Trevor Noah will be departing as the host of The Daily Show after seven years. The Daily Show is a late-night talk show and comedy news series that first aired in July 1996. The series rose to critical acclaim over the course of its run, particularly in the early 2000s, and has received dozens of awards. Since 2001, The Daily Show has been nominated for 64 Emmy Awards, of which it has won 24, including Outstanding Variety, Music, or Comedy Series. To date, The Daily Show is the longest-running program on Comedy Central.When The Daily Show first began in 1996, it was hosted by comedian Craig Kilborn. Kilborn left the series in 1998 to replace Tom Snyder on The Late Late Show, Kilborn was replaced by Jon Stewart in 1999, who notably skyrocketed The Daily Show's popularity. Stewart was largely responsible for creating the current format of The Daily Show, which includes humorous coverage of current events, with a larger focus on politics. Stewart left the series in 2015, citing a gradual slowdown in personal enthusiasm, as well as the exhaustion of the 2016 election. Comedian Trevor Noah replaced Stewart in 2015, and while Noah was not quite as well-received as his predecessor, Noah was generally liked by critics and audiences.
On Thursday, Noah announced his retirement from The Daily Show on-air to the surprise of his studio audience and staff. The official Daily Show Twitter page posted the clip of Noah announcing his retirement, in which Noah says "I realized that, after the seven years... my time is up." Variety obtained a statement from Comedy Central, which reads the following:
“We are grateful to Trevor for our amazing partnership over the past seven years. With no timetable for his departure, we’re working together on next steps. As we look ahead, we’re excited for the next chapter in the 25+ year history of The Daily Show as it continues to redefine culture through sharp and hilarious social commentary, helping audiences make sense of the world around them.”
How Trevor Noah's Exit Will Affect The Daily Show
In his statement, Noah reflects on the toll the pandemic took on him, as he was hosting The Daily Show from his own apartment for two years rather than from the studio. Noah says that while being the host for The Daily Show was an incredible journey, he was missing out on other parts of his life, including touring the world for his stand-up comedy shows. Though Noah will be retiring as the show's host, Comedy Central seems to want to keep The Daily Show alive, perhaps with a new host. Similar to how Noah redefined the series, his successor will likely find a way to revitalize the beloved program. This could lead to a new format, or perhaps a changed focus.
After Stewart's departure in 2015, other potential candidates for the Daily Show position included Amy Schumer, Louis C.K., Chris Rock, and Amy Poehler - many of whom have since garnered controversy for different reasons. With no set date for Noah's retirement as of yet, it may be some time before The Daily Show gets a new host, and with them, a fresh take on the series. Either way, audiences now know to make the most of Noah's final shows, as he will surely do the same. While Noah's time on the series may not have been as popular as Stewart's, his tenure undeniably changed The Daily Show forever.
Source: The Daily Show/Twitter