I love Roy Wood, Jr., but I’m not entirely sure he should be the permanent host for the show.
I’m going to go all the way back to what I said when Jon Stewart left. I think it should be Larry Wilmore. I thought this before they gave him the Nightly Show(or whatever his show was called). He’s funny, smart, and I think he presents very well as a “fake” news anchor.
Al Franken did a good job and has the experience as well.
Who do you think should be the host?
Al Franken. Hands down IMO.
So far, of the videos I watched, I’ve liked John Leguizamo the most. But I’m not someone who watches the show all that much, just clips online for parts that sound interesting.
Another half dozen guest weeks are scheduled. I want to watch them all first.
I liked Leslie Jones. I only watched a single episode for the rest so it’s not a fair comparison.
I skipped one host altogether for reasons that might derail things here. That being said, I thought most of them did fine as guest hosts with the exception of Chelsea Handler. I think I started watching her episodes but I’m not sure I finished all four. I was most surprised by Leslie Jones because I thought she might be too big and broad, but she really nailed big and broad. Roy might be my favorite so far because I adore him and he’s worked for it for so long, but I think Desi and Jordan and Dulce are going to bring their A games too
Do we know when Comedy Central is supposed to be announcing the new host?
After the guest hosts run through May or so, they’ll suspend for the summer. Then something will happen in fall. Who knows what.
That’s how I feel too. I didn’t even bother watching the rotating hosts over the last few weeks. As long as the material is s good as Trevor’s, I’ll likely have no problem adjusting to whoever they pick.
That’s where I’m the opposite. I’m (for the most part) not watching them. I worry if I do, and they’ll pick one I didn’t like, I won’t watch it. I’m trying not to inadvertently poison the well for myself.
How much does the host contribute to the writing? If they don’t, how much does it matter who the host is?
At a minimum the host contributes the ‘saying the lines’ part. That’s the part that makes all the money, that’s why it matters.
See, I’m the exact opposite. I cannot stand John Leguizamo. I have never found him funny or entertaining in any vehicle I’ve seen him perform in (with the sole exception of To Wong Fu, Thanks for Everything, Julie Newmar). So he’s the absolute last person I want behind the desk.
Too bad we can’t get the Colbert Report back.
I’d be okay with Chelsea Handler, Jordan Klepper, or Al Franken. But I’ve loved Sarah Silverman and Roy Wood Jr.
I do really miss that show. I can’t believe how well Stephen Colbert was able to stay in character, even when unscripted moments happened.
Reading this thread just makes me sad that Jon quit exactly when we needed him the most.
The day Trump arrested, Jon Stewart made a surprise appearance on TDS. He walked out, hooded like Obi-Wan Kenobi. Then after his reveal he tells Roy Wood, Jr., that he once was the host of TDS. And Wood replies, “TDS had a white host?”
100% guarantee that TDS will never again have a white host.
60% chance that TDS won’t have a black host again.
Hasan Minhaj and Kal Penn are better bets than anyone named here.
As for the host’s contribution, this ain’t the age of Letterman, when the writers weren’t allowed to talk to him. (See Mindy Kaling’s Late Night.) The writers do jokes and then the host and the head writer and showrunner sit at the head of the table and decide what stays and what goes. And they also decide the subjects, the direction, the tone, and all the other things that make a show distinctive. The entire production is geared around the hosts and their strengths and personalities. Does anyone think that the Craig Kilborn Daily Show stayed the same after Jon Stewart became host?
I felt like there was a very different emphasis and tone with each new host, and I’ve watched them all. I thought Roy Wood Jr. started out the week great, but got weaker as the week went on. I felt like most of the wannabes were a little too loud, a little too stand-up, for what I watch the Daily Show for. I know Noah and Stewart were both stand-ups, but they didn’t come off as comedians doing schtick except for a few occasions in any particular week.
I was surprised at how well Al Franken did, because he was fairly terrible on his radio show. But he was good here, and I like that he was an insider in politics. That’s more the emphasis I want than just dumb jokes.
I personally wasn’t happy Al chose to invite Lindsey Graham on, but 
. And Hasan Minhaj has always struck me as a little too pleased with himself and camera-hungry. Those two aside, I’ll support who they choose, barring some out-of-left-field choice.
I agree with both your points! I was wondering if he’d made a promise to Graham or something, because it was a waste of an interview. Graham tried to be funny but…was not.
I had the same reaction to Minaj. He seemed way too hyped up. It looked like he wanted it too much. It showed. And it was off-putting.
Al Franken 71
John Leguizamo 62
Larry Wilmore 61
Jon Stewart 60
Kal Penn 45
Roy Wood Jr. 44
Desi Lydic 41
Dulcé Sloan 39
Hasan Minhaj 37
If I’m a network executive, that list speaks for itself.
I forgot. I liked Kal Penn. I assume if he got the gig, he wouldn’t mention that he worked in the White House quite so often. 