“The Problem with Jon Stewart” will not be returning for a Season 3 on Apple TV+, the New York Times has reported. While the talk show was scheduled to begin filming new episodes in the coming weeks, creative differences between Stewart and Apple executives reached an impasse that led to the show’s abrupt ending.
Per the report, plans to cover sensitive topics including China and artificial intelligence in Season 3 raised eyebrows for Apple executives. It also became clear that the looming 2024 election could create even more editorial headaches. The mutual decision was then made to end the show.
“The Problem with Jon Stewart” was one of the most anticipated television events of 2021, as it marked Stewart’s first major television endeavor since ending his legendary run hosting “The Daily Show” in 2015. While he signed an overall deal with HBO shortly after he left the Comedy Central gig, nothing was ultimately produced from it. In the years between talk shows, his public appearances were largely limited to his advocacy for veterans, occasional appearances on “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert,” and writing and directing the 2020 film “Irresistible.”
While many viewers were thrilled to see Stewart behind a talk show desk again, “The Problem” received mixed reviews from critics. Each episode featured Stewart taking a deep dive into a single topic before interviewing an expert on it, with episodes being researched and filmed well in advance of airing. While the show was nominated for five Primetime Emmys, many critics lamented that the show’s distance from the daily news cycle and focus on activism appeared to dull Stewart’s bemused satirical edge.
The reported dispute also sheds light on what could evolve into a larger problem for Hollywood as tech companies like Apple and Amazon become major players in the entertainment industry despite earning the bulk of their revenue from other sources. Streaming services like Apple TV+ and Prime Video were initially conceived as value-adds for customers who purchase other products. The incident with Stewart illustrates that even successful shows can become problems for tech giants when they interfere with a company’s larger business model.
