This story deserves long thoughtful meta for every single chapter! I wish I had time to do that! :D

I think I see where you're going with Stephen - showing him the ways that his character is sympathetic, maybe encouraging him to explore those aspects more when he gets back. Surely he (real Stephen, not either of the characters in your story!) knows how sympathetic and lovable "Stephen" can be, though, if *anyone* does, other than us! So, I'm still thinking about that.

And oh, Jon. I wonder if he's treating "Stephen" as less than real because he's already subconsciously dreading idea that Stephen might not come back?

I'm intrigued by the idea that "Jon" wanted to change the system from the inside. Does he have a substantially different history than Jon, that drove him in that direction rather than comedy? Did "Jon" inherit the show from "Craig" fully-formed as a real news show? Will "Jon" decide to re-label his show as a comedy at the end of the story and get a ratings boost? *g*

I long for more character development! *g*