‘You Can’t Replace Jon Stewart’: ‘The Daily Show’ Host Retiring as a ‘National Treasure’
“You can’t replace Jon Stewart”: The Daily Show host retiring as a “national treasure”
“You don’t just swap in a new person and all’s well,” says Tim Goodman of Stewart’s shocking announcement that he’s leaving at the end of the year. “Right now,” he adds, “the news of his departure is just a thing that’s unpleasant. Stewart will get a long goodbye, as is his due. And fans certainly deserve the right to bask in that victory lap … Stewart not only gave real relevance to Comedy Central, but he proved that comedy itself was often more effective than mere media criticism when it came to shining a light on the omnishambles that is TV news (and cable news in particular, since that particular strain rolls on even when there’s no news to report, which was the ur-moment in televised ‘journalism’ dying at the altar of entertainment and ratings). Nobody did that better.”
—Stewart used “TV’s own tools and language against it to spotlight buffoonery, bad faith, hot air, and hypocrisy”
—Stewart brings something rare to TV: “passion, devoid of either excess anger or irony”
—Celebs react // Twitter loses its mind // Watch Stewart’s 1st Daily Show
—Watch Jon Stewart’s last final episode — from 20 years ago, with guest David Letterman
—Watch an unshaven Stewart on The Daily Show‘s 1st season, with host Craig Kilborn
—Watch Stewart’s 5 greatest Daily Show moments // These are The Daily Show‘s funniest moments, pre-Stewart
—Who should replace Stewart — Steve Carell? Samantha Bee?
—How about a husband-and-wife format with Jason Jones and Samantha Bee?
—“NBC Nightly News with Jon Stewart”?
—Looking back at Stewart’s “Incubator of comedic talent”: From Colbert to Carell
—This is a “brutal loss” to Comedy Central coming in wake of Colbert’s exit
—UPDATE: Watch Jon Stewart’s emotional announcement
Brian Williams suspended 6 months — his past attempt to replace Jay Leno on The Tonight Show revealed
NBC News chief Deborah Turness, in announcing the suspension, said the NBC News anchor’s embellishments covering the Iraq war and “on other occasions” was “wrong and completely inappropriate for someone in Brian’s position.” Meanwhile, the New York Times and New York Magazine report that when Leno announced he was leaving the first time, Williams lobbied to replace him as “Tonight Show” host. “Brian wants to be a late-night comedian,” a former colleague tells NY Magazine. “He traded on being Nightly News anchorman-war-reporter to ingratiate himself with Jimmy, Lorne Michaels, and Jon Stewart.” PLUS: Will Williams ever appear on a late-night talk show again?, Williams became a parody of himself with slow-jamming the news and other entertainment appearances, don’t be surprised if Williams’ suspension becomes permanent, and Williams’ name to be removed from NBC Nightly News title.
Ken Jeong to star in Dr. Ken comedy pilot on ABC
The real-life medical doctor will play a fictional and frustrated HMO doctor who has to juggle his work and family.
Craig Ferguson has brought a strange version of his Late Late Show to YouTube
Ferguson and Josh Robert Thompson, who voiced his robot sidekick, have been posting short YouTube videos as they travel the country on tour.
Selma director Ava DuVernay to direct CBS’ For Justice pilot from Robert De Niro
She’ll also serve as an executive producer on the drama series about an FBI agent in the Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division.
The Real renewed
A 2nd season has been ordered of the daytime talk show starring Tamera Mowry-Housley, Tamar Braxton, Loni Love, Jeannie Mai and Adrienne Bailon.
DirecTV creates a Sports Illustrated Swimsuit model edition of its Rob Lowe ad campaign
New print ads show what Hannah Davis, Chrissy Teigen and Nina Agdal look like with cable.
How to save red-carpet shows from being so terrible
E! and the network red-carpet shows have devolved into being awkward and no fun. Maybe it’s time to replace Ryan Seacrest and other hosts of his ilk.
Breaking Bad‘s Betsy Brandt joins Colin Hanks on CBS’ Life in Pieces
Brandt and Hanks will play siblings in the single-camera comedy pilot.
Has Jimmy Fallon turned The Tonight Show into I Love the ’90s?
Nostalgia for the ’90s is all the rage, which is why Fallon last week recreated the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air opening and reunited the cast of Saved by the Bell in an effort to capture more millennial viewers.
Marc Summers reveals his 5-year battle with leukemia
The Food Network and former “Double Dare” star said in a radio interview this week, “I’ve been sort of keeping something secret for the last five years, and I guess I’m ready to talk about it now, and that is: I was diagnosed with cancer five years ago.”
Nearly 2,000 Bolivians protested after local TV cut back on The Simpsons reruns
After demonstrators, some wearing Bart masks took to the streets, a Bolivian network restored The Simpsons‘ two-hour block. PLUS: “Simpsons” collector hopes to set Guinness World Record with his 3,000-item collection.
Teen Mom dad is selling condoms with his face on the cover
Amber Portwood’s ex, Gary Shirley, is apparently now a condom mogul.
Louis CK + Comic strip “Cathy” = “Cathy CK”
The Cathy CK Tumblr mashes up the “Cathy” comics with Louis CK’s wisdom.
Transparent vet joins Extant
Kiersey Clemons will recur as a lifelike robot who’s “a bit morally ambiguous.”
Watch Dr. Phil without dialogue
Without the chatter, Dr. Phil is haunting performance art.
Dexter alum Jennifer Carpenter is pregnant
Carpenter is expecting with her boyfriend Seth Avett, reports Us Weekly.
