Photo: The Daily Show

Jon Stewart is a genius. In The Daily Show, he found a way to make the news fun, while still addressing serious issues like inequality, corruption, and race. He raised important questions, and was never afraid to put his guests on the spot. His shows were thought provoking, educational, and above all, hilarious.

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I first became a fan of Jon as an undergraduate student majoring in Global Studies. My Professor would begin each class with a short clip from the show (cheers for liberal arts schools!) which he would use as a jumping off point to discuss current events.

My colleague Natalie Prolman (who helped me put this piece together) is an even bigger fan. The first thing she did when she moved to NYC was stand in line for two hours, in the snow, to see The Daily Show. That’s serious dedication. You know it was worth it though.

Jon is such an incredible host because of his ability to appeal to people from different backgrounds. In doing so, he was able to create a more powerful dialogue that extended beyond age, race, or politics. I think we can all agree, Jon will be incredibly missed! So in honor of my and Natalie’s favorite host, here are 12 of his best moments:

1. That time when Jon schooled Bill O’Reilly on what it means to be “privileged”

2. When Jon and South African comedian Trevor Noah challenged our preconceived notions about Africa

3. That time Jon charged Fox News with Ferguson racial hypocrisy

4. When he got real about the media and said:

“The bias of the mainstream media is toward sensationalism, conflict, and laziness.”

5. Every time he used his show to talk about important human rights issues 

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6. Like that time he set Mike Huckabee straight (ha!) about gay marriage

7. We loved when he shared important life lessons, like this one:

“If you don’t stick to your values when they’re being tested, they’re not values: they’re hobbies.”

8. The time Jon explained what climate change is to Congress deniers (skip ahead to 8:20)

9. When Jon got serious in the aftermath of September 11 and said, "I wanted to tell you why I grieve, but why I don't despair."

10. When he came on CNN’s Crossfire and explained why the show was “hurting America”

11. That time Jon raised an important question about double standards:

“Why is it that if you take advantage of a corporate tax break you’re a smart businessman, but if you take advantage of something so you don’t go hungry, you’re a moocher?”

12. Closing out our list, we have this inspiring gem:


It’s hard to put into words the incredible impact Jon Stewart has had, but Robert Reich does a pretty good job:

“I’m sorry Jon Stewart is stepping down as host of “The Daily Show” after a 16-year run in which he did more to reveal right-wing (and some centrist and right-wing) hypocrisy than anyone else I know. He has shown how satire can be more truthful than pompous displays of righteousness, how humor can be more powerful than high office, and how quiet indignation about the stupid partisan yelling matches that have become cable “news” can bring producers to their senses and even cause shows to be cancelled. For the millennials I teach (and for many others), he’s the most trusted source of news. Jon Stewart leaving “The Daily Show” is a genuine loss.”

It’s pretty crazy to think that a Comedy Central show happened to facilitate what one could argue is the most honest, enlightening and thought provoking news out there. Natalie and I don’t know what we’re going to do without you, Jon. At least we can all enjoy his last few months on air.

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Christina Nuñez, Natalie Prolman 

Editorial

Demand Equity

12 times Jon Stewart SHUT IT DOWN

By Christina Nuñez