Jon Stewart Reveals Why He Quit 'The Daily Show': 'I'm Not Getting the Same Satisfaction'

By
This video is unavailable because we were unable to load a message from our sponsors.

If you are using ad-blocking software, please disable it and reload the page.

Jon Stewart is not giving up his job as one of the most popular hosts on television without good reason. 

In an interview with The Guardian, Stewart, 52, is sharing why he is really leaving The Daily Show and why he made the decision to do so before an election year. 

"It's not like I thought the show wasn't working any more, or that I didn't know how to do it. It was more, 'Yup, it's working.' But I'm not getting the same satisfaction," Stewart said. "These things are cyclical. You have moments of dissatisfaction, and then you come out of it and it's OK. But the cycles become longer and maybe more entrenched, and that’s when you realize, 'OK, I'm on the back side of it now.'"


WATCH: Jon Stewart Defends His 'Daily Show' Successor 

Blame it on political burnout, but with a new cycle of election coverage, Stewart knew he needed out. "I'd covered an election four times, and it didn't appear that there was going to be anything wildly different about this one," Stewart explained. "I also felt that, for the show, you don't want to leave when the cupboard's bare. So I think it’s a better introduction when you have something providing you with assisted fuel, like a presidential campaign. But really, the value of this show is so much deeper than my contribution."

While it goes without saying that he will be missed in a role that he made his own, he'll have more time for his role at home. As the father of two children, Nathan, 10, and Maggie Rose, 9, he said, "It would be nice to be home when my little elves get home from school occasionally."

NEWS: 8 Reasons Trevor Noah Is Worthy of  'The Daily Show' 

Comedian Trevor Noah, 31, is set to take over the chair that Stewart is leaving behind. On March 30, Noah tweeted, "No one can replace Jon Stewart. But together with the amazing team at The Daily Show, we will continue to make this the best damn news show!"