Jon Stewart is up 17 percent from the same time period in 2007 among viewers 18-34, and is up 9 percent among 18-49s. Colbert is up 21 percent in the 18-34 demo and 15 percent in 18-49s, compared to a year ago, writes Media Life.
Colbert and Stewart have returned to the air without their writers, crossing picket lines and relying on their wits, which are apparently seeing them through the writers strike without a hitch.
The late-night shows, on the other hand, are suffering. Leno's first-place "Tonight" is down 25 percent from last year in 18-49s. NBC's Late Night with Conan O'Brien is down 18 percent. Both shows returned without their writers. David Letterman, who returned thanks to an agreement between the WGA and his production company, is flat to last year. Craig Ferguson, who returned via the same agreement, is down 14 percent, while ABC's Jimmy Kimmel is down 14 percent.

Comments (2)
That's "faring" not "fairin... (Below threshold)1. Posted by BlogDog | January 31, 2008 8:24 AM | Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
That's "faring" not "fairing."
1. Posted by BlogDog | January 31, 2008 8:24 AM |
Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
Posted on January 31, 2008 08:24
2. Posted by JimK | January 31, 2008 12:56 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Colbert and Stewart are CLEARLY violating the rules of the union. The shows are almost all "scripted" at this point, with bits, cues, new graphics, video packages that are new...there's no way this is all being done "by their wits."
I think the only thing you could say at this point is that they aren't using the teleprompter.
The question is, are they being so blatant so as to raise a stink and force Comedy Central to make a deal, or do they side with their masters and are they strikebreaking?
2. Posted by JimK | January 31, 2008 12:56 PM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on January 31, 2008 12:56