Jon Stewart Signs Off From The Daily Show

2 minute read
By Eliza Berman

It’s over: The last Fox News correspondent has been lampooned, the last shrug has been shrugged, the last eyebrow raised in skepticism. At least, under Jon Stewart’s watch. After 16 years hosting Comedy Central’s The Daily Show, Stewart bade farewell to his audience Thursday night before passing things on to Trevor Noah, who commences hosting duties on Sept. 28.

To some, Stewart was the only honest voice in the media, a primary source for real news even though he billed the show as fake news. To others, he was guilty of the same offenses committed by those he criticized nightly. But from either side of the Stewart aisle, it’s hard to deny that he has shaped minds, moved conversations and blurred the boundaries between comedy and real political discourse. (The show’s 20 Emmys accumulated during his tenure surely count for something, too.)

On Thursday night, after receiving visits from well over a dozen former correspondents and a particularly heartfelt goodbye from Stephen Colbert, Stewart signed off by saying that the entire show has been one long conversation, and it’s far from over. “Nothing ends, it’s just a continuation, it’s a pause in the conversation,” he said. “Rather than saying goodbye or goodnight, I’m just going to say I’m gonna go get a drink, and I’m sure I’ll see you guys before I leave.”

And then he looked to none other than Bruce Springsteen to take us through the home stretch.

See Jon Stewart's Most Memorable Guests On The Daily Show

Kurt Vonnegut appeared on the show in 2005, one of his last public appearances. Comedy Central
Denis Leary and Jon Stewart have long been friends, so every time the actor appeared on the show, the two comedians would opt to make fun of one another rather than conduct an interview, leaving the audience in stitchesComedy Central
After releasing Hugo in 2011, Martin Scorsese visited the show Comedy Central
Last year, Christopher Walken talked tap dancing on the showComedy Central
Barack Obama appeared on the show in 2005 as a senator, twice in 2008 as a presidential candidate, again in 2010 during his fist term, and finally in 2012 as he ran for a second termComedy Central
First Lady Michelle Obama has appeared twice on the Daily Show, once in 2008 and twice in 2012Comedy Central
During one of Paul Rudd's may appearances on the show, Stewart revealed that the comedian was his first test guest after her took over for Craig KilbornComedy Central
Rachel Maddow was a repeat guest on the show where she described Justice Scalia as a "troll," said she could kill Bin Laden with a spoon and declared she was "embarrassed" by BushComedy Central

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Write to Eliza Berman at eliza.berman@time.com