re: Jon Stewart's Final Week on The Daily Show

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The show will be missed because there's nothing like it on TV. Sure, it's liberal satire, but as many have pointed out, the other liberal satire shows are uniformly terrible (except for John Oliver). He was a vital day-in, day-out media critic who called the networks out on their propaganda and bullshite. He practically got Crossfire cancelled all on his own, and his destruction of Jim Cramer is still one of the greatest things ever.

And he used his political clout, usually, for worthy and bipartisan causes. His charities deal with getting health care for 9/11 responders. He's been on of the most outspoken critics of the crappy state of the VA, and his segment on it actually broke a stalemate on the Hill regarding a bill on VA reforms and funding. He's liberal, but first and foremost, he has a low threshold for bullshite. And he's been the best bullshite detector on TV, rising up where most media critics have failed horribly.

But I'll miss him most because his show was one of the last places authors and statesmen could show up and talk to a wide audience. His penultimate week guests included David Halberstam and Doris Kearns Goodwin. None of the other late night hosts would touch a guest like that, which is a shame (maybe Colbert will, I have hope).

The show is in its decline, which is why it was wise to end it. But in a shrill age, it was nice to have a voice that wasn't shrieking rage, but instead bemused "bwwa?" And it, most importantly, did not preach cynicism and disengagement, which I have nothing but contempt for. His comedy asked the audience to be more engaged and to actually care about things, instead of holding everything at a distance via ironic detachment. That is the coward's way.

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Well said. Excellent post.

Without echoing too much of what you said, I'll just say that I'm going to miss the show because it - like the Colbert Report - was a staple of my college and young adult years. There were many long nights of studying, writing and drinking done to the backdrop of Jon Stewart.

I'm going to be a little sad this evening.

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April he was down 40% of Colbert's numbers

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Wow. Didn't know it was that bad.

I figured there would be a dip, and new shows sometime need a little while to find their feet. Some never do though, it appears Wilmore may not.

Shouldn't be surprised though, Wilmore's bits on the Daily Show were 100% race-based, but were often funny because he wasn't on every night. Too bad he's unable/unwilling to expand his formula, you can only play the greatest hits so much before people tire of hearing them.

It's not a good show but even if it was he wasn't gonna keep ratings at Colbert's level.

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Is everyone planning on continuing watching the show when Trevor Noah takes over?

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I'll try to give the new guy a chance but I'm highly skeptical of him in light of how incapable Wilmore has been of finding a decent formula with his opportunity.

I consider myself left of center when it comes to civil rights and such but the SJW version of that on the Nightly Show is terrible television and intolerant of interesting discussion. The depression is heavy and the humor is stiff and lifeless.

Doesn't anyone else wonder why Comedy Center and Stewart didn't make a serious play for Bassem Youssef? Derivative? Yes. But the "Egyptian Jon Stewart" seems to be his own man, he is funny, he is comfortable in front of the television, and he seems much better suited than Trevor Noah.

Destroying Cramer right now

Spoilers for finale




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Not that it can really be spoiled but guest rumors are out Steve Carrell, Ed Helms and Bruce Springsteen.

I can't imagine colbert missing it

Carell, Oliver, and Helms should all do reports.

Never been a fan of Sam B