Comedian Trevor Noah will succeed Jon Stewart as the host of “The Daily Show,” the New York Times reported on Monday.
Stewart announced in February that he would be leaving the show, and will step down as host later this year.
Noah, a South African comedian who has appeared on “The Daily Show” three times, told the Times about his promotion over the phone from Dubai.
“You don’t believe it for the first few hours,” he said. “You need a stiff drink, and then unfortunately you’re in a place where you can’t really get alcohol.”
In a statement to the Times, Stewart said he was “thrilled” that Noah would succeed him as host.
“He’s a tremendous comic and talent that we’ve loved working with,” Stewart said in the statement.
Stewart added that he “may rejoin as a correspondent just to be a part of it!!!”
In an interview with the Times, Comedy Central President Michele Ganeless said that after an extensive search, the network decided Noah was “the best person for the job.”
“You don’t hope to find the next Jon Stewart – there is no next Jon Stewart. So, our goal was to find someone who brings something really exciting and new and different,” she said.
Never heard of him - if he’s been on the show three times I must have missed it.
I’m certainly willing to give him a chance though, and I don’t remember knowing anything about Jon Stewart before I started watching TDS. Jon has a great delivery; just the right mixture of befuddlement and outrage, but it’s really all about the writing.
I do like the idea of Jon becoming a ‘correspondent emeritus’.
He certainly seems bright enough, but from what I’ve seen of him, (he has stuff on Netflix) he has a very preachy tone which was in some of his DS appearances and that will not work at the desk. At least not for 20-25 years yet. Being lectured to by a kid only goes so far.
I hope he finds the right mix, I need DS to continue.
He’ll do great.
Women. They just aren’t fit for late nite host.
This guy is hilarious and smart! great choice!!