Bryan Bedder/Comedy Central(NEW YORK) — The Nightly Show with Larry Wilmore aired its final episode Thursday night after having been cancelled by Comedy Central, an announcement that was made on Monday.
It was a bittersweet 29 minutes as audience cheers from enthusiastic well-wishers sometimes drowned out the affable host. Larry Wilmore was in good spirits as he joked through three segments, only slightly breaking when series executive producer Jon Stewart appeared, and during the closing segment, when Wilmore appeared alone, facing the camera to say goodbye.
Wilmore, the former “Senior Black Correspondent” for The Daily Show during Stewart’s run, began the show by joking about how fellow late-night hosts and friends sent gifts most generously, starting with his fellow Daily Show alum Samantha Bee, who sent Wilmore and the cast three cases of wine on Wednesday.
Wilmore announced that Stephen Colbert sent an assortment of liquor and John Oliver sent champagne, but he lamented the fact that the current Daily Show ensemble sent only pastries. “How am I supposed to get wasted on a stupid almond croissant?”
In the second segment, Jon Stewart appeared to thunderous cheers and gave an inspirational speech. Stewart shared his experience about having been cancelled before and thanked Wilmore and his collaborators for giving a voice to those without a voice. Stewart closed with a joke about Wilmore’s appearance at the White House Correspondents Dinner, saying, “You did it, my…mishpucha” — which is a Yiddish term of endearment for family.
Wilmore appeared with the cast, including Holly Walker, Grace Parra, Franchesca Ramsey, Robin Thede, Jordan Carlos and Rory Albanese — Ricky Velez and Mike Yard were both out of town with previous commitments — with drinks in hands to relive some behind-the-scenes moments during the second segment.
Wilmore closed the show, alone, to say that he was not done yet.
Comedy Central will shift @Midnight to the 11:30 p.m. ET time slot until a permanent replacement for Wilmore’s show is determined.
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