Jon Stewart Retires After 17 Years as ‘Daily Show’ Host

“Issues, pundits, politicians – we left no target disemboweled … we annihilated things”. I hope they do, as it can be a balm in hard times.

He declared that Fox News’ power is now gone, only to then air a clip announcing that the network would moderate this week’s Republican presidential primary debate.

Stewart has hosted the program on Comedy Central since 1999. “The world is demonstrably worse than when I started – have I caused this?” he pondered. Have I caused this?

“Hath my efforts all been for naught?” he wondered.

He’ll be at the Plaza in New York City on October 24 where he and his wife Tracey Stewart will be honored at the Farm Sanctuary gala.

The laughs didn’t stop flowing during the commercial breaks on Wednesday, as Arby’s premiered its ads taking all of Stewarts insults on “The Daily Show” over the last few years and bundling them up into a two 30-second spots.

Stewart has poked fun at the fast-food chain for years, making non sequitur pronouncements such as, “technically it’s food”, “you think pain and grief are hard to digest”, “the meal that’s a dare for your colon” and our personal favorite: “Arby’s, for when you’re wondering what it tastes like when a cow dies”. The commercial is set to a version of the theme song from “The Golden Girls“.

While Stewart’s plans for after the show have not been released, the desk will have a new life once the lights go out Thursday night. Final guests have yet to be revealed for Stewart’s send-off, which will run about 50 minutes Thursday night, beginning at its usual 11 p.m. ET.

Trevor Noah, a comedian from South Africa, will take over the anchor duties in September.