In a statement, Comedy Central has confirmed that Jon Stewart will be leaving his post as the host of The Daily Show “later this year.” Stewart announces his departure on tonight’s episode.
Beginning his career as a stand up comic, Stewart hosted Short Attention Span Theater on The Comedy Channel beginning in 1990 and then You Wrote It, You Watch It in 1992 on MTV. This led to The Jon Stewart Show which proved popular on MTV in 1993. That show didn’t survive syndication to other networks and was eventually cancelled, but it got the attention of David Letterman and his production company Worldwide Pants. When Craig Kilborn (remember that guy?) left The Daily Show in 1999, Stewart was tapped as the host and has remained so every since.