NEW YORK >> Jon Stewart gave a heartfelt send-off to Larry Wilmore Thursday as “The Nightly Show” ended its 19-month run.

Stewart told Wilmore that a wise man once advised him, “Do not confuse cancellation with failure.”

Stewart, a producer of “The Nightly Show,” featured Wilmore as “Senior Black Correspondent” when he was hosting “The Daily Show.”

In January 2015, Wilmore’s program filled the slot vacated by Stephen Colbert when he jumped to CBS.

The show sought to explore current events and life issues from the perspective of African-Americans and other groups typically underrepresented on talk shows. But audience acceptance of “The Nightly Show” never approached its “Daily Show” lead-in.

Comedy Central announced its cancellation earlier this week.

Stewart told Wilmore Thursday that he “gave voice to underserved voices in the media arena.”