Jon Stewart addresses possible ‘Daily Show' cancellation after Stephen Colbert gets axed
Jon Stewart addressed the speculation that his late-night Comedy Central talk show might be canceled as the network's parent company, Paramount Global, prepares to merge with Skydance Media.
The comedian's remarks came the same day that CBS announced its plan to cancel 'The Late Show With Stephen Colbert' after the program's next season.
13 Jon Stewart attends Comedy Central's 'The Daily Show' FYC Event at Linwood Dunn Theater on June 7, 2025, in Los Angeles, California.
Getty Images for Comedy Central
13 Stephen Colbert during 'The Late Show with Stephen Colbert' on June 25, 2025.
CBS via Getty Images
'Boy, that's a good question,' Stewart, 62, said during 'The Weekly Show' podcast on Thursday, July 17. 'Unfortunately, we haven't heard anything from them. They haven't called me and said like, 'Don't get too comfortable in that office, Stewart!''
'But let me tell you something: I've been kicked out of s—-ier establishments than that,' he added. 'We'll land on our feet.'
However, Stewart also noted that the show could avoid potential cancellation because it is one of Comedy Central's most popular programs.
13 Jon Stewart talks possible 'Daily Show' cancellation during the July 17 episode of 'The Weekly Show' podcast.
The Weekly Show With Jon Stewart/YouTube
13 Jon Stewart during the July 17 episode of 'The Weekly Show' podcast.
The Weekly Show With Jon Stewart/YouTube
'I'd like to believe that without 'The Daily Show'… I don't know. Comedy Central is kind of like muzak at this point,' he shared. 'I think we're the only sort of life that exists on a current basis other than 'South Park.' But it's the only thing on there.'
Premiering in 1996, Stewart has hosted 'The Daily Show' for 16 of its nearly 30-year run.
After serving as the show's main anchor from 1999 to 2015, he returned in 2024 as a part-time host.
13 Jon Stewart discusses 'The Daily Show' during the July 17 episode of 'The Weekly Show' podcast.
The Weekly Show With Jon Stewart/YouTube
13 Jon Stewart hosts 'The Daily Show with Jon Stewart' on August 6, 2015, in New York City.
Getty Images for Comedy Central
The long-running Comedy Central talk show earned a 2025 Emmy nomination for Outstanding Talk Series earlier this week, and Deadline reported that the program recently scored its highest ratings since August 2015.
That still might not be enough to save it from cancellation should Paramount merge with Skydance in a deal valued as high as $8 billion.
'I'd like to think we bring enough value to the property,' Stewart continued. 'If they're looking at it as purely a real estate transaction, I think we bring a lot of value.'
13 Jon Stewart at a Comedy Central event for 'The Daily Show' on June 8, 2025.
Image Press Agency/NurPhoto/Shutterstock
'But that may not be their consideration. They may sell the whole f—ing place for parts. I just don't know,' he concluded. 'We'll deal with it when we do.'
Meanwhile, this week also saw CBS announce the cancellation of Stephen Colbert's beloved late-night show next year.
The network claimed it was 'purely a financial decision' in a statement released on Thursday.
13 Stephen Colbert during an episode of 'The Late Show with Stephen Colbert' on May 15, 2025.
CBS via Getty Images
13 Stephen Colbert during 'The Late Show with Stephen Colbert' on July 14, 2025.
CBS via Getty Images
'We consider Stephen Colbert irreplaceable and will retire 'The Late Show' franchise in May of 2026,' the statement read. 'We are proud that Stephen called CBS home. He and the broadcast will be remembered in the pantheon of greats that graced late-night television.'
'This is purely a financial decision against a challenging backdrop in late night,' the CBS execs added. 'It is not related in any way to the show's performance, content or other matters happening at Paramount.'
Colbert addressed the shocking cancellation during the show's Thursday taping.
13 A marquee is displayed at the Ed Sullivan Theater, where 'The Late Show with Stephen Colbert' is filmed, in New York City on July 18, 2025.
REUTERS
13 Stephen Colbert poses for a picture with the award for Outstanding Variety Special at the 73rd Primetime Emmy Awards in Los Angeles on September 19, 2021.
REUTERS
'I share your feelings,' Colbert, 61, said after his audience booed at the news. 'I'm not being replaced, this is all just going away.'
'The Late Show' premiered on CBS in 1993 with host David Letterman. Colbert took over in 2015 after Letterman, 78, left the show.
'The Late Show With Stephen Colbert' is set to end in May 2026.
13 Jimmy Kimmel at his desk for an episode of 'Jimmy Kimmel Live!' on May 20, 2025.
Disney via Getty Images
13 Jimmy Fallon during a segment of 'The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon' on Wednesday, May 21, 2025
Todd Owyoung/NBC via Getty Images
Jimmy Kimmel, whose competing late-night show airs on ABC, threw his support behind Colbert and blasted CBS over its surprising decision.
'Love you Stephen,' Kimmel wrote on his Instagram Story after the news was announced. 'F–k you and all your Sheldons CBS.'
Jimmy Fallon, another fellow late-night host, also took to his Instagram Story to weigh in on CBS' decision to cancel 'The Late Show With Stephen Colbert.'
'I'm just as shocked as everyone,' the 'Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon' host wrote on Friday morning. 'Stephen is one of the sharpest, funniest hosts to ever do it.'
'I really thought I'd ride this out with him for years to come,' he added.
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