Keep an eye out for bulls**t: Jon Stewart departs The Daily Show, leaves his final advice

In 1999, the human population surpassed six billion, Euro currency was introduced in 11 countries, democracy was restored to Indonesia, Lance Armstrong won his first Tour de France (yes), My Space was officially introduced to the internet and Jon Stewart took over The Daily Show.

It’s been sixteen years since. Sixteen years of political satire and some serious takedowns, and now the curtains close on an era. An era of the master of satire and commentary, Jon Stewart.

Joining The Daily Show, Stewart filled up the vacuum as the prominence of network news anchors receded. He got together one of the best writing staff on television and ended up becoming, for many across the world, the only source of news.

He shaped opinions of an entire generation and made having a political debate ‘cool’ again. And as for his influence or impact over political matters, as this Politico piece points out, it has been more than most ‘outsiders’ could ever wish for.

On Thursday, Stewart hosted his last episode of The Daily Show and what a perfect farewell it was.

Rather than inviting hundreds of celebrities (which seems to be the standard procedure to follow these days), Stewart spent his last day on the job thanking everyone (literally) who has been involved with it over the years.

Every (well, almost) correspondents of the show (past and present), from John Oliver to Steve Carell, made an appearance. Stephen Colbert, in an unscripted thank you note, moved Stewart to tears.

This was followed by a behind the scenes of the show where Stewart introduced and thanked everyone involved in the production with some help from none other than Martin Scorsese.

The show was a concluded with a number from Bruce Springsteen and a final, tearful, ’thank you’ from Stewart.

Although, this is not the end, the show already has a new host and things will move on. But Stewart’s legacy will guide media and journalism for time to come.

For Stewart was never just a comic, he was a great newsman.

Perhaps we will all do better following Stewart’s final advice on the show: Keep an eye out for bulls**t, keep vigilance.