Jon Stewart Teared Up During Stephen Colbert’s Hilarious, Touching Tribute

The satirical news anchor will sign off with a special 50-minute-long episode Thursday.

Stewart opened the show at his desk to wild cheers, stating simply “Welcome to ‘The Daily Show, ‘ my name is Jon Stewart”, adding “I’ve got big news”.

She declined to reveal anything about the guests; Stewart and company want to keep it a secret until showtime. Bruce Springsteen and The E Road Band performed a set.

Among those offering their tributes are President Barack Obama, fellow Comedy Central host Chris Hardwick, and former “Daily Show” correspondents Olivia Munn and Ed Helms.

Self-righteous Stewart is far from a universally loved figure.

The ending was an unusual one, said Michelle Light who also was in the audience. “I thought Trevor had started by now”, a reference to Stewart’s replacement Trevor Noah, who takes over in late September.

Sohail Hassan, 30, flew in from Texas on Wednesday for the taping.

The final episode of “The Daily Show with Jon Stewart” airs Thursday evening, and the host is expected to pull out all the stops for the much-anticipated finale.

“I feel Stewart has contributed a lot to the political consciousness, particularly … my era”, she stated. Rather, Stewart likened his retirement to “a small pause”.

“Thank you. Good night”, a choked-up Stewart said and the hour was over.

The host was joined by numerous sidekicks whose careers were formed on the late night show, and there were clips from some of the well-known faces he has poked fun at over the years.

The heartfelt moment brought Stewart to tears, and any fans watching who weren’t already choked up suddenly felt their own eyes getting a bit watery.

In recent days some commentators have even compared him to Walter Cronkite.

Tonight’s Daily Show finale had so many “best moments” it’s just too hard to list them all.

As for Stewart, he hasn’t said what he’ll do next – fans will just have to wait and see. “I started when I was 14 and I’m 31 now”.

“Thanks for everything, Jon“, said Springsteen before bursting into the song.

But Comedy Central does.

Fox News Channel chairman Roger Ailes, whose network remained intact despite Stewart’s “pulverizing” blows, said that Stewart was a brilliant comedian and nice guy who has a bitter view of the world.

He also played the final part of “Born to Run”.

After nearly 16 years presenting The Daily Show America’s number one satirist Jon Stewart bid farewell to the hit program which has mercilessly mocked current affairs, politicians and the media.