CNN
—
Reactions to Jon Stewart returning to “The Daily Show” after greater than eight years – internet hosting in the future every week and overseeing the remainder – had been decidedly blended. Whereas some embraced the information with enthusiasm, others, together with writers in Time and the Huffington Submit, noticed it as a step again, even “regressive.”
Turning to the present’s former host of 16 years, after greater than a yr of thumb-twiddling since successor Trevor Noah signed off, doesn’t seem risk-taking or daring. However it does make appreciable sense on each ends, with Stewart reclaiming a outstanding platform throughout an election yr, and Comedy Central benefiting not solely from his expertise as an entertainer however maybe extra importantly, as a confirmed developer of comedy expertise.
Though it’s simple to neglect, the little children of “The Day by day Present” characterize a really spectacular roster, together with Noah, Stephen Colbert, Steve Carell, John Oliver, Samantha Bee, Jessica Williams, Rob Riggle, Jason Jones and Jordan Klepper.
In his closing episode again in 2015, Stewart spoke proudly of “the expertise that has handed by way of these doorways,” whereas Colbert lauded his former boss for being “infuriatingly good at your job.”
Stewart hasn’t precisely remained dormant throughout his time within the wilderness, doggedly advocating for veterans and internet hosting a program for Apple TV+, “The Problem with Jon Stewart.” But that present by no means actually caught on, and he hasn’t loved the identical cultural footprint he commanded throughout his time on Comedy Central, the place he emerged as one of the astute observers of politics and media, delivering a four-night-a-week balm of much-needed wit and sanity to those that shared his criticisms and considerations.
“I very a lot needed to have some place to unload ideas as we get into this election season,” Stewart mentioned throughout an look on “CBS Mornings” on Monday. “I believed I used to be going to do it over at — they name it Apple TV+. It’s a tv enclave, very small. It’s like residing in Malibu. They determined, they felt that they didn’t need me to say issues that may get me in bother.”
Assuming this new setup quantities to a short lived, stopgap association, the true profit for Comedy Central is much less Stewart’s Rachel Maddow-like begin-the-week presence than the knack he exhibited for cultivating future hosts and stars – and in contrast to Oliver, who parlayed his “Day by day Present” showcase into an HBO program, discovering a technique to hold these gamers within the community’s fold.
Jon Stewart is again on “The Day by day Present.” See how he obtained right here
Stunningly, “The Day by day Present” and its alumni have acquired each Emmy for excellent selection collection for greater than 20 years, relationship again to 2003. Stewart’s previous model gained 10 straight instances, “The Colbert Report” twice, and Stewart had an encore in 2015 earlier than Oliver’s “Final Week Tonight” started its seven-year streak, till he moved into one other class and the Tv Academy honored Noah’s “Day by day Present” swansong.
Even in a part-time on-air capability, Stewart ought to generate the sort of viral clips and buzz which have more and more develop into key forex for such franchises, regardless of the numerous erosion and dilution of linear TV’s affect throughout his prolonged absence.
Granted, that dynamic serves as a reminder that Stewart comes again to a really completely different media and leisure setting than the one which existed when he left Comedy Central. Simply take into consideration the evolution of phrases like “MAGA” and “streaming” within the intervening years.
“I’m hoping to have a catharsis and a technique to touch upon issues and a technique to categorical them that hopefully folks will get pleasure from,” Stewart informed CBS. “However so far as affect, and also you guys know from doing this, nearly every part I had needed to occur over the 16 years that I used to be at ‘The Day by day Present’ didn’t occur.”
Stewart is hardly the primary particular person in leisure (or certainly, even the primary late-night host) to appreciate an previous job was a fairly good one. Generally you’ll be able to go residence once more, and generally, you’ll be able to’t.
Given all that, it’s simple to see why some critics would conclude Comedy Central has merely kicked the can down the street by looking for to return to the longer term, as a substitute of beginning contemporary by betting on somebody new.
But that overlooks Stewart’s monitor document nurturing those that can and have credibly stuffed his footwear. In addition to, even when the reunion doesn’t pan out as deliberate, amid unsettling instances, the community has on the very least purchased itself – and Stewart’s admirers – just a few extra moments of Zen.
“The Day by day Present” marks Jon Stewart’s return February 12 at 11 p.m. ET on Comedy Central.