Jon Stewart spent 16 years eviscerating politicians, media bias and sheer stupidity on "The Daily Show," all the while cracking jokes and racking up a wide breadth of viewers, who bid farewell to the Comedy Central star when he stepped down on Thursday.
The multiple Emmy Award winner assembled several of his noted former correspondents, including Stephen Colbert, Ed Helms and Steve Carell, and successor Trevor Noah for special coverage of the GOP presidential debate, which landed on the same night. There, "The Daily Show" grads said their emotional and humorous good-byes to Stewart in person -- Colbert even went off script and got his former mentor teary-eyed. Meanwhile, several politicos and journalists, many of whom have found themselves on the receiving end of a Stewart scolding over the years, sent their regards in a video montage. (More on that here).
FULL COVERAGE: Jon Stewart's legacy and the future of 'The Daily Show'
Around the Web, the hashtag #JonVoyage served as a catch-all for tributes toasting to Stewart's legacy and memories about the satirical late-night comic. The fact that the finale's air date coincided with the first Republican presidential debate inevitably led to a Twitter showdown between debate viewers and "Daily Show" fans -- and the hashtogs #JonVoyage and #GOPdebate competing for the top U.S. trend for much of Thursday.
Comedians waxed nostalgic about the Stewart's point of view, mourning losing him as their daily news source. Pundits weighed in on Stewart's impact on the political landscape, and even noted historian Doris Kearns Goodwin chimed in about the comedian's place in history.
Here's a round-up of the night's notable tweets and tributes.
Best group hug ever. #JonVoyage pic.twitter.com/gU4vdkFm1H
— Comedy Central (@ComedyCentral) August 7, 2015
Backstage at @TheDailyShow #JonVoyage @robcorddry @RobRiggle @mrmattwalsh #DailyShow pic.twitter.com/zvaJ3ilqJD
— Ed Helms (@edhelms) August 7, 2015
Congratulations to Jon Stewart & @TheDailyShow on 16 outstanding years! Thank you! #jonvoyage
— Rob Riggle (@RobRiggle) August 6, 2015
Should've found someone else to take this picture! #TheDailyShow #JonVoyage #CORRESPONDENTS pic.twitter.com/JGHATlhp9X
— Al Madrigal (@almadrigal) August 7, 2015
Honored to have been one of Jon Stewart's original correspondents. Great boss, great guy. Sad to see u go. Too soon! #JonVoyage
— Vance DeGeneres (@vancedegeneres) August 5, 2015
Thank you Jon Stewart.
— Steve Carell (@SteveCarell) August 7, 2015
The Handoff pic.twitter.com/jiY2Ne2wbm
— Mo Rocca (@MoRocca) August 7, 2015
My all time favorite TDS bit. And it's also a testament to why I love Jon Stewart. Without him this doesn't exist! https://t.co/iStIMST1uJ
— Larry Wilmore (@larrywilmore) August 6, 2015
Oh and #JonVoyage
— Larry Wilmore (@larrywilmore) August 6, 2015
View from the greenroom.
#JonVoyage pic.twitter.com/gtneOwVAtP
— nate corddry (@imnatecorddry) August 7, 2015
Can't believe it's #JonStewart's last @TheDailyShow today. That's so stupid. #JonVoyage ¿¿¿¿
— oliviamunn (@oliviamunn) August 6, 2015
What a night.
#History #JonVoyage #GOAT
— Trevor Noah (@Trevornoah) August 7, 2015
"This is by request from the man himself..." #JonVoyage pic.twitter.com/RDqOFpfUkZ
— Bruce Springsteen (@springsteen) August 7, 2015
Wish you all best, dude.
Keep taking those fantastic pauses, inhales, slow squint then drop funny line...
Love you, man.
#jonvoyage
— Jerry Seinfeld (@JerrySeinfeld) August 7, 2015
Dear Jon Stewart (@TheDailyShow), What are @carlreiner and I supposed to do every night now?! Well, I guess it's back to McHale's Navy.
— Mel Brooks (@MelBrooks) August 6, 2015
Am I going to have to start actually reading the paper? #jonvoyage
— Natasha Leggero (@natashaleggero) August 7, 2015
#JonStewart Thank you for changing the game! What will our lives be like without you every night? @TheDailyShow pic.twitter.com/XaiHQXZemr
— Kate Flannery (@KateFlannery) August 7, 2015
No one has made news so funny, or made comedy such big news. #JonStewart #JonVoyage pic.twitter.com/JNgSLE9pAs
— Ellen DeGeneres (@TheEllenShow) August 7, 2015
To the guy @TheDailyShow who taught me to get news from comedy networks and comedy from news networks: #JonVoyage.
— Scott Jones (@ThinksHesPeople) August 6, 2015
"You've been a great gift to the country." —President Obama to Jon Stewart on @TheDailyShow #JonVoyage pic.twitter.com/ku6QZx2nE1
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) August 6, 2015
Missing Jon Stewart already. #GOPdebate #JonVoyage -H
— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) August 7, 2015
Thank you Jon Stewart & @TheDailyShow for making us laugh but more importantly for making us all think about the world around us.
— Chelsea Clinton (@ChelseaClinton) August 6, 2015
You used outrageousness to aim outrage where it needed to go. So #JonVoyage, and thank you.
— Patton Oswalt (@pattonoswalt) August 6, 2015
here's a #throwbackthursday in honor of The Daily Show's last episode today. #jonvoyage. We'll miss you, bud! http://t.co/CgO3xs7iTF
— Mario Batali (@Mariobatali) August 6, 2015
Even though I don't know Jon Stewart,my ¿¿¿¿is breaking.
Can't wrap my brain around fact,That I WONT b seeing him Scribble on his papers again
— Cher (@cher) August 6, 2015
But we still need you Jon Stewart. #JonVoyage #ThankYouThursday
— mia farrow (@MiaFarrow) August 6, 2015
#JonStewart leaving while Trump is still out there is the equivalent of Superman leaving behind his powers as Zod looms large. #JonVoyage
— Josh Gad (@joshgad) August 6, 2015
Wow. #JonVoyage indeed. I held it together pretty good up until Max gave him the drumsticks. Then I started bawling. #DailyShow
— Colin Hanks (@ColinHanks) August 7, 2015
#JonVoyage Never cynical, always idealistic @TheDailyShow. History will show that you made politics fun once again for an entire generation!
— Doris Kearns Goodwin (@DorisKGoodwin) August 6, 2015
Congrats to Jon Stewart as he ends 16yrs anchoring @TheDailyShow. Not only is he a great host, he's also a great guest. Salud! #JonVoyage
— Larry King (@kingsthings) August 7, 2015
Here's to your own moment of zen, jon stewart. We’ll miss u #JonVoyage
— Ryan Seacrest (@RyanSeacrest) August 7, 2015
In the history of people at desks talking to cameras, no one has shown a greater range of wisdom and humor than Jon Stewart @TheDailyShow
— Lawrence O'Donnell (@Lawrence) August 7, 2015
Now we've invoked God.
Time to watch Jon Stewart.
— Will Chase (@WillChaseMe) August 7, 2015
"(A) career is a long conversation with the audience, a dialogue." -Jon Stewart
Thanks for 16+ years. #JonVoyage
— Jared Padalecki (@jarpad) August 7, 2015
You knew it was gonna be a good Gov class when the teacher pulled up a @TheDailyShow clip. Thanks for making class fun, Jon. #jonvoyage
— SMT (@Spencermtackett) July 28, 2015
He could make anyone a mensch, even Bill O'Reilly. That is the legacy of Jon Stewart on @TheDailyShow. He will be missed. #JonVoyage
— Mister Mister (@Intelligence404) July 28, 2015
Farewell to my Jewish TV bubbe. Whose unfiltered news reports delivered with deadly accuracy filled my heart with joy. #JonVoyage
— Sarah Stanley (@SarahStanleyLA) July 28, 2015
The Daily Show helped shape me into who I am today; a liberal, pot smoking, pin head, comedy addict. Stay in touch with us, Jon. #JonVoyage
— Ryan Bourassa (@RyanBComedy) July 28, 2015
I enjoyed you as much as Trump loved his hair. Thanks for all the laughs #jonvoyage
— Kyle (@kvgkyleg) July 28, 2015
#JonVoyage Never cynical, always idealistic @TheDailyShow. History will show that you made politics fun once again for an entire generation!
— Doris Kearns Goodwin (@DorisKGoodwin) August 6, 2015
Hey there Jon Stewart,See ya, and don't let the White House door hit you on the way out. #JonVoyage
— James Driscoll (@Realspaceman) July 28, 2015
MORE:
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Obama defends record, begs Jon Stewart to stay at 'The Daily Show'
Jon Stewart leaving 'The Daily Show': Read a transcript of his remarks
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Trevor Noah: Jon Stewart's a white 'Jewish guy' from New Jersey; 'I'm not'
'Daily Show With Jon Stewart' redefined TV success as a natural fit for social media
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