During Thursday’s taping of Comedy Central’s Emmy-winning news vehicle, The Daily Show, host and comedian Trevor Noah (Born A Crime) announced he would be leaving the series, according to Deadline. Noah has served as the face of the franchise since original host Jon Stewart’s (Irresistible, The Problem with Jon Stewart) departure in 2015. View Noah’s message in the video below.
“After the seven years, my time is up,” Noah said via Deadline. “In the most beautiful way. I’ve loved hosting this show.” Noah had nothing but glowing things to say about his tenure as host. He detailed how it’s been a “wild ride” and how much of a big swing it was to choose “this random African” as he’s a native of South Africa. But he was highly appreciative of his time with the series.
“We are grateful to Trevor for our amazing partnership over the past seven years,” said a Comedy Central spokesperson via Deadline. “With no timetable for his departure, we’re working together on next steps. As we look ahead, we’re excited for the next chapter in the 25-plus-year history of The Daily Show as it continues to redefine culture through sharp and hilarious social commentary, helping audiences make sense of the world around them.”
As of now, Deadline reports Noah will continue hosting as there seemed to be no contingency plan. Noah and the network had been negotiating for a while on how to accommodate the grueling schedule the nightly series requires. This is yet another shift for the network since its co-parents’ – ViacomCBS and WarnerMedia – transformations.
During Noah’s seven years, per Deadline, the show remained a staple at the Primetime Emmy Awards in the Variety Talk Series category. And for seven consecutive years, HBO’s Last Week Tonight with John Oliver has coveted the win, beating acts that included ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel Live!, NBC’s Late Night with Seth Meyers, and CBS’ The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, a Daily Show alumn.
Noah is the latest in a run of late-night show hosts leaving their posts. Showtime announced after four seasons that Desus & Mero would be coming to an end; and, James Corden (Cats, Gavin & Stacey) is set to end his The Late Late Show tenure in 2023. Elsewhere, TBS canceled Samantha Bee’s (The Daily Show, The Detour) Full Frontal as part of the massive restructuring at Warner Bros. Discovery.