Your Guess: Five People to Take Over The Daily Show
When we heard that Jon Stewart is leaving The Daily Show later this year, it took us a few minutes to absorb the shock and regain our ability to speak. Then the inevitable question dawned on us: Who will follow him? (There is no one who could replace Stewart.)
The man is a legend, having become one of the most-trusted voices in fake news today. (Brian Williams not included.) It’s no joke, Comedy Central has to figure out how to replace a television icon. (Tip to the wise. You never want to be that person: see David Gregory. You always want to be the person after that person. See: Chuck Todd.)
Whoever gets the job has to figure out how to:
- Be funny
- Be relevant
- Make serious points with humor
- Knock the high and mightly from their perch
- Be different/better than Jon Stewart
- Not be Craig Kilborn
It’s a difficult tightrope walk, and it all has to be accomplished quickly and in the harsh glare of the viewing public and the trolls on social media. Everyone is speculating, so we at On The Marc Media came up with out own list of the top five possible new Daily Show hosts.
- Jessica Williams
It’s about time late night TV had a female host (Chelsea Handler left E! last year.) Hired at 25, Jessica Williams is The Daily Show’s youngest correspondent ever. She brings energy and edge. Some question her lack of experience, but Stewart was once a newbie himself. Coupled with her quick wit and clever banter, Williams’s appearance on the show is always highly anticipated, but can she be funny in more than just short doses?
- Tina Fey
Another woman on the list. Fey’s knack for the “fake anchor desk” was honed during her years on Saturday Night Live, where also became iconic with her impersonation of Sarah Palin. Post 30 Rock, she’s now producing a new show on Netflix, so availability could be a factor. But then again, the move to Comedy Central could be just the thing given her somewhat stalled movie career.
- John Oliver
The English political satirist and longtime veteran Daily Show correspondent now makes headlines with his own version of fake news, hosting Last Week Tonight with John Oliver on HBO. So he sure knows the territory. But why return when you’re doing one show a week (instead of four) and still getting rave reviews? Bonus points: The English accent.
- Chris Rock
Chris Rock is all about political discussion and is not afraid to push boundaries. His fearless, brilliant humor makes his a great candidate for Jon Stewart’s replacement. Not to mention his past experience hosting his own HBO TV show back in the day.
- Samantha Bee & Jason Jones
The husband-and-wife correspondent team on The Daily Show would be a different but refreshing replacement for Jon Stewart. Though it would be a first for the show to have two hosts, Samantha and Jason are a perfect pair who play off one another in hysterical unison. Hanging chad: They’re Canadian.
In the meantime, Time magazine suggests ending the Daily Show altogether. Paraphrasing Stewart, perhaps that would the ultimate moment of Zen.
