‘The Daily Show’: Who Will Replace Trevor Noah?

The news that Trevor Noah is leaving The Daily Show seven years after replacing Jon Stewart has prompted speculation over who might replace him. Noah, 38, announced his shocking decision to depart the Comedy Central staple in an unexpected monologue to his live audience without revealing it beforehand. With his position in late-night television, Noah’s influence transcended the show’s modest audience. Various clips of Noah’s monologues and interviews have gone viral, and he’s known for his satiric takes on social issues. Noah has reportedly earned around $8 million a year for his job as the host of The Daily Show, a salary that has helped him accumulate an estimated net worth of $100 million. As he leaves for his next endeavor, Comedy Central is left to fill in the gap left by his absence.

With Noah’s final episode airing on Dec. 8., there is speculation that the long-running series is considering significant changes following his exit, even pivoting to a duo or trio co-host format. A number of the show’s correspondents are reportedly being considered for the role. The roster includes Roy Wood Jr., Desi Lydic, Ronny Chieng, Michael Kosta, Dulcé Sloan, and Jordan Klepper. Although Comedy Central has not yet announced a replacement, here are a few candidates who may prove a good fit as the new face of The Daily Show.

Michael Kosta

Kosta is a Senior Correspondent on The Daily Show and is a comedian well-known for his numerous late-night appearances on Conan, The Tonight Show, Seth Meyers, and @midnight. He also has a considerable hosting resume as the former co-host of Attack of the Show!, backstage host of the 63rd Primetime Emmy Awards, and host and co-executive producer of The Comment Section for the E! Network. Fun fact: before starting a career in television, Kost played tennis professionally and was ranked #864 in the world at one point.

Roy Wood Jr.

Roy Wood Jr. has been a senior correspondent on The Daily Show since 2015, for as long as Trevor Noah has been host. His name has already been mentioned as one of the favorites to replace his boss. Wood’s acting credentials have given him a distinctive charisma and presence, and he is skilled at identifying cultural moments ideal for satire, such as 2019’s Popeye’s chicken sandwich craze. During a recent interview with The Daily Beast, he was asked about taking over the show. “I think if you’re asked, you have to at least consider it. You can’t say no to an opportunity like that,” he said. “You can’t turn your nose up at it at least. I think you have to sit and assess what you want to do creatively, and that’s something I haven’t thought about yet.”

Ronny Chieng

Another senior correspondent joining The Daily Show about a month after Noah, Ronny Chieng has a knack for combining humor with social commentary. He gained recognition on the show with his takedown of Fox News personality Jesse Watters; he is also a Malaysian native who has covered a wide range of topics, including segments on Asian American issues. Chieng recently had two comedy specials and, if chosen, would be the first Asian late-night host on a major network.

Dulcé Sloan

Renowned for her comedic skills, Dulcé Sloan is another possible internal replacement for Noah. She has served as The Daily Show’s Senior Fashion Correspondent since September 2017, and her segments, including “9-1-1 For White People Emergencies,” have received millions of views. In 2019, Sloan had a Comedy Central Presents stand-up special premiere on the network, and in 2021 starred in the animated FOX series The Great North alongside Jenny Slate, Nick Offerman, and Megan Mullally. While Sloan might be an inspired choice, she is a bit of a long shot, considering the seniority and tenure of the other correspondents.

Hassan Minhaj

Hassan Minhaj’s appearance on the program predated Trevor Noah’s, as he served as The Daily Show’s senior correspondent from 2014 to 2018. His impressive post-show achievements have allowed his name to float to the top of potential candidates. Before leaving Daily, Minhaj was the featured speaker at the 2017 White House Correspondents’ Dinner. His first stand-up comedy special, Homecoming King, debuted on Netflix that year to positive reviews from critics and earned him his first Peabody Award in 2018. Minhaj went on to host a Netflix weekly comedy show, Patriot Act with Hasan Minhaj in 2018. The following year, he won his second Peabody Award for Patriot Act and was listed among Time’s 100 most influential people in the world. Minhaj also has a recurring role in season 2 of Apple TV+’s The Morning Show.

Amber Ruffin

Amber Ruffin is not a The Daily Show alum, but many feel she has the chops to take over Noah’s role. A longtime writer on NBC’s Late Night with Seth Meyers, the comedian currently hosts her own late-night talk show titled The Amber Ruffin Show on Peacock. She has also previously worked with Seth Meyers on Late Night with Seth Meyers. She became the first Black woman in the United States to write for a late-night network talk show after joining the show. Ruffin and her writing partner Jenny Hagel established the production company Straight to Cards in 2022 in conjunction with Universal Television.

Samantha Bee

A The Daily Show veteran, Samantha Bee is often a popular choice, as she is fondly remembered for her 2003 to 2014 stint during the Jon Stewart years of the show. Full Frontal With Samantha Bee, which she has hosted on TBS for seven seasons, recently ended its run, making its cancellation perfect timing. Bee is also highly regarded, widely respected, and a former Comedy Central employee, which could make her a likely choice to replace Noah.