By: Niharika Rajeev
The end of a comedic era is upon us as Trever Noah says Adios! to The Daily Show. On September 29, the comedian announced his retirement during an episode. As the episode was shot on the anniversary of his 7-year tenure, he states “we’ve laughed together, we’ve cried together. But after seven years, I feel like it’s time.”
While his announcement shocked viewers, it appears that Comedy Central may also have been blind-sided by this announcement: “We are grateful to Trevor for our amazing partnership over the past seven years. With no timetable for his departure, we’re working together on next steps.”
While there have been a handful of late night comedians that have left the show, there is no doubt that Noah’s departure will leave a potential death sentence to late night shows in its wake. In Noah’s announcement, he commended his viewers and colleagues for helping him attain his stature but he also mentioned how he misses “learning other languages. . . going to other countries and putting on shows.” All in all, he “miss[es] just being everywhere, doing everything.”
It has been seven years since we started The Daily Show with Trevor Noah. This week is our anniversary, and one of the overriding feelings I found myself experiencing… is a feeling of gratitude… There’s so many people who make this thing come together. I want to say thank you for an amazing seven years. It’s been truly wild.
Trevor Noah
Beginnings to Now
Trever Noah stepped into the limelight when he first took up the mantle of late night comedy from the revered host Jon Stewart. After slowly building his reputation with Comedy Central, he rocketed to fame with his White House Correspondents Dinner. Though his performance at the dinner was a hit, it also provided some insight into the thin line that comedians now must walk. NPR reported that Noah “had to tell jokes sharp enough to resonate with his savvy audience of journalists and politicos, but not so cutting that they seemed nasty or ill-intentioned.”
Following his smashing performance, the question is posed: what will he do now? After the performance he put on, the obvious option is a raise and a step up from the show he currently inhabits, but where would that take place? No matter which network you turn to, there is no slot higher up for Noah to move to, and so he must have seen this as a sign to step out of the networks and find newer options. No matter where he goes, or what he does, I’m sure that millions of fans will be watching to see his next move.