General Discussion

In many ways, The Daily Show with Jon Stewart should be considered one of the best comedies on television. First of all, it is overall one of the funniest shows that induces laughter in every episode. However, it is also one of the best sources to get pretty blunt news and updates on the daily happenings of politics and media throughout the country (and world). It is a satirical "fake" news show, yet is more honest than any of the actual programs on the actual cable news networks. Much of this is attributed to...you guessed it, Jon Stewart. The host is charming and witty and one of the best comedians of our time.

Now, he is taking that talent to movies. He will be taking a 12 week break from The Daily Show to direct his first feature film. He is leaving the show in the hands of the talented John Oliver, so don't fear, you will still get your daily "Moment of Zen."

While Stewart is known for being funny, he will greatly shift tones for the film, Rosewater. It will be based on Maziar Bahari's book, "Then They Came For Me: A Family's Story of Love, Captivity and Survival." The book explores Bahari's story as a BBC journalist who was held in an Iranian prison for 118 days during their presidential election of 2009. It's a harrowing story, but one that will expose and bring light to many global issues.

This might seem like an odd choice for Stewart as he is known for his comedy. However, The Daily Show is also a brilliant in the way they are able to discuss important global issues. It is easy to see why this would be a passion project for Stewart and I am very interested to see if he talent will transfer to directing. I have a feeling it will and will be pretty brilliant.

John Oliver as temp host of The Daily Show? Sure, I'm game.

The Daily Show's success is the perfect mixture of material and host.
 
The Daily Show was good under the previous host, Craig Kilbourn, but not great - it didn't quite gel.
Same is true for Jon Stewart's previous talk shows - good but not great - it didn't quite gel.
But when you put the two together - it's fantastic. 

Honestly I've read Stewart's books and seen his work outside of The Daily Show, and I've seen The Daily Show under guest hosts, and neither are great. So I'm neither overly excited about a Jon Stewart movie, nor of John Oliver guest hosting.

John Oliver as the host should be weird and hilarious.

THE DAILY SHOW isn't very good. Two nights ago, I was watching it for like five minutes and he was making a monologue on Romney's 47% comment that were made public a month before the 1st debate. And now it is March 2013. The sequester just started, North Korea just got nukes, and Italy just had a critical election, but John Stewart is making a comedic-ish argument on how Americans should vote FOUR MONTHS after the election. How is that "blunt political news." I always turn it off and turn to Conan instead.

@VioletEyedDragon: I didn't catch this particular episode, perhaps it was a rerun? I would find it very odd indeed for them to go back to something that old unless it was in new context with Romney recently.

I'm not as active a Daily Show viewer as I used to be, but I usually enjoy it when it's on. John Oliver is hit and miss with me, depending on the topic he's covering. I suppose I'd check out Stewart's film on Netflix unless it gets good reviews and plays near me.

@rem25 said:

@VioletEyedDragon: I didn't catch this particular episode, perhaps it was a rerun? I would find it very odd indeed for them to go back to something that old unless it was in new context with Romney recently.

I'm not as active a Daily Show viewer as I used to be, but I usually enjoy it when it's on. John Oliver is hit and miss with me, depending on the topic he's covering. I suppose I'd check out Stewart's film on Netflix unless it gets good reviews and plays near me.

I think it was a new episode as it was on sometime in the evenings, which is when THE DAILY SHOW airs (I'm not sure the exact time slot, as I am not a regular viewer). And I don't think it was in the context of a new event. I think it was just Stewart beating a dead horse rather than address the more controversial (and less favorable to his party) issues of today.

@etragedy: I thought Rob Corddry did a great job occasionally filling in for Jon Stewart. Anyone who has listened to The Bugle should know that The Daily Show is in great hands with John Oliver.

I think it's good for Jon Stewart to get away from The Daily Show occasionally, and recharge his batteries.

Lately, the show seems to relish taking on the very easy target which is Fox News, which is getting kind of old.