The Problem with Jon Stewart

Did You Know?

• The series was accompanied by a weekly podcast that premiered on September 30, 2021.
• The first episode premiered on September 30, 2021, with one new episode initially scheduled every other Thursday.

Production

Jon Stewart returned to the format he left in 2015 when Apple announced in October 2020 that he would produce a new current affairs program for Apple TV+ under a multi-year deal. The show assembled its team during early 2021, bringing on Brinda Adhikari, a veteran of network news, as showrunner and executive producer, Chelsea Devantez as head writer, and Lorrie Baranek as Stewart’s production executive in February. Busboy Productions also posted openings for various production roles. The series was titled The Problem with Jon Stewart in April 2021, with a premiere set for late that year. Each hour-long episode tackled a single topic tied to ongoing national debates and Stewart’s own advocacy. Apple planned multiple seasons, each paired with a companion podcast hosted by Stewart and his writing and production staff. Filming in front of a live New York City studio audience kicked off on July 14, 2021.

Cancellation

The show ended on October 19, 2023, after Stewart and Apple couldn't agree on its direction, with reports pointing to disagreements over topics like artificial intelligence, Israel, and China. During an April 8, 2024, appearance on The Daily Show, Stewart told FTC Chair Lina Khan that Apple had asked him not to interview her, saying, "They literally said 'please don't talk to her.'" He also noted that Apple blocked him from discussing AI in that same episode. CNN later reported that Stewart had raised concerns about Apple's objections to his show covering AI, China, and Israel.