Jayme Deerwester

USA TODAY

Larry Wilmore had planned to open his final Nightly Show with a panel discussion over the Ellen DeGeneres/Usain Bolt photo controversy, but unfortunately, said panel already had checked out. (Rory Albanese and Holly Walker checked in from bed to put an end to the "Will they, won't they" talk: "Guess what, they will!")

But there was someone to pick up the slack: his old Daily Show boss Jon Stewart.

"What'd I miss?" Stewart said, helping himself to some free booze (more about that below).

"Oh, quite a lot," Wilmore cracked, a few days after Comedy Central announced it was canceling Nightly Show after what it termed a "disappointing" 19 months in which viewership hovered around 738,000, losing half of its Daily lead-in's 7-day viewing audience.

Comedy Central cancels Larry Wilmore's 'Nightly Show'

Stewart, who is still rusty at finding the right camera to look into, advised: "I have been in situations in what we call show business where my name has been on the show, they locked the door and told me, 'Get your (expletive) and get out!' A wise man said to me, 'Do not confuse cancellation with failure.' And I took that to heart. So I will say this: What you, my friend, were tasked to do, you have done beautifully."

He continued, "You gave voice to underserved voices in the media arena and it was a show that was raw and poignant and funny and smart. You took something and got better every (expletive) day. We talk about a little thing called resonance. Did you resonate with your audience? Not only that but in a way you don't even realize yet and won't reveal itself for years to come. You started a conversation that was not on television when you began. What you don't realize is you walk out of this room and that conversation doesn't end."

He then put his fist over his heart and began, "You did it, my ..."

"No, you can't say the last part!" Wilmore exclaimed.

Wilmore was sanguine about the show's end, which featured a montage of its diverse contributors and one last panel, fueled by all the consolation alcohol Wilmore’s been receiving.

"It's never easy when your television show gets canceled but I have to say, for me, there's been a silver lining, you guys: all the free booze!" Wilmore cracked, referencing the gifts from fellow Daily Show alums. he's been posting about all week. "Samantha Bee's show sent over some cases of wine, and then Stephen Colbert sent over an amazing assortment of liquor."

He continued, "And then earlier today, I could barely contain my excitement when I received word a package had arrived from our friends at The Daily Show. Seriously, pastries, guys? How I am I gonna get wasted eating a stupid almond croissant?"

At least Last Week Tonight host Jon Oliver got the message, sending over a case of bubbly with a card that implored him to "get premium cable wasted."