Jon Stewart changed late-night comedy once. Can he have a second act in different times?

There's little doubt that Jon Stewart changed late-night comedy as host of Comedy Central's “The Daily Show” from 1999 to 2015

NEW YORK -- As host of “The Daily Show” from 1999 to 2015, Jon Stewart changed comedy — and arguably journalism, too — with sharp, satirical takes on politics and current events. He became an essential part of the nation's conversation.

Now let's see if he can turn back time.

Stewart, who walked away from “The Daily Show” to much fanfare, returns to his old perch Monday night. He's agreed to host each Monday through the election, and to executive produce the weeknight show for Comedy Central into next year to help it through another transition.

Comebacks are hard enough in an industry that doesn't always reward second acts. Catching lightning again will be difficult — particularly at a time when late-night television is greatly diminished as a cultural force and others, some from Stewart's family tree, are now competitors.

It can be even tougher when, as Salon critic Melanie McFarland put it, the current Jon Stewart is forced to compete with memories of the old Jon Stewart.