I honestly think Stewart's refusal to pretend Biden was still ok was instrumental in getting him to step down
All the "serious" news closed ranks for him, and even cable late shows like Colbert cracked a few jokes but still backed him.
Stewart was one of the few with the balls to say the bus was headed off a cliff and we needed to slam the brakes now instead of hoping we could land the jump.
I liked the Trevor Noah iteration of the show, and I feel he was maligned unfairly. And most of that came from the fact that neither he nor anybody else (except, in hindsight, maybe John Oliver) could have filled the gargantuan shoes Jon Stewart left.
But all that said, Stewart just has a different knock. I respect the guy tremendously. He's got integrity, razor-sharp intelligence, and a true gift for comedy and comedic timing.
I mean, Jordan or Desi could easily carry the show.
Ronnie still needs some time, and if you haven't been watching Josh Johnson on standup you need to start.
He uploads a couple half hour sets a week, and it's all current topics. Dude could have his own show tomorrow and pull it off.
I started watching his stuff at some point during Covid, and when he made correspondent I knew he was going to be huge.
So it's great having Stewart come back occasionally, but they don't really need him, they've got the talent to do a second show like Colbert had back in the day even.
You have to also give credit where it's due to Biden and his team, for having the intelligence and decency to step aside, to acknowledge that the president is vulnerable this election cycle, to play to their party's strengths and present an ace up their sleeve, and for having picked Kamala as VP four years ago in the first place!
President Joe Biden has proven himself to be a true patriot - country first, ego taking a step or three back. He deserves our applause.