“This show doesn’t deserve an even slightly restless host, and neither do you,” said Daily Show host Jon Stewart.
During last night’s airing of The Daily Show, longtime host Jon Stewart shocked the nation with the announcement of his departure from the show. You can see that Stewart delivered an emotional and very unexpected farewell to his live audience and viewers in the video below. “I would imagine that as this show is airing, there may be information out there that the audience might not be aware of,” Stewart informs before sharing his shocking news.
According to Rolling Stone, people began realizing that something was up when Stewart shortened the show’s nightly interview, giving himself enough time to share the news of his departure. “Seventeen years is the longest I have ever in my life held a job by 16 years and five months,” Stewart says. “The upshot there being, I am a terrible employee. But in my heart I know it is time for someone else to have that opportunity.”
Jon Stewart explains that he is unsure of his exact end date. He also shares that he doesn’t know what his schedule will be like post-Daily Show. “I don’t have any specific plans. Got a lot of ideas; I got a lot of things in my head. I’m gonna have dinner, on a school night, with my family, who I have heard from multiple sources are lovely people,” Stewart said.
“This show doesn’t deserve an even slightly restless host, and neither do you. I don’t think I’m going to miss being on television every day. I’m going to miss coming here every day. I love the people here. They’re the best,” Stewart said in closing out his big announcement. “It’s been an absolute privilege. It’s been the honor of my professional life. And I thank you for watching it. For hate-watching it. Whatever reason you were tuning in for. You get in this business with the idea that maybe you have a point of view and something to express, and to receive feedback from that is the greatest feeling you could ask for, and I thank you.”
Jon Stewart’s Entire Daily Show Farewell:
Now, I would imagine, as this show is airing, there may be information out there that the audience is not yet aware of. So, I will just… tell you. Doug Herzog and Michele Ganeless of Comedy Central gave me an incredible opportunity 17 years ago to pilot this wonderful franchise. And, 17 years is the longest that I have ever in my life held a job by 16 years and five months. Thank you. The upshot there being, I am a terrible employee. But, in my heart I know it is time for someone else to have that opportunity.
I told you they didn’t know. You probably know. Not right away. We’re still working on details. I’m up in September – it might be then. It might be December. It might be July. We’re still working out details. I don’t have any specific plans. I gotta a lot of ideas. I’ve got a lot of things in my head. I’m going to have dinner on a school night with my family, who I have heard from multiple sources are lovely people. I’m not going to be here and try to sum up what this place has meant to me over the years. I couldn’t do that and we’ve got plenty of time and I’ve got a myriad people to thank and we’ll get to that over time. I’m not going anywhere tomorrow. But this show doesn’t deserve an even slightly restless host and neither do you.
I don’t think I’m going to miss being on television every day. I’m going to miss coming here every day. This is where… I love the people here. They’re the best. They’re creative and collaborative and kind – that’s alliterative but it’s cheating because that’s a “K.” You understand what I’m saying. I love them and respect them so much.
What is this fluid? What are these feelings? Ahh. Frankenstein angry. It’s been an absolute privilege. It’s been the honor of my professional life. And I thank you for watching it, for hate-watching it. Whatever reason you were tuning in for – you get into this business thinking that maybe you have a point of view and something to express and to receive feedback from that is the greatest feeling you could ask for and I thank you. Here it is, your moment of zen.