'The Daily Show' Names Trevor Noah as New Host
Find out which comedian will replace Jon Stewart.
— -- "The Daily Show" has found their new host.
South African comic and "Daily Show" contributor Trevor Noah will succeed Jon Stewart when he leaves the show later this year, the network announced on Twitter.
"It's official: we're thrilled to confirm @Trevornoah will be the next #DailyShow host," read the Tweet.
Noah, 31, first appeared on "The Daily Show" last December in a segment titled “Spot the Africa,” during which he highlighted African stereotypes by comparing America to African nations, including Noah’s home country of South Africa.
In an interview with The New York Times, Comedy Central president Michele Ganeless said of Noah" “We talked to women. We talked to men. We found in Trevor the best person for the job. You don’t hope to find the next Jon Stewart -- there is no next Jon Stewart. So, our goal was to find someone who brings something really exciting and new and different."
Largely unknown in America outside of his Comedy Central appearances, Noah is a popular stand-up comic in Europe. The son of a black Xhosa mother and a white Swiss father, Noah told The New York Times his mother had to hide who his father was during apartheid, since multi-racial unions were illegal.
"He brings such a unique worldview and a deep understanding of human nature, which makes his comedy so insightful,” Ganeless said of Noah. “He’s truly a student of the world.”
Noah also brings color to a talk show medium that has increasingly been criticized for being too white, too male and two middle-aged. His selection follows Comedy Central’s "The Nightly Show with Larry Wilmore," which debuted last January starring the former Daily Show correspondent, who also is black.
Noah himself tweeted the news Monday morning, writing, "No-one can replace Jon Stewart. But together with the amazing team at 'The Daily Show,' we will continue to make this the best damn news show!"
Chris Rock also tweeted his stamp of approval, posting a screenshot of Noah with the caption, "Thank you President Obama."