When it comes to putting his money where his mouth is, Stephen Colbert isn't the only good guy from the world of comedy and news. The New York Times is reporting Jon Stewart has been privately running a jobs training program aimed at placing vets in the entertainment industry:
“The Daily Show” developed the program over the last three years without publicizing it, but now, because Mr. Stewart is preparing to leave the show, he has taken it into the open, urging other shows to develop their own programs to bring more veterans into the industry. “This is ready to franchise. Please steal our idea,” Mr. Stewart said in an interview at his Manhattan studio recently. “It isn’t charity. To be good in this business you have to bring in different voices from different places, and we have this wealth of experience that just wasn’t being tapped.”
Turns out, The Daily Show has been quietly placing veterans in intensive 5-week training programs and hiring them for behind-the-scenes production roles for the last three years. Stewart explained they are trying to create more opportunities for veterans, going outside the usual channels for talent:
“There are well-worn channels into this industry that are closed off to veterans,” Mr. Stewart said. “You get into the television industry generally by going to certain colleges known for having good television programs, getting internships and getting to know people who work in the industry. A lot of veterans never had that opportunity because they were busy at war. This is a way to give them that chance.”
Hats off to Jon Stewart. Let's hope other shows and studios take his lead and open more opportunities to veterans.
