The Daily Showhas been creating legendary satire since 1996. The show started as a parody of news commentary shows that were becoming popular in the 90s, but in this most recent decade,The Daily Showhas become a powerful, culture-defining force in the genres of both comedy and news. Roy Wood Jr.,Daily Showcorrespondent and guest host, recently roasted Joe Biden at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, a performance given previously byDaily Showanchors Trevor Noah and Jon Stewart. This half-hour show on Comedy Central is just as influential as it is funny.
As many fans are aware,The Daily Showis looking fora new host after Trevor Noahabdicated his position in December. He and Jon Stewart were the only two people to be anchors on the show and have made it quite the honorable title to be given. Now asThe Daily Showsearches for a new host to put in the seat, they do so at a time when not only politics have changed but comedy as well.
These days, when Donald Trump roams the land and comedians find it harder to make fun of, well, anybody,The Daily Showremains determined to use humor as the medicine for what seems like these increasingly dark times. Their new host must determine what it means to be funny at the intersection of cancel culture and racist politicians.
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Cameos From the Old Daily Show Raise Ratings
At the beginning of this year,The Daily Showwas off to a good start. They began a system of cycling through a new host every week and some of the first faces they had on seemed rather familiar. Sarah Silverman, Hasan Minhaj, and Wanda Sykes appeared onThe Daily Showearlier in its life, having previously been correspondents or doing guest spots.
The show also pulled in some rather prominent guests, including the former Democratic senator from Minnesota, Al Franken, and famous comedian and White House staff member Kal Penn.
Throughout this early period of experimentation,The Daily Show’s ratings saw a spike of 16% compared to the same weeks last year. This figure comes to us from live plus seven-day Nielsen datareported by The Wrap. While all of these comedians brought their own style and feeling to reporting the parody news, it was unclear if one stood out from the others to secure their spot in the anchor’s chair.
The fans seem excited to see who will take the reins, but finding out who’s the right fit will take longer.The Daily Showwill continue to rotate anchors well into the summer, including one week listed as the “News Team Takeover.”
We’ve recently seen current correspondents Desi Lydic, Jordan Klepper, and Roy Wood Jr. take the stage. All have been withThe Daily Showfor a long time, and any of them would make a decent anchor. But of the three,Roy Wood Jr. seems to have come awaywith the most positive portents.
Aside from the fact that he was able to anchor the show during the Trump arraignment, he had former anchor and legendary comedianJon Stewart returnto the show with him. And His opportunity to speak at the White House Correspondents’ dinner was typically reserved for the show’s anchor. So, if anyone had to be a front-runner, it might be him.
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A Different Anchor Gets a Bigger Voice
What’s most important to remember when selecting the right anchor is that their voice will affect viewers in powerful ways. The show’s producers obviously want someone popular and who can handle a changing media landscape. But the people want someone funny and relatable. Altogether it’s a job that needs someone with a sharp mind, a friendly face, and a good sense of humor.
The former correspondents seem the most likely candidates for the position. Desi Lydic is known for her journalistic responsibility and uncanny ability to make light of feminist issues. Jordan Klepper has a reputation for sneaking into Trump rallies and making fun of unsuspecting organizers. And Roy Wood Jr. celebrates Black America while taking a heavy hand with the right wing.
But as each of these independent voices brings something unique to the stage, they should remember that it will take more than their individual style to fill the shoes of Trevor Noah.Jon Stewart originally leftthe show because he felt he couldn’t bring anything new to it, so one would assume that all future anchors would have to change the show in some way.
Whatever the newest actor brings to the chair will be seen all over America. It will be the light-hearted, obviously left-leaning, but still uncompromising news force that can somehow take comedy seriously. Many comedians, especially from the previous generation, worry about how hard it is to make light of some of these issues that seem irreparably bad when reported on the news.
But Jon Stewart once said on a podcast with Will Arnett and Jason Bateman that comedy is the medicine that allows us to digest these tragedies. It’s the responsibility ofThe Daily Show’s host to feed us that medicine.
