Are Jon Stewart's Ratings Better Than Leno's?

By Christine Fenno Posted Jul 3rd 2011 02:34PM

'Tonight Show' vs. 'Daily Show' may be the latest battle in the late-night wars, as a surprise ratings report has NBC and Comedy Central clashing over who's on top. Is Jon Stewart, as the numbers suggest, now more popular than Jay Leno?

For the first time, Stewart's 'The Daily Show' has bested Leno's 'Tonight Show' in a key segment of viewers. However, NBC execs, ever stubborn when it comes to defending Leno, aren't taking the news lying down.

According to EW.com, while Leno's 'Tonight Show' viewership still tops the ratings in overall viewers, as it has for years, Comedy Central is celebrating the fact that during the most recent quarter, Stewart drew a few thousand more people than Leno in the crucial "Adults 18-49" demographic.

For 2011's second quarter, Comedy Central is claiming Stewart's show drew 1.295 million (compared to a 'Tonight Show' total of 1.292 million) in the advertiser-friendly demo of viewers between age 18-49.

But NBC spokesman Tom Bierbaum is calling foul, and says only new episodes were counted, strategically omitting the ratings on rerun episodes; by NBC's calculations, 'The Tonight Show With Jay Leno' wins the category when every episode (new and rerun) is measured.

Still, nobody can argue that a snarky, low-budget cable series is undoubtedly giving the most iconic late-night show in history a run for its money. Leno may consider his viewers loyal -- remember, there were plenty who cheered his return to late-night, while Team Coco mourned -- but Stewart's substantial fan base is clearly a force to be reckoned with.

The two hosts have made no comment on the latest ratings. But Stewart must be greeting the news with satisfaction. After all, he doesn't seem to be what you'd call Leno fan, at least based on this 2010 'Daily Show' segment about a controversial 'Tonight Show' episode:

The Daily Show - Leno-Palin vs. Letterman-Romney
Get More: Daily Show Full Episodes,Political Humor & Satire Blog,The Daily Show on Facebook

Tags: jay leno, jon stewart, The Daily Show, tonight show

Comments

(49)

Tuesday 05 July

By Lelyn Kenneth Williams, Facebook

Vote down Vote up Report this

I love Leno especially when he does the lead in volley of jokes. He visits so many people of all ages and it all so new even re-runs I enjoy.

Lelyn

Sunday 03 July

By THEMiCK

damn u guys still watch leno... cant stand him im disapointed in u guys... and to think jon stewart is second?? smh... conan and kimmel r the best.. i mean funniest

By Dean

Low Ranked Vote down Vote up Report this

The only thing I find funny about the Stewart show is that its on the air.

By great grannyW

High Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

Would rather watch Jay Leno because my grandchildren enjoy the show. Personally I am tired of his fat jokes. Soon my great grandchildren will control the remote. Oh God.

By Sarge27

Leno has never been good. Most of his ratings are a carry over from Carson, people just are set in there ways. Conan sucked. The next Carson is Jimmy Falon, he will some day replace Leno. He reminds me of a young Carson from the late 60's.

Monday 04 July

By frank

the whole permise of this piece is misplaced. this stewart clip does not show his feelings for leno. it is about palin and romney. another example of the tabloid press, here, trying to gin up controversy where there is none. i watch stewart every night. he has shown no bias against leno.

stewart shows bias against most media to show the hiporcracy therein. but does not show any more to leno, i should have said.

By bob

Two questions: Has Stewart BEAT Leno???
Are we going to use PROPER ENGLISH ever again????

By bobbytee7934

NEVER WATCH JOHN STWERT BEFORE IS HE FUNNY OR JUST A JERK

By papaknuck1942

From your spelling, bobbytee...I doubt you'd appreciate the humor. You seem a bit, how should I put it.......SLOW!

it is not his spelling that is wrong, it is the punctuation and syntax.

By egl1637

These two morons both suck.

By Kurt and Jen

Jon Stewart is too political for me. Good sense of humor, but targeted to NY/NE and California/Hollywood demographic rather than the mainstream America. I think there are serious flaws with the way they gather ratings at present. Not sure they accurately gauge viewership in parts of US.

The Daily Show is topical. If that doesn't speak to mainstream America...I don't know what does. If you live somewhere in rural west Oklahoma and it seems Stewart isn't "representin'" you...do something newsworthy.

By Fantomex

Or better yet, try and get an education/interest in something more than the Bible, country music, and NASCAR.

By York

Stewart is an angry man. Not funny for late night.

By Colossus J

Ive got a better headline for popeater. How about this ARE DANIEL TOSH'S RATINGS BETTER THAN JON STEWARTS? The answer is YES of course the are, who the hell still watches Stewart or Leno?

By DRA

Guess I've made it to the older demo, but much rather watch Stewart. Leno isn't funny, isn't spontaneous, can't interview worth a damn & always goes for the cheap shot.

By Bob

Jon Stewart, aka Schlmo Leibovitz is a bad joke, period!

By Louis

Leno, Letterman, Conan and Stewart all suck. Every so often I'll watch one of their shows just to see what's going on and I rarely crack a smile....no wit, not clever just low brow.

Page 2 of 3