Jon Stewart's Candid Critique of Apple and His Departure Revealed on The Daily Show

Jon Stewart revealed on "The Daily Show" the reasons behind his sudden departure from Apple and the cancellation of his short-lived show on its streaming TV platform. He mentioned that Apple had restrictions in place, preventing him from discussing artificial intelligence or interviewing Federal Trade Commission chair Lina Khan.

During a recent episode of his Comedy Central program, which he resumed hosting on Mondays, Stewart and Khan delved into the topic of Big Tech monopolies. This conversation came in light of the US Justice Department and multiple states suing Apple in a major antitrust case. The lawsuit alleged that Apple was unlawfully monopolizing the smartphone market.

Stewart mentioned that he had some problems with Apple. He shared with Khan that he had wanted to invite her to be on the TV show's podcast, but Apple had requested that they not do so. Stewart recalled, "They specifically asked us not to talk to her." He also added, "It seemed like they didn't really like you, regardless of what you do for work."

Khan's FTC has not been part of the Apple antitrust lawsuit, but they have taken legal action against several tech companies, including Amazon.

Stewart mentioned that Apple prevented him from discussing AI, even though he talked about it in the first part of Monday's show, where he highlighted the disappointing aspects of the emerging technology.

"Why are they so afraid to have these conversations out in the public sphere?" he asked Khan. "I think it just shows the dangers of what happens when you concentrate so much power and so much decision making in a small number of companies," she replied.

Khan also mentioned possible upcoming tech regulations, pointing out that the FTC and Justice Department are looking into how companies might use algorithms for price-fixing. Just two weeks ago, the two agencies filed a statement of interest regarding price fixing in a case involving Caesars Entertainment.

"The Problem with Jon Stewart" aired for two seasons on Apple TV+ from 2021 to 2023. According to a source familiar with the discussions, Stewart informed his show's staff that Apple had reservations about the topics he had planned for three episodes in the upcoming season. These topics were China, Israel, and AI.

Despite having creative control over the show, Stewart expressed his growing frustration with Apple's interference in the selection of guests and show topics to his staff.

Stewart made a return to "The Daily Show" earlier this year, bringing back a breath of fresh air to the show that had lost some of its cultural impact during Trevor Noah's hosting. The show will feature a rotating line-up of comedians taking the helm on Tuesdays through Thursdays.

Editor's P/S:

Jon Stewart's departure from Apple and the cancellation of his show highlight the growing tension between tech giants and content creators. Apple's restrictions on discussing certain topics, such as AI and antitrust concerns, raise questions about the limits of creative freedom in the streaming era. It's concerning that a company with such influence can censor conversations about important issues that affect consumers and society.

Stewart's frustration with Apple's interference underscores the need for a more balanced relationship between platforms and creators. While platforms provide a valuable distribution channel, they should not have the power to dictate the content that is presented to viewers. Independent journalism and critical discourse are essential for a healthy democracy, and it's crucial that creators have the freedom to explore sensitive topics without fear of censorship.