America had its first–much anticipated–taste of Trevor Noah Monday night, as the South African comedian took his seat as the new host of “The Daily Show.”
How’d he do?
It’s clear that most of what audiences have come to love about “The Daily Show” will remain the same—the acerbic wit, the disdain for political baloney and the propensity for thinly veiled penis jokes.
But what’s changed? Here’s my quick list of what’s new about the new “Daily Show”, without Jon Stewart and with Trevor Noah—that makes it even better than before.
1. Noah brings a unique perspective
Maybe this is what had some worried, but to my mind this is Noah’s greatest strength: He’s funny, as was his predecessor, but he is also just one of only two late night hosts who aren’t white men (the other being “Daily Show” alumnus, now host of his own Comedy Central show, Larry Wilmore). And he’s just one of two not born in the United States (the other being former “Daily Show” correspondent, and now host of his own HBO show, John Oliver). Having diverse TV hosts isn’t just about ticking some diversity box, it’s about the varied perspectives they bring to the job.
“Growing up in the dusty streets of South Africa, I never dreamed I would have an indoor toilet and a job as host of ‘The Daily Show,'” Noah quipped in his opening remarks. “And now I have both—and I’m quite comfortable with one of them.” It’s a joke that is self-deprecating while highlighting the profound global inequities many Americans know nothing about. Billions of people around the globe (including in parts of the United States) still don’t have indoor toilets. In true “Daily Show” form, Noah used this as material for a joke in a way that subtly points out what is definitely not a laughing matter. I think we can expect Noah to continue to shine a light on America’s problems from a vantage point not often seen on American TV.
2. Noah also brings genuine skepticism
Whereas Stewart often seemed to be playing surprised at the vexing stream of nonsense coming out of Washington, Noah appears genuinely taken aback. A video teaser in which Noah tries to learn all the names of the 2016 presidential candidates and is taken aback by how many there are only works because Noah seems genuinely amused and confused by the volume. A segment from the first show in which Noah shows a conservative audience cheering the resignation of House Speaker John Boehner only works because when Noah quizzically says, “That wasn’t how I expected that would go,” we believe him. And when Noah says he’s sad Boehner is leaving just as “I learned how to pronounce your name,” the gag works both because of Noah’s elegant South African lilt but also because it’s believable. “The Daily Show” has always been based somewhat on mocking America and our backwards political system and outcomes. That an outsider is now doing the mocking takes the comedy to new heights.
3. Noah is comfortable enough to laugh at himself
This was a strength of Stewart when he was host—that he would regularly break character and laugh at his own jokes when he just couldn’t help himself. Noah, either by intention or just personality, did the same last night. Fact is, it’s more fun to watch–and also endearing–when you know the host is having fun, too.
4. An updated look
Reviews of the new graphics for “The Daily Show” have been mixed. One writer commented: “[T]he skinny sans serif fonts of the new chyrons and the rather colorless, indeed faded-looking, spinning Planet Earth against a washed-out background make one wonder if the show’s graphic designers are trying to induce in home viewers a certain regretful ennui.” OK, but I like it. A young host and a more, for lack of a better description, young-looking text and graphics give the show a needed cutting-edge look. There’s also a sort of metaphor in this—instead of adopting older graphics styles in the mock appropriation of TV broadcasts of yore, the show is now looking like what is it, a model for the future of television and other media.
5. The world now spins correctly
And other than Trevor Noah, who I assume is grateful he not only didn’t throw up on camera from nerves but also managed to achieve a brilliant debut, the second happiest person last night appeared to be astronomer Neil deGrasse Tyson who tweeted, “Congratulations to @TrevorNoah tonight. @TheDailyShow’s new opening credits now show Earth rotating in the correct direction.” Apparently in the old “Daily Show” opener, Earth was spinning backwards—deliberately or accidentally, who knows? But now, in an move dripping with symbolism, the planet now spins correctly forward. The world goes on, the show continues, the future is here.