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Jon Stewart to leave Daily Show, Comedy Central says Jon Stewart to leave The Daily Show
(about 3 hours later)
Jon Stewart, the host of Comedy Central's The Daily Show, will step down later this year, the president of the network has confirmed. Jon Stewart, the host of Comedy Central's The Daily Show, will step down later this year.
"His comedic brilliance is second to none," said Michele Ganeless in a statement. The comedian said it had "been an absolute privilege" to have been at the helm of the satirical show since 1999.
Stewart, who began hosting the show in 1999, will remain there until later in 2015, she said. He will leave later this year. "This show doesn't deserve an even slightly restless host and neither do you," Stewart told his audience on Tuesday.
"He is a comic genius, generous with his time and talent, and will always be a part of the Comedy Central family." Comedy Central president Michele Ganeless paid tribute, saying: "His comedic brilliance is second to none."
Stewart's show has often been cited as a leading news source for young people, with an average audience of one million viewers.
His targets - and his guests - have been politicians and public figures, addressed in tones that are often indignant, or teasing.
The Daily Show has also been a launch pad for several well-known comic performers, including Steve Carell and John Oliver, as well as Stephen Colbert.
"I'm going to miss being on television every day," Stewart said. "I'm going to miss coming here every day. I love the people here. They're creative and collaborative and kind.
"It's been the honour of my professional life, and I thank you for watching it, for hate-watching it, whatever reason you are tuning in for."
The host said he was not sure exactly when he would leave, or what he would do next.
In 2013, he took time out to direct a film, Rosewater, about an Iranian-born journalist who was imprisoned and accused of spying.In 2013, he took time out to direct a film, Rosewater, about an Iranian-born journalist who was imprisoned and accused of spying.
His departure comes after the network lost another major comedy figure, Stephen Colbert, who left to take over David Letterman's late night show on CBS. "I don't have any specific plans," he said. "Got a lot of ideas, 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."
Analysis: Nick Bryant, BBC News, New York Analysis: Nick Bryant, New York correspondent
A late-night satirist who fused pop culture and politics, Jon Stewart has come to enjoy much the same status among younger viewers that anchors like Walter Cronkite achieved in the eyes of their grandparents.A late-night satirist who fused pop culture and politics, Jon Stewart has come to enjoy much the same status among younger viewers that anchors like Walter Cronkite achieved in the eyes of their grandparents.
Like the evening news shows of yore, The Daily Show has become appointment viewing, though many people catch it afterwards online, where Stewart's riffs often become viral sensations and also enjoy a long afterlife.Like the evening news shows of yore, The Daily Show has become appointment viewing, though many people catch it afterwards online, where Stewart's riffs often become viral sensations and also enjoy a long afterlife.
Part of his appeal has come from launching stinging critiques about the sensationalist tendencies of modern-day American TV news, with the cable networks Fox News and CNN among his favourite targets.Part of his appeal has come from launching stinging critiques about the sensationalist tendencies of modern-day American TV news, with the cable networks Fox News and CNN among his favourite targets.
A much-quoted online poll once showed that 44% of respondents looked upon him as the best source for trustworthy news.A much-quoted online poll once showed that 44% of respondents looked upon him as the best source for trustworthy news.
In that same poll Brian Williams scored 29% - a trustworthiness ranking that the suspended NBC News anchor would probably be happy with today. Comedy Central has not said who will replace Stewart. Time Magazine urged the network: "After so many years of men hosting late-night shows, a woman at the helm is long overdue."
It's a fluke of timing that Stewart has announced his departure on the same night that Williams has been reprimanded by NBC News. But it underscores how late-night comedians have in some ways usurped primetime anchors, especially for the online generation. Stewart's departure comes after the network lost Colbert, another major comedy figure, who left to take over David Letterman's late night show on CBS.
'Miss it like crazy' In a statement, Ms Ganeless said: "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.
Stewart's show has often been cited as a leading news source for young people, with an average audience of one million viewers. "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."
His targets - and his guests - have been politicians and public figures, addressed in tones that are often indignant, or teasing. Famous fans react on Twitter
The Daily Show has also been a launch pad for several well-known comic performers, including Steve Carell and John Oliver, as well as Colbert. Asked about the show by The Hollywood Reporter last year, Stewart said: "Like anything else, you do it long enough, you will take it for granted, or there will be aspects of it that are grinding.
Comedy Central did not say what Stewart was planning to do next, or who would replace him. "I can't say that following the news cycle as closely as we do and trying to convert that into something either joyful or important to us doesn't have its fraught moments."
In an interview with US broadcaster NPR in November, Stewart admitted that he had considered leaving The Daily Show. In an interview with US broadcaster NPR in November, he admitted he had considered leaving The Daily Show.
"You can't just stay in the same place because it feels like you've built a nice house there, and that's really the thing I struggle with," he said."You can't just stay in the same place because it feels like you've built a nice house there, and that's really the thing I struggle with," he said.
"It is unclear to me... The minute I say I am not going to do it any more, I will miss it like crazy." "It is unclear to me. The minute I say I am not going to do it any more, I will miss it like crazy."