Latest news with #JonStewart
Yahoo
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Jon Stewart Unsure About ‘Daily Show' Future Amid Merger: ‘They Might Sell the Whole Place'
Even before CBS announced the unexpected cancellation of The Late Show hosted by Stephen Colbert — allegedly for purely financial reasons — other hosts under the Paramount Global banner were looking over their shoulder. Jon Stewart, who hosts The Daily Show, isn't sure whether the long-running late-night series will survive as Paramount continues its attempt at merging with Skydance Media. The deal has been delayed for over a year while the companies await FCC approval. 'Unfortunately, we haven't heard anything from them,' Stewart said in response to a listener question on his The Weekly Show With Jon Stewart podcast — released on Thursday — about whether Skydance would scrap Daily Show once the merger is complete. 'They haven't called me and said, 'Don't get too comfortable in that office, Stewart.' But let me tell you something, I've been kicked out of shittier establishments than that. We'll land on our feet. I honestly don't know.' More from Rolling Stone Jordan Klepper Charts Trump's Long History With Jeffrey Epstein on 'The Daily Show' Jon Stewart Invites Elmo on 'The Daily Show' to Explain His 'Alt-Right' Tweets Jon Stewart Takes Aim At Trump's Bill: 'What Is ICE Going To Do When They Have Real Money?' Stewart considered that without Daily Show, it's uncertain that Comedy Central could continue to hold up on its own with just the remaining shows on its roster. 'I think we're the only sort of life that exists on a current basis other than South Park,' he said. 'But I'd like to think we bring enough value to the property, like if they're looking at it as purely a real estate transaction, I think we bring a lot of value,' he said. 'But that may not be their consideration. I don't know, they may sell the whole fucking place for parts.' South Park is still alive, but the show creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone recently slammed the Paramount-Skydance merger for delaying the release of Season 27. 'This merger is a shitshow and it's fucking up 'South Park,'' they shared in a recent social media statement. 'We are at the studio working on new episodes and we hope the fans get to see them somehow.' Steward is taking things day by day and said that 'we'll deal with it when we do,' should it come to that point. He doesn't want to make any assumptions regarding Skydance Media CEO David Ellison's plans for the company post-merger, adding: 'We've all got a surmisal about who actually is owning it and what his ideology is, but ideology may not play a part.' When news of The Late Show's cancellation broke, CBS was adamant about stressing that the decision was wholly unrelated to any 'other matters' regarding Paramount. Not everyone is convinced. Senator Elizabeth Warren questioned the motives behind CBS' decision, writing on X: 'CBS canceled Colbert's show just THREE DAYS after Colbert called out CBS parent company Paramount for its $16M settlement with Trump – a deal that looks like bribery. America deserves to know if his show was canceled for political reasons.' Best of Rolling Stone The 50 Best 'Saturday Night Live' Characters of All Time Denzel Washington's Movies Ranked, From Worst to Best 70 Greatest Comedies of the 21st Century Solve the daily Crossword
New York Post
a day ago
- Entertainment
- New York Post
Jon Stewart addresses possible ‘Daily Show' cancellation after Stephen Colbert gets axed
Is 'The Daily Show' next to face the chopping block? 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.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
After Colbert Cancellation, Is The Daily Show Next to Go? Here's What Jon Stewart Has Said About His Comedy Central Future
Is Stephen Colbert's former Daily Show boss also in danger of losing his late-night perch? One week after Status reported that Colbert and Jon Stewart were both on thin ice, and hours before CBS announced that it was cancelling The Late Show With Stephen Colbert, Stewart addressed his uncertain future at Paramount-owned Comedy Central — specifically if the proposed merger with David Ellison's Skydance is approved. More from TVLine President Trump Celebrates Stephen Colbert's Cancellation: 'I Hear Jimmy Kimmel Is Next' Late-Night Hosts Support Stephen Colbert Amid Late Show Cancellation: 'F–k You CBS and All Your Sheldons' CBS Cancels Late Show, With Stephen Colbert Signing Off Next Year - Watch His Announcement 'We haven't heard anything from them,' Stewart said on Thursday's episode of The Weekly Show podcast. 'They haven't called me and said, 'Don't get too comfortable in that office, Stewart.' But let me tell you something: I've been kicked out of sh–tier establishments than that. We'll land on our feet.' Stewart also acknowledged the current state of Comedy Central, adding: 'Without The Daily Show, Comedy Central is kind of like muzak at this point. I think we're the only sort of life that exists on a current basis, other than South Park. But I'd like to think we bring enough value to the property — like, if they're looking at it as purely a real estate transaction, I think we bring a lot of value, but that may not be their consideration. I don't know. [Skydance] may sell the whole f–king place for parts. 'We've all got a surmisal [sic] about who actually [will own Paramount] and what his ideology is, but ideology may not play a part,' Stewart suggested. 'I just don't know.' Colbert announced The Late Show's cancellation at the start of Thursday's broadcast, addressing the audience from his desk and telling them, 'Next year will be our last season.' CBS, which is also owned by Paramount, 'will be ending the Late Show in May.' The audience, of course, loudly booed this news, to which Colbert wryly replied, 'Yeah, I share your feelings.' The Late Show franchise, which started in 1993 with David Letterman, will be retired as well. 'This is purely a financial decision against a challenging backdrop in late night,' CBS said in a statement. 'It is not related in any way to the show's performance, content or other matters happening at Paramount.' That said, CBS' parent company just paid $16 million to settle a lawsuit that President Donald Trump filed over an interview with his 2024 opponent, Kamala Harris, with POTUS accusing the venerable news program of deceptive editing. Earlier this week, upon his return from vacation, Colbert referred to the aforementioned settlement as a 'big fat bribe' — and on Friday, Trump on Truth Social celebrated CBS' decision to cut the Late Show host loose. Meanwhile, Stewart, whose current Daily Show contract is up in December, previously called the Paramount settlement 'shameful.' The Biggest TV Cast Exits of the Year (So Far) View List Best of TVLine 'Missing' Shows, Found! Get the Latest on Ahsoka, Monarch, P-Valley, Sugar, Anansi Boys and 25+ Others Yellowjackets Mysteries: An Up-to-Date List of the Series' Biggest Questions (and Answers?) The Emmys' Most Memorable Moments: Laughter, Tears, Historical Wins, 'The Big One' and More
Boston Globe
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Boston Globe
Stephen Colbert has been a civic-minded voice of reason in troubled times
He declared, memorably, that: 'You cannot laugh and be afraid at the same time.' He told them to remember that there's more to life than politics — an important message for younger viewers. That innate grasp of the big picture is part of what has set Colbert apart from other late-night TV hosts. And that is what we will miss, now that Colbert is rivaled only by his good friend Jon Stewart in perfecting a blend of comedy-as-commentary. For years, Colbert and Stewart functioned, essentially, as running mates in an opposition party. Both knew that nothing takes the air out of a demagogue's balloon better than mockery. Advertisement For all of the many, many times he made us laugh, Colbert often serves as a civic-minded voice of reason. Especially in an era when our political system sometimes appears to be coming apart at the seams, Colbert offers a nightly bit of catharsis and, in a weird way, comfort, without being smarmy or self-congratulatory about it in the least. Advertisement The president who was so often Colbert's target wasted no time opining on the news, posting Friday morning on Truth Social: 'I absolutely love that Colbert got fired. His talent was even less than his ratings.' Trump added: 'I hear Jimmy Kimmel is next. Has even less talent than Colbert!' That predicable broadside is not likely to throw Colbert. Think of his In his crisp blue suit, with his carefully parted hair, there is an old-timey air about Colbert. For all of his anarchic stunts — there is almost no place he will not go, comedically speaking — it was always clear how much he valued tradition. He was a proud, practicing Catholic. There was a bumpy period when Colbert transitioned from his persona on Comedy Central's 'The Colbert Report,' where he played as a Bill O'Reilly-inspired right-wing blowhard, to his perch on CBS, where he could be his full, very liberal self. But Colbert figured it out, along with his crack team of writers, who are the most creative and original on late-night TV. Any random five minutes of a Colbert monologue are often funnier than an entire month of 'Saturday Night Live.' Over the years he has unabashedly described himself as a company man. It clearly mattered to him that his surname was arranged in large letters vertically along the Ed Sullivan Theatre. When he told his audience Thursday about the cancellation, he affectionately referred to CBS as 'the Tiffany Network,' an archaic nickname that no doubt sent many of his younger audience members hurrying to Wikipedia. Advertisement Off the air, he is widely known for his personal decency in an industry that is not exactly overflowing with the milk of human kindness. Indeed, just last month, in a commencement address at Northwestern University, his former fellow 'Daily Show' correspondent Steve Carell described Colbert as 'a famous, powerful person who is also kind,' adding: 'Stephen is a brilliant, wonderful person. Talented, generous, better than I am in almost every way. If he were here today, he'd probably be giving a better speech. An innovator, an icon, a family man, and friend.' But Colbert was also capable of pure fury, and that is what he unleashed when a pro-Trump mob rampaged through the US Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, as part of an effort to overturn the presidential election results. Using his bully pulpit in a manner that would have seemed inconceivable to an earlier generation of late-night hosts such as Johnny Carson, Colbert called Trump 'a violence-inciting fascist'' and denounced the 'coordinated and planned attempt to terrorize, if not kill, our nation's elected leaders.' For a long time afterwards, Colbert refused to say Trump's name on the air. Even in chyron text, it was rendered only as 'T****.' Now that name is inescapable again, 24 hours a day. Colbert has another 10 months on the air, and he has work to do. Don Aucoin can be reached at
The Independent
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Independent
How Jimmy Kimmel reacted to The Late Show being cancelled
CBS and Paramount have announced that The Late Show with Stephen Colbert will conclude its run in May 2026, citing a purely financial decision. Stephen Colbert informed his studio audience of the show's cancellation on Thursday, expressing shared disappointment with their reaction. Fellow late-night host Jimmy Kimmel publicly supported Colbert, criticising CBS for the decision. Despite the cancellation, The Late Show is currently leading its time slot in Nielsen ratings and is the only late-night show to have gained viewers this year. Colbert has hosted The Late Show since 2015, taking over from David Letterman, and previously gained prominence on Jon Stewart's The Daily Show.
