The Daily Show’s Trevor Noah is never the one to shy away from anything in his stand-up whether it be daily observations, race, or political commentary on the current administration. This Saturday, Jon Stewart’s rightful heir to The Daily Show throne is bringing the satire we all desperately need right now to The Altria Theater.
Originally born in Johannesburg, he not only had a very successful career on his own in South Africa, but is also the most successful comedian in Africa according to his website. Originally getting his start in 2002 when he was 18, Noah had a small role in an episode of Isidingo, a South African soap opera. From there he hosted his own radio show, Noah’s Ark, and then went on to what he obviously does best- comedy.
In 2012, he was the first South African stand-up comedian to appear on The Tonight Show and made his first appearance the following year on Late Show with David Letterman. He has since then appeared on the BBC Two comedy panel show, QI, and has numerous stand-up specials on Netflix such as Trevor Noah: Afraid of the Dark. His memoir, Born a Crime was released in 2016 to glowing reviews and has been greenlit to be adapted to film.
However, Noah definitely found his place to reign in American pop culture as Jon Stewart’s personally chosen successor to the pinnacle of political satire and sketch comedy that is The Daily Show. In December 2014, he originally became a recurring contributor on The Daily Show, and was appropriately chosen as Stewart’s successor the following year. Noah notes Stewart as not only an influence but a mentor to him in an article published in The New York Times.
“The most amazing thing that Jon did was he didn’t give me a mandate,” Noah said in the interview. “He didn’t say, ‘You need to make my show.’ He specifically said: ‘Make your show. Make your best version of it.’ I apply those teachings of Jon’s to everything that I’m doing.”
Noah referred to Stewart as his “Jewish Yoda” in the article, but if that’s so, then Noah has become our Obi-Wan Kenobi. At this point in American politics, his version of The Daily Show really is our only hope.
Trevor Noah will be performing this Saturday, May 5 at The Altria Theater at 7 PM. Tickets are on sale now and start at $41.50. You can grab yours here.
