I have a confession to make, you guys. I attended the taping of Jon Stewart's final episode of The Daily Show , and I didn't invite a single one of you. I'm really sorry about that, but sometimes I gotta take care of me, y'know? So, when I hear the day before the broadcast that some single tickets are being released right that moment, and I get online and refresh my browser on the ticket page about 55 times until finally, when I'm just about to give up, I gain access to the page that lets me reserve one single golden ticket? (It actually ended up being blue, but give a girl some poetic license.) At that point, I'm not super likely to write anyone else's name and information into those fields but my own, because I am GOING to Jon Stewart's final taping of The Daily Show. Alone. Sorry not sorry.
But hey — forgive me, here: I'm not a complete monster, so I do want to tell you about it. And, most importantly, I want to tell you about the ways that watching it live were different from watching at home, because I'm assuming that's how most of you took it in. There were some benefits to being there in person and there were some drawbacks — so here they all are all laid out:
1. You Were In A Group Of Hundreds Of People Having The Same Experience
Nothing like saying goodbye to this version of The Daily Show with a bunch of other Daily Show fans who are doing the exact same thing.
2. ... You Were In A Group Of Hundreds Of People Having The Same Experience
Oh, but did I mention that I don't like crowds or people or strangers and oh yeah I might be a sociopath?
3. You Couldn't Google What The Deal Is With Wyatt Cenac
I somehow missed the drama between Cenac and Jon Stewart, so I was super confused by how intentionally weird their interaction was — and since we'd all been warned before the taping that our phones would be confiscated if we so much as looked at them, I couldn't look it up.
4. You Could See The Actual Tears Glistening In Jon Stewart's Eyes
Really made me feel like I was part of something huge. (And I was!)
5. You Had To Sit Next To A Stranger
I assume no one on your couch repeatedly attempted lean over you to try to get the attention of their friend in another section of the audience by shouting "Jace! Jace!" before excitedly pointing toward the stage that we are all watching anyway. Did I mention that I might be a sociopath?
6. You Saw Stephen Colbert Creep In Behind Stewart Before They Showed Him Onscreen
Of course, I should have realized that he was coming — but there have been so many correspondents over the years that I genuinely forgot. So, when he crept out from backstage, they didn't even have to cue the audience... we just all started screaming.
7. You Had To Wait In Line All Day
I don't know about you, but my feet are killing me.
8. You Were In The Third Row For A Bruce Springsteen Concert
(The fact that this isn't suuuuuper exciting for me personally is a secret that you and I are going to keep between us.)
9. You Kinda Wished You Were Home So You Could Cry In Peace
HOW DO YOU NOT WEEP AT THIS IMAGE? And at Stephen Colbert's speech? I'm supposed to sit through all that with dry eyes?! Impossible.
10. You've Now Been In The Same Room As Steve Carell
#LifeGoals.
11. You Spent Your Afternoon Around A Bunch Of Very Sad Employees On Their Last Day Of Work
Don't get me wrong, everyone was super helpful and accommodating throughout, but I couldn't help but feel like I was intruding on a very special, bittersweet moment in their lives and careers.
12. You Got To Scream Your Lungs Out Without Your Neighbors Calling The Police
If you scream like I did last night anywhere near your apartment, someone likely called 911 to report a murder.
Overall, there were moments I would've rather been on my couch weeping into a pint of ice cream, and moments when I couldn't believe how lucky I was to be a part of such a huge moment. But, bottom line is, saying goodbye to an institution like The Daily Show With Jon Stewart wasn't ever going to be easy, and we were all lucky to experience him however we were able — whether that was live, or on TV.
It's been real, buddy. Thank you for everything, and you'll be missed more than you know.
Images: Giphy (5)
