Here’s why Jon Stewart is co-hosting ‘SportsCenter’ on Friday
Jon Stewart, the former face of Comedy Central’s The Daily Show, is returning to TV hosting Friday night — albeit a somewhat different genre.
The comedian will co-anchor the 7 p.m. edition of SportsCenter with Hannah Storm live from the Warrior Games at Chicago’s United Center, ESPN announced Thursday.
The Warrior Games are a Paralympics-like multi-sport event for wounded, injured, or ill military service personnel and veterans. The games are organized by the U.S. Department of Defense and conclude this Saturday.
Stewart has been a “strong supporter” of the Warrior Games, according to ESPN, and emceed the games’ opening ceremony both this year and last year. He recently taped an interview for ESPN with Warrior Games participant and Army veteran Christy Gardner.
“It’s a thrill for me not just to be a part of the Warrior Games but also to work with someone who’s one of the best-known hosts in the television industry and such a great talent,” Storm said in a statement. “I’ve always been a fan of his work, and he’s so involved and so passionate about this cause.”
In addition to the 7 p.m. edition of SportsCenter, Storm and Stewart will anchor live segments during the 6 p.m. show, ESPN said. Stewart will also do a live interview from the United Center during the 11 p.m. hour of SportsCenter.
In a wide-ranging E:60 interview, Stewart told ABC News’s Bob Woodruff he was really struck by the effect the Warrior Games had on the veterans who played in them.
“When you come back, and you’re not with your unit anymore, it’s isolating to begin with,” Stewart said. “When you come back with an injury, it’s even more isolating. The adaptive sports and the Warrior Games can almost bring them back to remember who they are and what they can do.”
“Boy, you see them light up,” he added.
