Apple TV+ Show 'The Problem With Jon Stewart' Reportedly Canceled

[MacRumors]

Apple TV+ show "The Problem With Jon Stewart" has been canceled because of "creative differences" between Stewart and Apple executives, reports The New York Times.

Members of the show's staff were informed about its end on Thursday, according to several people with knowledge of the situation, just a couple of weeks before episodes for the third season were scheduled to begin.

The editorial disagreements reportedly revolved around some of the planned guests on "The Problem," as well as potential show topics related to China and artificial intelligence that were causing concern among Apple executives. Apple did not respond to NYT's request for comment.

Apple in 2020 secured a multi-year deal with the writer, producer, and former host of "The Daily Show", which saw Stewart return to television following his 2015 retirement.

The name of the show, "The Problem with Jon Stewart," is a nod to the issues that Stewart explored on the current affairs new series, with topics in the 20 episodes ranging from what's in the national conversation to issues that are part of Stewart's advocacy work.

Article Link: Apple TV+ Show 'The Problem With Jon Stewart' Reportedly Canceled

 

[DFZD]

Not surprised at all. Jon has been always accused of talking sense. But in today’s highly polarised world there are very few buyers for such centrist sensibilities.

 

[Feek]

Oh no!
Anyway, moving on.

 

[unregbaron]

Hahah! - think different?... as long as it's not too different...

 

[JanoschR]

Question is: what is causing more public outcry? Simply airing the show and not many people will notice or cancel it and be in the news for muting criticism of China et. al.?

 

[ApostolisApo]

it has felt weird from the beginning for Apple, a tech company, to take the role of an entertainment/ culture actor. You will inadvertently end up in conflicts like these. Apple should provide the means to consume culture, not produce culture themselves...

 

[DFZD]

Hahah! - think different?... as long as it's not too different...

Tim has always been the incrementally different guy. Too bad he had to get rid of the Unapologetically different guy.

 

[iZac]

Here's to the sensible ones,
the conformists,
the docile,
the peacemakers,
the round pegs in the round holes.
They're fond of rules,
and they have the utmost respect for the status quo.

​

 

[technole]

Tim Apple probably was given the tap on the shoulder while he was in mainland China.

 

[RickDEGH]

Even as someone who consumes a lot of American media, I found it hard to follow the show during the first episode. I couldn’t be bothered to watch again. Maybe someday I will. And, I’m probably sure other people who live elsewhere other than in the USA feel the same. Nonetheless, sorry for those who feel they’re losing a great show/voice.

 

[filmantopia]

A major loss. Those interviews were fantastic. There is no journalism out there like what Stewart was doing in terms of holding the powerful accountable. Bummer Apple couldn’t allow Stewart the editorial freedom he ought to have.

 

[sw1tcher]

The editorial disagreements reportedly revolved around some of the planned guests on "The Problem," as well as potential show topics related to China and artificial intelligence that were causing concern among Apple executives. Apple did not respond to NYT's request for comment.

If true you have to wonder what topics Jon Stewart was going to cover.

Maybe someone else (YouTube? Netflix?) could pick up the show if it gets cancelled.

 

[Robert.Walter]

Jon is perhaps the best overall interviewer on any topic today. And you flushed his show?!

Terrible move Apple!

If Apple can’t stand up to a Jon Stewart exposé then it is possibly on the wrong side of the topic.

 

[ignatius345]

Not surprised at all. Jon has been always accused of talking sense. But in today’s highly polarised world there are very few buyers for such centrist sensibilities.

I loved The Daily Show, but this iteration was just too serious.

 

[alchemistmuffin]

The editorial disagreements reportedly revolved around some of the planned guests on "The Problem," as well as potential show topics related to China and artificial intelligence that were causing concern among Apple executives

The topic related to China was the one that got cancelled from what I heard industry wise. Topic of AI didn’t make Tim Cook and executives happy but they were willing to let it go.

Unfortunately Chinese government found out about show (despite Apple TV+ not available in China), and threatened Apple that they would face total ban on all Apple products unless show was cancelled. At that point, company had no choice.

(And Communist Party of China is dead serious about foreign show making fun of China. See South Park. It was wiped off the map in China (after one episode that made fun of Chinese government) to the point that show never existed at all.)

They are not writing the show off so they are allowed to shop the show elsewhere. (Apple rarely writes the show off) Would not be surprised if Paramount picks the show up, it would blend perfectly with Paramount+, considering Comedy Central (which is owned by Paramount) was Stewart’s home for years.

 

[scheinderrob]

when apple is too woke for even jon stewart

 

[abowlby]

The world is such a funny place right now, every few weeks a power or corrupt entity emerges in the form of silencing anyone who dares to point out their power or corruption and yet still such a large percentage of the population reacts as if that isn’t indicative of some underlying truth behind the curtain.

These companies and talking heads that the media trots out recoil in terror at the awful oppressions in various communities, so long as those agencies and talking heads aren’t profiting from the exploitation. It’s ***** gross.

 

[klasma]

it has felt weird from the beginning for Apple, a tech company, to take the role of an entertainment/ culture actor.

It’s a consequence of the unfortunate fact that the technical delivery of TV streaming content is nowadays bound to providing original content. You can’t successfully build a new streaming platform without providing some dedicated content on it. In theory I think Apple would be happy to just build a delivery platform, like with Apple Music, but that doesn’t really work for TV.

 

[Judo]

Good ol' free market capitalism at work here. Apple's hands were tied when the decided to go public decades ago.

 

[Powerbooky]

Not surprised at all. Jon has been always accused of talking sense. But in today’s highly polarised world there are very few buyers for such centrist sensibilities.

I'm guessing that either some oversensitive stockholders/investors had personal issues or even worse... Washington called. Apple should have been the "misfit" as they were long time ago and keep this show.

In theory I think Apple would be happy to just build a delivery platform, like with Apple Music, but that doesn’t really work for TV.

It could work, but currently the industry as it is isn't ready yet. It's a jungle of creators, datacenters, data network providers and mediabox manufacturers that all have their demands (complex contracts). You don't want to know the money that companies like LG demand just to put your video app on their TV's. It is insane.

 

[tothemoonsands]

If true you have to wonder what topics Jon Stewart was going to cover.

Maybe someone else (YouTube? Netflix?) could pick up the show if it gets cancelled.

YouTube - Jon needs to be free and in complete creative control. The world will be a better place if so.

 

[breather]

Damn it Apple. Such a cowardly move.

 

[Simmias]

Could this have anything to do with the fact that the show was absolutely terrible?

 

[MBAir2010]

anyone else never really liked one TV show besides me?
they all have a mundane factor and never go the extra step.
Anyway, moving on!

 

[nt5672]

Imagine that. Which is why Apple TV will be nothing but another Apple toy.