They made us laugh, they taught us a few things and, above all else, they always entertained us. Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end. As we draw closer to the New Year, we thought this would be the perfect time to reflect on television in 2015 and say goodbye to those who hung it up.
"The Daily Show with Jon Stewart"
Oh Jon, you lovable, sardonic wise cracker. How we will miss your meticulous take down of hypocrisy in media. How we will long for your pointed attacks at one-sided journalism. How we will ache for your genuine enthusiasm and curiosity during celebrity guest interviews.
Stewart redefined late night television with his own brand of political humor and satire. His unrelenting energy reinvigorated the genre and captured the attention of young television viewers across the country. It doesn't matter if, at the end of the day, it was only comedy. Everyone always walked away from "The Daily Show" feeling as if they had learned something.
Take care, Jon. Thanks for all the laughs.
"Late Show with David Letterman"
If Jon Stewart was considered the young up start for a time, than Letterman is the iconic last man standing of the Old Guard. Letterman honed his sharp wit over a career that spanned 45 years. He excelled at observational humor, surreal, deadpan, self-deprecating; he dabbled in it all. Letterman was always more versatile than Jay Leno and considerably more edgy than Conan O'Brien.
Though his later years may not have been as envelope pushing, they were still instrumental in shaping the entertainment genre. Letterman had ascended to a pop culture gate keeper; anyone who had a shot at stardom sat on his couch, no exceptions. It became a right of passage. Ultimately, that's the biggest compliment you can give to a late night host.
Enjoy retirement, Dave.
"Key & Peele"
No, "Key & Peele" may not have been as iconic as the "Late Show" or as consistently good as the "Daily Show," but, man, when it was hitting it was really hitting. Few other sketch comedy shows have had the legs of "Key & Peele," with hilarious bits such as "Substitute Teacher" and the "East/West" bowl instantly going viral and spawning several sequels. Even if you never watched live, you always caught up with the latest "Key & Peele" sketches because they managed to cross over into the main stream.
Hysterical, weird, strange, bizarre, genius; I'm not sure which best describes "Key & Peele," but I am sure that I'm going to miss it. Good luck with your future endeavors, boys.
