Wired has a cute interview with Jon Stewart and his producing partner:

Wired: Isn’t that going to pose a challenge to the traditional network model?

Stewart: But we’re not on a traditional network: We’re on the goofy, juvenile-delinquent network to begin with. We get an opportunity to produce this stuff because they make enough money selling beer that it’s worth their while to do it. I mean, we know that’s the game. I’m not suggesting we’re going to beam it out to the heavens, man, and whoever gets it, great. If they’re not making their money, we ain’t doing our show.

Stewart and company have an interesting approach to their internet fame. They choose to leave it unanalyzed. In fact they make a great analogy that their internet popularity is like the golden goose, if they try to dissect it then they will ruin it.

While they may play dumb during the interview and pretend they do not care it becomes clear that they are highly aware of the phenomenon and have taken steps to NOT stop the online trading of episodes. Take note future TV mavens, the Daily Show may just be on to something here…