Trevor Noah, largely unknown in the United States seven years ago when Comedy Central hired the South African comedian as host of “The Daily Show,” said he’s stepping down.
“My time is up,” Noah said to a shocked New York City crowd during the Thursday night taping of his show. “Yeah, but in the most beautiful way, honestly.”
It’s unclear when he’s leaving. He didn’t say explicitly beyond noting that he will “still be here for the time being.”
“The Daily Show” is scheduled to go on the road for the first time since the pandemic to Atlanta for four shows at the Tabernacle next month right before the midterm elections.
All his correspondents are set to be there including Atlantan Dulcé Sloan.
Noah is the third host of “The Daily Show” and gave the show’s content a far more worldly context, delving into issues in other countries more than most other late-night hosts and not obsessing quite so much on day-to-day politics and Donald Trump as some of his peers. He also interviewed far more people of color, a wider variety of creative artists and even the occasional philosopher like he did earlier this week.
During the pandemic, Noah holed up in his New York City apartment to shoot shows for about two years and was the last late night host to return to his studio with an audience. He also recently hit the road to do stand up again. But the return back into society also made him shift his perspective, he said.
“I miss learning other languages. I miss going to other countries and putting on shows,” he said. “I miss just being everywhere and doing everything.”
He expressed gratitude that he was given this opportunity, comparing his predecessor Jon Stewart to Willy Wonka handing him the keys to the chocolate factory.
The late night environment has shifted recently and gotten significantly less diverse with Samantha Bee getting canceled by TBS, Showtime’s “Desus and Mero” breaking up, British native James Corden planning to end his show in the spring of 2023 and now Noah’s pending departure.
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