by Comedy Central’s The Daily Show with Jon Stewart happened to be on vacation last week when the network announced correspondent Trevor Noah would replace Stewart as anchor later this year.
So Monday night’s episode was Stewart’s first chance to address the upcoming transition, as well as the backlash and the backlash to the backlash that happened over the rest of the media — social and mainstream — during their absence.
He opened the show with these remarks:
“I know there was a large kerfuffle – on Twe…Twe…Twitter. But I can say this without hesitation. Trevor Noah will earn your trust and respect. Or not. Just as I earned your trust and respect. Or did not. Or sometimes earned it! And then lost it! And then kind of got it back. But then it was like, ‘Fuck that guy!’ And then it was, ‘Oh, that rally was so stupid! I’m never…D’oh! I hate him!’ It kind of just goes that way. The one thing I would say is I do hope you give him an opportunity to earn that trust and respect. Because my experience with him is that he is an incredibly thoughtful and considerate and funny and smart individual, and man, I think, you give him that time, and it’s going to be well worth it. I’m excited for where he’s going to take this thing. And I’m gonna watch. I’m gonna set my DVR. Finally! After 17 fucking years, I’m going to record The Daily Show, when he takes over.”
Roll the clip!
Not being funny isn’t offensive.