Jon Stewart “Daily Show” Final Episode: Watch Emotional Goodbyes From Stars

Our reporter Raya Jalabi was on the ground and knows who exactly showed up but … it’d be poor form to spoil the show so we’ll leave things nice and ambiguous for now.

“This show isn’t ending, we’re merely taking a small pause”, Stewart said just before Bruce Springsteen closed out the broadcast.

The hour-long finale started as expected with Stewart, 52, bringing his unique brand of sarcastic comedy.

Stewart not only got hugs from Springsteen and Scialfa, but walked off stage with Weinberg’s drum sticks. “All of us who were lucky enough to work with you for 16 years were better because we got to watch you do your show”. He even wrote a political humor book inspired by his role on the show titled “I’d Rather We Got Casinos: And Other Black Thoughts”.

“When he is going on all cylinders, that show could be absolutely breathtaking and really informative and important to the civic conversation”, said Robert Thompson, director of Syracuse University’s Bleier Center for Television and Popular Culture. On Thursday night, they appeared on the network together for one final time.

In his final weeks in the anchor chair, Stewart largely resisted any impulses toward self-congratulation or nostalgia: Most nights found him inveighing against favorite nemeses, such as the Koch brothers or his critics at the Fox News Channel. But there were at least two big surprises: former host Craig Kilborn, who hasn’t been seen much since he left The Late Late Show in 2005, and former writer Wyatt Cenac, who caused a brief media uproar with his account of an alleged 2011 racial blow-up with Stewart. But consider: Stewart is saying goodbye with Noah not only selected, but supported, and Stewart’s comedy news-analysis legacy is reflected weekly on both “The Nightly Show” and “Last Week Tonight” – all a testament to both the value of Stewart’s attention to the power of transition, and the transition of power. This country’s had many tests before that and after that and the reason I don’t despair is because this attack happened.

“I think there are other important figures in media, but Jon Stewart… he kind of revolutionized how our generation interacts with the news”, she said.

As for Stewart, he hasn’t said what he’ll do next – fans will just have to wait and see. Nearly everyone whose ever worked as a correspondent or contributor for the show came back to wish the celebrated newsman goodbye, a reminder of just how many successful comedians and movie stars were once part of the iconic comedy news program over the last 16 years.

“They’re the best in the business”, Stewart said of his team. God forbid. Thank you, Jon Stewart.

Stewart announced his departure from the show in February, subsequently naming South African comedian Trevor Noah as his successor.

“Could you give me like 20 more minutes?”