Out of all the famous people that Jon Stewart managed to squeeze into the first half of his final Daily Show episode, Stephen Colbert undoubtedly stole the show. Walking on stage, he saddled up right next to Stewart, and launched into a long, drawn out analogy in which Stewart's show was like Frodo's quest to destroy the Ring. Or something.
But the best part came when Stewart thought he was cutting to a commercial break, and Colbert unexpectedly took the reigns and started thanking a verklempt Stewart for all he's done. You can tell it wasn't planned—or at least, that Stewart was kept out of the loop—because he starts to get emotional, telling Colbert "Please don't do this," and choking up at his desk. Jon, if you're reading this (someone, please forward this to Jon Stewart), I want you to know it's okay, because everything Colbert said was absolutely true.
"We owe you because we learned from you," said Colbert. "We learned from you by example, how to do a show with intention, how to work with clarity, how to treat people with respect. You are infuriatingly good at your job," he added, at which point the crowd goes wild, because it's true. "And all of us, all of us, who are lucky enough to work with you—and you can edit this out later—all of us who were lucky enough to work with you for 16 years are better at our jobs because we got to watch you do yours, and we are better people for having known you. You are great artist and a good man."
Honestly, are you not weeping right now? Watch the clip—Jon Stewart was. And then Colbert thanked Stewart for everything he's done for him, the "son of a poor Appalachian turd miner." If not for Stewart, Colbert said, "I'd be back in those hills mining turds with Pappy!" God forbid. Thank you, Jon Stewart.
