After 16 years of blowing out piercing sarcasm and delivering news wrapped in silly commentary, Jon Stewart decided to leave Comedy Central's The Daily Show.
Stewart announced on Tuesday in the show that he is stepping down from the anchor's table, although he has not dropped any other details of his goodbye.
The 52-year-old television host said "in my heart, I know it is time for someone else" to have the opportunity to lead the satirical show.
According to a New York Times report, Stewart's contract with Comedy Central will end this September, but stressed he might be departing by July or December.
In the brink of tears, Stewart said at the end of the episode: "I don't have any specific plans. Got a lot of ideas. I got a lot of things in my head. I'm going to have dinner on a school night with my family, who I have heard from multiple sources are lovely people."
He furthered: "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 are tuning in for."
Meanwhile, Comedy Central President Michele Ganeless have just released a statement regarding Stewart's departure and what is to come for the show.
"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."
Dubbed the nation's satirist-in-chief, Stewart infused the TV show with a personal sagacity of honesty, even anger. The New York Times even likened him reliable figures in the news such as Edward R. Murrow and Walter Cronkite.
Stewart became the host of The Daily Show since 1999 with his lightly hard-hitting political commentary.
Along with his growth as a comedian/writer/political satirist/media critic/comedian/TV host, The Daily Show has come up now as an influential media and news platform for commentary not just in the US but across the globe. The program has an average of 2.2 million viewers per night in 2014.
Peabody and Emmy winner The Daily Show made a strong competition for Comedy Central in late night time slot in line with Jay Leno's Tonight Show (NBC) and David Letterman's Late Show (CBS).
Meanwhile, news buzzing now that Comedy Central is in the lookout for new TV host to replace the two-time Oscar host, and no certain name rings a bell yet. Nevertheless, Time reported that the network should "take risk" and choose woman.
Late-night television has been dominated by testosterone in the past two years like Jimmy Fallon, Seth Meyers, John Oliver, Stephen Colbert, James Corden and Larry Wilmore.
Co-created by Madeliene Smithberg and Lizz Winstead, The Daily Show debuted in 1996 with Craig Kilborn as the first anchor.
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