John Oliver “Surprised” That Jon Stewart Is Returning To ‘The Daily Show’ & Backs Amber Ruffin Or Roy Wood Jr. To Be Permanent Host

John Oliver was on NBC’s Today Show when he learned that his former boss Jon Stewart was returning to host The Daily Show.

Stewart was unveiled by Comedy Central earlier today as the Monday night host for the late-night show through the election with the news team correspondents handling the other days.

More from Deadline

Oliver said he was “surprised” to hear the news, but said it will be “exciting to see what he does” and compared him to Michael Jordan.

RELATED: ‘The Daily Show’: Inside The Search For A New Host As Duos Behind The Desk Take Center Stage

The Last Week Tonight host added that he believes The Daily Show needs a permanent host and threw his weight behind former correspondent Roy Wood Jr., who quit the show last year, or Amber Ruffin.

“I mean, that’s, that is a surprise,” Oliver said. “That’s a show that needs a host. He certainly is a very, very good one. So yeah, it’ll be exciting to see what he does. I do think after 2025 they should appoint a permanent host. I would have hired Roy Wood, or Amber Ruffin is very good, but it’s going to be very exciting to see Jon again in an election year.”

RELATED: “He Seems Wounded”: John Oliver Responds After Elon Musk Said His Comedy Is Woke “Weak Sauce”

“Jordan’s back,” he added, referencing the NBA legend’s decision to return to the Chicago Bulls after previously retiring.

RELATED: John Oliver’s ‘Last Week Tonight’ Beats ‘SNL’ To Win First Scripted Variety Series Emmy; Thanks HBO Lawyers “Who Are Angry With Us All Of The Time”

Oliver was a correspondent on The Daily Show between 2006 and 2013 and subsequently left to front his own show (after a summer hosting TDS) before going on his own very long Emmy-winning run.

RELATED: Roy Wood Jr. Goes Viral After Mouthing “Please Hire A Host” Following ‘Daily Show’ Win At The Emmys

Best of Deadline

Sign up for Deadline's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.