It took some getting used to, adjustments had to be made, but I’m going to say it: Trevor Noah is now a better, more thoughtful, yet funnier host even than Jon Stewart in his prime. The Daily Show has only improved with Mr. Noah as host.
Anyone else think so?
Or are you all going to start heaving overripe tomatoes in my direction?
I like him. At first I had doubts, but more and more I find I am warming to him.
Those were awfully big shoes to fill, and I think he’s doing a pretty good job, all up!
I like him. I hate the correspondents. “Clueless idiot says stupid things for effect” needs to end.
I don’t watch very often, because of that.
The show has improved. Noah is getting angry with scornful pointed humor more often, and his jokes are well honed.
I like Desi Lydic the most of the correspondents. Hasan Minhaj could become very good but he’s used too seldom to make a real impression. Jordan Klepper is good as the clueless white guy, but that would work better if there were a non-clueless white guy for contrast. He’s never on with Desi for some reason.
Jon Stewart became larger than the show by the time he left, so comparisons really can’t be made. That stops no one, of course, but you can think bad thoughts their way.
The non-clueless white guy is now Seth Meyers. He’s gotten really good and overtly political. He does A Closer Look almost every night and it’s probably the best sustained piece outside of John Oliver, who has more time to fill and a week to prepare.
Noah has certainly settled well and is a more assured and competent host than at first he was. But better than Stewart? Nah, not even close.
I agree that Noah has gotten much, much better than when he started, like he’s finally found his own voice and is using his own point of view instead of trying to compete with or emulate Jon Stewart. Not better than Stewart, just finally good in his own right.
Maybe it’s time I go back and give it another chance. I’m not one of those who said he sucked and was horrible or anything, but I just kind of drifted away due to lack of interest. I always had had Jon’s show on DVR, and if I wasn’t home to watch, it was the first thing I watched the next day when the TV came on. I watched Noah for the first month the same way. But then just wasn’t really into it and watched it occasionally when I saw it, but didn’t bother to watch the recorded version. And kind of recently realized I haven’t seen it at all for a few months.
Actually though the correspondents were more the cause of non-interest than Noah. Jon was always at his best when they were good, playing the straight man for them. But It kind of SNLed over the last few years and were filling time with faces in the position, that weren’t very good.
But it is probably a good time to give a fair chance again.
Their social media people are worse. I don’t have cable, so any watching of The Daily Show is done online. When Jon hosted, TDS’s Facebook posts regularly (like daily) lured me into watching a clip, and often an entire episode at their website.
Trevor’s people have yet to get me to click on anything. Nothing they post looks interesting. Sam Bee’s stuff? Yep. John Oliver’s stuff? Yep. Noah’s? Nope.
He could be as wonderful as punkin pie at Thanksgiving, I wouldn’t know.
Noah’s coverage of USA election stuff has been bang on, in my opinion. Trump of course makes a ridiculously easy target, but Noah doesn’t spare Hillary when she deserves it as well, or anyone else.
(By the way, I really liked Jon Stewart, although his mugging for the camera got old to me.)
Noah’s been steadily improving, though he’ll never equal Jon Stewart. And he’s even done some meaningful interviews, which were originally his weakest segments. But the correspondents are still rather hit-and-miss.
Same for me. It is time.
One other good thing about Noah. He doesn’t have a personal beef against FOX News. That means we don’t have to spend half the show watching their clips.
He’s great. Not as great as Stewart yet, but great.
Don’t watch at all. I catch John Oliver’s weekly rants because they’re all over the internet, and usually worth listening to, and discussing. Of all the Daily Show refugees Oliver is still fresh. Samantha Bee is okay sometimes. Colbert seems tired and desperate.
Nope, not even remotely.
The important point is not whether Trevor Noah or Jon Stewart is better, not really.
The important point is that Trevor Noah has come into his own in a pretty convincing way. If you wandered away from The Daily Show after Jon left, may I humbly recommend giving Trevor Noah another shot?
I mostly skip the correspondent stuff. I only watch online, so I just watch clips, and mostly do the ones with Noah himself.
I did happen to see one where he had a some lady go all Politifact, but then throw in a joke each time for the rating. I thought her delivery was weird. She didn’t even pause after saying “Thanks” to Trevor. It sounded like she was just reading.
I’m still a fan, and I think he and the show are improving. I don’t have a problem with the correspondents, though I miss J-Willy and other past contributors.
Why do you think this? Since you’re the OP, can you point to some Noah segments you think are particularly incisive satire and explain how they’re superior to those of the Stewart era?
Well put. Noah has become more serrated with his humour.