Jon Stewart sets 'Daily Show' exit date

Gary Levin | USA TODAY

Jon Stewart has set his Daily Show departure: His final show will air Aug. 6.

The Comedy Central host told viewers the news in a brief segment at the close of Monday night's show. Stewart, 52, who's led the show since 1999, announced in February he planned to step down by year-end. His contract expires in September.

By March, Comedy picked his replacement — South African comedian Trevor Noah — paving the way for Stewart's exit. The timing makes sense, coming just ahead of a typical late-summer hiatus. And though the network has yet to detail plans for Noah's debut, it's likely to come in early September, just as another former Comedy Central star, Stephen Colbert, starts hosting CBS' Late Show.

Hinting at a no-big-deal sendoff, Stewart told viewers, "I will be wearing a suit that night and will more than likely be showered." But he did say there might be hugs.