ABOVE: People like The Daily Show host Jon Stewart often blurred the lines between news and entertainment. Eric Sorensen looks at how Stewart made such a mark on media.
TORONTO — Jon Stewart, who has anchored The Daily Show since 1999, told his studio audience on Tuesday he is leaving the show later this year.
“17 years is the longest I have ever in my life held a job, by 16 years and five months,” Stewart joked.
“In my heart I know that it is time for someone else to have that opportunity. This show doesn’t deserve an even slightly restless host, and neither do you.”
He said the exact timing of his departure from the show has not yet been determined.
Stewart, who has two children, joked about what stepping down will mean for the future. “I’m going to have dinner on a school night with my family, who I have heard from multiple sources are lovely people,” he said.
The announcement was not unexpected given that Stewart’s contract expires in September.
He told New York magazine late last year: “This job has been really sustainable for me, but not to the extent that I will be here forever. It’s not that kind of thing.”
In a statement, Comedy Central said it was “an incredible honour and privilege” to work with Stewart and praised his “comedic brilliance.”
“Through his unique voice and vision, The Daily Show has become a cultural touchstone for millions of fans and an unparalleled platform for political comedy that will endure for years to come,” read the statement.
“Jon will remain at the helm of The Daily Show until later this year. He is a comic genius, generous with his time and talent, and will always be a part of the Comedy Central family.”
Fans reacted on social media with suggestions that Stewart run for president or take over NBC Nightly News from Brian Williams. Some opined it was an opportunity to have a female take over The Daily Show.
In his November interview with New York, Stewart said he hoped The Daily Show was appreciated “for what I think it was: consistently funny, consistently smart over a long period of time.”
The Daily Show, which debuted in 1996 with host Craig Kilborn, has won 18 Emmy Awards. With Stewart as host, it was key in launching the careers of Steve Carell, Stephen Colbert and John Oliver.
Among the show’s contributors are Canadians Samantha Bee and her husband Jason Jones.
Stewart, 52, made his feature directorial debut last year with Rosewater, which told the true story of Iranian-Canadian journalist Maziar Bahari’s detention by Iranian forces.
In its November interview, New York asked Stewart if he was holding out for Brian Williams’ job as anchor of the NBC Nightly News. (Williams was suspended for six months on Tuesday by NBC after he admitted his story about coming under fire in Iraq wasn’t true.)
“That’s right,” Stewart replied, then added: “No. I want to be the first male host of The View.”
Stewart is the latest in a string of late night hosts that have moved on.
Stephen Colbert shuttered the Daily Show spin-off The Colbert Report last year and will take over the Late Show from David Letterman in September. (Letterman’s final show will air in May.) The Colbert Report was replaced by The Nightly Show with Larry Wilmore.
Craig Ferguson left the Late, Late Show in December and will be replaced in March by James Corden. Ferguson offered Stewart his best wishes via Twitter:
Jimmy Fallon is coming up on his one-year anniversary of hosting the Tonight Show. He replaced longtime host Jay Leno. Fallon’s Late Night was taken over by Seth Meyers.
On social media, celebrities were quick to react to Tuesday’s news.
– with files by Andrew Russell / Global News
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