Jon Stewart Set to Retire From ‘The Daily Show’

Those who were in attendance of today's (Feb. 10) taping of 'The Daily Show' were certainly in for a rude awakening. Jon Stewart announced during filming that he would be retiring from the show, and Comedy Central confirmed his departure via Twitter later in the day. They released a full statement supporting Jon for his role on the show. You can check out the full statement below:

For the better part of the last two decades, we have had the incredible honor and privilege of working with Jon Stewart. His comedic brilliance is second to none. Jon has been at th heart of Comedy Central, championing and nurturing the best talent in the industry, in front of and behind the camera. Through his unique voice and vision, 'The Daily Show' has become a cultural touchstone for millions of fans and an unparalleled platform for political comedy that will endure for years to come. Jon will remain at the helm of 'The Daily Show' until later this year. He is a comic genius, generous with his time and talent, and will always be a part of the Comedy Central family.

Jon has been the host of 'The Daily Show' since 1999, and while he wasn't its first host, he was certainly the driving force behind making 'The Daily Show' a cultural phenomenon with its satirization of the news and politics. There's no word yet as to whether Jon is moving on to another show or what he'll pursue now that he's leaving 'The Daily Show,' but we're sad to see him go.