THE SEARCH FOR STEWART'S
SUCCESSOR INTENSIFIES

Viacom may look outside for someone to take the helm of The Daily Show With Jon Stewart when the enormously popular host leaves the program, Variety reports. And Comedy Central management is believed to be open to bringing in a woman to replace Stewart. “If there’s room for Comedy Central to grow, it’s probably with female viewers,” Starcom's Sam Armand told the trade.

But show correspondent Jessica Williams has ruled herself out as "unqualified" for the gig, while Samantha Bee is working with husband Jason Jones, another faux correspondent, on a new TBS series.

As for males who might’ve been a good fit, Joel McHale is under contract at E!, John Oliver is contractually committed to HBO through 2017, and Stephen Colbert is headed to Viacom’s CBS as Dave Letterman’s successor.

While Comedy Central is clearly on the spot, Stewart is giving them some wiggle room, stating that he’ll probably stay on The Daily Show until at least sometime in July—and he may be willing to host the show through the end of the year.