Inside Trevor Noah’s tearful goodbye to ‘The Daily Show’

Trevor Noah, who went from being an unknown amount to American TV viewers to a sensible, satirical voice on Comedy Central, signed off from “The Every day Present” for the ultimate time Thursday.

Noah was reflective and subdued in entrance of a stay viewers on the studio on Manhattan’s West Facet the place the present is taped, usually talking at size a few seven-year sojourn that started when Jon Stewart handed over the host chair of the influential comedy speak present.

Stewart welcomed Noah into the fold in late 2014 after his producers introduced the South African native’s comedy to his consideration. 9 months later he grew to become this system’s third host as Stewart moved on.

“It was a wild journey,” Noah mentioned on his present. “The craziest journey I didn’t predict, I didn’t count on.”

The comic was not broadly identified within the U.S. Being Black and never from the U.S. — or the U.Ok. — made him a rarity in late-night TV. Noah famous how when he began internet hosting after Stewart’s wildly profitable 17-year run, Comedy Central was unable to fill the seats within the studio viewers.

Noah introduced a extra international view to this system (early in his run he memorably made traditionally biting comparisons of Donald Trump to African dictators). Whereas scores for “The Every day Present” declined, as viewers moved away from watching conventional TV in favor of streaming, the median age of this system’s viewers received youthful whereas Noah was on the helm.

Youthful viewers seemingly received to know Noah by social media sharing of his clips. Consequently he developed a powerful following that may proceed to fill live performance arenas and drive streaming numbers for comedy specials.

“I don’t take it as a right ever,” he mentioned.

The comedian’s eyes had been dry on the closing taping till the very finish of his monologue — greater than quarter-hour with out the usage of a TelePrompTer — when he thanked Black ladies for educating him and for what he believes is their capacity to steer the remainder of the nation out of the wilderness on essential issues.

“Who do you suppose formed me, nourished me and shaped me from my mother, my gram, my aunt — all these Black ladies in my life. However then in America as nicely — I at all times inform individuals in case you actually need to study America, speak to Black ladies. … Black ladies can’t afford to f— round and discover out. Black individuals perceive how laborious it’s when issues go dangerous, Black individuals know that it will get worse for them.”

“They’re plenty of the rationale why I’m right here,” he added.

Noah give every of “The Every day Present” correspondents — Roy Wooden, Jr., Desi Lydic, Ronnie Chieng, Michael Costa and Dulcé Sloan, together with contributor Jordan Klepper — an opportunity to poke enjoyable on the host another time. However throughout a business break they gathered in a heat embrace and posed for a closing picture with the host.

As host, Noah was extra private and reflective than Stewart, who delivered his commentary in a stand-up shtick type, and it got here by within the final present. As a substitute of a big-name visitor to complete out, his closing dialog at “The Every day Present” desk was with good friend and fellow comic Neal Brennan.

Noting that Stewart’s finale had Bruce Springsteen, Brennan mentioned, “After I discovered the final visitor was me, even I used to be upset.”

As a shock “Second of Zen” shut, producers organized for the viewers to face and serenade Noah with “You’ll By no means Stroll Alone” — re-creating a ritual for Liverpool FC gamers once they depart the pitch for a closing time. (Noah, a rabid Liverpool fan, started hugging stage crew members when the Rodgers and Hammerstein tune performed).

Noah’s alternative to go away “The Every day Present” after solely seven years can also be a sign that the newer technology of late-night hosts now not really feel the must be on the topical comedy conveyor belt indefinitely. Predecessors reminiscent of Johnny Carson, David Letterman, Jay Leno and Conan O’Brien hung round for many years.

ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel — in his nineteenth season — is the longest-running late evening host. Jimmy Fallon has helmed NBC’s “The Tonight Present” since 2014, whereas Stephen Colbert has been a late-night stalwart since 2005, first on “The Colbert Report” for Comedy Central and CBS’s “The Late Present” beginning in 2015.

No substitute has been named for Noah on “The Every day Present.” When this system returns from hiatus on Jan. 17, it would flip to visitors hosts together with Al Franken, Chelsea Handler, D. L. Hughley, Leslie Jones, John Leguizamo, Hasan Minhaj, Kal Penn, Sarah Silverman, Wanda Sykes and Marlon Wayans.