By: Declen Hertel Entertainment Editor
Like a great many Americans, I was very sad to see Jon Stewart leave “The Daily Show.” I first started to watch “The Daily Show” in my freshman year of high school, and seeing Jon Stewart take on all the hypocrisy and stupidity in the world was where I got most of my news. But after sixteen years in the captain’s chair, Stewart decided it was time to move on.
When Trevor Noah, a 31 year-old South African comedian, was announced as Stewart’s replacement, I was intrigued and a bit skeptical.
I liked his work on “The Daily Show” during Stewart’s run, but he still seemed untested. This also came on the heels of “The Nightly Show with Larry Wilmore” taking the spot of “The Colbert Report,” which I felt (and still feel) was a lackluster replacement. How would the new host do filling such big shoes at such a tumultuous time in fake news?
Having seen most of Noah’s run thus far, I can say with confidence that “The Daily Show” is in good hands. The first few episodes were rough, as it was obvious Noah was still settling into this new role, but he has been steadily getting better and more confident as the show plugs along.
While I miss the biting, somewhat world-weary sarcasm of Jon Stewart, the youthful energy Noah brings is a welcome change of pace. There’s more room for silliness and shenanigans with him in charge.
He still brings his own spirit to the more Stewart-like pieces as well; there was a hilarious piece recently on Donald Trump’s similarities to corrupt African presidents that just wouldn’t have felt right with Stewart, but played very well for Noah.
I think if Noah can find what he can bring, and not try to be the next Jon Stewart, he’ll do very well at the helm.
