Most recently, he appeared on Stewart’s farewell episode of “The Daily Show” to do one last bit that involved some deep “Lord of the Rings” references. The last episode (August 6) had Bruce Springstreen serenade the host, guests and viewers, and pretty much everybody who has ever worked for and with Jon throughout the lifespan of the show. But Noah, a South African and Stewart’s successor at The Daily Show, is a relative newcomer to US TV. He spoke of his job as a “privilege” and pointed to the heroism of first responders as the “light” that is “democracy”.
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Stewart became a vocal supporter of the 9/11 First Responders Bill, designed to provide health care for ground zero workers suffering tragic health complications. The host’s final “Daily Show” ended with an wonderful performance from Springsteen and the E Street Band. In segments, subtitled “Mess…”
Stewart even earned affirmation from one of his most incessant targets – JBH News.
McClennen suggests that searching for the kind of “citizen satire” that Colbert and Stewart championed on TV may be to look in the wrong place. “O’Potamia” not at the feet of U.S. soldiers, but at the feet of U.S. leaders.
This week people searched for Jon Stewart on Google a lot – more than 500,000 searches on Thursday alone.
As soldiers began returning from war with traumatic brain injuries, post-traumatic stress disorder, and high suicide rates, Stewart tackled the issue of veterans’ health.
What now? After 16 years as America’s leading comedy/political TV satirist, Stewart leaves no clear successor even as America enters a presidential election season overflowing with satirical promise.
There were farewell video messages from US Secretary of State John Kerry and Republican Senator John McCain.
Roger Ailes, the head of Fox News, shrugged off Stewart’s impact, as well he might: “He’s been after us for years”.
Colbert was joined by almost every other correspondent who had appeared on the Daily Show over the course of its airtime, and everyone expressed sadness over Stewart’s departure and their gratitude for his contributions simultaneously. He asks conservative guests to explain “what he is missing”, or uses humor to defuse tension and foster connection.
That was where Stewart ended it, with an entreaty to our better selves, to question what we are told and accept nothing at face value. I don’t doubt that.
More than most programs that air multiple times throughout the week, “Daily Show” sees meaningful ratings increases in DVR playback in the days following a telecast. It’s an insightful interview featuring two smart men who, despite all their skepticism and their despair about the world around them, truly believe they can make a difference, or at least they’ll never stop trying.
This is what Stewart has given us during this trying period in our nation’s history. He wrote this for The Philadelphia Inquirer.
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Dannagal G. Young is an associate professor of communication at the University of Delaware and a fellow at the university’s Center for Political Communication.
