Outstanding Variety Talk Series was one of the toughest categories of the night at the Emmys with three parting hosts, David Letterman, Stephen Colbert and Jon Stewart, all up for the award — however, it was Stewart who walked away with the golden statue.
Also competing against late-night hotshots Jimmy Fallon, Jimmy Kimmel and John Oliver, the former “Daily Show” host spoke to press after his big win.
“I may just end up on a boat somewhere floating out to an island,” Stewart joked about his future plans, now that his schedule isn’t filled with a nightly talk show. “I’m not even sure yet.”
“The Daily Show” also won awards for writing and directing on Sunday night. The head writer for the show spoke to press backstage about what to expect with new host Trevor Noah.
“We’re very excited about it. It’s going to be a really great show. It’s going to be a fun show,” he said. “The foundation that Jon has given us as writers and producers is going to make it incredible.”
Stewart said his replacement Noah, who begins his hosting duties on Sept. 28, doesn’t need any advice. “He’s such a talented guy and has such a great foundation for this that it’s not a question of giving him advice. It’s just being there for support if he ever feels like chatting about what it’s like to do the show.
Before the awards began, HBO’s host Oliver spoke to Variety on the Emmys red carpet, explaining that he’d be more than happy for Stewart to beat him in the who’s-who-of-late-night category.
“Yeah, I’m rooting for him,” Oliver said, adding that he was in awe just to honored among the other hosts. “It feels ridiculous. It feels like chaos and like I’m out of my element completely. Jon Stewart is the best — he’s my hero. I wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for him.”
And as for Stewart’s heroes — well, presidential hopeful Donald Trump is not one of them.
When asked in the press room if he would consider returning to “The Daily Show” if Trump wins for prez, Stewart — who’s known for his hysterical election coverage — joked: “No, I would consider getting in a rocket and going to another planet because clearly this planet’s gone bonkers.”
