Last night ‘The Daily Show’ with Trevor Noah made a debut in the US, and will screen in Mzansi at 9pm tonight via Comedy Central.
But here’s a quick catchup of what took place on first episode: Noah kicked off his first night hosting The Daily Show by thanking his Jon Stewart, whom he reffered as a ‘political dad’. ‘Thank you, Jon… for believing in me,” Noah said at the top of the episode. “I’ll make you not look like the crazy old dude who left his inheritance to some random kid from Africa.’
From there, Noah jumped straight into the news, discussing the Pope’s recent visit to America. He also did a first correspondent segment with Jordan Klepper which was fun, as they milked the “John/Jon replacement” bit for all its worth.
Then later was joined by Kevin Hart for a sit down interview, and to his surprise, Hart brought him a gift of ties.
With many saying Noah has got big shoes to fill after replacing Jon Stewart, we had a look at what the US reviewers had to say after watching the first show of Noah’s takeover on ‘The Daily Show’.
The Guardian
Noah had an average first night, neither killing it nor completely embarrassing himself. It will take him months to really find his rhythm and must distinguish himself with how he tackles certain key events – something Stewart did with career- and zeitgeist-defining gusto. Those are big shoes to fill, and it’s almost like Noah is too close to Stewart’s style.
USA Today
That said, it was a less than spectacular debut Monday — one that focused a bit too heavily on Noah’s status as host, and as an unexpected choice for one. Nor did it help that, as is often the case in first shows, Noah seemed a bit over-amped. There are no doubt going to be those who find his smile infectious, but he should not act like he’s one of them.
IGN
Noah started his Daily Show guns blazing, which is exactly what you want in a program centered around up-to-the-minute news satire. No dawdling; just straight to the content. However, Noah’s interview with Kevin Hart was a little awkward in spots. That said, it wasn’t a disaster by any means, and the rest of the episode leading up to the interview was very strong. Noah certainly showed that he has the chops to riff on the news, and if this episode was any indicator, I’d say The Daily Show is in good hands.
Hollywood Reporter
Noah’s Daily Show debut was not about intimacy. It needed to be quite the opposite. It was about being as broad and welcoming as possible, reassuring a nervous fanbase that even if the guy at the desk is more dimpled-and-dapper and even if the world is spinning in a different direction, it’s still The Daily Show. The best and most honest thing you can say about Monday’s premiere is, “He didn’t break it.” He also didn’t try to.
Entertainment Weekly
Trevor Noah’s first Daily Show, which isn’t a lot and isn’t nothing. The chat with Kevin Hart was boring, but Late Night interviewing is a skill you can only learn on the job.
TIME
Granted, the show was only the first iteration of a series that, hopefully, will substantially grow beyond Stewart’s influence. But the moments that didn’t talk about Stewart were stripped of any real point-of-view. He’s going to have to bring the international perspective (the one we keep hearing about) to bear on Syria. Or, at least, to choose harder targets than the Pope, Kevin Hart, and his own inadequacy compared to Jon Stewart.
Deadline.com
Teeth gleaming like an ad for Crest, his smile broad and generous, Trevor Noah made his debut Monday night as host of Comedy Central’s The Daily Show on a sleek set that tried very hard to look the same and different all at once. The same, of course, might be said for the show, which will try very earnestly to replicate the success Jon Stewart brought to it, without breaking too much of a bead.
Telegraph
Last night the 31 year-old South African comedian got the opportunity to introduce himself, and try and win over a sceptical audience.
The response to his debut on Twitter was positive, perhaps surprisingly so considering the reverence for Stewart and the edginess of some of the material, including a joke about Whitney Houston’s crack addiction.
Noah was never going to please everyone who tuned in to the late night satirical news programme, but in the end he got a general, if tentative, thumbs up from the Twitterverse.
Mashable
Noah’s inaugural Daily Show — largely written and produced, as he noted Friday, by the same team that was still backing Jon Stewart up until last month — didn’t exactly break any molds. But underwhelming as that segment was, the premiere also gave reasons to be hopeful about Noah’s tenure. The show’s writing is sharp as ever, and Noah delivers it well. Though he’s new to the anchor seat, he’s already projecting an easy confidence that makes him immediately appealing.
