'Hoping to have a catharsis': Jon Stewart explains driving force behind his ‘The Daily Show’ return

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: Jon Stewart appeared on 'CBS Mornings' on February 12 to discuss his return to 'The Daily Show', citing his desire to freely express his thoughts on current events as a driving force behind his comeback.

"I just thought who better to comment on this election than someone who truly understands two aging men past their prime?" Stewart quipped, referencing President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump.

Stewart returns to 'The Daily Show' for Monday nights

“I mean, look at me, baby," grinned the 61-year-old comedian, known for his penchant for self-deprecating humor about his age.

Last month, Comedy Central revealed plans for Stewart's comeback to the 'The Daily Show' desk on Monday nights, accompanied by a rotating cast of other hosts drawn from the program's news correspondents for the remaining weekdays.

Stewart, who led 'The Daily Show' for 16 years before stepping down in 2015, is set to return the night of February 12.

When Tony Dokoupil of 'CBS Mornings' asked whether he aimed to influence politics, Stewart responded, 'I’m hoping to have a catharsis, and a way to comment on things and a way to express them that hopefully people will enjoy."

He reflected on his tenure at 'The Daily Show,' stating, "Just about everything that I wanted to happen over the 16 years that I was at ‘The Daily Show’ did not happen."

Jon Stewart reflects on influence and return to 'The Daily Show'

Stewart acknowledged that influence takes various forms, noting, "If you were hoping for influence — and I think I’ve learned that post-‘Daily Show,’ being lucky enough to watch activists as they move to the PACT Act and the toxic exposure — but being able to observe that, that’s having influence. Watching people do that."

He highlighted his advocacy for legislation expanding healthcare for 3.5 million American military veterans who were exposed to chemicals and toxic burn pits.

"I like in television, you can occasionally provide air support to those on the ground who are actually doing the work. And so I don’t view it as, ‘I really want to have an influence on this issue, election, things like that'."

Instead, he prefer to employ satire to expose 'corruption and integrity,' rather than simply labeling things as 'right and left' or 'Democratic and Republican'.

“If you focus on integrity, and trying to expose what you think is absurd or corrupt, it’ll find its way to wherever it finds but those are the parameters that you’re trying to use."

When asked why he chose to host 'The Daily Show' only one night a week, Stewart simply stated, "I just felt like just doing Mondays."

 Stewart's return to hosting Monday's show was announced in January, with the rest of the week featuring a rotating team of correspondents from the program, including Jordan Klepper, Desi Lydic, Ronny Chieng, Michael Kosta, and Dulce Sloan.

In addition to hosting on Mondays, Stewart will serve as an executive producer for all nights of the show, ensuring his involvement continues throughout the election cycle.

This shift comes as the show has been actively searching for a permanent replacement host since Trevor Noah's abrupt departure in 2022.