The television universe is about to get a Dear Jon letter as Jon Stewart’s tenure at The Daily Show draws to a close this week. Under his watch, the show went from being a parody to being a serious player in the news business. The NYT takes a look back at nine essential moments from Stewart’s quintessential nine year run. It’s been influential and informative. But it’s always been about the funny, which is why Exec Producer Steve Bodow is thankful for Donald Trump: “Anthony Weiner was, to [John] Oliver’s run, what Donald Trump is for Jon right now. ‘Oh, thank you, universe.'”

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+ The Daily Show has parodied the media. And the media loved it. Slate’s Brian Unger: How the press fell in love with The Daily Show.