Jon Stewart announced his retirement last month
from Comedy Central’s signature show; his current contract is set to expire in
September.
Trevor Noah has now emerged as the frontrunner to
replace Stewart, although he only made his first appearance on The Daily Show as a hapless senior
international correspondent on 4 December 2014.
Before that Trevor Noah appeared on The Late Show with David Letterman in
2013, and early in 2012 became the first South African comedian and “first
African comedian” to appear and do stand-up on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. His Showtime channel stand-up
special, Trevor Noah: African American
was broadcast in 2013.
Comedy Central says "we are not commenting or
providing guidance on any speculation about any individuals".
According to sources Viacom's Comedy Central
wants a new host for The Daily Show "who
is not another white guy".
Although Trevor Noah on The Daily Show plays an uninformed American, clueless of
international events and is seen as African-American, his mother is South
African and his father is Swiss.
The Hollywood trade publication Variety reports "Comedy Central's
selection process has accelerated in recent days" according to Viacom
executives and that Trevor Noah "has moved to a short list being put together by
executives".
