Jon Stewart announced something absolutely horrible at the end of last night’s episode of The Daily Show: Jon told the audience that by the end of the year, he would be leaving TDS. Stewart is the head of TDS in every way, as the star/host, writer and executive producer. He’s been on the show since 1998, which means he’s seen us through four presidential election cycles. I can’t believe he’s not going to help us through the 2016 presidential election!! Jesus. Here’s Jon’s announcement:
He says, in part: “I’m not going anywhere tomorrow, but this show doesn’t deserve an even slightly restless host, and neither do you…I’m gonna have dinner on a school night with my family, who I have heard, from multiple sources, are lovely people.” Do you think that’s it? A combination of his kids getting older and he wants to be around more for them, plus he is legitimately feeling “restless”? I think the restless thing is true, and I think he’s been feeling that way for a while. It’s why he decided to take a time out in 2013 to direct Rosewater, and after he got a taste of a different career path, it became harder for him to be content with TDS.
As for who will replace Jon… I don’t know. Jason Jones, maybe? Rob Riggle? Stephen Colbert is headed to The Late Show, John Oliver is killing it with his HBO show, and Steve Carrel is nominated for an Oscar this year. Samantha Bee? Jessica Williams? Ugh, I don’t know!
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I’m a little heartbroken. I fully understand him wanting to stop, but someone must take over. That show opened a lot of people’s eyes to the true nature of the media these days, and it needs to continue.
I hope his replacement is a woman.
Me too I woke still dopey about it.. But I Too Hope it goes to Kristen, Samantha or Jessica In that Order
I love, love, love Samantha and she has certainly put in the time and is fantastic, and it should be hers to pass on or accept, but…there’s a little part of me hoping for Jessica Williams. She’s just killing it.
Maybe they could co-host, change the format up a bit.
Yes, I want Jessica Williams or Samantha B, if not then I’m done.
I’m so heartbroken over him leaving, I’ve watched him since as long as I can remember, I hippie Stewart finds another media platform (eventually after some time off).
That was my first thought too. I love Jessica and simply like her style a little better than Sam’s. Although she’s definitely great at what she does and has earned it.
Ugh, I’ll miss Stewart.
Someone on Gawker suggested Aisha Tyler, and once I heard that, she became top of the list for me. Though I wouldn’t be mad at Jessica or Sam Bee.
NOOOOOOO!!!!!!
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!
Damn… I need to go back to church, it’s truly the end of the world.
Nooooo really. We have lost Colbert and now Stewart. What is going on?
Nooooooooo! I had a feeling this was coming. Who will our Nation turn it’s lonely eyes to now?! This one really hurts.
The show was created by a woman — Lizz Windstead — yet I’ve never heard him give her any credit at all. Never mentions her. And his writing staff is almost 100% male.
So I’d like to see Samantha Bee, with Jason Jones as her sidekick. Maybe mock the Carson-McMahon model — Jason does stupid comment really well.
Samantha Bee would be great! It would be nice to see a Woman take over, just not sure if America is ready. Hope iI’m wrong.
No no no no no no no no noooooo! First Stephen Colbert, now Jon Stewart? This makes me very unhappy. I mean, it’s been a great, long run and I’m sure he’s ready to move on to other things, and I wish him continued success, but……this totally sucks! Booooo 🙁
I know! Losing both of them so close together is just so hard to take.
I feel like they were so uniquely skilled at pointing out the idiocy in politics, and I worry what will go unnoticed without their critique.
That totally sux! The only acceptable reason for his leaving is bc HE’S going to run for President (and I would totally vote for him!) Our country needs Jon Stewart!
Stewart/Colbert 2016.
I’ll start making the merchandise. It’ll go nicely with the Scott/Schrute 2008 magnet I still have.
🙂
Jessica Williams. Please God let it be Jessica Williams.
This x 1,000. She’s become the high point of the show for me (apart from JS, of course).
It would also help put the stuff from a few years ago about how the show pretty much ignores its female staff out of people’s minds.
Absolutely second this, she is brilliant and hilarious!
I second this wholeheartedly.
I mean I fourth it.
I love Jessica so much, but I think she’s too young (she’s only 23-24? unbelievable, right???!!! so much talent!).
Doing TDS is 4 nights a week/42 weeks per year is pretty grueling and doesn’t leave time for anything else – work wise. She’s starting to take off – TV roles, probably movie roles…. She should have a chance to fully realize those opportunities before getting sucked into the grind of a nightly talk show. At least as a regular correspondent, she still has the opportunity to do other projects.
I was so sad to hear this, especially since this means he’ll be out before the next election!!! I can’t imagine the 2016 elections without his take on this (or, frankly, any news without his take on it)
I’m just hoping this means there’s something new and more exciting for him on the horizon. I hear a news job at NBC might be opening up? 😉
Stewart was considered for the moderator of Meet the Press after the ouster of David Gregory. It’s not as far fetched as one might think, although Lester Holt should get the Nightly News anchor position.
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!! What the heck is going on with America lately?
Nooooooooooooooooo!!! Oh, boo. Sad. Frowns face. I totally took him for granted. I’m soooooorrrrrrryyyyyyy. Please stay, don’t leave me! Wah! 🙁
He’s leaving in six months, to be replaced by Brian Williams. Said Stewart about Williams replacing him, “Even I can’t make sh*t up like Williams can!”
Lol!
It’s really sad, but c’mon, aren’t you just hoping he’ll be taking Brian William’s place? How awesome would that be?
Maybe i’m just dreaming but I’m keeping my fingers crossed. Stewart on the nightly news would make me turn on the TV all over again.
Maybe we will see him for the 2016 campaign cycle… Just on the other side of it. A girl can dream!
If it’s not a woman, I hope it’s Jason jones — man is yummy and funny!
Sad for us all but he might want to write and direct movies next, better for us if he does. Watched his movie Rosewater last month, loved it.
As long as Brian Williams isn’t seeking his job, I am fine with anyone!
JON STEWART 2016!
I’ll be sad to see him go, it was a good run
I’m not surprised. You could see in his face last year, he was done. Still so sad to see him go.
* sad face *
Wonder if he’s still going to perform or if he’s going to shift to behind-the-scenes roles (producer/director).
End of an era. But his reasons seem completely plausible and understandable. And for those who hope he goes to NBC news, I think that’s a recipe for only more restlessness for him, plus some major frustration.
I think John Oliver is the next best choice but obviously that’s not an option so I’m not sure who the successor should be.
Well done, Sir! Enjoy your family!!!
Just when I thought things in this country couldn’t get any worse…this happens. Before, even when bad things happened, I knew Jon would make them seem…not okay really, but at least, like we’d go on. I’m not even being hyperbolic. This is just terrible.
I haven’t checked the show in a while but Aasif Mandvi has always been of of my favorite correspondents, so whhy not him?
I have a feeling that if they go with a woman as host, it will be a co-host situation. Like Sam and Jason hosting together. Which would be great, but would just illustrate that networks don’t feel a woman can do it herself.
Heartbroken about this he was so amazing! But I would gladly take Jessica williams
Is Tina Fey too “lightweight” for TDS? She seems very politically astute…I’d love to see her on a show like TDS.
Me too! 😀
Have loved him for years. What a bummer! There was a study back when I was in college that found he was the most trusted news source for those under 30. Now I’m over 30, and he still is! Entertaining, insightful and a darn good interviewer.
Without John Stewart to pull the curtain back on all the political hypocracy today, we are doomed. Don’t go John!!!!!!
Jessica Williams is my first choice, tied with Aisha Tyler. Williams has experience in the TDS style and Tyler has experience hosting a talk show and they’re both extremely sharp and witty. Otherwise I’m rooting for Wyatt Cenac. I’d rather not have someone who hosted Weekend Update as I worry that TDS would get away a more commentary-based program to a nightly Weekend Update where it’s just “news story, joke, move on.”
No one can replace Stewart in my heart, though. He’ll just be Host Emeritus of The Daily Show.
SO upset about this!! I’m still in shock.
I can’t imagine who will fill his shows half as well, as much as I like the correspondents they have now.
So bummed. You’re right. No one there can really fill his shoes.
Jon is one of a kind.
Amy Poehler should replace him. Parks and Rec ends this year, right? Jessica is WAAY too young and it would be a slap in the face to Samantha who has been on the show for such a long time.
Sorry, but none of his side-kicks is good enough to take his place. When they start getting cutesy, I turn off. I watch for Stewart alone. Let it go: this show is gone. When he leaves, he takes me with him.
Stewart is leaving and Colbert’s “persona” is gone. The powers that be at Viacom can’t be too happy right now.
So sad. Maybe he’ll replace Lyin’ Brian.