I awoke this morning with a feeling of sadness. After 16 years, Jon Stewart will do his last Daily Show this evening. I don’t begrudge him retiring, don’t get me wrong. I retired last year and love it. He has certainly earned this time to rest, relax and enjoy his family.
But Spence and I and countless others will miss him terribly.
Jon Stewart has been the touchstone for our news and politics for years. What makes him so popular is his honest, candid, unfiltered and ultimately humorous take on events and politicos. What makes him a true gem is that he isn’t politically correct but shines a comic light on the most sensitive topics without being mean-spirited, causing us to reflect profoundly. He holds people accountable – politicians both domestic and international, corporate bigwigs, financial pundits and others who are in the news – and isn’t above calling them out. We don’t always agree with his perspective, but always respect that he makes us think. We never find him offensive, rather…. refreshing. He feels like a guy you’d like to have drinks with and hope it turns into dinner.
During his tenure on The Daily Show, numerous comedic talents were discovered, among them:
- Steve Carell
- Stephen Colbert
- Rob Corddry
- Ed Helms
- Jason Jones
- Rob Riggle
- Samantha Bee
And though his career was established before The Daily Show, who can forget the outrageously bombastic Lewis Black and his Daily Show segments “Back in Black?”
Okay, now I’m getting teared up. (sigh)
Thank you Jon Stewart, for every moment you’ve given us. You are brilliant; we won’t know another like you.
