The Problem with Jon Stewart

In October 2020, as part of a multi-year production deal with Apple, it was announced that Jon Stewart was creating a new current affairs series for Apple TV+, marking his return to the format since leaving The Daily Show in 2015.{{Cite web |last=Rose |first=Lacey |date=October 27, 2020 |title=Jon Stewart Returns With Current Affairs Series for Apple (Exclusive) |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/jon-stewart-returns-with-current-affairs-series-for-apple-exclusive |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201027205415/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/jon-stewart-returns-with-current-affairs-series-for-apple-exclusive |archive-date=October 27, 2020 |access-date=April 7, 2021 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |language=en}}

Throughout early 2021, the show was building out its production team, hiring Brinda Adhikari to serve as showrunner and executive producer, Chelsea Devantez as head writer, and Lorrie Baranek as Stewart's executive in production in February 2021.{{Cite web |last=Rose |first=Lacey |date=February 23, 2021 |title=Jon Stewart Taps Showrunner, Producing Team for Apple Show (Exclusive) |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/jon-stewart-taps-showrunner-producing-team-for-apple-show-exclusive |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210410165109/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/jon-stewart-taps-showrunner-producing-team-for-apple-show-exclusive |archive-date=April 10, 2021 |access-date=April 7, 2021 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |language=en}} Adhikari was a longtime network news veteran before coming on to the show.{{Cite web|last=Rose|first=Lacey|date=2021-09-30|title=Jon Stewart's New Showrunner on "Intense" Expectations, Diversity and that "Dicks In Space" Video|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-features/jon-stewart-apple-series-showrunner-1235022713/|access-date=2021-11-29|website=The Hollywood Reporter|language=en-US}} Around the same time, Busboy Productions posted job listings seeking to fill positions for all aspects of the production.{{Cite web |title=HIRING IN ALL DEPARTMENTS |url=https://www.mediabistro.com/jobs/untitled-jon-stewart-appletv-show/job/165749-hiring-in-all-departments |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210223195711/https://www.mediabistro.com/jobs/untitled-jon-stewart-appletv-show/job/165749-hiring-in-all-departments |archive-date=February 23, 2021 |access-date=February 23, 2021 |website=Media Bistro}}

On April 7, 2021, the title of The Problem with Jon Stewart and a late 2021 premiere date for the series were announced.{{Cite web |last=Rose |first=Lacey |date=April 7, 2021 |title=Jon Stewart Sets Title, Launch Plans for Apple Series (Exclusive) |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/jon-stewart-sets-title-launch-plans-for-apple-series-exclusive |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210412140620/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/jon-stewart-sets-title-launch-plans-for-apple-series-exclusive |archive-date=April 12, 2021 |access-date=April 7, 2021 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |language=en}}

Each episode lasted one hour and focused on a single issue that was "currently part of the national conversation and [Stewart's] advocacy work". Apple had said that the show would run for multiple seasons, and that each season would be accompanied by a companion podcast, co-hosted by Stewart and his writing and production staff and following up on each episode.{{Cite press release |title=Apple reveals series title for Jon Stewart's highly anticipated return to television as "The Problem with Jon Stewart," to debut in fall 2021 on Apple TV+ |date=April 7, 2021 |publisher=Apple Inc. |url=https://www.apple.com/tv-pr/news/2021/04/apple-reveals-series-title-for-jon-stewarts-highly-anticipated-return-to-television-as-the-problem-with-jon-stewart-to-debut-in-fall-2021-on-apple-tv/ |access-date=April 7, 2021 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210428213617/https://www.apple.com/tv-pr/news/2021/04/apple-reveals-series-title-for-jon-stewarts-highly-anticipated-return-to-television-as-the-problem-with-jon-stewart-to-debut-in-fall-2021-on-apple-tv/ |archive-date=April 28, 2021}}{{Cite web|url=https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-problem-with-jon-stewart/id1583132133|title=The Problem with Jon Stewart companion podcast|website=Apple Podcasts|publisher=Apple Inc|date=March 24, 2022|access-date=March 27, 2022}}

The series began filming in front of a live studio audience in New York City on July 14, 2021.{{Cite web |last=White |first=Peter |date=July 12, 2021 |title='The Problem With Jon Stewart' To Shoot in Front of a Live, Fully Vaccinated Studio Audience |url=https://deadline.com/2021/07/the-problem-with-jon-stewart-live-vaccinated-audience-1234789517/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210712194933/https://deadline.com/2021/07/the-problem-with-jon-stewart-live-vaccinated-audience-1234789517/ |archive-date=July 12, 2021 |access-date=July 12, 2021 |website=Deadline Hollywood |language=en-US}}

On October 19, 2023, it was announced that the show was cancelled due to creative differences between Stewart and Apple,{{Cite web|last=Goldberg|first=Lesley|date=October 19, 2023|title=Jon Stewart's 'The Problem' Canceled at Apple Amid Creative Differences|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/jon-stewart-the-problem-canceled-apple-creative-differences-1235623235/|access-date=October 19, 2023|website=The Hollywood Report|language=en-US}} which reportedly involved the show's coverage of artificial intelligence, Israel, and China.{{Cite web |last=Pulliam-Moore |first=Charles |date=2023-10-19 |title=Jon Stewart's Apple TV Plus show ends, reportedly over coverage of AI and China |url=https://www.theverge.com/2023/10/19/23924549/jon-stewart-apple-ai-china-cancel |access-date=2023-10-20 |website=The Verge |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Goldman |first=David |date=2023-10-20 |title=Jon Stewart's show on Apple is over because of disagreements about China |url=https://www.cnn.com/2023/10/20/media/jon-stewart-apple/index.html |access-date=2023-10-23 |website=CNN |language=en |quote=CEO Tim Cook made a surprise visit to China last week to drum up sales for Apple’s products and government support for the company’s manufacturing operations in the country. So a potentially critical look at China on Stewart’s show, streamed by Apple, may not have sat well with the consumers and officials Cook is hoping will help boost Apple’s bottom line in the region.}} On The Daily Show on April 8, 2024, in an interview with FTC Chair Lina Khan, Stewart discussed some of his problems with Apple, and said that when he wanted to have Khan on the show, "Apple asked us not do it ... They literally said 'please don’t talk to her'."{{cite web | url=https://www.cnn.com/2024/04/02/media/jon-stewart-lina-khan-apple-interview/index.html | title=Jon Stewart rips into Apple, his old boss, on the Daily Show | CNN Business | website=CNN | date=April 2, 2024 }} Stewart also said that Apple wouldn't let him talk about AI on the same episode . CNN reported that Stewart had talked about concerns expressed by Apple over his show covering subjects of AI, China, and Israel.

{{Series overview

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| episodes1 = 8

| start1 = {{Start date|2021|9|30}}

| end1 = {{End date|2022|3|24}}

| color2 = #000000

| link2 = #Season 2 (2022–23)

| episodes2 = 12

| start2 = {{Start date|2022|10|6}}

| end2 = {{End date|2023|4|6}}

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{{Episode table |background=#788DFF |overall= |season= |title= |airdate= |airdateR={{Cite web |title=Shows A-Z – The Problem with Jon Stewart on Apple TV+ |url=http://www.thefutoncritic.com/showatch/problem-with-jon-stewart/listings/ |access-date=October 7, 2022 |website=The Futon Critic}} |prodcode= |prodcodeR=|episodes=

{{Episode list

|EpisodeNumber = 1

|EpisodeNumber2 = 1

|Title = Veterans

|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2021|9|30}}

|ProdCode = 101

|ShortSummary = Jon Stewart addresses American war veterans' health issues, specifically from burn pits. He speaks to some veterans who say that the Veterans Health Administration doesn't completely cover their treatment if the standard of proof for causality isn't met.{{explain|date=March 2022}}

Secretary of Veterans Affairs Denis McDonough sits down for an interview. This episode concludes with a cameo by Ken Burns.

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}}

{{Episode list

|EpisodeNumber = 2

|EpisodeNumber2 = 2

|Title = COVID-19 Restrictions

|RTitle ={{Cite web |title=Freedom – The Problem With Jon Stewart | Apple TV⁠+ |url=https://tv.apple.com/ca/episode/freedom/umc.cmc.5rh9iam8nfh53ve7b02r3btpm?showId=umc.cmc.4fcexvzqezr25p9weks6sxpob |website=Apple TV|date = October 13, 2021}}

|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2021|10|14}}

|ProdCode = 102

|ShortSummary = Jon Stewart sits down with Bassem Youssef, Francisco Marquez Lara, and Maria Ressa for a discussion on the inconsistency and vagueness in American discussions of "freedom".{{Explain|date=March 2022}} The panelists contrast their repression as journalists and activists in Egypt, Venezuela, and the Philippines with perceived abridgments of freedom in America. Ressa argues that the Philippines, where she claims per capita activity on American-run social media platforms is the highest globally, is a bellwether of the destructive influence of algorithmically tailored misinformation on democracies.

|LineColor = 788DFF

}}

{{Episode list

|EpisodeNumber = 3

|EpisodeNumber2 = 3

|Title = Working-Class Economy

|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2021|10|28}}

|ProdCode = 103

|ShortSummary = Jon talks about how the US government frequently bails out corporations and the rich, but any talk of government assistance to the non-wealthy is dismissed as "socialism". He says that Tim Geithner told him that the government shouldn't pay the mortgages of people who had defaulted during the 2007–2010 subprime mortgage crisis because of "moral hazard."

Secretary of Treasury Janet Yellen sits down for an interview.

Panel: Douglas Holtz-Eakin (former director of the Congressional Budget Office). Darrick Hamilton (professor at the New School). Amy Jo Hutchison. Magaly Licolli.

Guest(s): LeVar Burton, Jason Alexander, and Adam Pally star in a mock movie trailer satirizing Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos and Richard Branson's ventures in space tourism.

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{{Episode list

|EpisodeNumber = 4

|EpisodeNumber2 = 4

|Title = Gun Control

|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2021|11|11}}

|ProdCode = 104

|ShortSummary = Jon focuses on the link between domestic violence and gun violence.{{Explain|date=May 2022}}[https://www.themarysue.com/problem-jon-stewart-guns-domestic-violence/ The Problem With Jon Stewart Examines Domestic Violence to Gun Violence Pipeline] He interviews two women, April Ross and Janet Paulsen, whose husbands sought to kill them for wanting to leave abusive marriages.

Jon interviews David Chipman and a member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP).

Guests: Niecy Nash and Thandiwe Newton.[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QWXaQ41tPFY Guns and Domestic Violence Panel | The Problem With Guns], The Problem With Jon Stewart | Apple TV+

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}}

{{Episode list

|EpisodeNumber = 5

|EpisodeNumber2 = 5

|Title = Stock Market

|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2022|3|3}}

|ProdCode = 105

|ShortSummary = Jon discusses the stock market, juxtaposing its ownership inequality with its supposed democratization. He explains that with Robinhood Markets, an investor's money doesn't go directly to the stockbroker; instead, the money goes to a payment for order flow (PFOF) handler such as Citadel LLC. Sometimes, market makers "slip the order into what are called dark pools" according to Stewart. He describes "dark pools" as "private exchanges."

Steward expresses cynicism about PFOF because he credits Bernie Madoff with the idea. He next jokes regarding investors' money, "Bernie made off!" Later, he compares Robinhood Markets to FanDuel.

• Guest: Gary Gensler (current Securities and Exchange Commission Chair).

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{{Episode list

|EpisodeNumber = 6

|EpisodeNumber2 = 6

|Title = Climate Change

|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2022|3|10}}

|ProdCode = 106

|ShortSummary = Jon lampoons the media’s over-reliance on sensationalist tactics to convey urgency while still failing to provide meaningful, actionable solutions; covers the oil industry’s 20th-century propaganda campaign to individualize the collective responsibility for environmental stewardship, discusses how humans’ track record on similar issues suggests further inaction, shows montage with public statements about tackling climate change reaching back to George Bush 41.

A short satirical video from Ed Begley Jr. leads to the panel.

Sunita Narain, PhD, Director General at the Center for Science and Environment, hosts an intermission piece about the material impacts of climate change on the global south, relevant broken political promises, and future needs.

After a second convening of the panel, Jon interviews with Ben Van Beurden, CEO of Shell.

• Guests: Katherine Dixon IEA Chief Counselor, former Shell VP of Strategy for Energy Transition, Jesse Jenkins, PhD, Professor of Energy Systems Engineering at Princeton University, Heather Toney, VP of Community Engagement at Environmental Defense Fund

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{{Episode list

|EpisodeNumber = 7

|EpisodeNumber2 = 7

|Title = Media

|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2022|3|17}}

|ProdCode = 107

|ShortSummary = Jon Stewart discusses the United States cable news networks and their attempts to boost Nielsen ratings. Stewart also discusses Christopher Rufo receiving media attention for voicing his opposition to critical race theory (CRT).

• Guest: Robert Iger.

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}}

{{Episode list

|EpisodeNumber = 8

|EpisodeNumber2 = 8

|Title = Racism

|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2022|3|24}}

|ProdCode = 108

|ShortSummary = Stewart criticizes white politicians' responses to the George Floyd protests and says that black American intellectuals and artists, including Frederick Douglass, Angela Davis, and Sister Souljah have been articulating similar messages about systemic racism in America for centuries. In montages of news clips at which Stewart aims his criticisms, Bill O'Reilly cites Oprah Winfrey as an example of a successful woman "who made it on her own in America." Anthony Scaramucci says, "LeBron James is a great American success story." Bill O'Reilly blames poverty on the "collapse of the traditional family that is hurting the African American community." Bernard Goldberg says, "72% of black babies are born to single mothers." Stewart compares racial stereotypes in news coverage of drug crises and poverty.{{cite web |title=The Problem With White People|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wu27WJ0Axcw |website=YouTube | date=March 25, 2022 |publisher=The Problem With Jon Stewart |access-date=27 March 2022}}

Stewart cites the GI education benefit as an example of racial discrimination against black Americans. He interviews Lisa Bond, who says, "All of us white people do this [engage in racism]." Bond goes on to claim, "Every single white person upholds the systems and structures of racism."{{Cite web|url=https://www.theproblem.com/episode-8-the-problem-with-racism-white-people/|title = The Problem with White People| work=The Problem with Jon Stewart }}

Stewart travels to Washington DC to interview U.S. Senators Tim Scott (Room 104) and Cory Booker (Room 717) in the Hart Senate Office Building.

• Guests: Andrew Sullivan, Lisa Bond, Charles “Chip” Gallagher.{{cite news |title=Jon Stewart Attempted To Have White People Address Race, With Frustrating Results |url=https://www.themarysue.com/problem-with-jon-stewart-racism-frustrating/ |access-date=27 March 2022}}

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}}

{{update section|Synopses|date=October 2023}}

{{Episode table |background=#000000 |overall= |season= |title= |airdate= |airdateR= |prodcode= |prodcodeR= |episodes={{Episode list

|EpisodeNumber = 9

|EpisodeNumber2 = 1

|Title = The War Over Gender

|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2022|10|6}}

|ProdCode = 201

|ShortSummary = Stewart explores the complex and contentious debates surrounding gender identity and rights in America. The episode examines the social and political tensions surrounding transgender issues and their impact on various communities.

|LineColor = 000000

}}

{{Episode list

|EpisodeNumber = 10

|EpisodeNumber2 = 2

|Title = Where Is Our Tax Money Going?

|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2022|10|13}}

|ProdCode = 202

|ShortSummary = The show investigates how government funds are allocated and spent, critically examining the transparency and effectiveness of public spending. Stewart breaks down the complex mechanisms of federal budget allocation.

|LineColor = 000000

}}

{{Episode list

|EpisodeNumber = 11

|EpisodeNumber2 = 3

|Title = Globalization: Made In America

|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2022|10|20}}

|ProdCode = 203

|ShortSummary = Stewart analyzes the global economic impact of American corporate practices, exploring how globalization has transformed international trade and labor markets. The episode delves into the complex interconnections of modern economic systems.

|LineColor = 000000

}}

{{Episode list

|EpisodeNumber = 12

|EpisodeNumber2 = 4

|Title = Midterms: This Is What Democracy Looks Like?

|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2022|10|27}}

|ProdCode = 204

|ShortSummary = The episode critically examines the 2022 midterm elections, questioning the fundamental mechanisms of American democratic processes. Stewart explores voter participation, electoral challenges, and the state of democratic representation.

|LineColor = 000000

}}

{{Episode list

|EpisodeNumber = 13

|EpisodeNumber2 = 5

|Title = Allies: Friends Without Benefits

|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2022|11|3}}

|ProdCode = 205

|ShortSummary = Stewart investigates international diplomatic relationships, exploring the complexities of global alliances and their practical implications. The episode examines how nations negotiate and maintain strategic partnerships.

|LineColor = 000000

}}

{{Episode list

|EpisodeNumber = 14

|EpisodeNumber2 = 6

|Title = Election Wrap-Up Special

|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2022|11|10}}

|ProdCode = 206

|ShortSummary = A comprehensive analysis of the 2022 midterm election results, providing insights into political shifts and their potential long-term consequences for American governance.

|LineColor = 000000

}}

{{Episode list

|EpisodeNumber = 15

|EpisodeNumber2 = 7

|Title = Chaos, Law, and Order

|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2023|3|2}}

|ProdCode = 207

|ShortSummary = The show explores the challenges within the American criminal justice system, examining issues of law enforcement, legal reform, and societal perceptions of crime and punishment.

|LineColor = 000000

}}

{{Episode list

|EpisodeNumber = 16

|EpisodeNumber2 = 8

|Title = The Military Industrial Excess

|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2023|3|9}}

|ProdCode = 208

|ShortSummary = Stewart critically examines the relationship between military spending, defense contractors, and national security policies. The episode investigates the economic and political dynamics of military procurement.

|LineColor = 000000

}}

{{Episode list

|EpisodeNumber = 17

|EpisodeNumber2 = 9

|Title = The Inflation Blame Game

|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2023|3|16}}

|ProdCode = 209

|ShortSummary = An in-depth exploration of economic inflation, its causes, and the political rhetoric surrounding economic challenges. Stewart breaks down complex economic concepts for broader understanding.

|LineColor = 000000

}}

{{Episode list

|EpisodeNumber = 18

|EpisodeNumber2 = 10

|Title = America's Incarceration Epidemic

|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2023|3|23}}

|ProdCode = 210

|ShortSummary = The show investigates the systemic issues within the American prison system, exploring mass incarceration, its societal impacts, and potential reform strategies.

|LineColor = 000000

}}

{{Episode list

|EpisodeNumber = 19

|EpisodeNumber2 = 11

|Title = Searching for Allies

|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2023|3|30}}

|ProdCode = 211

|ShortSummary = Stewart examines the complexities of international diplomatic relationships and the challenges of maintaining global partnerships in a rapidly changing geopolitical landscape.

|LineColor = 000000

}}

{{Episode list

|EpisodeNumber = 20

|EpisodeNumber2 = 12

|Title = Trump Indicted

|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2023|4|6}}

|ProdCode = 212

|ShortSummary = The final episode of the season focuses on the legal proceedings surrounding former President Donald Trump, analyzing the political and legal implications of the indictment.

|LineColor = 000000

}}

}}

The Problem with Jon Stewart premiered its first episode on September 30, 2021, on Apple TV+, with one new episode initially scheduled to premiere every other Thursday. The series is accompanied by a weekly podcast that premiered on September 30, 2021.{{Cite web |last=Santer |first=Kristin |date=August 30, 2021 |title='The Problem With Jon Stewart' Trailer Reveals the Suit's Return and a Release Date on Apple TV+ |url=https://collider.com/the-problem-with-jon-stewart-release-date-trailer-apple-tv-plus/ |access-date=August 30, 2021 |website=Collider |language=en-US}}

• The Daily Show

{{reflist}}

• {{official website}}
• {{IMDb title|15084142}}
• [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5HJaVyYgo7WPCvIBchRBzQ Official YouTube Channel]

{{The Daily Show}}

{{Apple TV+}}

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Problem with Jon Stewart, The}}

Category:2021 American television series debuts

Category:2023 American television series endings

Category:2020s American late-night television series

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Category:Television shows filmed in New York City

Category:Jon Stewart

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