'Jordan’s back!': Former 'Daily Show' members respond to Jon Stewart's unexpected comeback

MANHATTAN, NEW YORK CITY: The significance of Jon Stewart's return to 'The Daily Show' desk is being equated to a monumental event, with John Oliver, the former correspondent turned host of HBO's 'Last Week Tonight,' drawing a parallel to NBA legend Michael Jordan's iconic comeback to the Chicago Bulls in 1995 after retiring from the game.

As per The Hollywood Reporter, in an interview with NBC's Willie Geist, Oliver humorously remarked, "Jordan's back!" underscoring the magnitude of Stewart's return.

John Oliver reacts to Jon Stewart's surprise return

John Oliver was equally surprised, just like everyone else, when the news broke, catching him off guard during his interview with Geist.

"I mean, that’s, that is a surprise," remarked Oliver. "That’s a show that needs a host. He certainly is a very, very good one. So yeah, it’ll be exciting to see what he does."

Oliver shared his surprise and anticipation for Stewart's return to 'The Daily Show,' acknowledging Stewart's prowess as a host.

In addition to his surprise at Jon Stewart's return, John Oliver suggested that the show should select a permanent host following Stewart's stint.

He identified former Peacock host Amber Ruffin and former 'Daily Show' correspondent Roy Wood Jr as formidable candidates for the role.

Oliver wasn't the sole former Daily Show member expressing their thoughts on Stewart's comeback.

Trevor Noah, Jordan Klepper, and Daily Show correspondents celebrate Jon Stewart's return

Trevor Noah, who assumed the hosting role after Stewart, shared his excitement on X (formerly Twitter) with a succinct post: "Yessssssss he’s back," accompanied by five "raising hands" emojis for emphasis on Jon Stewart's X post. 

'The Daily Show' contributor and former correspondent Jordan Klepper chimed in on X, humorously suggesting, "This dude's been juicing."

Furthermore, he extended a warm welcome to Stewart on Instagram, captioning a picture of Stewart at his desk with the words "Welcome home, JS."

Troy Iwata, another correspondent, expressed his surprise at X by sharing a picture of a startled Minion, symbolizing the collective astonishment at Stewart's return.

Meanwhile, Grace Kuhlenschmidt, another correspondent, shared the song 'Stuck Like Glue' from Sugarland alongside an image of Stewart, expressing her anticipation by stating, "I just know this is going to be our karaoke song."

Jon Stewart's close bond with the team of 'The Daily Show' correspondents during his tenure was evident, and the program served as a launchpad for many, with figures like John Oliver, Samantha Bee, Hasan Minhaj, and Stephen Colbert transitioning to their own successful late-night shows.

Notably, Stewart also serves as an executive producer for 'Colbert's Late Show' on CBS.

'The Daily Show's all-star cast honors Jon Stewart in 2015

The roster of 'The Daily Show' boasts a rich history of talent, including veterans such as Steve Carell, Ed Helms, Rob Riggle, Jason Jones, Josh Gad, Al Madrigal, Larry Wilmore, and Wyatt Cenac.

Notably, even Michael Che, the current host of 'Saturday Night Live's Weekend Update,' had a brief stint as a correspondent before making the jump to 'SNL.'

In a poignant farewell to Jon Stewart as the host in August 2015, Comedy Central orchestrated a reunion that brought together nearly all of the show's correspondents and contributors.

The memorable gathering took place in the show's surprisingly confined studio on the west side of Manhattan, marking a significant moment in the show's history.

Following a sketch featuring all the correspondents, including Trevor Noah wielding measuring tape for his set adjustments, a poignant moment unfolded during a commercial break.

Stewart, visibly moved with tears in his eyes, distributed heartfelt hugs to the assembled group of correspondents.

Amidst the emotional exchange, Noah's words were audible as he expressed, "You're the best," encapsulating the gratitude and admiration shared by the correspondents for Stewart's impactful tenure on 'The Daily Show.'