Jon Stewart Leaving “The Daily Show”
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Martin Crook(NEW YORK) — Jon Stewart is leaving The Daily Show.
Stewart addressed his impending departure on Tuesday night’s episode of the satirical program, which aired just hours after Comedy Central announced the news.
He joked that his 17 years with The Daily Show represents the longest he’s ever held down a job by 16 years and five months. He continued, “But in my heart it is time for someone else to have that opportunity.”
Stewart, 52, said he’s “still working out the details” regarding when he’ll step down, speculating that it could be anytime during the second half of the year.
He said he has no specific plans for his future, but he has a lot of ideas. He did point out that he’ll be able to finally have dinner on a school night with his family.
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Stewart told his studio audience and the viewers watching at home, “This show doesn’t deserve even a slightly restless host, and neither do you.” He said that while he won’t miss being on TV every day, he will miss showing up to work and being surrounded by his staff.
He concluded by calling his stint on The Daily Show an “absolute privilege” and “the honor of my professional life.”
On Tuesday evening, Comedy Central released a statement that read, “For the better part of the last two decades, we have had the incredible honor and privilege of working with Jon Stewart. His comedic brilliance is second to none.”
The statement added that through Stewart’s “unique voice and vision, The Daily Show has become a cultural touchstone for millions of fans and an unparalleled platform for political comedy that will endure for years to come.”
Comedy Central noted that Stewart will continue to host The Daily Show “until later this year.”
Stewart has been the face of The Daily Show since 1999, when he succeeded Craig Kilborn. He took a hiatus from the program in the summer of 2013 to direct the film Rosewater, which was released last fall.
Larry Wilmore, a former Daily Show correspondent who now hosts The Nightly Show after Stewart, briefly commented on his program, “I think I speak for everyone when I say, we love you, man, and I just want to thank you for everything.”
Stewart’s announcement comes just two months after The Daily Show correspondent-turned-The Colbert Report host Stephen Colbert left Comedy Central. Colbert will replace David Letterman as host of CBS’ Late Show later this year.
Thank you Jon. pic.twitter.com/yPdxjnkuLw
— Comedy Central (@ComedyCentral) February 10, 2015
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