The big announcement off his chest, the host cracked up, teared up and promised to stick around awhile, if only to properly say goodbye. But he gave some clues about his decision.

The funniest moment was when Stewart said he’d like to see his family, “who I have heard through multiple sources are lovely people.”

“Seventeen years is the longest in my life I have ever held a job, by 16 years and five months,” Steward joked.

Later he added: “This show doesn’t deserve an even slightly restless host. And neither do you.”

It seems entirely plausible that, having done close to two decades of his best work, Jon Stewart is ready — itching, even — to try new things, like having dinner with his family.

— Posted by Peter Z. Scheer

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