# Why did "The Daily Show" choose Trevor Noah to replace Jon Stewart? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [January 25, 2016, 3:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-the-daily-show-choose-trevor-noah-to-replace-jon-stewart/744153 "2016-01-25T03:45:48Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2016, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-the-daily-show-choose-trevor-noah-to-replace-jon-stewart/744153/61 "2016-01-26T14:44:53Z")
I think Noah is doing fine - he’s a bit mild and hasn’t hit his stride yet, but then as pointed out it’s only been a few months and he’s had some huge shoes to fill. Give him a year or two to get comfortable enough to start pushing the boundaries and he’ll be great. Plus he also has to compete with _Last Week Tonight_ which is fucking awesome. In much the same way that TDS often gave the most reliable news, LWT has some of the best investigative journalism on television. It remains a sad state of affairs in America that the comedians are doing news and the news media are reduced to comedy. ---
**Author:** ![ftg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ftg/32/2801_2.png) [@ftg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ftg)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2016, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-the-daily-show-choose-trevor-noah-to-replace-jon-stewart/744153/62 "2016-01-26T19:01:04Z")
The recent “walking intro” is quite telling to me. This is _exactly_ the sort of thing Stewart would have made fun of if some FoxNews show started doing it. It’s not just Noah. Something very wrong is going on behind the scenes. It’s watered down, less pointed, less … everything. It’s become a generic TV show that’s been focus-grouped into blandness. ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2016, 12:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-the-daily-show-choose-trevor-noah-to-replace-jon-stewart/744153/63 "2016-01-27T12:20:16Z")
> [@ftg](#): > > The recent “walking intro” is quite telling to me. This is _exactly_ the sort of thing Stewart would have made fun of if some FoxNews show started doing it. Stewart himself used to do a walking intro for the Global Edition. ---
**Author:** ![Mighty\_Girl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7bcc69/32.png) [@Mighty\_Girl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mighty_Girl)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2016, 1:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-the-daily-show-choose-trevor-noah-to-replace-jon-stewart/744153/64 "2016-01-27T13:07:43Z")
I love Trevor. The last year Stewart sounded too much like an angry old man, I like that Trevor adds a certain edginess to the whole thing. I agree with whoever said that Klepper is getting too much time. And the interviews always sucked. I tune out then, always did. Trevor is much better than Stewart with accents, and a better impersonator, and I love that kind of humor. I will be in the minority, but I hated Oliver as host, and now enjoy him more in his new format. ---
**Author:** ![Cugel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cugel/32/1199_2.png) [@Cugel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cugel)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2016, 12:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-the-daily-show-choose-trevor-noah-to-replace-jon-stewart/744153/65 "2016-01-28T12:19:50Z")
I’ve been trying to wait until there’s some consensus that Noah has arrived, so I don’t give it up forever. Meanwhile, been binge watching previous seasons, Rob and Ed were worth watching (Stacy Grenrock also worth watching for other reasons), but it was mainly JS providing the yucks. ---
**Author:** ![Mona\_Lisa\_Simpson](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ce7236/32.png) [@Mona\_Lisa\_Simpson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mona_Lisa_Simpson)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2016, 1:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-the-daily-show-choose-trevor-noah-to-replace-jon-stewart/744153/66 "2016-01-30T01:17:03Z")
Trevor Noah is no Jon Stewart, but I still enjoy a humourous political commentary show. It isn’t the same show, but I didn’t expect it. I don’t like it as much as Stewart’s show, but as the months go on Noah is finding his feet and putting his personal stamp on it. I will watch it because I like watching this kind of show. I do hope for some better correspondents, and more Trevoring-up the show. It has a lighter feel to it, and is definitely more youthful. (I’m an old lady of 46, so youthful sometimes feels strange to me.) It’s a good show, not a great show. Trevor Noah is adorably cute, and has a light touch. I feel like I am watching Bambi sometimes. But I will keep watching. I like America being called out by a non citizen. I’m a non citizen, and it works for me. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2016, 1:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-the-daily-show-choose-trevor-noah-to-replace-jon-stewart/744153/67 "2016-01-30T01:20:58Z")
> [@Mighty\_Girl](#): > > I love Trevor. The last year Stewart sounded too much like an angry old man, I like that Trevor adds a certain edginess to the whole thing. I mostly agree: Trevor is a lot of fun, IMO. However, my problem with Stewart near the end of the show wasn’t that he sounded like an angry old man too much; it was that, when he wasn’t being genuinely angry, he was relying on about the same three funny faces and squeaky noises to get laughs. His schtick was getting old as hell. When he let his anger go, his diatribes were things of beauty. But he knew he couldn’t do them all the time. I think Stewart quit about two years later than he should have. I’m glad he’s gone, glad he’s showing up occasionally to do what he’s best at, rather than mugging his way through four episodes a week. ---
**Author:** ![Wesley\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wesley_clark/32/20581_2.png) [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2016, 1:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-the-daily-show-choose-trevor-noah-to-replace-jon-stewart/744153/68 "2016-01-30T01:46:54Z")
> [@Rigamarole](#): > > Honestly? Affirmative action. Yup. I’m just glad they didn’t pick Jessica Williams. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2016, 1:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-the-daily-show-choose-trevor-noah-to-replace-jon-stewart/744153/69 "2016-01-30T01:48:09Z")
> [@Wesley\_Clark](#): > > Yup. I’m just glad they didn’t pick Jessica Williams. I was rooting for her; I think she’s the best correspondent right now. Shame that any non white male choice will have some assuming that they didn’t earn it. ---
**Author:** ![Wesley\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wesley_clark/32/20581_2.png) [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2016, 1:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-the-daily-show-choose-trevor-noah-to-replace-jon-stewart/744153/70 "2016-01-30T01:50:22Z")
> [@iiandyiiii](#): > > I was rooting for her; I think she’s the best correspondent right now. I find her and Samantha Bee terrible on the show. I have no idea who would’ve been a good replacement for Stewart though. ---
**Author:** ![Wesley\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wesley_clark/32/20581_2.png) [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2016, 1:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-the-daily-show-choose-trevor-noah-to-replace-jon-stewart/744153/71 "2016-01-30T01:53:00Z")
> [@iiandyiiii](#): > > Shame that any non white male choice will have some assuming that they didn’t earn it. Shame that putting Trevor Noah and Larry Wilmore as replacements for Stewart and Colbert has caused ratings to drop by half. ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2016, 1:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-the-daily-show-choose-trevor-noah-to-replace-jon-stewart/744153/72 "2016-01-30T01:59:55Z")
> [@Wesley\_Clark](#): > > Shame that putting Trevor Noah and Larry Wilmore as replacements for Stewart and Colbert has caused ratings to drop by half. I don’t think this statement can be supported by the available evidence. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2016, 1:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-the-daily-show-choose-trevor-noah-to-replace-jon-stewart/744153/73 "2016-01-30T01:59:57Z")
> [@Wesley\_Clark](#): > > Shame that putting Trevor Noah and Larry Wilmore as replacements for Stewart and Colbert has caused ratings to drop by half. That is a shame. What’s your point? That a white man would get better ratings? ---
**Author:** ![Wesley\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wesley_clark/32/20581_2.png) [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2016, 2:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-the-daily-show-choose-trevor-noah-to-replace-jon-stewart/744153/74 "2016-01-30T02:05:23Z")
> [@iiandyiiii](#): > > That is a shame. What’s your point? That a white man would get better ratings? LMAO. No, this has been a terrible movement for everyone. Colbert is not a good replacement for Letterman, Wilmore is not a good replacement for Colbert and Noah is not a good replacement for Stewart. I’m not sure who would’ve done a better job at comedy central, but I’m not too impressed by this game of tv host musical chairs. Every show ended up worse. Next time, pick the host who is the best fit. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2016, 2:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-the-daily-show-choose-trevor-noah-to-replace-jon-stewart/744153/75 "2016-01-30T02:08:35Z")
> [@Wesley\_Clark](#): > > LMAO. No, this has been a terrible movement for everyone. Colbert is not a good replacement for Letterman, Wilmore is not a good replacement for Colbert and Noah is not a good replacement for Stewart. > > I’m not sure who would’ve done a better job at comedy central, but I’m not too impressed by this game of tv host musical chairs. Every show ended up worse. > > Next time, pick the host who is the best fit. New hosts always need time to settle into their roles. It’s way too soon to make any conclusions. Wilmore has improved a lot and will probably continue to improve. And I think Noah is doing very well so far. ---
**Author:** ![Peremensoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ce7236/32.png) [@Peremensoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peremensoe)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2016, 2:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-the-daily-show-choose-trevor-noah-to-replace-jon-stewart/744153/76 "2016-01-30T02:10:43Z")
It took JS years to get as good as TN is now. ---
**Author:** ![Wesley\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wesley_clark/32/20581_2.png) [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2016, 2:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-the-daily-show-choose-trevor-noah-to-replace-jon-stewart/744153/77 "2016-01-30T02:10:55Z")
Jon Stewart wasn’t just funny, but he was intelligent enough to understand the satire. He also was intelligent enough to hold his own against almost anyone. Colbert could use satire to outsmart people who did nothing but try to mold the public’s image of them. I don’t know who could’ve replaced them, but I’m not getting the impression that Noah can do what Stewart did. TDS needs more than just someone who can read the news behind a desk. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2016, 2:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-the-daily-show-choose-trevor-noah-to-replace-jon-stewart/744153/78 "2016-01-30T02:13:09Z")
> [@Wesley\_Clark](#): > > Jon Stewart wasn’t just funny, but he was intelligent enough to understand the satire. He also was intelligent enough to hold his own against almost anyone. > > Colbert could use satire to outsmart people who did nothing but try to mold the public’s image of them. > > I don’t know who could’ve replaced them, but I’m not getting the impression that Noah can do what Stewart did. TDS needs more than just someone who can read the news behind a desk. Noah will be different. I think he’s started off very well, and I look forward to seeing how he’ll improve and evolve. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2016, 2:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-the-daily-show-choose-trevor-noah-to-replace-jon-stewart/744153/79 "2016-01-30T02:21:35Z")
> [@Wesley\_Clark](#): > > LMAO. No, this has been a terrible movement for everyone. Colbert is not a good replacement for Letterman, Wilmore is not a good replacement for Colbert and Noah is not a good replacement for Stewart. > > I’m not sure who would’ve done a better job at comedy central, but I’m not too impressed by this game of tv host musical chairs. Every show ended up worse. > > Next time, pick the host who is the best fit. I know! When I was a kid, ALL the talk shows were funnier! Candy tasted better! Everything was bigger! ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2016, 2:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-the-daily-show-choose-trevor-noah-to-replace-jon-stewart/744153/80 "2016-01-30T02:24:12Z")
> [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](#): > > I know! When I was a kid, ALL the talk shows were funnier! Candy tasted better! Everything was bigger! Even the future was bigger back then! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-the-daily-show-choose-trevor-noah-to-replace-jon-stewart/744153.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-the-daily-show-choose-trevor-noah-to-replace-jon-stewart/744153.md?page=5)