As it’s described in The Daily Show (The Book): An Oral History by Chris Smith (via Variety), contract conversations became particularly hellacious in the summer of 2012 for both Stewart, who was getting some negative feedback over cementing a timeframe when he could take a hiatus from hosting to go and direct Rosewater, and Colbert, whose deal was reportedly not in the comedian’s favor, despite his rising popularity.
This wasn’t an issue of Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert holding out for avaricious reasons, though, and the way things sound, the fault lies at the feet of former Viacom CEO Philippe Dauman.