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Trevor Noah set to replace Stewart on 'Daily Show' (w/video)

 
After three appearances on “The Daily Show With Jon Stewart,” Trevor Noah will take over as the new host.
After three appearances on “The Daily Show With Jon Stewart,” Trevor Noah will take over as the new host.
Published March 30, 2015

In December, 31-year-old comedian Trevor Noah made his debut as an on-air contributor on The Daily Show With Jon Stewart, offering his perspective as a biracial South African on the United States.

"I never thought I'd be more afraid of police in America than in South Africa," he said with a smile. "It kind of makes me a little nostalgic for the old days, back home."

Now, after only three appearances on that Comedy Central show, Noah has gotten a huge and unexpected promotion. On Monday, Comedy Central announced that Noah would be the new host of The Daily Show, succeeding Stewart after he steps down later this year.

The network's selection of Noah comes less than two months after Stewart, 52, revealed on Feb. 10 that he was leaving The Daily Show after a highly successful 16-year run. (An exact timetable for Stewart's departure has not been decided, Comedy Central said.)

The appointment of Noah, a newcomer to U.S. television, promises to add youthful vitality and international perspective to The Daily Show. It puts a nonwhite performer at the head of this flagship Comedy Central franchise.

But the decision also invites questions about Noah's experience and visibility (or lack thereof), and why the network did not choose a woman to crack the all-male club of late-night television hosts.

But in his conversations with Stewart, Noah said he had found a kindred spirit in a fellow comedian who was not much further along when he came to The Daily Show.

"He told me, 'I was where you were when I took over the show,' " Noah said. " 'Nobody knew me. I was just starting out, finding my voice, and that's when I was handed this seat.'

"Now," Noah added, "it's my turn to steer the ship."