Report: NBC Wanted Jon Stewart For MTP

Jon Stewart

NBC was looking to shake up the stodgy Sunday morning news shows landscape by trying earlier this year to get The Daily Show's Jon Stewart to be their new host of Meet the Press, New York magazine reported yesterday (October 8th).

The report cited an unnamed source who said that NBC was prepared to offer Stewart anything he wanted, saying, "They were ready to back the Brink's truck up."

Stewart's Daily Show formula of funny but biting critiques of current events, politics and the media, along with sometimes tough interviews of political figures, has a loyal and young audience, who NBC was hoping might follow Stewart to Sunday mornings.

But in the end, Stewart declined, and NBC promoted Chuck Todd from within to the hosting job, which he began last month.

It's not the first time NBC tried recruiting him. According to sources, NBC Entertainment courted Stewart several years ago for a 10 p.m. variety show (the slot ultimately went to Jay Leno).