Screenshot: Comedy Central’s The Daily Show
First on LateNighter: Longtime Daily Show writer-turned-correspondent Josh Johnson made a splash in his hosting debut Tuesday, outdrawing each of the show’s other rotating hosts—and Jon Stewart—among viewers in the coveted 18–49 demo.
Per Nielsen live-plus-same-day data, Johnson’s first night behind the Daily Show desk drew 590,000 total viewers, making it the most-watched non-Stewart-hosted episode of the year by total audience. But the real story was in the demo, where Johnson pulled in 226,000 viewers aged 18–49, surpassing even Stewart’s top-rated episodes in the advertiser-coveted category.
Further, Johnson’s Daily Show outranked each of the late-night shows we track among younger viewers Tuesday night. It’s also the best demo performance for The Daily Show since September 10, 2024, when Stewart anchored a live post-debate episode following the Trump–Harris showdown.
Expect Johnson’s numbers to climb even higher once delayed-viewing data is factored in over the coming days and weeks.
Johnson, who joined The Daily Show writing staff in 2017 and became an on-air correspondent in 2024, has been steadily building momentum off-camera and online. In addition to his sold-out national stand-up tour, Johnson has cultivated a digital following of over 4 million fans. His weekly Tuesday night YouTube sets—smart, winding comedic narratives stitched from news headlines—routinely rack up millions of views and have become required viewing for fans of sharp, story-driven satire.
As LateNighter’s Bill Carter noted in April, Johnson’s turn at the anchor desk seemed overdue. It appears viewers agree. Since Stewart’s return to The Daily Show in 2024 as Monday night anchor, the show has rotated mid-week hosts from within its correspondent bench, including Ronny Chieng, Jordan Klepper, Michael Kosta, and Desi Lydic. Johnson is the latest addition to that trusted group.
“It’s my first time hosting anything on TV. Ever,” Johnson shared on Instagram the morning of his debut. “I’ve spent years writing behind the scenes, learning from truly great and talented people. Now, for three nights, I get to sit at the desk and do it myself.”
Johnson’s guest Tuesday night was Rob Franklin, author of the novel Great Black Hope.
Full ratings charts for Tuesday, July 22, 2025, follow below:
Live+SD Ratings – All Viewers (P2+)
Avg Share
(%)Avg Viewers
(000s)Vs
Wk Ago10:00 PM
Gutfeld! (FNC)
7.593,100+14%
Watch What Happens Live (BRAVO)
Aired at 10:15 PM this day
0.61236+21%11:00 PM
The Daily Show (COM)
1.88590+50%11:35 PM
Jimmy Kimmel Live! (ABC)
3.77925+13%
The Late Show with Stephen Colbert (CBS)
9.592,323+54%
The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon (NBC)
3.7881-9%12:37 AM
Nightline (ABC)
3.36586+8%
Late Night with Seth Meyers (NBC)
3.98643-2%
After Midnight (CBS)
Repeat
3.23520+47%† = airs at 7pm PT, * = 30-minute program
Live+SD Ratings – In the Demo (P18-49)
Avg Share
(%)Avg Viewers
(000s)Vs
Wk Ago10:00 PM
Gutfeld! (FNC)
2.53178-9%
Watch What Happens Live (BRAVO)
Aired at 10:15 PM this day
1.1376+46%11:00 PM
The Daily Show (COM)
3.89226+154%11:35 PM
Jimmy Kimmel Live! (ABC)
2.1498-14%
The Late Show with Stephen Colbert (CBS)
3.58162+49%
The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon (NBC)
3.34149-11%12:37 AM
Nightline (ABC)
1.653-21%
Late Night with Seth Meyers (NBC)
2.7686-7%
After Midnight (CBS)
Repeat
1.3743-4%† = airs at 7pm PT, * = 30-minute program
Ratings data © The Nielsen Company, used under license.