Believe it or not, but Trevor Noah’s fifth anniversary as the host of Comedy Central’s popular talk show ‘The Daily Show’ this week. Five years on Trevor Noah is one of the biggest names in late-night television and a household name across the globe and has used his celebrity for good as he continues to make waves both in America and around the world.
On the 28th of September 2015, Trevor Noah made his historic debut on Comedy Central’s flagship show, hilariously proclaiming that he never thought that he would have 2 things in his life, an indoor toilet and a job as host of The Daily Show. There were many who thought he wouldn’t make it but fast forward to 2020, Trevor Noah has proven all his naysayers wrong. It’s Trevor Noah’s world and we are all living in it.
In the Trump era of politics, the Soweto native has revolutionised late-night TV, which has seen America reckon with everything from systemic racism to police brutality and everything in between. South Africa’s favourite funnyman has transformed the Daily Show’s content to speak to issues that affect the everyday viewer. This can largely be attributed to the team that Trevor Noah surrounds himself with which include supervising producer and South African comedian David Kibuuka, Ugandan writer Joseph Opio and more diverse Asian and African American contributors on the show.
Trevor Noah has opened the doors to Africa’s most celebrated artists, activists, and personalities including world-renowned DJ Black Coffee, feminist activist Chimamanda Ngozi Adiche, Miss Universe Zozibini Tunzi, “African Giant” Burna Boy, and artist Nelson Makamo, who have all made guest appearances on The Daily Show with Trevor Noah. He has also interviewed politicians, billionaires, and personalities including President Barack Obama, Bill Gates, and Oprah Winfrey”
Dillon Khan, Vice President for Comedy Central and Creative Services at ViacomCBS Networks Africa commented “ It’s so fitting that at the close of Heritage Month we get to celebrate a South African who has taken our stories and culture to the world. Trevor Noah had big shoes to fill when he took the reins at The Daily Show, and boy has he filled them. I am proud to celebrate this incredible milestone, as it showcases what is possible for Africans.”
As the world wrestles with a pandemic, viewers have turned to Trevor Noah. Comedy Central’s The Daily Show has revolutionised how we consume late-night TV transforming to The Daily Social Distancing Show with Trevor Noah. The show was the first to innovate and take the late-night talk show format into a new in-home version outside the studio. In these unprecedented times, the show has kept viewers abreast on COVID-19 while holding up a mirror to America on issues such as systemic racism and police brutality.
One thing is for sure, Trevor Noah has cemented his place in late-night TV and there is no doubt that we can expect much more from him in the years to come. Tune in to The Daily Social Distancing Show with Trevor Noah on Comedy Central (DStv Channel 122), weekdays (Tuesday to Friday) at 22:30 CAT.
