Stewart says after more than 16 years hosting the show, it's time for someone else to take over the job, but he still doesn't know when his last episode will air.
- February 11, 2015
AceShowbiz -
Jon Stewart emotionally addressed his planned departure from "The Daily Show" on Tuesday night, February 10 after Comedy Central broke the news earlier that day. At the end of his show's latest episode, the comedian announced his exit to his audience.
"Doug Herzog and Michele Ganeless of Comedy Central gave me an incredible opportunity 17 years ago to pilot this wonderful franchise," he began. "And 17 years is the longest ever in my life I have held a job...by 16 years and 5 months, the upshot there being I am a terrible employee. But, in my heart, I know it is time for someone else to have that opportunity," he continued, which was responded with dismayed groans from the audience.
He said that he and Comedy Central were working on the details of his exit. He still didn't know when he would last host the show, saying it could be anywhere from July to December. "I don't have any specific plans. I have a lot of ideas. I have a lot of things in my head," he added, "We're going to have dinner on a school night with my family, who, I have heard from multiple sources, are lovely people."
"You know, I'm not going to try to sum up what this place has meant to me over the years. I couldn't do that. We got plenty of time," Stewart further stated, adding, "I'm not going anywhere tomorrow." He didn't reveal the reason behind his exit, but said, "But this show doesn't deserve an even slightly restless host, and neither do you."
He said that he wouldn't miss being on TV, but he would miss coming to the studio every day. He mimicked Frankenstein as he got emotional and said, "What is this fluid? What are these feelings?" He then concluded his statement, "It's been an absolute privilege. It's been the honor of my professional life, and I thank you for watching it. For hate watching it. Whatever reason you were tuning in for."
