John Oliver: Hosting "Daily Show" has been "fun" but "terrifying"

The longtime correspondent reflects on his summer at the helm of the satirical news program

Published August 13, 2013 7:40PM (EDT)

    (<a href="http://www.shutterstock.com/gallery-9037p1.html?cr=00&pl=edit-00">Rena Schild</a> / <a href="http://www.shutterstock.com/?cr=00&pl=edit-00">Shutterstock.com</a>)
(Rena Schild / Shutterstock.com)

Interim "Daily Show" host John Oliver, who has covered for Jon Stewart while the comedian's been "taking the summer off to follow his dream and work as a nude model for the arts program at Rutgers," spoke last night about the experience on PBS's "Charlie Rose Show."

Oliver, who only has a week left at the helm, admitted, "I knew it would be terrifying, and it did not disappoint." But he's also had more fun than he expected to, given what was at stake.

Oliver explained that his “main responsibility was not to destroy that machine in three months."

“I don’t think it’s going to change my life. I don’t think it is...There might be a time for me to have that mental conversation with myself, but I have been so concerned about not letting Jon down this summer because of everything he’s done for me...That’s where the emotional stakes really came from."

Watch a few highlights, via Politico and PBS:


By Prachi Gupta

Prachi Gupta is an Assistant News Editor for Salon, focusing on pop culture. Follow her on Twitter at @prachigu or email her at pgupta@salon.com.

MORE FROM Prachi Gupta


Related Topics ------------------------------------------

Comedy Daily Show John Oliver Jon Stewart Satire Video