Will “correspondents” and “contributors” still be a huge part of “The Daily Show”?
I can’t see how that would ever change. “The Daily Show” has made a living bringing in satirically brilliant comics to play “correspondents” and “contributors” on the show. When you’ve pumped out talent like Stephen Colbert, Ed Helms, John Oliver and Rob Riggle—to name a handful—it would only make sense to keep it going. After all, Noah was one himself.
What about the show’s iconic sarcastic stance and overall vibe that Jon Stewart perfected? Will Noah change how the show approaches worldwide issues?
“The Daily Show” must become what Noah is most comfortable delivering night after night. Trying to keep the exact same formula that Stewart concocted would be stupid. Noah told The New York Times last week, “The show will be a representation of my interests, and the interests in the room. We all live in America. But as America is increasingly learning, if a butterfly flaps its wings on the Chinese stock exchange, there’s a good chance it affects America.”
PLUS: 10 things to know about Trevor Noah before his ‘Daily Show’ hosting debut
It’s imperative that he starts strong. So how does he plan to do that without much “household name” buzz around him as a comic?
Noah told Rolling Stone last week that his first week of shows will be a four-part miniseries. (Remember, “The Daily Show” airs at 10 p.m. (CST) Monday through Thursday every week.) So expect him to try and win you over by not having a filter of any kind and stringing together an intimate storyline so you learn more about him in just four 22-minute episodes. The joy of having a show on Comedy Central? They really let you go for it all. And believe me: Noah will.
Jon Stewart was a phenomenal interviewer. What kind of interviewer is Trevor Noah? Does he have any background in reporting?
Look, Stewart winged it. Comedians wing it ALL. THE. TIME. That’s what this business is. You use your instincts and curiosity about the world to turn yourself into a good interviewer. Noah only will continue to get better and find his rhythm. What I hope to see are natural, banter-filled conversations with guests, rather than it feeling like an “interview.” Noah will use his charm and quick-wit to make himself stand out.
Stewart always signed off by saying, “And now your moment of Zen” before showing a hilarious clip making some politician or newscaster look stupid. What will be Noah’s?
If I’m a betting man, I’d say he’ll scrap that idea all together. Like I said, this is Noah’s show now. He has been very vocal about how much he adores what Stewart built, but bits have to come naturally. Noah told me (on the phone in January), “I don’t think it gets better than that” in reference to working with Stewart as a contributor on his show. “If that’s the first and last thing I ever do, that’s a great thing for me. … He is so good and loves what he is doing. That’s how I feel about comedy. If I can be close to that? It’s fantastic.” Just two months later, he was asked to host the show. How’s that for Zen?
PLUS:The Trevor Noah timeline since Jon Stewart’s announcement to leave “The Daily Show”
