“The Daily Show Loses Another Rising Star as Roy Wood Jr. Departs”
In a surprising turn of events, comedian Roy Wood Jr. has announced his departure from Comedy Central’s “The Daily Show.” Wood, who had been with the show for eight years, was widely considered a frontrunner for the host seat after Trevor Noah’s departure last fall. However, he was not offered the position and has decided to move on.
Wood expressed his sentiments in a recent interview with NPR’s Eric Deggans, stating, “I can’t come up with Plan B while still working with Plan A. The job of correspondent… it’s not really one where you can juggle multiple things. And I think eight years is a good run.”
Despite the disappointment, Wood expressed his gratitude towards Trevor Noah, Paramount, and Comedy Central for providing him with countless opportunities. During his time on “The Daily Show,” Wood was able to pursue his comedic and political interests, host podcasts, produce stand-up specials, write a comedy pilot, and much more. He looks forward to collaborating with them in the future.
A spokesperson for “The Daily Show” praised Wood, calling him a comedic genius and beloved teammate. They expressed their gratitude for his contributions, highlighting how his insights and hilarity helped make sense of major events such as the 2016 election and the pandemic.
Wood’s decision to leave the show mirrors comments he made shortly after Trevor Noah’s departure announcement. He acknowledged that it could be awkward to stay on with a new host, depending on the creative direction of the show and how well it aligns with his comedic skill sets.
With Wood stepping down, speculation surrounding the next host of “The Daily Show” has intensified. Comedy Central plans to continue rotating guest hosts until the end of 2023 and introduce the new host in early 2024. Former correspondent Hasan Minhaj was initially considered a strong contender but faced criticism for fabricating parts of his stand-up act. Meanwhile, comedian Chelsea Handler has expressed her desire to host the show, emphasizing the importance of having a woman behind the desk in today’s cultural climate.
Comedy Central may also opt for the strategy they implemented eight years ago when they hired a relatively unknown comedian, John Oliver, to replace Jon Stewart. Although Oliver eventually left for HBO and achieved great success, winning seven consecutive Emmy Awards, the network’s decision initially garnered praise.
As the late-night franchise faces this transition, fans eagerly await news of the new host. Until then, Roy Wood Jr. remains optimistic about the future, stating, “I am excited to nurture new ideas and see what the comedy gods have in store for me in 2024 and beyond.”
For further insight into Roy Wood Jr.’s departure and his career, listeners can tune in to “The Last Laugh” podcast.