Noah makes history as he hosts hit US TV show
TREVOR Noah made history last night, becoming the first South African to host The Daily Show. Local television audiences will get to watch his debut show tonight. The comedian took over the hosting of the show from Jon Stewart, who had won 22 Emmy Awards during his 16-year tenure as the show’s host.
Among Noah’s first guests was American comedian Kevin Hart, on his What Now? tour which stops over in South Africa in March with shows in Cape Town, Durban and Joburg.
Bumble chief executive Whitney Wolfe, New Jersey governor Chris Christie and musician Ryan Adams are also on the line-up for Noah’s first week.
Noah named Richard Pryor, Eddie Murphy, Chris Rock and Dave Chappelle among his comedic influences.
“Those are the guys that laid the foundation and have moved the yardstick for all comedians, not only black comedians.”
Noah made his first appearance on the show last year as an on-air contrib- utor, sharing his perspectives as a biracial South African.
“It’s a very different world going from South African comedy to the US, but at the end of the day comedy is comedy.
“You just have to find the right rhythm to speak to people; that’s what really changes, the rhythm from one city or country to the next.
“It is a jump, but it’s a jump you have to get used to if you are a comedian.”
He added that he had always been a big fan of The Daily Show and the show would not change drastically.
“It’ll be like a face-lift. I’m a big fan, and that’s what it’s still gonna be.
“It’s still gonna be The Daily Show. It’s the same way, when (Jimmy) Fallon took over from (Jay) Leno, it is still The Tonight Show.”
The head of Comedy Central Africa, Evert van der Veer, said the programme was regarded as the “most politically influential” on TV.
“Trevor’s appointment continues to make headlines around the world, and as the first African ever to host a US late-night TV franchise, his debut will shine a light on the power of South African comedy and comedians.”
Watch the programme with Trevor Noah on Comedy Central, DStv channel 122, at 9pm.