Congratulations are in order! South African comedian, Trevor Noah, has been named the new host of Comedy Central’s The Daily Show, replacing late night veteran, Jon Stewart. More after the click.
After 16 years of hosting one of the most entertaining news and political commentary shows on TV, Jon Stewart will be handing the hosting reigns over to South African comedian, Trevor Noah. Comedy Central issued this press release, making the huge announcement:
NEW YORK, March 30, 2015 – Trevor Noah has been selected to become the next host of the Emmy® and Peabody® Award-winning “The Daily Show,” it was announced today by Michele Ganeless, president, Comedy Central. His show’s premiere will be announced at a later date.
Noah (www.trevornoah.com) joined “The Daily Show with Jon Stewart” in 2014 as a contributor. He made his U.S. television debut in 2012 on “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno” and has also appeared on “Late Show with David Letterman,” becoming the first South African stand-up comedian to appear on either late night show. Born in South Africa to a black South African mother and a white European father, he has successfully become the top comedian in Africa. Noah has hosted numerous television shows including his own late night talk show in his native country, “Tonight with Trevor Noah.”
“Trevor Noah is an enormous talent. He has an insightful and unique point of view, and most importantly, is wickedly funny,” said Ganeless. “For the next host of ‘The Daily Show,’ we set out to find a fresh voice who can speak to our audience with a keen take on the events of the day, and we found that in Trevor. He has a huge international following and is poised to explode here in America, and we are thrilled to have him join Comedy Central.”
“It’s an honor to follow Jon Stewart. He and the team at ‘The Daily Show’ have created an incredible show whose impact is felt all over the world,” said Noah. “In my brief time with the show they’ve made me feel so welcome. I’m excited to get started and work with such a fantastic group of people.”
Said Jon Stewart: “I’m thrilled for the show and for Trevor. He’s a tremendous comic and talent that we’ve loved working with…In fact, I may rejoin as a correspondent just to be a part of it!!!”
Noah was the subject of David Paul Meyer’s award-winning documentary film “You Laugh But It’s True” which tells the story of his remarkable career in post-apartheid South Africa. Noah’s one-man show “The Racist” at the 2012 Edinburgh Fringe was a sold out run that became one of the most talked about shows at the Festival that year. Recently, Noah performed for the Royal Family at the Royal Variety Performance.
Noah (@TrevorNoah) was featured on the October 2014 cover of GQ South Africa and has been profiled in Rolling Stone, Newsweek and The Wall Street Journal, and by CNN and NPR’s “Talk of the Nation,” among others. He continues to tour all over the world and has performed in front of sold out crowds at the Hammersmith Apollo in London and the Sydney Opera House in Australia.
Noah is represented by LEG, CAA, and Morris Yorn.
Amazing news! Excited to see how the show will pan out under Trevor Noah. Jon Stewart is a hard act to follow, with his zeal for both entertaining and intelligent reporting. The show has won over 15 Emmy Awards during his tenure. Rooting for Trevor though; hoping he’s up to the task.
If you’re not familiar with his work, check out this funny skit the two did called “Spot the Africa,” below:
LOL comedy.
What do you think about the news?
