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‘Apple expresses concerns over Stewart’s potential topics, notably China and AI, according to NYT.’
The Problem With Jon Stewart will not be returning for a third season on Apple TV+, according to a report from The New York Times. The show was scheduled to begin filming eight new episodes in the coming weeks, but Apple and Stewart have decided to part ways before production starts. Although no official statements have been released by either party, sources suggest that the disagreement stemmed from differences in opinion regarding certain sensitive topics, such as China and artificial intelligence.
Confirming the news, The Hollywood Reporter states that Apple had expressed the need for alignment on show topics and even threatened to cancel the series. In a bid to retain creative control, Stewart chose to walk away from the partnership.
The Problem premiered on Apple TV+ in 2021, with episodes releasing biweekly, marking Stewart’s return to television six years after leaving The Daily Show. The second season, which debuted in 2022, featured a total of 12 episodes, four more than the first season. The show tackled controversial subjects, including gender identity and the indictment of former president Donald Trump. While these episodes were made available for streaming, sources suggest that tension between Apple and Stewart had already arisen due to the show’s previous themes. Apple may have been concerned about potential political controversies and therefore decided to end their collaboration.