Comedy Central said on Monday it has chosen South African comedian Trevor Noah, a relative newcomer
to U.S. television, to replace Jon Stewart on its parody
newscast, "The Daily Show."
In a statement, Viacom Inc-owned Comedy Central
said it would announce the launch date for the new show later.
"Trevor Noah is an enormous talent. He has an insightful and
unique point of view, and most importantly, is wickedly funny,"
Comedy Central president Michele Ganeless said in the statement.
Stewart, 52, who has starred on the satirical show since
1999, announced last month that he was leaving his job, but gave
no specific plans for his next career move.
His successor, a 31-year-old biracial South African, in
December made his first appearance on "The Daily Show," which
airs weeknights at 11 p.m. on Comedy Central. Altogether, he has
appeared as a "senior international correspondent" on the
program three times.
"No-one can replace Jon Stewart. But together with the
amazing team at The Daily Show, we will continue to make this
the best damn news show!" Noah said in a post on Twitter.
Stewart, also on Twitter, said: "Very excited to welcome our
next host: @Trevornoah! That's right - another guy in late night
from Soweto."
In choosing Noah, the comedy network said it was looking for
"a fresh voice who can speak to our audience with a keen take on
the events of the day, and we found that in Trevor.
"He has a huge international following and is poised to
explode here in America, and we are thrilled to have him join
Comedy Central," Ganeless added.
Trevor has hosted his own late night talk show in his native
South Africa, according to the network.
Noah, born of a South African mother and Swiss father, grew
up in Johannesburg's Soweto township. For much of his childhood,
his African family passed him off as an albino. Under apartheid
laws, different races could not mix and he could not live with
either his parents.
News of his new U.S. role quickly spread in his home
country, leading South African news reports.
Comedy Central told the New York Times, which first reported
the move, that the exact time for Stewart's departure has not
been decided.
REUTERS