Jon Stewart airs last 'Daily Show' after 16-year run

NEW YORK: Jon Stewart, one of America´s greatest satirists, opened the final episode of "The Daily Show" to cat calls and cheers Thursday, the end of an era for fans after 16 years as a unique voice in US broadcasting.

Loved by liberals as a voice of reason, distrusted by conservatives for his left-of-center perspective, the clever, biting and funny Stewart was joined by some of the talent he has helped to nurture to bid farewell.

There was a farewell message from Secretary of State John Kerry and rock legend Bruce Springsteen was spotted outside the studios ahead of the show´s taping as the hash tag #JonVoyage trended on twitter.

The 52-year-old dissects politics, journalism and entertainment, hosting a show four nights a week that skewers politicians, the ways of the world in general and sensationalist cable news coverage in particular.

Since 1999 he has been a liberal conscience, from the end of the Clinton presidency and the arrival of George W. Bush, through the 9/11 attacks to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and the financial crisis.

Fans are left wondering how they will navigate the 2016 presidential campaign -- even Thursday night´s Republican debate -- without Stewart.

He announced his departure last winter, saying he wanted more flexibility in his schedule, and in September the show returns with new host, South African comic Trevor Noah.