Stewart to stay on 'Daily Show' until 2010

NEW YORK, Oct. 18 (UPI) -- Jon Stewart has extended his deal with the U.S. cable channel Comedy Central and will star on "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart" through 2010.

Stewart, whose contract was set to expire at the end of 2008, will add to his duties as anchor of the Emmy-winning nightly news parody, where he also serves as an executive producer and writer and is the principal behind Busboy Productions, Inc.

The Emmy-nominated "The Colbert Report" was the first series produced by Stewart's company. Its recently announced series, "Important Things with Demetri Martin," is slated to premiere next summer.

"I love doing this show. I feel like I work with and for the best in the business. I look forward to using this extension to having great fun at President Colbert's expense," Stewart said in a statement issued by Comedy Central.

Colbert has announced, apparently as a joke, that he is a candidate for U.S. president.

Comedy Central President Michele Ganeless called Stewart a "major talent."

"Since joining the show in 1999, Jon has transformed 'The Daily Show' into the most consistently funny, thought-provoking and potent political satire of our time," said Ganeless.