Watch Jon Stewart thank Letterman for an old favor, some sage advice

The Daily Show is on break this week, so Jon Stewart said his on-air goodbyes to David Letterman last week. And like many of his peers in late-night TV, Stewart had his own Letterman story, and a hat-tip to the mentor. Letterman "was, for me — and I think many comics of my generation — an incredible epiphany," expanding the bounds of possibility for late-night comedy and entertainment, he said. "To be an innovator with longevity is, I mean, damn — the list is, I think, Dave."

Letterman was not just a gracious host, but also a generous guest, Stewart said, recalling that when the short-lived Jon Stewart Show was axed, Letterman agreed to be the final guest. "He singlehandedly turned what was a funereal atmosphere into a celebration, just by his presence," Stewart said. "He lifted all of our spirits, and he said to me — I'll never forget — 'Do not confuse cancelation with failure.'" After thanking Letterman for the great TV and the "wonderful piece of advice," and before showing a clip from that final show, Stewart brought it home: "So cheers to ya — Godspeed, young man." Watch below. —Peter Weber

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