Jon Stewart is doing new HBO stand-up specials for the first time in over 20 years

pulse

July 27, 2017 3:58 PM

Jon Stewart is returning to stand-up comedy for the first time in over 20 years with two new specials for HBO.

After a turn as a dramatic film director with 2014's "Rosewater," former "The Daily Show" host Jon Stewart is returning to stand-up comedy for the first time in over 20 years with two new stand-up specials for HBO.

Stewart's last stand-up special,

“I’m really thrilled to be able to return to stand-up on HBO,” Stewart said. "They’ve always set the standard for great stand-up specials. Plus, I can finally use up the last of the Saddam Hussein jokes left over from my first special.”

Stewart's two-special deal comes as quite a surprise for two reasons: HBO has considerably cut the number of stand-up specials it produces over the years, and just a few months ago, HBO shelved Stewart's shortform animated series.

HBO used to release stand-up comedy specials frequently, but that has dwindled over the years. According to The Hollywood Reporter, HBO's programming president

pulse