On Monday it was announced that South African satirist, comedian and “The Daily Show” contributor Trevor Noah will be taking over hosting duties from Jon Stewart upon his retirement, either late 2015 early 2016. The headlines of the many of major media outlets spoke of the move in complimentary terms. However, in celebrating this major move toward greater television diversity, many Americans have begun digging into the past of this international celebrity whose star hasn’t quite risen above the horizon in the United States just yet.
In doing so theyre finding that his brand of humor isnt quite the P.C. kind that many feign to prefer in this country. Particularly, Noah has gone in on Jews in the past with some humorous Tweets that many believe show him to be an anti-Semite. That is a virtual career death sentence for anyone looking to make it big in Hollywood or New York City. But, as if often the case, Americans are failing to do their research in rushing to label him as one thing or another. Honestly, do you really thinking Jon Stewart, proud of his Jewish heritage, would hire an anti-Semite in the first place? Seriously?
Though many are aware he was born in South Africa in 1984 to a Black South African mother of the Xhosa Tribe and a White father of Swiss German descent, Noah has said that his mother is actually half Jewish. Thus, isnt easily categorized. Stewart has gone on record as saying the reason why he chose Noah was his worldview, crystalized by growing up in Apartheid area South Africa, where it was actually illegal for his parents to be seen together in public or to even have created him in the first place.
When you are honest in your comedy, you have to acknowledge the world that youre in, he told The Washington Post. Through a comedic voice youre talking about what needs to be talked about, whether its race relations or politics or anything thats happening on a global or an American scale. Thats exactly the space “The Daily Show” is in.
Though his brand of humor is considered low brow by some, Trevor Noahs unique perspective on racism, international politics and gender are a double-edged blade that borders on that caters to the intelligent and sophomoric simultaneously.
This future “The Daily Show” host is getting way too many props from Black people, way too much hate from White people.Future “The Daily Show” host is getting way too many props from Black people, way too much hate from White people.
However, I did ask myself why he couldnt find an equally capable young American of African descent rather than import someone to interpret our fake news for us.
Of course, if he sucks at his job then all of this will be moot.Of course, if he sucks at his job then all of this will be moot.
