If Jon Stewart hasn't been among the best media critics of the last two decades, then he's certainly been the funniest. For the 16 years he was at the helm of The Daily Show, nearly every cable news talking head went on air knowing that Stewart was watching them. Any slant, any loaded question, any stupid inaccuracy would be the butt of a joke on Stewart's next episode. Despite the exceptional work by John Oliver, Stephen Colbert, Samantha Bee, and Seth Meyers, no one in late night has filled this specific niche in Stewart's absence. That's what makes Stewart's brief appearance on Monday night's The Late Show with Stephen Colbert so important.

Last night he emerged from beneath Colbert's desk—when he must be hiding out, surrounded by TVs playing cable news on a 24-hour loop—to deliver a message: He spoke directly to the media about their very public breakup with Donald Trump. "It is time for you to get your groove back, media," Stewart said. "Because, let's face facts, you kind of let yourself go a little bit for these past few years."

This content is imported from YouTube. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.

Stewart pointed out that the media, throughout the primaries, was obsessed with Donald Trump. Some anchors and talking heads even defended him. This is nothing new. Anyone who's turned on a TV or gone on the Internet or opened a paper knows this. What he said next is important:

Here's my point, media. Here's my point. This breakup with Donald Trump has given you, the media, an amazing opportunity for self-reflection and improvement. Instead of worrying about whether Trump is un-American, or if he thinks you're the enemy, or if he's being mean to you, or if he's going to let you go back into the briefings, do something for yourself. Self-improvement! Take up a hobby. I recommend journalism.

At a time when journalism is under threat of phony news organizations like Breitbart, of conspiracy theorists like Alex Jones, of a president who lies and marginalizes the First Amendment, the media needs to be diligent. Stewart isn't around to call journalists on their shit; instead, there's an army of radical alt-right Twitter trolls ready to cry "fake news!!"

It's also important for Stewart to leverage this call to action on a late night talk show, removed from the cable news networks. Because anyone watching The Late Show—as its become the leading voice in late night TV—must hold the journalists accountable as they hold Trump accountable.

Matt Miller Culture Editor Matt is the Culture Editor at Esquire where he covers music, movies, books, and TV—with an emphasis on all things Star Wars, Marvel, and Game of Thrones.

This content is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses. You may be able to find more information about this and similar content at piano.io