Jon Stewart is back, baby. He's on Twitter, has a new TV show and he's looking for packets. Packets of what, you ask? Perhaps, packets of sugar for his coffee? Not exactly.
Yesterday, the phrase 'Jon Stewart packet' trended on Twitter, oscillating between posts from comedy writers making jokes and others from people asking 'what does this mean?' Well, the answer is: Jon Stewart's new AppleTV+ television series is looking for comedy writers. Instead of just requesting resumes, writers submit samples of jokes, sketches and other writing, usually referred to as a 'packet.'
Happy Jon Stewart Packet Day!
The latest tweets from @JonStewartDAD. The latest tweets from @jonstewart.
— gianmarco (@GianmarcoSoresi) February 15, 2021
Throughout the day, people posted about the packet on Twitter, making jokes about the word 'packet,' their mock submissions, people asking, 'What's a 'Jon Stewart packet'?' and people making fun of people asking, 'What's a 'Jon Stewart packet'?'
I formally demand that someone forward me the Jon Stewart packet instructions. I am feeling so left out even though I have transcended to the blessed plane of network multicam situation comedy which pays better except the residuals aren't as good. I miss the futility of packets!
— Gurim Branum (@guybranum) February 15, 2021
@jonstewart Here’s my packet. Let me know if you need anything else. pic.twitter.com/WrgwYiEWmT
— Sue Smith (@suesmith666) February 16, 2021
What if the Jon Stewart show only hires one writer and it's John Mulaney
— Jon ACABes (@jonalcabes) February 16, 2021
Eventually, Stewart himself jumped into the pile on, tweeting, 'Has anyone seen my me packet?' Of course, that only served to create more confusion, especially for people who didn't know what a 'Jon Stewart packet' was, let alone a 'me packet.'
What's a me packet?
— Michael Fannon (@anon4319) February 15, 2021
In the wake of Jon Stewart’s final night at his Daily Show desk, the Twittersphere was saturated with mournful goodbyes and sincere appreciations for his 16 years at the helm of the show. There were comparisons to Johnny Carson and invitations to Gracie Mansion. There was even a conspiracy theorist reading (perhaps too deeply) into the meaning of Bruce Springsteen playing “Born to Run” in the moments before Stewart finds himself with a lot more time on his hands. There were even suggestions as to what Stewart might do with that free time. Magic Mike 3, anyone?
Jon Stewart Apple Tv
Steve Carell, Hillary Clinton and others offered final farewells:
Daily Show insiders showed the situation behind the scenes:
And the rest of Twitter crowdsourced Stewart’s future hobbies and career options: