‘A Must Watch Show’: Bill Simmons Predicts Jon Stewart Could Quit the Daily Show On-Air Tonight to Protest Colbert Cancellation

Bill Simmons said it was “in play” for Jon Stewart to quit The Daily Show on-air in response to the canceling of Stephen Colbert’s show.

Last week, CBS announced the cancellation of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. In its statement, the network claimed the decision was financial. The final episode will air in May 2026.

The news of the cancellation came weeks after Paramount — CBS’s parent company — agreed to a $16 million settlement with President Donald Trump over a Kamala Harris interview on 60 Minutes. Critics of the move have speculated that the cancellation was done to appease Trump.

Stewart, who also works for Paramount as the host of Comedy Central’s The Daily Show, revealed hours later that he wasn’t sure about the future of the show in light of the Colbert news.

On Sunday’s episode of The Bill Simmons Podcast, Simmons — joined by Puck’s Matthew Belloni — mulled over the possibility of Stewart quitting the show on-air Monday night:

SIMMONS: First of all, John Stewart is already rich–

BELLONI: Yes.

SIMMONS: –and he’s already done a million, cajillion things; and he could give two shits, right?

BELLONI: For him, it’s about his reputation.

SIMMONS: That’s it. He is gonna stand up for his dude and and this is it. This is, in my opinion, one of the most important shows he’s ever done. There’s no way he’s not going to talk about it.

BELLONI: Well, the question is does he quit on the air?

SIMMONS: I think it’s in play.

BELLONI: I think it’s in play also.

SIMMONS: I think it’s actually a must-watch show. It comes on at 8 o’clock here. Like I’m definitely watching that live! Hundred percent!