An extended opening featured all of the correspondents/cast members, culminating in an appearance by, and poignant tribute from, Stephen Colbert – the ultimate grad made good who moved on to “The Colbert Report” and will soon replace David Letterman as host of CBS’ “The Late Show“. The show opened with a scene and correspondents outside the Quicken Loans Arena for the Republican Convention.
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In his time on the show, Stewart interviewed some of the biggest names in public life, including current US president Barrack Obama (the first time a sitting president appeared on the show) and Presidential hopeful Hillary Rodham Clinton.
Luckily, Stewart had a quite a humorous group on hand to make sure he didn’t have to endure his last “Daily Show” chapter alone.
“We are better people for having known you“, Colbert said to an emotional Stewart.
Stewart’s final scripted bit was one last camera three rant about, as he said in unbleeped glory, “bullshit”. “All of us who were lucky enough to work with you for 16 years are better at our jobs because we got to watch you do yours”.
“Your job is to discredit any source of criticism that might hurt the conservative brand by angrily holding them to standards you yourselves jettisoned in your news network’s mission statement”, he said.
Jon Stewart has apparently always been a guy who never wanted a thank you.
“For me, it’s very touching you would come back after 12 years”, Stewart told Carell. And then Colbert thanked Stewart for everything he’s done for him, the “son of a poor Appalachian turd miner”. Even previous “Daily Show” host Craig Kilborn dropped in to pay homage in his own, snarky way. “I know the problem: ISIS has spotty regional access to basic cable”.
“If you smell something, say something“, he said. “Nothing ever ends…it’s been a privilege”. “We’re merely taking a pause in the conversation…So rather than say goodbye or goodnight, I’m just going to say ‘I’m going to go get a drink.’ I’ll see you all before I leave”.
One of the show’s former correspondents, movie star Ed Helms, took to Twitter Thursday to express how much he’ll miss the long-time host. That show’s host, Larry Wilmore, faked annoyance to Stewart: “Black shows matter, Jon“, he said.
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Stewart’s final “moment of zen” was Bruce Springsteen and his E Street band.
