The Apple TV+ commentary series The Problem with Jon Stewart reportedly has abruptly been canceled. The reason is supposedly creative differences between the host and Apple over covering China and AI.
The decision was made before filming of the third season could begin.
The Problem with Jon Stewart is that he made Apple execs nervous
The Problem was a biweekly, one-hour, single-issue series that explored topics that were part of the national conversation. It starred Jon Stewart in his first role since leaving the iconic The Daily Show.
The series premiered on Apple TV+ in 2021, and a second season came a year later. But there will not be a third. And the problem isn’t low ratings. It seems some of the topics Stewart wanted to cover in the upcoming season made Apple execs uncomfortable.
“Mr. Stewart told members of his staff on Thursday that potential show topics related to China and artificial intelligence were causing concern among Apple executives,” The New York Times reported.
Pushing Apple’s buttons
Apple’s working relationship with China has drawn criticism before, including from Stewart in his time on The Daily Show. Those strongly opposed to China’s authoritarian government condemn Apple for selling the iPhone in the country as well as working with companies that assemble iPhone, Mac and other products in China.
And the Apple/China relationship is at a delicate point with the Chinese government now officially disapproving of any smartphone from a company outside of the country.
Stewart is not someone who pulls his punches. It’s quite possible a future episode of The Problem with Jon Stewart about China would have heavily criticized Apple.
It’s less clear why Apple execs might be nervous about his comments about artificial intelligence. While there’s been plenty of global criticism of companies rushing to make AIs before the potential problems have been discovered, Apple isn’t one of those companies.
Still available
The first two seasons of The Problem with Jon Stewart are still viewable on Apple TV+. While not new, the episodes are on topics that don’t quickly become obsolete: climate, the U.S. judicial system, gender identity, war and more.
