Jon Stewart is raising alarm bells over his own fate at Comedy Central following the stunning cancellation of "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert," a move that’s sent shockwaves through the late-night landscape.
Just hours before Colbert’s firing was announced, Jon Stewart opened up on "The Weekly Show" podcast, candidly admitting that he has “no idea” what the future holds for "The Daily Show," which he recently returned to host.
Jon Stewart Voices Concern Over Future Of 'The Daily Show'
“Unfortunately, we haven’t heard anything from them,” Stewart said of Comedy Central and parent company Paramount. “They haven’t called me and said like, ‘Don’t get too comfortable in that office, Stewart!’” He added with a laugh, “I’ve been kicked out of sh-ttier establishments than that. We’ll land on our feet.”
But even with humor, Stewart’s unease was clear. “I’d like to believe that... without 'The Daily Show', Comedy Central is kind of like muzak at this point,” he said. “I think we’re the only sort of life that exists on a current basis other than 'South Park.'”
The 62-year-old host expressed hope that the show still brings “enough value” to Comedy Central, though he acknowledged that may not be part of the company’s current “consideration,” especially as Paramount faces major upheaval amid its proposed $8 billion merger with Skydance.
Stephen Colbert's Axing Sparks Industry Panic
CBS shocked fans and industry insiders alike when it confirmed Thursday that "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert" would end its historic run in May 2026. The decision, CBS said, was “purely a financial decision against a challenging backdrop in late night,” and not a reflection of Colbert’s performance or political content.
Still, the timing has raised eyebrows. Colbert had just gone on a fiery rant on-air, blasting Paramount for settling a $16 million lawsuit with Donald Trump over claims the network manipulated a "60 Minutes" interview with Kamala Harris.
Calling the settlement a “big, fat, bribe,” Colbert accused Paramount of giving in too easily. “They know 'completely without merit.' Paramount produced 'Transformers: Rise of the Beast,' after all,” he quipped.
Now, reports claim "The Late Show" was hemorrhaging $40 million annually, making it an easy target for the chopping block as Paramount restructures ahead of the merger.
Inside Stephen Colbert’s Exit
Stephen Colbert, whose final broadcast is set for May 2026, reportedly learned that "The Late Show" was being canceled around July 4. The decision came from Paramount Co-CEO George Cheeks, who then went on vacation, leaving CBS executives to strategize behind Colbert’s back, as CNN reported.
Colbert confirmed the news internally on Thursday, racing to inform his team personally before word leaked to the press. The comedian was said to be concerned that his staff might otherwise find out about their looming unemployment from news headlines rather than their own leadership.
While some speculated that Colbert’s vocal criticism of Donald Trump may have played a role in the show’s demise, media analyst Matthew Belloni pushed back on that theory. He noted that although Colbert, along with Jimmy Fallon and Jimmy Kimmel, has become known for his consistent Trump-targeted monologues, often criticized by viewers as tiresome, there is no confirmed evidence that his cancellation was designed to appease the former president.
Trump Celebrates Colbert’s Cancellation, And Takes Aim At Late Night Rivals
President Donald Trump wasted no time weighing in on Stephen Colbert’s "Late Show" cancellation, and his reaction was predictably gleeful.
Taking to Truth Social on Friday, Trump wrote, “I absolutely love that Colbert got fired. His talent was even less than his ratings.” He didn’t stop there, turning his attention to fellow late-night hosts Jimmy Kimmel and Jimmy Fallon.
“I hear Jimmy Kimmel is next. Has even less talent than Colbert,” Trump claimed, before praising Fox News’ Greg Gutfeld as the reigning voice of late-night. “[He’s] better than all of them combined, including the Moron on NBC who ruined the once great 'Tonight Show,'” Trump added, referencing Fallon.
The president has long held a grudge against the traditional late-night circuit, which he’s frequently slammed as biased and out of touch.
Is Stewart Next?
While "The Daily Show" isn’t facing immediate cancellation, Jon Stewart’s remarks and the precedent set by Stephen Colbert’s ousting have fans worried.
Stewart, who originally hosted "The Daily Show" from 1999 to 2015 before returning earlier this year as a rotating host, acknowledged the uncertainty of staying on a network where legacy franchises are suddenly being shuttered.
As Paramount and Skydance prepare to finalize their merger, which still requires federal approval, even longtime stars like Stewart are feeling the instability creeping into once-reliable institutions of late-night TV.
For now, Stewart remains in his Comedy Central chair, but as the landscape continues to shift under his feet, even he admits that nothing is guaranteed.