‘The Daily Show’: Jon Stewart Signs Off With A Little Help From His Friends 

Fans of “The Daily Show” may compare the departure of longtime anchor Jon Stewart to losing an old friend.

However, the host signed off for the last time on Thursday night by assuring the audience it wasn’t goodbye. Rather, Stewart likened his retirement to “a small pause.”

It’s a break 16 years in the making, as the Comedy Central darling grew from a quirky cable satire to a landmark source of cultural commentary. Stewart kicked off his final show with typically affable fashion, but acknowledged the bittersweet atmosphere in the New York studio.

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“What a night! What a big, big night,” he greeted the audience, whose raucous cheers were mixed with shouts of support and sadness.

“But yet, we all still remain alive,” he joked.

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Luckily, Stewart had a quite a humorous group on hand to make sure he didn’t have to endure his last “Daily Show” chapter alone.

After throwing to Republican presidential debate coverage (“It was incredible,” Stewart deadpanned. “So…articulate.”), past correspondents made their way on camera one by one to share their favorite memories of their time on “The Daily Show” and wish Stewart well in his new endeavors.

Aasif Mandvi, Al Madrigal, John Hodgman, Kristen Schaal, Lewis Black and Samantha Bee were among the first to appear, but it was Steve Carell’s cameo that really sent the energy surging. 

“I never left,” the now-Oscar nominee told his former colleague. “Becoming an international superstar is just something I did while waiting for my next assignment.”

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It wasn’t just friends who arrived to see Stewart go. Some of the host’s most nefarious foes were also available to say a few parting words.

Even Darth Vader made an appearance, if only to tell Stewart he resented being compared to former Vice President Dick Cheney.

“There’s the dark side, and then there’s whatever you call his sick thing,” the iconic “Star Wars” villain explained.

In a welcome display of sportsmanship, original “Daily Show” host Craig Kilborn joked that his successor’s exit was simply inevitable.

“I knew you’d run this thing into the ground,” Kilborn said.

Republican politicians like Lindsey Graham and John McCain also participated in the farewell, with McCain using a puppet to express words a U.S. Senator should probably avoid on national television.

As for Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, she offered mock disappointment that Stewart was going to miss covering her campaign.

“And just when I was running for President,” she sighed sarcastically.

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John Oliver and Ed Helms paid tribute to their friend, with Oliver proving he’s been spoiled since launching his own show on HBO.

“What the f*** is a commercial?!” the Brit asked when Stewart tried to cut away from their segment.

However, it was faux rival Stephen Colbert who ushered in the episode’s emotional heft, when he eschewed his brash character to instead speak from the heart.

“You’re infuriatingly good at your job,” he told Stewart during an extended and sincere thank you.

Stewart spent much of his final minutes on air offering his own thanks to a dedicated staff, and played a single-take tour of the offices inspired from “Goodfellas'” iconic opening scene.

“This is the most beautiful place I’ve ever been, and I’ll never have that again,” he said of his “Daily Show” home.

“They’re the best in the business,” he added of the team.

Finally, Stewart couldn’t leave without presenting a few final words of wisdom, telling viewers that his job as a social commentator comes down to a simple philosophy.

“The best defense against bulls*** is vigilance,” he said. “So if you smell something, say something.”

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The host then thanked his family and the audience (“Don’t think the energy you put out isn’t received,” he said), before throwing to special guests Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band.

“Here it is, my moment of Zen,” Stewart smiled, just before Springsteen filled the room with a poignant rendition of “Land of Hope and Dreams.”

Fans shared their support and well wishes for Stewart on Twitter throughout the episode, including many famous ones. Here are what the stars had to say about the end of a “Daily Show” era:

— Erin Biglow

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