Film + TV
Bruce Springsteen played out Jon Stewart's final Daily Show and it was perfect
by Jesse Locke
August 7, 2015
"Here it is, my Moment of Zen."
America’s most trusted newsman for the last 16 years said goodbye last night with Jon Stewart signing off his final broadcast as the host of The Daily Show.
A who’s who of former correspondents who have moved on to their own spotlighted roles popped by the studio including Steve Carrell, Samantha Bee, John Hodgman, and Darth Vader (Senior Evil Correspondent). Other highlights included Ed Helms promoting his Rocky Mountain Institute for Men Who Get More Distinguished and Handsome as They Age, John Oliver discussing the breakfast he ate on his first day, and a since tribute from Stephen Colbert. Without his shot on The Daily Show, Colbert said “I’d be back in those hills mining turds with Pappy.”
However, the salute that may have meant the most to Stewart himself was the grand finale performance from Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band. This choice makes perfect sense, as Stewart is a Jersey boy who cut his chops slinging drinks at Trenton’s greatest punk club (title not officially recognized).
Backed up by the poised drum fills of Max Weinberg and the furious mandolin of Little Steven, The Boss beamed through a medley of “Land of Hope and Dreams” (Stewart’s request) and the ol’ standby “Born to Run”. The second song ended with a stage invasion from the show’s cast and crew, cutting a rag for one last time before the Trevor Noah backlash kicks in. Watch the performance here:
