By Chris Murphy
After seven years behind the late-night desk, Trevor Noah is leaving The Daily Show. Trevor shared his intended departure on Thursday 29 September during the show, saying, “I feel like it’s time.”
The South African comedian was relatively unknown in the US before being tapped to replace longtime Daily Show host Jon Stewart in 2015, a choice that Noah called “a crazy bet to make” during his remarks.
He went on to express his gratitude for having been chosen to man The Daily Show desk, reflecting on his tenure on the show. “I found myself thinking throughout the time, you know, everything we’ve gone through: the Trump presidency, the pandemic, just the journey of, you know…the more pandemic. And I realised that after the seven years, my time is up, but in the most beautiful way, honestly,” said Noah, eliciting audible gasps from the audience.
He continued: “I’ve loved hosting this show. It’s been one of my greatest challenges. It’s been one of my greatest joys. I’ve loved trying to figure out how to make people laugh, even when the stories are particularly shitty on the worst days. We’ve laughed together, we’ve cried together. But after seven years, I feel like it’s time.”
As for the timing, Noah’s departure from the Comedy Central tent pole isn’t a complete surprise. In 2017 he signed a five-year contract with Comedy Central to host The Daily Show, which means his contract is up.
As per Matthew Belloni’s Puck newsletter, Noah makes an eight-figure salary, which would possibly be renegotiated if he were to extend his contract. “Noah is a huge draw in touring,” Belloni notes. “The Daily Show will continue, I’m told, but one thing’s for sure: His replacement isn’t getting anywhere near that money.”
Noah, who has hosted the Grammys and the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, revealed a bit of his own reasoning for leaving The Daily Show, signalling that he may, in fact, be hitting the road.
He shared that after hosting the show from his home for two years during the pandemic, there’s “another part of my life that I want to carry on exploring.” “I miss learning other languages. I miss going to other countries and putting on shows,” he said. “I miss just being everywhere, doing everything.”
Noah’s exit comes at a shifting time in the late-night television landscape. In April, James Corden announced that he would be leaving The Late Late Show in 2023. Late-night television stalwart Conan O’Brien’s long-running TBS late-night program, Conan, came to an end in 2021. Daily Show alum Samantha Bee’s Full Frontal With Samantha Bee was cancelled this summer, while the end of Desus Nice and The Kid Mero’s late-night show, Desus & Mero, was abruptly announced this summer as well.
Comedy Central confirmed Noah’s exit in a statement. “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,” said the network.
“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.”
According to The Hollywood Reporter (THR), the timing of Noah’s final episodes has not yet been determined as sources say those conversations are ongoing. Once Noah’s sign-off from The Daily Show has been finalised, McCarthy and executives at Paramount-owned Comedy Central will begin to discuss who will take over the helm of The Daily Show.
“In time, we will turn to the next chapter of The Daily Show and all of our incredible correspondents will be at the top of that list. Until then, we are focused on celebrating Trevor and thanking him for his many contributions,” a Comedy Central spokesperson said in a statement to THR. – vanityfair.com
