Jon Stewart signs off ‘The Daily Show’ with a ‘love fest’

In 2009, when Springsteen received a Kennedy Center Honor, Stewart was the one who introduced him with a amusing and personal speech. “They understand satire in a new way, I think”. Former correspondents Stephen Colbert, John Oliver, Ed Helms, Steve Carell, Olivia Munn, and many others returned to say farewell.

Hillary Clinton bemoaned Stewart leaving “just when I’m running for president”. Jon, if you’re reading this (someone, please forward this to Jon Stewart), I want you to know it’s okay, because everything Colbert said was absolutely true.

He also pointed out that Fox News” Washington managing editor, Bill Sammons, told his team to call Obamacare the GOP-approved “government option” instead of the “public option’.

CNN anchor Wolf Blitzer had a message for the host – “Screw you, Stewart”.

Sen. John McCain (R., Ariz.) manipulated a hand puppet and said, “So long, dumb [bleep]”.

On Thursday evening, Stewart recorded his very last edition of “The Daily Show, ” more than 16 years after taking over the satirical newscast and turning it into an American institution. But there also seemed to be a surprise for Stewart, as Colbert went off script to deliver a heartfelt thank-you take-off on Stewart’s insistence that his former co-stars don’t owe him anything. “And I really like that metaphor for many different reasons, but the main one is it takes away the idea of finality”, Stewart said toward the end of his last episode.

Upon further consideration, the network boss said he might be able to find Stewart a job as “a stagehand”.

After the collective appreciation for Stewart’s contribution to comedy, it was his turn to thank his staff and crew.

Of course, Stewart has many detractors as well – people who say he took cheap shots and showed too much of a progressive point of view. “I’ve been in show business a long time … this is the most handsome place I’ve ever been”.

He grew emotional as he thanked his wife Tracey and his children “for teaching me what joy looks like”.

But last night, on the penultimate episode, Stewart had a little fun with The Daily Show’s reputation as a “watch dog” of sorts for insane.