Watch Final ‘Daily Show’ Episode Online: See Jon Stewart’s Emotional Send-Off

One of Stewart’s amusing foes, Arby’s, also marked the occasion this week by buying two ads on Wednesday’s show. I spent three decades-plus doing network news, but if you ask me today, what do I pay more attention to, John Oliver and Jon Stewart or the evening newscast, it’s not close.

“Please don’t do this”, Stewart pleaded as Colbert lavished him with praise for all the guidance he provided when launching comedic careers.

But, then, he said we had to keep watch for “the more pernicious bulls-t, your premeditated, institutional bulls-t designed to obscure and distract”.

“Bulls**t is everywhere. There is very little that you will encounter in life that isn’t infused with bulls**t”, Stewart said in his last politically-charged Daily Show monologue. We understand why he might hold a grudge, and really, we’re still sorry for that.

Alas, tonight is the night we’ve all been dreading: Jon Stewart will sign off after 16 years on The Daily Show. We learned how to do a show with intention… how to treat people with respect… You were infuriatingly good at your job.

Mobile user? Instead of focusing too much on himself, Stewart nobly put the spotlight on everyone else involved in his almost 17-year run on the show, paying tribute to his correspondents and the staff that remained anonymous behind camera the entire time. You can tell it wasn’t planned-or at least, that Stewart was kept out of the loop-because he starts to get emotional, telling Colbert “Please don’t do this”, and choking up at his desk. “You can edit this out later”, Colbert joked. “We wish you happy and safe travels”.

“Yeah, I’m good. I’d love to see you”, Stewart added.

And finally, here is Stewart following Johan Santana’s no-hitter back in 2012.

Stewart was joined by some of the people that made the show special over the years. It was a big group hug, like the 1980 U.S. Olympic hockey team, or the finale of The Mary Tyler Moore 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”.

Before Olivia Munn starred in “Magic Mike”, she also reported for the “Daily Show“. A taped message from Bill O’Reilly said, “Have fun feeding your rabbits, quitter”. The show began in 1996 with Craig Kilborn as the host.

“I’ll think about it”, Cenac replied. Stewart kicked off his final show with typically affable fashion, but acknowledged the bittersweet atmosphere in the New York studio.