Over the weekend, reports surfaced that Trevor Noah, the 31-year-old South African comedian who made his first appearance on The Daily Show in December, was to replace Jon Stewart when he steps down later this year. It’s now official! Noah will be the new host of The Daily Show.
Comedy Central is planning to announce the decision today. The New York Times spoke to Noah from Dubai, where he’s on a stop of a comedy tour:
“You don’t believe it for the first few hours,” Mr. Noah said of learning about his new job. “You need a stiff drink, and then unfortunately you’re in a place where you can’t really get alcohol.”
The appointment of Mr. Noah, a newcomer to American television, promises to add youthful vitality and international perspective to “The Daily Show.” It puts a nonwhite performer at the head of this flagship Comedy Central franchise, and one who comes with Mr. Stewart’s endorsement.
“I’m thrilled for the show and for Trevor,” Mr. Stewart said in a statement. “He’s a tremendous comic and talent that we’ve loved working with.” Mr. Stewart added that he “may rejoin as a correspondent just to be a part of it!!!”
Congratulations to Mr. Noah. It’s a bold move on Comedy Central’s part, and he’s got big shoes to fill, etc., etc., but I’m thrilled to see what direction he takes the show in.
