Jon Stewart Says Streamers Like Apple and Amazon Are Turning Writers’ Rooms Into ‘Ruthlessly Efficient Content Factories’: ‘I Can’t Function Like That’

As a longtime veteran of the entertainment industry who has navigated the ever-changing landscape of Hollywood, I can wholeheartedly agree with Jon Stewart’s perspective on the disruptive influence of tech giants like Apple TV+ and Amazon Prime Video. The shift from an analog business to a digital one is indeed a seismic change that has left many in the industry, both veterans and newcomers, scrambling to find their footing.

Jon Stewart recently appeared on Conan O’Brien’s podcast, discussing how services like Apple TV+ and Amazon Prime Video are significantly altering the values and principles (ethos) in Hollywood. Essentially, he pointed out that they’re transforming the traditional “analog” industry into a modern, digital one.

Previously, this business had a traditional approach, but it’s evolving due to the influence of Silicon Valley. As Stewart explained, the old entertainment model was characterized by requiring agents, managers, and lawyers who would take about 60% of your earnings. Without them, you were powerless. You’d join a studio, receive a contract, and then spend most of your time in your room. This method was extremely inefficient. However, when Silicon Valley arrived, it was like Elon Musk entering Twitter and saying, ‘With 10,000 employees here, let’s make it just 2.’

Stewart pointed out that innovative companies such as Apple and Amazon have overthrown traditional methods by invading writers’ rooms and making drastic changes. He mimicked a Silicon Valley influencer walking into a room of 14 writers and reducing it to just four, adding “and this has to be done remotely via Zoom,” he humorously noted.

Stewart stated, “They’re transforming our culture into something new… They’re shifting us from an analog operation to a digital one.” He further explained, “This is the significant shift, the seismic change that’s been sweeping through [Hollywood]. I can’t adapt to this new way of functioning.

O’Brien pointed out that a significant number of writers, whether experienced or fresh talents, are struggling to secure jobs in Hollywood.

Stewart agreed: “These corporations don’t value the concept of institutional knowledge that fosters growth and improvement among employees. Instead, they favor the ‘auteur’ system, a model long-established in film and television, and this notion of relentlessly productive content mills, where the focus is on property ownership rather than individual creativity.

O’Brien commented, ‘If I were to speculate, I believe the challenge might lie in explaining the dynamics of a writers’ room to someone who hasn’t experienced it.’

A significant outcome of the 148-day WGA strike in 2023 was the implementation of minimum staffing standards aimed at preventing the growth of “mini-rooms.” Now, the number of writers needed for a show’s writers’ room is based on the length of the season (with certain series like “The White Lotus” being exceptions where one writer handles every episode). The intention behind these requirements is to safeguard opportunities for junior staffers to acquire experience and move up the ranks, ultimately leading to becoming showrunners.

Jon Stewart, who’s now back hosting “The Daily Show” on Comedy Central, previously worked with streaming platforms like Apple TV+, where his series “The Problem With Jon Stewart” was broadcast. However, after two seasons, Apple decided to end the show, a decision that stemmed from disagreements between Stewart and the streamer. In an interview, Stewart revealed that Apple had issues with him discussing AI risks on the show and declined his request to interview Lina Khan, the chair of the Federal Trade Commission. Interestingly, Stewart later managed to have Khan as a guest on “The Daily Show.

Watch the full clip from “Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend” below.

2024-10-04 18:47

Jon Stewart Says Streamers Like Apple and Amazon Are Turning Writers’ Rooms Into ‘Ruthlessly Efficient Content Factories’: ‘I Can’t Function Like That’

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