Jon Stewart’s ‘Adolf Hitler’ interview axed from MTV: ‘It will never be broadcast’

On Conan O’Brien’s podcast, Jon Stewart recalled an early comedy sketch that almost got his MTV talk series The Jon Stewart Show canceled. Stewart replaced Arsenio Hall on the network’s late-night network and hosted The Jon Stewart Show from 1993 to 1995.

“After two weeks, we do a little bit: I thought it would be funny if Dave Attell, one of our writers at the time, dressed up as Hitler and came out like he was a guest on the show,” Stewart told O’Brien . “Like, ‘Hey, everyone’s wondering what happened to Hitler.’ I think you brought a clip!’ and it is he in Nuremberg.”

Stewart said he “didn’t think anything of” the obviously provocative sketch. “We’re laughing our asses off because any idea that comes to mind… It’s 2 a.m. and you think it’s hilarious because you’re sleep deprived.”

When Stewart and Attell attempted the sketch in front of the show’s live audience, Stewart said, “Our first guest is very surprising. No one has heard from him for many, many years. We are very honored that he chose to do this show first. Ladies and gentlemen, Adolf Hitler!”

Then Attell – who, like Stewart, is Jewish – came out in full Nazi regalia, doing the Sieg Heil salute and holding a bagel full of insults, saying: “I don’t know what I was so afraid of, these are delicious.” !”

“What I didn’t realize is that the crowd would rightly boo him. It’s Hitler!” Stewart told O’Brien. “The whole thing is evolving. I see in the control room that there is an immediate pause. The stage manager comes out and says, ‘Uh, they need to see you in the control room.'”

While “The Jon Stewart Show” was filming in New York, executives at Paramount (which owns MTV and syndicated the program) watched via live broadcast in Los Angeles.

“The phone is ringing. It’s just one guy, and he says, “This will never see the light of day.” This will never air. “You’ll never do that again,” Stewart recalled.

The 23-time Emmy-winning comedian and “Daily Show” host said this moment in his career was “revealing” because it made him realize he should “enjoy the shit out of it” and not care about it, people to appease.

“The downside to the story is that they canceled the show pretty soon after,” Stewart said with a laugh.

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