Jon Stewart argues 'overreaction' to Joe Rogan is a 'mistake' amid Spotify protest
As musicians pull out of Spotify over Joe Rogan, Jon Stewart is coming to the podcast host's defense.
On his own podcast, the ex-host of The Daily Show discussed artists like Neil Young leaving Spotify in protest of COVID-19 misinformation on Rogan's show The Joe Rogan Experience. Stewart criticized "overblown rhetoric" about Rogan, arguing he's not "an ideologue in any way" and is open to being corrected when he's wrong. When it comes to the Spotify protest, Stewart said that in general, his philosophy is "don't leave, don't abandon, don't censor, engage."
"This overreaction to Rogan, I think, is a mistake," Stewart added. "I really do."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Stewart compared being on Spotify alongside Rogan to networks being on TV alongside Fox News, a "willful purveyor of misinformation," asking, "So now everybody on TV has to pull out of their f---ing shows or deplatform because in the same tube that you exist, they exist?" He also argued that those who oppose Rogan should "make better arguments" and "engage" with him.
"I think it's so much more powerful to engage, and there's something about 'I'm gonna take my ball and go home' that I don't like," Stewart said.
Numerous musicians including Joni Mitchell joined Young in requesting Spotify remove their music. David Crosby, Stephen Stills and Graham Nash said they "don't want our music" on the platform until "real action is taken to show that a concern for humanity must be balanced with commerce."
Stewart appeared to anticipate the way his argument might draw pushback online, at one point joking, "By the way, do we only do these conversations so that I will get in trouble?"
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Brendan worked as a culture writer at The Week from 2018 to 2023, covering the entertainment industry, including film reviews, television recaps, awards season, the box office, major movie franchises and Hollywood gossip. He has written about film and television for outlets including Bloody Disgusting, Showbiz Cheat Sheet, Heavy and The Celebrity Cafe.
-
Mary Poppins tour: 'humdinger' of a show kicks off at Bristol Hippodrome
The Week Recommends Stefanie Jones and Jack Chambers are 'true triple threats' as Mary and Bert in 'timeless' production
By Irenie Forshaw, The Week UK Published
-
Jaguar's stalled rebrand
In the spotlight Critics and car lovers are baffled by the luxury car company's 'complete reset'
By Abby Wilson Published
-
What the chancellor's pension megafund plans mean for your money
Rachel Reeves wants pension schemes to merge and back UK infrastructure – but is it putting your money at risk?
By Marc Shoffman, The Week UK Published
-
Quincy Jones, music icon, is dead at 91
Speed Read The legendary producer is perhaps best known as the architect behind Michael Jackson's 'Thriller'
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
OJ Simpson, star athlete tried for murder, dead at 76
Speed Read The former football hero and murder suspect lost his battle with cancer
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Momofuku's 'Chili Crunch' trademark uproar
Speed Read The company's attempt to own the sole rights has prompted backlash
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Kevin Hart awarded Mark Twain Prize
Speed Read He is the 25th recipient of the prestigious comedy prize
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Is Downton Abbey set to return for a final film?
Speed Read Imelda Staunton reveals that a third movie may be in the pipeline
By Adrienne Wyper, The Week UK Published
-
'Oppenheimer' sweeps Oscars with 7 wins
speed read The film won best picture, best director (Christopher Nolan) and best actor (Cillian Murphy)
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
'Rust' armorer convicted of manslaughter
speed read The film's cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was shot and killed by actor Alec Baldwin during rehearsal
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
The Beatles are getting 4 intersecting biopics
Speed Read Director Sam Mendes is making four separate movies, each told from the perspective of one band member
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published