South African Comedian Trevor Noah introduced himself to viewers of “The Daily Show” on Monday night, jokingly describing himself as their new “black step dad” after viewers were abandoned by former host Jon Stewart.
In one of countless interviews he gave before his Daily Show debuted Monday, Trevor Noah noted that his first week at the desk would be a “reintroduction” that resembled “a four-part miniseries that will set the tone for what we hope the show will be.”
“Jon Stewart was more than just a late night host, he was often our voice, our refuge, and in many ways our political dad,” he said, “and it’s weird, because dad has left and now it feels like the family has a new step dad — and he’s black.”
“Comedy Central tried to find an American to host the show, remarked Noah, who grew up in South Africa. But all of the potential American hosts declined.”
“So once more a job Americans rejected is now being done by an immigrant,” the new host of the popular political comedy show said.
Given the host’s fleet, charming, and reverential first monologue, what the show “will be” is pretty close to what it was. Noah opened his reign with a huge tip of the hat to “political dad” Jon Stewart, reassuring viewers that, despite some changes, he’d “continue the war on bullshit” his predecessor fought for 16 years.
“Thank you for believing in me,” he added, thanking Jon Stewart. “I’m not quite sure what you saw, but I will work hard every day and I will make you not look like the crazy old dude who left his inheritance to some random kid from Africa.”
