same poignant insight as ever, they'll just need to find a new face of the program to deliver them and give the show a new onscreen personality.
posted by T.D. Strange at 8:16 PM on February 10, 2015 [2 favorites]
posted by T.D. Strange at 8:16 PM on February 10, 2015 [2 favorites]
Also, high five nevercalm -- my old boss basically quit live on the air to the shock of the entire staff. We all bounced back, including him. And your boss has a much better reputation than mine ever did. You know how TV eats the weak and has the strong for dessert, but somehow we survive. Good luck.
posted by none of these will bring disaster at 8:18 PM on February 10, 2015 [7 favorites]
posted by none of these will bring disaster at 8:18 PM on February 10, 2015 [7 favorites]
NOT JASON JONES OH PLEASE GOD NO. His frat-boy persona is SO NOT FUNNY.
posted by We had a deal, Kyle at 8:19 PM on February 10, 2015 [15 favorites]
posted by We had a deal, Kyle at 8:19 PM on February 10, 2015 [15 favorites]
Put anyone you want behind the desk, but also make sure your credits include:
Executive Producer
Chris Morris
posted by jason_steakums at 8:22 PM on February 10, 2015 [3 favorites]
Executive Producer
Chris Morris
posted by jason_steakums at 8:22 PM on February 10, 2015 [3 favorites]
Interesting analogy from Stewart with the whole "senior year, already been accepted to college, cut loose for the last three months and go nuts." Talking about Obama after the midterms, of course, but it seems like pretty strong foreshadowing for his own upcoming announcement.
posted by Rhaomi at 8:26 PM on February 10, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by Rhaomi at 8:26 PM on February 10, 2015 [1 favorite]
I went to a TDS taping when Brian Williams was a guest. 2 or 3 years ago.
I remember Jon sort of batting Brian around "WHEN IS JOURNALISM GOING TO GET REAL*?" and Brian would sort of answer and Jon would cut in and ask "BUT WHEN IS IT REALLY???"
And I dunno. I'm a fan, but it was odd for me to see the taping. It seemed that Jon didn't really have Brian on the show so that Brian could actually answer that question, he was just there so Jon could ask the question.
*My memory sucks, but it had something to do with journalistic integrity
posted by bunderful at 8:36 PM on February 10, 2015
I remember Jon sort of batting Brian around "WHEN IS JOURNALISM GOING TO GET REAL*?" and Brian would sort of answer and Jon would cut in and ask "BUT WHEN IS IT REALLY???"
And I dunno. I'm a fan, but it was odd for me to see the taping. It seemed that Jon didn't really have Brian on the show so that Brian could actually answer that question, he was just there so Jon could ask the question.
*My memory sucks, but it had something to do with journalistic integrity
posted by bunderful at 8:36 PM on February 10, 2015
Brian Williams wouldn't have answered the question regardless.
posted by blucevalo at 8:40 PM on February 10, 2015
posted by blucevalo at 8:40 PM on February 10, 2015
Amy Poehler needs a new gig...
posted by dry white toast at 8:57 PM on February 10, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by dry white toast at 8:57 PM on February 10, 2015 [1 favorite]
.
I am not surprised. Jon has been branching out for a while. I suspected he was wanting to do more/something else.
I really hope they find a GREAT replacement. It would be hard to come in after Jon, he has really made the show his own.
posted by annsunny at 8:58 PM on February 10, 2015
I am not surprised. Jon has been branching out for a while. I suspected he was wanting to do more/something else.
I really hope they find a GREAT replacement. It would be hard to come in after Jon, he has really made the show his own.
posted by annsunny at 8:58 PM on February 10, 2015
As a New Yorker, I will always love Jon for how he handled 9/11. The honesty, the permission to laugh, the puppy.... it was balm for all of us.
I stopped watching regularly over the last few years because I just personally found it too depressing. I still miss the days with Stephen Colbert and Steve Carell ("Even Steven"), when it felt more like a variety/mix of fake news and humor. That's not to detract from Stewart's (and the writers') importance. That hasn't waned, and their sharp prism of reality (and science!), which I honestly believe helped get Obama elected, will be missed terribly.
posted by flyingsquirrel at 9:36 PM on February 10, 2015 [3 favorites]
I stopped watching regularly over the last few years because I just personally found it too depressing. I still miss the days with Stephen Colbert and Steve Carell ("Even Steven"), when it felt more like a variety/mix of fake news and humor. That's not to detract from Stewart's (and the writers') importance. That hasn't waned, and their sharp prism of reality (and science!), which I honestly believe helped get Obama elected, will be missed terribly.
posted by flyingsquirrel at 9:36 PM on February 10, 2015 [3 favorites]
Thank you, Jon. (bumpersticker replaces 'Thank you Jerry')
posted by uraniumwilly at 9:44 PM on February 10, 2015 [3 favorites]
posted by uraniumwilly at 9:44 PM on February 10, 2015 [3 favorites]
Man, I mentally called this a few days ago. I haven't watched in awhile and it came on, and he was just dripping with burnout and senioritis. (Term for visibly not caring about school in your final year). I think this will be healthy for him and for us. The show's been stuck in a rut for a long time.
I also predicted something similar about someone I know so I guess I'm on a roll.
posted by bleep at 10:03 PM on February 10, 2015
I also predicted something similar about someone I know so I guess I'm on a roll.
posted by bleep at 10:03 PM on February 10, 2015
OK, hardly anyone liked Olberman as a candidate (although some did). But I have a better one. Someone who was doing this long before Stewart. Someone fearless.
Norm Macdonald
posted by charlie don't surf at 10:12 PM on February 10, 2015 [9 favorites]
Norm Macdonald
posted by charlie don't surf at 10:12 PM on February 10, 2015 [9 favorites]
It's time. It's been time, I think, for the last few years. His fearless commentary has turned to joyless shrugging and mugging for cheap laughs. His show has been wildly low on content of late. That said, a few lackluster years do nothing to diminish his astonishing legacy and influence. He is a giant, and deservedly so. He also gets immense credit for launching other ground-breaking TV: The Colbert Report, an incisive show done entirely in character; Last Week Tonight, with beautifully researched and written long-form pieces; and The Nightly Show, which, even in its fledgling stage, has shown a thrilling commitment to panel diversity. I think the success of these shows also mean The Daily Show can go off the air. It's been on a long, long time, and it's time for something else.
Now - if this means Jessica Williams disappears from my tee-vee, some serious shit is gonna go down. Let's get that lady on EVERYTHING.
posted by missmary6 at 10:14 PM on February 10, 2015 [6 favorites]
Now - if this means Jessica Williams disappears from my tee-vee, some serious shit is gonna go down. Let's get that lady on EVERYTHING.
posted by missmary6 at 10:14 PM on February 10, 2015 [6 favorites]
For 40 somethings, the Gen Xers that straddle the line between Before The Internet and After The Internet, it's really worth considering how much Stewart has served as the voice of our generation. Nominally pretending to be the old media while incisively critiquing what they continue to spoon feed. He was the first voice with a platform for people who are used to talking back at the bullshit that's being thrown at them.
How many times did I think I wouldn't have survived the Bush years without the Daily Show? How many times in the lead up to the Iraq war did I think I lived in bizarro world where everyone had gone mad and my sanity was saved because there was a guy on a basic cable channel saying all the obvious fucking things everyone around me was saying but absolutely no one in the press was saying?
The media landscape is vastly different because of Mr. Stewart. It's ok to mock and mistrust propaganda. It's ok, no, necessary, to consider the agenda of those who deliver the news. Media Literacy was a thing before the Internet and before Jon Stewart took over TDS, but he was the man, at the critical moment in time, who demonstrated how truly important it is. For a marginal comedian of reasonable intelligence, on a niche cable station, it is hard for me to imagine a more significant legacy. Shit, we'd probably be drafting high school kids to send to Iraq right now.
posted by Slarty Bartfast at 10:46 PM on February 10, 2015 [30 favorites]
How many times did I think I wouldn't have survived the Bush years without the Daily Show? How many times in the lead up to the Iraq war did I think I lived in bizarro world where everyone had gone mad and my sanity was saved because there was a guy on a basic cable channel saying all the obvious fucking things everyone around me was saying but absolutely no one in the press was saying?
The media landscape is vastly different because of Mr. Stewart. It's ok to mock and mistrust propaganda. It's ok, no, necessary, to consider the agenda of those who deliver the news. Media Literacy was a thing before the Internet and before Jon Stewart took over TDS, but he was the man, at the critical moment in time, who demonstrated how truly important it is. For a marginal comedian of reasonable intelligence, on a niche cable station, it is hard for me to imagine a more significant legacy. Shit, we'd probably be drafting high school kids to send to Iraq right now.
posted by Slarty Bartfast at 10:46 PM on February 10, 2015 [30 favorites]
Speaking of FYI, maybe Candice Bergen could be the new host.
from your mouth to God's ears
posted by feckless fecal fear mongering at 12:28 AM on February 11, 2015
from your mouth to God's ears
posted by feckless fecal fear mongering at 12:28 AM on February 11, 2015
Yeah, well, he can always return to acting.
posted by Katemonkey at 1:08 AM on February 11, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by Katemonkey at 1:08 AM on February 11, 2015 [1 favorite]
I watched the "first post-9/11 cold open" linked above, but all I can think of is how many times the hopes that Jon had in that speech were dashed by this government.
Yeah, we were all together then for a little while. I wish everybody could remember that feeling.
posted by Mr. Yuck at 2:02 AM on February 11, 2015 [1 favorite]
Yeah, we were all together then for a little while. I wish everybody could remember that feeling.
posted by Mr. Yuck at 2:02 AM on February 11, 2015 [1 favorite]
Jon has been tired of covering politics for a while now, Colbert's departure was probably the tipping point for his decision. Jessica Williams would be great but it would need to be a different format. Plus CC might balk at a line-up of two black hosts (like TWD, there's a quota).
If they keep the show going with one of his correspondents, I'm guessing Jordan Clepper because of their rapport. Jon had great rapport with Colbert and Oliver and that made a big difference in the launch of their careers. Jason and Sam are a lovely couple but they can't carry the show individually or together. Now I'm terrified they'll give it to the correspondent with the whiny voice.
posted by Ik ben afgesneden at 2:10 AM on February 11, 2015
If they keep the show going with one of his correspondents, I'm guessing Jordan Clepper because of their rapport. Jon had great rapport with Colbert and Oliver and that made a big difference in the launch of their careers. Jason and Sam are a lovely couple but they can't carry the show individually or together. Now I'm terrified they'll give it to the correspondent with the whiny voice.
posted by Ik ben afgesneden at 2:10 AM on February 11, 2015
Thank you, Jon. (bumpersticker replaces 'Thank you Jerry')
Let's not go off the handle here, there's room for both.
posted by mikelieman at 2:53 AM on February 11, 2015
Let's not go off the handle here, there's room for both.
posted by mikelieman at 2:53 AM on February 11, 2015
I don't blame him a bit. The 2016 primaries haven't even started yet and already my own reaction is one of "OH HELL NO." I can definitely sympathize for wanting to get as far away from an election cycle where the fucking measles are a controversial talking point as humanly possible.
posted by sonika at 2:53 AM on February 11, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by sonika at 2:53 AM on February 11, 2015 [1 favorite]
Yeah I came here to suggest Jessica Williams take over, only to find that pretty much everyone already suggested her.
John Oliver really needs to stay where he is, because Last Week Tonight is it's own animal and far more Oliver than TDS ever was. Mind you, if I had magic powers (which is what would be required) I would get Andy Zaltzman in the chair.
But seriously, Jessica Williams.
posted by Just this guy, y'know at 4:02 AM on February 11, 2015 [3 favorites]
John Oliver really needs to stay where he is, because Last Week Tonight is it's own animal and far more Oliver than TDS ever was. Mind you, if I had magic powers (which is what would be required) I would get Andy Zaltzman in the chair.
But seriously, Jessica Williams.
posted by Just this guy, y'know at 4:02 AM on February 11, 2015 [3 favorites]
Chris Hardwick, Jessica Williams, and Cecily Strong.
posted by FunkyHelix at 4:11 AM on February 11, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by FunkyHelix at 4:11 AM on February 11, 2015 [1 favorite]
The choice of using the footage of the chimp washing the cat after the announcement was a nice touch.
posted by sparkletone at 4:15 AM on February 11, 2015 [7 favorites]
posted by sparkletone at 4:15 AM on February 11, 2015 [7 favorites]
If Chris Hardwick gets it, I assume he'd also still host @Midnight and then add even more podcasts to his network.
posted by drezdn at 4:50 AM on February 11, 2015 [2 favorites]
posted by drezdn at 4:50 AM on February 11, 2015 [2 favorites]
We thank you for your service, Jon.
posted by skippyhacker at 4:52 AM on February 11, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by skippyhacker at 4:52 AM on February 11, 2015 [1 favorite]
This looks like a job for Rich Hall.
posted by dglynn at 4:54 AM on February 11, 2015 [3 favorites]
posted by dglynn at 4:54 AM on February 11, 2015 [3 favorites]
Bob O'Reilly Won!
posted by Nanukthedog at 5:27 AM on February 11, 2015
posted by Nanukthedog at 5:27 AM on February 11, 2015
I'm always a day behind on TDS as I'm a DVR-er of it, so I got to watch Monday night's show last evening, after news had broken. Bassem Youssef, the "Egyptian Jon Stewart," was a guest, and it struck me how bold and brave a move it would be to give the show to him.
I don't think they have the nerve to do it, but my god would that be great.
posted by jbickers at 5:29 AM on February 11, 2015 [6 favorites]
I don't think they have the nerve to do it, but my god would that be great.
posted by jbickers at 5:29 AM on February 11, 2015 [6 favorites]
Welp, this announcement means I *don't* have to figure out a proxy server in order to be able to watch CC while living overseas.
Anybody know if HBO Go will be purchaseable by those living outside the US? I could use me some John Oliver..
posted by nat at 5:29 AM on February 11, 2015
Anybody know if HBO Go will be purchaseable by those living outside the US? I could use me some John Oliver..
posted by nat at 5:29 AM on February 11, 2015
Jon Stewart Had Been Telegraphing His Comedy Central Exit for Some Time
posted by robbyrobs at 5:51 AM on February 11, 2015
posted by robbyrobs at 5:51 AM on February 11, 2015
This looks like a job for Rich Hall.
Not necessarily.
posted by freecellwizard at 6:00 AM on February 11, 2015 [8 favorites]
Not necessarily.
posted by freecellwizard at 6:00 AM on February 11, 2015 [8 favorites]
The way I found out about it was through all the comedians I follow on Twitter posting how they're ready to take over the Daily Show, for strained-quasi-funny-reasons because they were trying so hard to make the joke before anyone else rather than thinking of something genuinely amusing to say.
Sadly, my cable company is on the outs with Viacom, so we haven't been able to see Daily Show in about a year. This show was about the only reason the Viacom loss has pained Wifey and I at all.
posted by AzraelBrown at 6:15 AM on February 11, 2015
Sadly, my cable company is on the outs with Viacom, so we haven't been able to see Daily Show in about a year. This show was about the only reason the Viacom loss has pained Wifey and I at all.
posted by AzraelBrown at 6:15 AM on February 11, 2015
Just... not a ham, please (which disqualifies pretty much the whole current cast)
For a second (ok, many seconds) I thought you were saying you didn't want Ham Rove to replace Jon Stewart.
posted by chainsofreedom at 6:45 AM on February 11, 2015 [8 favorites]
For a second (ok, many seconds) I thought you were saying you didn't want Ham Rove to replace Jon Stewart.
posted by chainsofreedom at 6:45 AM on February 11, 2015 [8 favorites]
Rich Hall's not a bad choice, but I'd still go with Jessica Williams. She may be one of the newest additions to the correspondents' team, but she's doing the best work of all of them in recent months.
posted by Paul Slade at 7:39 AM on February 11, 2015 [3 favorites]
posted by Paul Slade at 7:39 AM on February 11, 2015 [3 favorites]
Super happy for him, and if anyone's earned a break, it's Jon Freaking Stewart. I know that the show is a team effort and will go on with a big staff of writers and producers to back up whomever fills the anchor chair, but I'm pretty sure that the success and direction of the show is tied in no small measure to the personality and drive of that person. Right now, TDS is the only *mainstream* voice holding the rest of the news media - and by proxy, the people on whom they're reporting - accountable, and it's a big job to make that both effective and entertaining. Big shoes to fill.
posted by The Underpants Monster at 8:14 AM on February 11, 2015
posted by The Underpants Monster at 8:14 AM on February 11, 2015
Craig Kilborn is terrible and should never have anything to do with anything ever again. Though I'd be happy to see Lizz Winstead on the show again if she wants the slot.
posted by asperity at 8:22 AM on February 11, 2015 [2 favorites]
posted by asperity at 8:22 AM on February 11, 2015 [2 favorites]
Elizabeth Warren choked during her first Daily Show interview. Here's how Jon Stewart fixed it.
posted by tonycpsu at 9:25 AM on February 11, 2015 [2 favorites]
posted by tonycpsu at 9:25 AM on February 11, 2015 [2 favorites]
Cold open, September 20, 2001.
He's so young there. Were we all that young then?
posted by anastasiav at 9:25 AM on February 11, 2015 [4 favorites]
He's so young there. Were we all that young then?
posted by anastasiav at 9:25 AM on February 11, 2015 [4 favorites]
I don't understand why everyone wants Jessica Williams to host TDS. To me, that's like if Jon left five years ago and everyone kept insisting that Demitri Martin should host. They're both younger, hipper, and a little "off" from the fake-news persona, which requires a certain starchiness. Both of them refuse(d) to imitate real TV journalists in their delivery. And that works for the occasional "cool youth correspondent" segment, but to host a fake news show, you have to sound and act like a real journalist, and Jessica Williams just doesn't do that. The raised eyebrow, the thick intonation, the unearned smugness that Colbert pioneered and that we used to hear in every correspondent's delivery... Williams and the other new correspondents don't bother to do that anymore. Only Aasif Mandvi and Samantha Bee still do it, on the rare occasion they still show up. It feels like the newer correspondents aren't even trying. Without the TV News Voice, it sounds like they're just phoning it in.
My husband and I were talking about this, and here's his theory: Jon wanted to leave after filming Rosewater, but figured since Colbert was leaving, he needed to stick around long enough to oversee that transition. Larry Wilmore was considered as host of TDS, but they needed to be sure he could handle a nightly talk show, so they gave him Colbert's slot as a trial run.
I do think Larry Wilmore is the best candidate to follow Stewart: he's got the same "reasonable grownup in the center of a maelstrom" schtick as Jon - a good foil and straight man to wackier correspondents. He has the gravitas that allows you to imagine him as a real news anchor, but the quick, subversive wit that slyly reminds you he isn't. And I feel like the panel format on The Nightly Show is holding him back. It's dangerous to turn over 2/3rds of your comedy show to a panel partly consisting of non-comedians: there's the risk that the discussion will be neither funny (because the experts don't know comedy) nor thought-provoking (because the comedians don't know the issues). He's doing a surprisingly good job wrestling an incredibly difficult format into something both entertaining and informative, so I imagine he'd be amazing in a more traditional hosting role. Then they could give the 11:30 slot to somebody else. Maybe Samantha Bee; she's been on TDS forever! She's got fake news down cold! Why bring in Amy Poehler or Tina Fey when you can promote from within?
posted by Anyamatopoeia at 9:39 AM on February 11, 2015 [4 favorites]
My husband and I were talking about this, and here's his theory: Jon wanted to leave after filming Rosewater, but figured since Colbert was leaving, he needed to stick around long enough to oversee that transition. Larry Wilmore was considered as host of TDS, but they needed to be sure he could handle a nightly talk show, so they gave him Colbert's slot as a trial run.
I do think Larry Wilmore is the best candidate to follow Stewart: he's got the same "reasonable grownup in the center of a maelstrom" schtick as Jon - a good foil and straight man to wackier correspondents. He has the gravitas that allows you to imagine him as a real news anchor, but the quick, subversive wit that slyly reminds you he isn't. And I feel like the panel format on The Nightly Show is holding him back. It's dangerous to turn over 2/3rds of your comedy show to a panel partly consisting of non-comedians: there's the risk that the discussion will be neither funny (because the experts don't know comedy) nor thought-provoking (because the comedians don't know the issues). He's doing a surprisingly good job wrestling an incredibly difficult format into something both entertaining and informative, so I imagine he'd be amazing in a more traditional hosting role. Then they could give the 11:30 slot to somebody else. Maybe Samantha Bee; she's been on TDS forever! She's got fake news down cold! Why bring in Amy Poehler or Tina Fey when you can promote from within?
posted by Anyamatopoeia at 9:39 AM on February 11, 2015 [4 favorites]
I don't care if it's TDS, but Jessica Williams needs a Thing. She's just too good not to offer something to.
posted by transient at 9:47 AM on February 11, 2015 [2 favorites]
posted by transient at 9:47 AM on February 11, 2015 [2 favorites]
She definitely needs to be the star of a show, but I don't think it should be a fake news show. She's too young and cool; she should do her own thing.
posted by Anyamatopoeia at 9:48 AM on February 11, 2015
posted by Anyamatopoeia at 9:48 AM on February 11, 2015
Both of them refuse(d) to imitate real TV journalists in their delivery. And that works for the occasional "cool youth correspondent" segment, but to host a fake news show, you have to sound and act like a real journalist, and Jessica Williams just doesn't do that. The raised eyebrow, the thick intonation, the unearned smugness that Colbert pioneered and that we used to hear in every correspondent's delivery... Williams and the other new correspondents don't bother to do that anymore. Only Aasif Mandvi and Samantha Bee still do it, on the rare occasion they still show up. It feels like the newer correspondents aren't even trying. Without the TV News Voice, it sounds like they're just phoning it in.
That's the same reason I always felt that Dennis Miller, Norm MacDonald, and Cecily Strong were the worst "Weekend Update" anchors on SNL. Your news parody isn't funny unless your anchor does a parody of a news anchor.
posted by The Underpants Monster at 9:56 AM on February 11, 2015 [2 favorites]
That's the same reason I always felt that Dennis Miller, Norm MacDonald, and Cecily Strong were the worst "Weekend Update" anchors on SNL. Your news parody isn't funny unless your anchor does a parody of a news anchor.
posted by The Underpants Monster at 9:56 AM on February 11, 2015 [2 favorites]
Not one mention of Beth Littleford? She set the tone for all correspondents since then. Wonder how she would fare in the big chair.
posted by dr_dank at 9:57 AM on February 11, 2015
posted by dr_dank at 9:57 AM on February 11, 2015
I agree that as amazing as Jessica Williams is, she doesn't have the straight man demeanor or fake news gravitas necessary to center the show.
Vulture's suggestions for possible new hosts intrigue me, especially Hari Kondabolu. I hadn't even considered him in the running, because I assumed he isn't well known enough and that his point of view is too strong for The Daily Show. But now that the idea has been floated, I want it so bad. Kondabolu is sharp and clever and informed, he can do the fake news gravitas, and like Vulture says, he'd have something to say.
posted by yasaman at 9:58 AM on February 11, 2015 [1 favorite]
Vulture's suggestions for possible new hosts intrigue me, especially Hari Kondabolu. I hadn't even considered him in the running, because I assumed he isn't well known enough and that his point of view is too strong for The Daily Show. But now that the idea has been floated, I want it so bad. Kondabolu is sharp and clever and informed, he can do the fake news gravitas, and like Vulture says, he'd have something to say.
posted by yasaman at 9:58 AM on February 11, 2015 [1 favorite]
I LOVE HARI KONDABOLU SO MUCH. Wow. That would be perfect. He'd be more of a John Oliver than a Jon Stewart, but man would he be perfect doing some kind of fake news.
posted by Anyamatopoeia at 9:59 AM on February 11, 2015
posted by Anyamatopoeia at 9:59 AM on February 11, 2015
Letterman retiring, Craig Ferguson gone, Colbert off the air for like a year as he preps for a whole new kind of show, and now this.
2014/15 is to late-night comedy what 1995 was to newspaper comics, when Larson, Breathed, and Watterson all retired in the course of a year. (Although Breathed later came back for a while.)
posted by DevilsAdvocate at 10:06 AM on February 11, 2015 [4 favorites]
2014/15 is to late-night comedy what 1995 was to newspaper comics, when Larson, Breathed, and Watterson all retired in the course of a year. (Although Breathed later came back for a while.)
posted by DevilsAdvocate at 10:06 AM on February 11, 2015 [4 favorites]
I thought Adam Pally (whose name I didn't know before his 'train wreck' CBS guest-hosting job, that was actually brilliant, was posted here last week) leaving the Mindy Project was rather odd, but maybe now it makes sense?
posted by Flashman at 10:09 AM on February 11, 2015
posted by Flashman at 10:09 AM on February 11, 2015
I don't see Community lasting past the sixth season (and a movie?), and I certainly think Joel McHale has the charisma to pull it off. He's got the whole self-deprecating host thing down pat on The Soup.
Fey or Poehler - too obvious?
posted by The Underpants Monster at 10:15 AM on February 11, 2015
Fey or Poehler - too obvious?
posted by The Underpants Monster at 10:15 AM on February 11, 2015
I think it's true that Jessica Williams would be wrong if they were to continue with what is essentially a parody of the Network News-style anchor--but, really, why continue to parody that format, which is watched now almost exclusively by the 50+ crowd? Jessica Williams could do a very plausible parody of the cable-news hot-young-news-"personality" thing. Maybe have her and and Samantha Bee and Jordan Klepper on a sofa as co-hosts for the opening segments?
Whatever they do I think they'd be best shaking the format up rather than just trying to replace Jon in the chair. I think people don't really fully appreciate just how extraordinary the range of skills that Jon brought that role are, and I think putting anyone else in exactly the same format is just going to hurt them by a direct comparison.
posted by yoink at 10:18 AM on February 11, 2015 [5 favorites]
Whatever they do I think they'd be best shaking the format up rather than just trying to replace Jon in the chair. I think people don't really fully appreciate just how extraordinary the range of skills that Jon brought that role are, and I think putting anyone else in exactly the same format is just going to hurt them by a direct comparison.
posted by yoink at 10:18 AM on February 11, 2015 [5 favorites]
Man, I want someone young and cool to have a daily half-hour nightly show on Comedy Central. Watch some clips of Stewart's first episode - he looks like he's wearing his dad's suit. His whole charm at the beginning was "gen X guy pretends to be a newscaster." He aged into the gravitas.
I totally agree that the format should get a shake-up.
posted by muddgirl at 10:23 AM on February 11, 2015 [2 favorites]
I totally agree that the format should get a shake-up.
posted by muddgirl at 10:23 AM on February 11, 2015 [2 favorites]
Fey or Poehler - too obvious?
Very. Both are available, but have also kinda done the news thing with Weekend Update and come off long running, well received sitcoms. Could either thrive? Yes. Would either want to do it, if offered? Hard to say.
posted by ZeusHumms at 10:30 AM on February 11, 2015
Very. Both are available, but have also kinda done the news thing with Weekend Update and come off long running, well received sitcoms. Could either thrive? Yes. Would either want to do it, if offered? Hard to say.
posted by ZeusHumms at 10:30 AM on February 11, 2015
but, really, why continue to parody that format, which is watched now almost exclusively by the 50+ crowd?
I think the answer to that question might be that Jon Stewart was the replacement for that format. The under 50 crowd that watches the Daily Show doesn't watch the nightly network news and doesn't have much if any trust for it, and watches Jon Stewart instead. For good or for ill, The Daily Show is the nightly news to a lot of people.
In my experience, that's not because young people these days get all their news from a comedian, it's because they've shifted to getting their "real" news on the internet (it's a lot faster to to spend 15-20 minutes on the news website/curated feeds of your choice than it is to sit through the TV news), and The Daily Show is the supplement to that. So for me at least, that's why I want to see The Daily Show more or less keep its format. Also, y'know, I kind of hate change and want all my favorite late night people to stop leaving me.
posted by yasaman at 10:38 AM on February 11, 2015 [6 favorites]
I think the answer to that question might be that Jon Stewart was the replacement for that format. The under 50 crowd that watches the Daily Show doesn't watch the nightly network news and doesn't have much if any trust for it, and watches Jon Stewart instead. For good or for ill, The Daily Show is the nightly news to a lot of people.
In my experience, that's not because young people these days get all their news from a comedian, it's because they've shifted to getting their "real" news on the internet (it's a lot faster to to spend 15-20 minutes on the news website/curated feeds of your choice than it is to sit through the TV news), and The Daily Show is the supplement to that. So for me at least, that's why I want to see The Daily Show more or less keep its format. Also, y'know, I kind of hate change and want all my favorite late night people to stop leaving me.
posted by yasaman at 10:38 AM on February 11, 2015 [6 favorites]
All this talk about Weekend Update makes me realize how much I'd enjoy seeing Kevin Nealon be a fake new anchor again. Just for a week, maybe, but yes.
posted by cortex at 10:39 AM on February 11, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by cortex at 10:39 AM on February 11, 2015 [1 favorite]
Jon Stewart was able to take the show and reshape it. I kinda doubt a replacement would get the same opportunity.
posted by ODiV at 10:49 AM on February 11, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by ODiV at 10:49 AM on February 11, 2015 [1 favorite]
I'm still pulling for Sarah Haskins, myself.
posted by Rhaomi at 11:15 AM on February 11, 2015 [2 favorites]
posted by Rhaomi at 11:15 AM on February 11, 2015 [2 favorites]
They should hire the people who did the Fox News bits for Idiocracy.
posted by ROU_Xenophobe at 11:24 AM on February 11, 2015
posted by ROU_Xenophobe at 11:24 AM on February 11, 2015
If I had to make a bet on who CC would choose, outside any of the current correspondents or alums, I'd unfortunately have to bet on Chris Hardwick. His show @midnight is very popular for its timeslot, plus he's a white dude so he has that going for him.
posted by muddgirl at 11:26 AM on February 11, 2015
posted by muddgirl at 11:26 AM on February 11, 2015
Another vote for Jessica Williams!
With special guest correspondents KEY AND PEELE!
posted by magstheaxe at 11:29 AM on February 11, 2015 [2 favorites]
With special guest correspondents KEY AND PEELE!
posted by magstheaxe at 11:29 AM on February 11, 2015 [2 favorites]
(I say "unfortunately" not because I don't think he's funny or deserves the job, but because he's 44 and I really, really want to see more funny young-gen-xers and millenials on TV.)
posted by muddgirl at 11:29 AM on February 11, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by muddgirl at 11:29 AM on February 11, 2015 [1 favorite]
I'd unfortunately have to bet on Chris Hardwick.
Have you listened to his podcast? He's WAY too deferential for the job.
posted by ChurchHatesTucker at 11:48 AM on February 11, 2015
Have you listened to his podcast? He's WAY too deferential for the job.
posted by ChurchHatesTucker at 11:48 AM on February 11, 2015
I like Chris Hardwick a lot and enjoy The Nerdist when I listen to it, but I cannot imagine him anchoring the Daily Show. He's great at being who he is—either self-consciously jokey-jokey or sort of super-duper earnest—but really kind of bad at delivering even-keeled deadpan humor, and seems to sort of panic a little bit when he feels like he's offended someone or said something edgy or potentially offensive. @midnight mostly works despite the attempts to treat it like an actual gameshow; he's a better host on it when he's laughing at the shit the comedian guests say than when he's trying to perform actual host-talks-now structural patter, etc.
posted by cortex at 11:52 AM on February 11, 2015 [4 favorites]
posted by cortex at 11:52 AM on February 11, 2015 [4 favorites]
Cmd+F "Kamau" No Results?!
Not that he'd be interested but I'm kind of surprised.
posted by Brainy at 11:53 AM on February 11, 2015 [4 favorites]
Not that he'd be interested but I'm kind of surprised.
posted by Brainy at 11:53 AM on February 11, 2015 [4 favorites]
Does this mean I will actually have to watch fox news to find out what they are saying?
The Young Turks, hosted by Cenk Uygur, is a web-only show but they do a fantastic job of discussing what Fox News and other conservative media outlets are spouting.
Nothing can replace the Daily Show, but if you want good news, seriously, try the Young Turks. They broadcast live on weekdays between 6 and 8pm.
Oh, here's what Cenk says about Stewart leaving The Daily Show.
posted by sockermom at 11:57 AM on February 11, 2015
The Young Turks, hosted by Cenk Uygur, is a web-only show but they do a fantastic job of discussing what Fox News and other conservative media outlets are spouting.
Nothing can replace the Daily Show, but if you want good news, seriously, try the Young Turks. They broadcast live on weekdays between 6 and 8pm.
Oh, here's what Cenk says about Stewart leaving The Daily Show.
posted by sockermom at 11:57 AM on February 11, 2015
I can certainly understand his reasons, but I'm heartbroken over Jon's departure.
My biggest #1 vote goes to Jessica Williams as well. I love her.
My #2 vote goes to the next best female comedian, either Samantha Bee, Tina Fey, Amy Poehler, etc. But please no more white men appointed as hosts for awhile. Please give the rest of us a chance to be represented.
I saw a stat the other day that showed that although only 30% of the U.S. population are white males, the vast majority of CEO's, politicians, judges, law enforcement, etc are white males. As I recall most of the figures were between 70% to 97%. They should have included nightly talk show hosts in there as well.
posted by marsha56 at 1:00 PM on February 11, 2015
My biggest #1 vote goes to Jessica Williams as well. I love her.
My #2 vote goes to the next best female comedian, either Samantha Bee, Tina Fey, Amy Poehler, etc. But please no more white men appointed as hosts for awhile. Please give the rest of us a chance to be represented.
I saw a stat the other day that showed that although only 30% of the U.S. population are white males, the vast majority of CEO's, politicians, judges, law enforcement, etc are white males. As I recall most of the figures were between 70% to 97%. They should have included nightly talk show hosts in there as well.
posted by marsha56 at 1:00 PM on February 11, 2015
i bet they fired jon stewart because he was too short (@jon_bois)
Finally. The truth.
posted by mazola at 1:00 PM on February 11, 2015
Finally. The truth.
posted by mazola at 1:00 PM on February 11, 2015
FWIW, I wouldn't figure that Chris Hardwick would be interested in the job. He's not political, and he's not news-oriented. Also, he'd have to drop 75% or more of his other gigs. Finally, as mentioned above, he's a bad interviewer for the Daily Show style (Kilborn, Stewart, correspondent or otherwise). Great guy to have a casual chat with, but no good at anything resembling news issues.
Stewart owns the Daily Show, right? So presumably he'll have a say in his successor (if he's interested in having a say). That gives current and previous correspondents a leg up.
posted by aureliobuendia at 1:22 PM on February 11, 2015
Stewart owns the Daily Show, right? So presumably he'll have a say in his successor (if he's interested in having a say). That gives current and previous correspondents a leg up.
posted by aureliobuendia at 1:22 PM on February 11, 2015
Watch some clips of Stewart's first episode - he looks like he's wearing his dad's suit.
He wore that same ugly suit and the same tie for the entire first week. So I wrote him an email, saying he was following the best dressed anchor in TV and he looks like an idiot, get a new damn suit ferchrissakes.
He showed up Monday in a new suit and tugged on his lapels, showing it off.
I sincerely apologize if my wardrobe criticism contributed in any way to Stewart's success.
posted by charlie don't surf at 1:43 PM on February 11, 2015 [3 favorites]
He wore that same ugly suit and the same tie for the entire first week. So I wrote him an email, saying he was following the best dressed anchor in TV and he looks like an idiot, get a new damn suit ferchrissakes.
He showed up Monday in a new suit and tugged on his lapels, showing it off.
I sincerely apologize if my wardrobe criticism contributed in any way to Stewart's success.
posted by charlie don't surf at 1:43 PM on February 11, 2015 [3 favorites]
Man, WTF is going on in late night TV lately? The big shakeup started a couple of years ago with the whole Conan/Leno debacle, then we had Letterman retiring, Craig Ferguson gone, Colbert off the air for like a year as he preps for a whole new kind of show, and now this. Late night seemed pretty stable for the longest time, but soon Jimmy Kimmel is gonna be the old veteran in the biz and his show is only like 10 years old.
We are all of us aging.
posted by edbles at 1:47 PM on February 11, 2015
We are all of us aging.
posted by edbles at 1:47 PM on February 11, 2015
I feel like the fake newscast format is worth keeping. Of course Jon Stewarts don't grow on trees, and the case for keeping the format gets weaker if the on-camera host doesn't have a Stewart-esque creative control over the content, but I'm having trouble imagining a co-host / ensemble cast setup having the same impact as TDS has. That may simply be because Stewart's so good at what he does, but it could also be that the show allowed him to operate as a player/coach who had a lot of creative control and could speak with a single voice for the entire creative team. If they can get someone else in there who can handle those responsibilities, I don't think they have to be as gifted a comedic talent as Stewart if they can make up for it in other areas. (Stewart's not an exceptionally gifted interviewer, and his comedic range outside of political satire is pretty narrow compared to many of his contemporaries.)
I was going to make the same point about Jessica Williams' comedic skill set (as we know it today) not being a good fit for the anchor spot, but I see others have beat me to it. Nthing that, FWIW. I adore her on-screen charisma and comedic timing, and want to see her more than we do in her role as a correspondent, but I don't think the jump to the TDS anchor chair is the right move for her or the show. If they change to some kind of multi-host format, then yeah, she definitely should be at the top of the list, but if not, I would go in a different direction.
Of the current correspondents, I think Sam Bee would do the best job in the anchor chair, then probably Aasif Mandvi, but I do think that, unless I'm severely underestimating the Viacom suits, there's going to be some "Demographic Bingo" going on behind the scenes when making this decision. For a long time, TDS was (rightly) criticized for consisting of a whole lot of dudes, and a whole lot of white dudes in particular. The gender/racial balance has improved, at least with respect to the on-air talent, but I don't think the network powers-that-be are going to want a PoC hosting the entirety of the 11 o'clock hour, which means if I were handicapping this, I'd lay very strong odds against a non-white choice to replace Stewart. (This assumes the ratings for Larry Wilmore's show stay healthy, of course.)
In terms of potential outside hires, if there were no demographic constraints, and if the format stays the same, my vote would probably go to Aisha Tyler. I do think Amy Poehler would have the right tools, but she'd likely see it as a step backward, and too much of a time commitment to be able to multitask with other projects.
I don't really care for any of the white guy names that have been mentioned, but I'll throw in Sam Seder as a guy who I think could it the criterion of being able to deliver jokes and satire while still possessing the "straight man" skill set to give the correspondents room to deliver their lines. No idea if he has the eye for talent, but if someone else at TDS is calling those shots, then I think he could fit into the existing format.
posted by tonycpsu at 1:50 PM on February 11, 2015
I was going to make the same point about Jessica Williams' comedic skill set (as we know it today) not being a good fit for the anchor spot, but I see others have beat me to it. Nthing that, FWIW. I adore her on-screen charisma and comedic timing, and want to see her more than we do in her role as a correspondent, but I don't think the jump to the TDS anchor chair is the right move for her or the show. If they change to some kind of multi-host format, then yeah, she definitely should be at the top of the list, but if not, I would go in a different direction.
Of the current correspondents, I think Sam Bee would do the best job in the anchor chair, then probably Aasif Mandvi, but I do think that, unless I'm severely underestimating the Viacom suits, there's going to be some "Demographic Bingo" going on behind the scenes when making this decision. For a long time, TDS was (rightly) criticized for consisting of a whole lot of dudes, and a whole lot of white dudes in particular. The gender/racial balance has improved, at least with respect to the on-air talent, but I don't think the network powers-that-be are going to want a PoC hosting the entirety of the 11 o'clock hour, which means if I were handicapping this, I'd lay very strong odds against a non-white choice to replace Stewart. (This assumes the ratings for Larry Wilmore's show stay healthy, of course.)
In terms of potential outside hires, if there were no demographic constraints, and if the format stays the same, my vote would probably go to Aisha Tyler. I do think Amy Poehler would have the right tools, but she'd likely see it as a step backward, and too much of a time commitment to be able to multitask with other projects.
I don't really care for any of the white guy names that have been mentioned, but I'll throw in Sam Seder as a guy who I think could it the criterion of being able to deliver jokes and satire while still possessing the "straight man" skill set to give the correspondents room to deliver their lines. No idea if he has the eye for talent, but if someone else at TDS is calling those shots, then I think he could fit into the existing format.
posted by tonycpsu at 1:50 PM on February 11, 2015
i bet they fired jon stewart because he was too short (@jon_bois)
Jon Stewart is taller than BEEFTANK, so how could this possibly be true?
posted by sparkletone at 2:09 PM on February 11, 2015 [4 favorites]
Jon Stewart is taller than BEEFTANK, so how could this possibly be true?
posted by sparkletone at 2:09 PM on February 11, 2015 [4 favorites]
Even Bill Clinton can't avoid the cheap shots
posted by m@f at 2:09 PM on February 11, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by m@f at 2:09 PM on February 11, 2015 [1 favorite]
Throwing another name into the hat: Tig Notaro.
posted by Iris Gambol at 2:35 PM on February 11, 2015 [2 favorites]
posted by Iris Gambol at 2:35 PM on February 11, 2015 [2 favorites]
Olbermann can stick to sports, thank you very much... he was OK when he was fresh on MSNBC, but his schtick got old, quick
posted by JoeXIII007 at 2:57 PM on February 11, 2015
posted by JoeXIII007 at 2:57 PM on February 11, 2015
Throwing another name into the hat: Tig Notaro.
She (like many others mentioned here) was on the list Vox created of (mostly not white&male!) candidates, but I gotta agree she's a little too laconic for a gig that demands some energy.
posted by psoas at 3:43 PM on February 11, 2015
She (like many others mentioned here) was on the list Vox created of (mostly not white&male!) candidates, but I gotta agree she's a little too laconic for a gig that demands some energy.
posted by psoas at 3:43 PM on February 11, 2015
Brian Williams.
He has no credibility now. Might as well do the fake news.
From what I have been told about his off-screen personality, he is a total cut-up.
posted by QueerAngel28 at 4:47 PM on February 11, 2015 [1 favorite]
He has no credibility now. Might as well do the fake news.
From what I have been told about his off-screen personality, he is a total cut-up.
posted by QueerAngel28 at 4:47 PM on February 11, 2015 [1 favorite]
I remember thinking a few months back, "It sucks the Colbert is going. But at least we still have Stewart." Argh. I had my minor quibbles*, but I am going to miss him so much.
QueerAngel28: From what I have been told about his off-screen personality, [Brian Williams] is a total cut-up.
I watched him on MSNBC's The News back in the day and he was surprisingly funny. See also: his appearances on The Daily Show and cameos in various other shows. I've never watched him on the Nightly News but I assume he's much more straight-faced there?
*His "Rally For Sanity" was such "both sides do it" bullshit.
posted by brundlefly at 5:02 PM on February 11, 2015 [1 favorite]
QueerAngel28: From what I have been told about his off-screen personality, [Brian Williams] is a total cut-up.
I watched him on MSNBC's The News back in the day and he was surprisingly funny. See also: his appearances on The Daily Show and cameos in various other shows. I've never watched him on the Nightly News but I assume he's much more straight-faced there?
*His "Rally For Sanity" was such "both sides do it" bullshit.
posted by brundlefly at 5:02 PM on February 11, 2015 [1 favorite]
Whomever takes the reins of the Daily Show should be allowed to put their own imprint on it, as Stewart and Kilborn did.
Saw Norm MacDonald mentioned. Is it all an act or is he constantly stoned?
I hear it's going to be John Hamm.
No, I didn't really hear that but in truth, for me, once I saw Oliver host the show, and now that he has his own show, I rarely watched it. The energy of Stewart hasn't been good of late.
posted by juiceCake at 8:22 PM on February 11, 2015
Saw Norm MacDonald mentioned. Is it all an act or is he constantly stoned?
I hear it's going to be John Hamm.
No, I didn't really hear that but in truth, for me, once I saw Oliver host the show, and now that he has his own show, I rarely watched it. The energy of Stewart hasn't been good of late.
posted by juiceCake at 8:22 PM on February 11, 2015
Jessica Williams Is the New Daily Show Host... in Hot Tub Time Machine 2
posted by Rhaomi at 12:01 AM on February 12, 2015 [3 favorites]
posted by Rhaomi at 12:01 AM on February 12, 2015 [3 favorites]
In Conversation: JON STEWART - "What do you do after 16 years turning The Daily Show into an American comic institution? If you’re this comedian, you might spend a summer making a movie about torture."
posted by the man of twists and turns at 8:58 AM on February 12, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by the man of twists and turns at 8:58 AM on February 12, 2015 [1 favorite]
In that Vox bit about the 11 possibles, they mention one that few others have: Paul F Tompkins.
YES YES YES. My vote is for PFT. He already does a Daily Show sort of thing on his (little-seen) show "No, YOU Shut Up!" on Fusion. He's perfect for the part.
posted by grubi at 9:33 AM on February 12, 2015
YES YES YES. My vote is for PFT. He already does a Daily Show sort of thing on his (little-seen) show "No, YOU Shut Up!" on Fusion. He's perfect for the part.
posted by grubi at 9:33 AM on February 12, 2015
Kondabolu is sharp and clever and informed, he can do the fake news gravitas, and like Vulture says, he'd have something to say.
I love this too, for exactly those reasons. I'm not completely sure he'd do it, because I can't see Viacom letting him write the kind of show he would want. Along those same lines, I wonder if Trevor Noah putting an outsider spin on that chair would be interesting. Noah's contributor spots have been very funny.
posted by gladly at 9:50 AM on February 12, 2015
I love this too, for exactly those reasons. I'm not completely sure he'd do it, because I can't see Viacom letting him write the kind of show he would want. Along those same lines, I wonder if Trevor Noah putting an outsider spin on that chair would be interesting. Noah's contributor spots have been very funny.
posted by gladly at 9:50 AM on February 12, 2015
Maybe they could move Larry Wilmore (back) to the Daily Show and give Jessica Williams her own show to replace Larry's. I'm not sure how I feel about the Nightly Show, but I think Larry Wilmore could do well as the Daily Show host.
Another possibility might be to have Jason Jones and Samantha Bee be co-anchors. I don't think either of them could hold up the show on their own, but they might be interesting as co-anchors. And it would be enough of a change in format to avoid direct comparisons to Jon Stewart's Daily Show.
posted by klausness at 2:36 PM on February 12, 2015 [2 favorites]
Another possibility might be to have Jason Jones and Samantha Bee be co-anchors. I don't think either of them could hold up the show on their own, but they might be interesting as co-anchors. And it would be enough of a change in format to avoid direct comparisons to Jon Stewart's Daily Show.
posted by klausness at 2:36 PM on February 12, 2015 [2 favorites]
I'm just going to have to Larry Sanders it and throw Bobcat Goldthwait into the mix for next host.
posted by downtohisturtles at 6:49 PM on February 12, 2015
posted by downtohisturtles at 6:49 PM on February 12, 2015
A couple of more critical takes on Stewart's tenure:
Jon Stewart announces end to jester liberalism
Why Jon Stewart Was Bad for the Liberals Who Loved Him
Both of these are in the "linking doesn't equal agreement" file for me, but I think they both make some valid points, particularly Lehmann's point about Stewart's kid gloves interview style, and Bouie's description of Stewart's "anti-politics" where substantive differences were often ignored in favor of cheap punch lines. I think both pieces fail to account for the large audience of people who likely wouldn't be tuned into politics at all without Stewart making it entertaining, but as we celebrate his contributions, it's not a bad idea to take stock of some of the missed opportunities as well.
posted by tonycpsu at 7:24 PM on February 12, 2015 [1 favorite]
Jon Stewart announces end to jester liberalism
Why Jon Stewart Was Bad for the Liberals Who Loved Him
Both of these are in the "linking doesn't equal agreement" file for me, but I think they both make some valid points, particularly Lehmann's point about Stewart's kid gloves interview style, and Bouie's description of Stewart's "anti-politics" where substantive differences were often ignored in favor of cheap punch lines. I think both pieces fail to account for the large audience of people who likely wouldn't be tuned into politics at all without Stewart making it entertaining, but as we celebrate his contributions, it's not a bad idea to take stock of some of the missed opportunities as well.
posted by tonycpsu at 7:24 PM on February 12, 2015 [1 favorite]
Both of these are in the "linking doesn't equal agreement" file for me, but I think they both make some valid points, particularly Lehmann's point about Stewart's kid gloves interview style..
Yeah, that's when everyone knew Letterman lost his edge, he stopped being insolent to celebrities. But that was the deal, if you wanted the exposure, you had to stand up to Letterman.
But that era is over. It's all Hollywood phonies being interviewed by other Hollywood phonies, and Stewart is one of them. There are very few people that know how to be properly insolent to vacuous celebrities.
posted by charlie don't surf at 8:40 PM on February 12, 2015 [2 favorites]
Yeah, that's when everyone knew Letterman lost his edge, he stopped being insolent to celebrities. But that was the deal, if you wanted the exposure, you had to stand up to Letterman.
But that era is over. It's all Hollywood phonies being interviewed by other Hollywood phonies, and Stewart is one of them. There are very few people that know how to be properly insolent to vacuous celebrities.
posted by charlie don't surf at 8:40 PM on February 12, 2015 [2 favorites]
I kind of think that no matter how successful Jon became he always exuded a bit of "OH GOD WHAT THE HELL IS THIS I'M JUST SOME SCHMUCK 30-SOMETHING COMIC WITH A CANCELLED MTV SHOW WHO IS THIS GREY HAIRED JEWISH MAN IN THE MONITOR AND WHO GAVE ME ANOTHER SHOW!?!?"
Like, he always felt he had something to prove even though he'd long since proved it, and that's what kept him sharp. But it also was probably a factor in the interviews he softballed as much as it was in the interviews he really nailed, like a pendulum swinging between insecurity and bravado when faced with srs bsns like the realization that, holy shit, a lot of people really do get their news here instead of any other source. And I think Colbert learned a lot from the bravado in his time there and just ran with it.
posted by jason_steakums at 9:56 PM on February 12, 2015 [3 favorites]
Like, he always felt he had something to prove even though he'd long since proved it, and that's what kept him sharp. But it also was probably a factor in the interviews he softballed as much as it was in the interviews he really nailed, like a pendulum swinging between insecurity and bravado when faced with srs bsns like the realization that, holy shit, a lot of people really do get their news here instead of any other source. And I think Colbert learned a lot from the bravado in his time there and just ran with it.
posted by jason_steakums at 9:56 PM on February 12, 2015 [3 favorites]
AV Club reports, Jon Stewart's announcement caused Viacom's stock to drop in value by $350 million, about 1.5%, due to loss of prestige, loss of a huge and respected ratings draw, and because Stewart shepherded many valuable rising comedy stars like Steve Carrell and Stephen Colbert. (via @Chrontendo)
posted by JHarris at 12:32 PM on February 14, 2015 [3 favorites]
posted by JHarris at 12:32 PM on February 14, 2015 [3 favorites]
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posted by schmod at 4:37 PM on February 10, 2015