On the importance of Jon Stewart
In 1999 Jon Stewart became the second host in The Daily Show's short run (Craig Kilborn was host from 1996-1998) and I wasn't happy about it.
I enjoyed The Daily Show and its weird mix of local news/entertainment show satire. I especially liked Beth Littleford's Barbara Walters/Oprah style weepy interviews.
When Kilborn announced that he would be leaving the show to host The Late Late Show on CBS (there were also rumors of backstage drama) I was disappointed.
After all, I had never heard of this Jon Stewart character. He had hosted a couple of shows on MTV that didn't last long and had been a bit part in a few movies. I thought the show was doomed.
I have never been so happy to be so wrong.
For the next sixteen years Stewart transformed The Daily Show from a silly little bit of comedy fluff into an institution. They aimed their satire laser on politics and the news and became the voice for a group of people disenfranchised by the system.
Jon Stewart helped launch the careers of Stephen Colbert, Steve Carell, John Oliver and Larry Wilmore. He introduced angry comic Lewis Black to a whole new audience.
He had a memorable appearance on Crossfire ("stop hurting America") he gave one of the most poignant addresses after the September 11th attacks, he became a talking point on other "legitimate" news programs. He influenced news media in a way few others have.
The Daily Show was often described as a fake news show, but that's not really accurate. The news was real and the absurdity of both the politicians and the news anchors was real. Jon Stewart just had the good sense and talent to point it all out in as funny a way as possible.
The Daily Show was the equivalent of the kid sitting in the back of the class, shouting out insults. If, that is, the kid was the smartest man in the room, and if every comment was some salient point.
Now The Daily Show will be searching for its third host. Jon Stewart announced that his sixteen-year run will end later this year, and once again I find myself saddened.
The Daily Show will endure I have no doubt. The machine that Stewart helped create is strong enough to survive with a new host.
But it won't be the same.
What is next for Jon Stewart? No one knows (except maybe Stewart himself) but there is speculation. He recently made his directorial debut with the movie Rosewater. Many think they he may devote his time to future directing efforts.
I have my own theory. It's a little off-the-wall, but I think it has some merit.
With all the turmoil over the Brian Williams situation it looks as though NBC will be looking for a replacement. Could that be Jon Stewart? NBC already courted him for Meet the Press. Is it so outlandish to suggest that Stewart be the new anchor of the NBC Nightly News?
In November Stewart talked to CNN Money and dropped several hints that he might make the leap to a traditional news position.
Maybe NBC placed a call. Maybe they made him an offer he couldn't refuse. Only time will tell.
I enjoyed The Daily Show and its weird mix of local news/entertainment show satire. I especially liked Beth Littleford's Barbara Walters/Oprah style weepy interviews.
When Kilborn announced that he would be leaving the show to host The Late Late Show on CBS (there were also rumors of backstage drama) I was disappointed.
After all, I had never heard of this Jon Stewart character. He had hosted a couple of shows on MTV that didn't last long and had been a bit part in a few movies. I thought the show was doomed.
I have never been so happy to be so wrong.
For the next sixteen years Stewart transformed The Daily Show from a silly little bit of comedy fluff into an institution. They aimed their satire laser on politics and the news and became the voice for a group of people disenfranchised by the system.
Jon Stewart helped launch the careers of Stephen Colbert, Steve Carell, John Oliver and Larry Wilmore. He introduced angry comic Lewis Black to a whole new audience.
He had a memorable appearance on Crossfire ("stop hurting America") he gave one of the most poignant addresses after the September 11th attacks, he became a talking point on other "legitimate" news programs. He influenced news media in a way few others have.
The Daily Show was often described as a fake news show, but that's not really accurate. The news was real and the absurdity of both the politicians and the news anchors was real. Jon Stewart just had the good sense and talent to point it all out in as funny a way as possible.
The Daily Show was the equivalent of the kid sitting in the back of the class, shouting out insults. If, that is, the kid was the smartest man in the room, and if every comment was some salient point.
Now The Daily Show will be searching for its third host. Jon Stewart announced that his sixteen-year run will end later this year, and once again I find myself saddened.
The Daily Show will endure I have no doubt. The machine that Stewart helped create is strong enough to survive with a new host.
But it won't be the same.
What is next for Jon Stewart? No one knows (except maybe Stewart himself) but there is speculation. He recently made his directorial debut with the movie Rosewater. Many think they he may devote his time to future directing efforts.
I have my own theory. It's a little off-the-wall, but I think it has some merit.
With all the turmoil over the Brian Williams situation it looks as though NBC will be looking for a replacement. Could that be Jon Stewart? NBC already courted him for Meet the Press. Is it so outlandish to suggest that Stewart be the new anchor of the NBC Nightly News?
In November Stewart talked to CNN Money and dropped several hints that he might make the leap to a traditional news position.
Maybe NBC placed a call. Maybe they made him an offer he couldn't refuse. Only time will tell.
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