Jon Stewart fans, rejoice!
The comedian and former Daily Show host will be headlining two specials for HBO! The cable channel made the announcement this week at the Television Critics Association (TCA) summer press event. First, he will again host the “Night of Too Many Stars” benefit, raising money for children and adults with autism, a gala he’s hosted for many years. The “Night of Too Many Stars” benefit has aired on Comedy Central in the past, but this year, it will air on HBO November 18.
In addition to his charitable hosting duties, HBO also announced that Stewart will be taping his first stand-up special since 1996. At the TCA event, Stewart joked that he’ll be pulling material from his last go-round: “I’m really thrilled to be able to return to stand-up on HBO. They’ve always set the standard for great stand-up specials. Plus, I can finally use up the last of the Saddam Hussein jokes left over from my first special.”
Jon Stewart Returning to HBO
Since leaving his 16-year-long gig as host of Comedy Central’s The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, Stewart has settled into retirement but has popped up occasionally on his friend and former network mate Stephen Colbert’s The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. He’s also been working with his wife, Tracey Stewart, to open a New Jersey animal sanctuary and farm.
After departing from the Daily Show, Stewart signed a four-year production deal with HBO. Plans for an animated show taking on topical issues were scrapped this past May, so HBO’s announcement of the two new specials is good news for Stewart fans.
No air date has yet been set for the stand-up special, but given today’s political reality, Stewart will have lots and lots of material to choose from.