Yes!! I’ve been playing ostrich and sticking my head in the dirt every time anyone has mentioned that Jon’s contract was up this year, but it looks like I can breathe easy for a bit longer now. Broadcasting & Cable has the good news (internal links omitted):
Daily Show’s Jon Stewart Signs Comedy Central Extension
Host Will Remain with Cable Network Through Dec. 31, 2010; Move to Letterman’s CBS Chair Next?
By Ben Grossman — Broadcasting & Cable, 10/18/2007 4:00:00 PMJon Stewart signed a two-year contract extension that will keep him at Comedy Central through Dec. 31, 2010. Stewart informed his staff of the news Thursday afternoon and a formal announcement is expected shortly.
The length of the extension coincides with the 2010 expiration of David Letterman’s deal at CBS, which will fuel the speculation that the Daily Show host and Comedy franchise player could be in line to take over at CBS if Letterman decides to step away after his current deal is up.
Stewart’s current contract was set to expire at the end of 2008.
While the deal does not include any additional duties specifically, Comedy is already increasing Stewart’s presence on the Web. The network just launched a new Web site featuring clips dating back to 1999, when Stewart took over the show. Comedy plans to expand the site to include the show’s entire history, and increased online initiatives are a possibility down the road.
While Comedy would have liked to lock Stewart up for a longer period, the two-year deal is potentially good news for CBS. CBS chief Les Moonves is a fan of Stewart, and if the Daily Show star finally jumps to a network late-night show, he is said to covet Letterman’s chair.
Stewart has been courted by other networks, such as earlier this year, when he met with NBC executives Jeff Zucker and Marc Graboff, as reported in B&C.
YAY! Oh, that is fantastic news!
Shout Out (Hey!):
0
Awesome =D I was really worried he would quit before I had a chance to see a live taping of the show, Now I have two years to save some money and get myself to New York!
Shout Out (Hey!):
0
Yes! This makes me relieved and so happy.
Shout Out (Hey!):
0
They’d be crazy to cancel him. It’s one of CC’s highest rated shows is nit not?
Shout Out (Hey!):
0
@vigwig,
It wasn’t a question of Comedy Central canceling him; a lot of people were afraid Jon wouldn’t want to continue doing the show. He’s implied on occasion that it tires him out, and I’ve certainly read more than one interview in which he mentions that he misses doing standup. Plus, there have been a LOT of stories indicating that the networks have been wooing him.
I’m thrilled that he’s staying with TDS for now, though; things just wouldn’t be the same if I didn’t have my M – Th dose of Jon and Stephen between 11:00 and midnight.
Shout Out (Hey!):
0
Oh, I love you for passing this on!
Shout Out (Hey!):
0
@ MsI, ah I see, thanks. Then kudos to Jon for sticking it out!
Shout Out (Hey!):
0
No worries about him jumping to any other networks. When Colbert becomes President, he’ll probably assume absolute power and destroy any corporations he deems as threatening Fox News.
Shout Out (Hey!):
0