• If Trevor Noah was so terrible and the ratings were so bad like you claim, why did CC prolong his contract by 5 years in 2017?

    https://www.nytimes.com/2017/09/14/arts/television/trevor-noah-comedy-central-contract.html

    Mr. Noah’s incarnation of “The Daily Show” drew an average nightly audience of just over 1 million viewers for the week ending Sept. 1, according to Nielsen, well short of the 2 million or more who tuned in for Mr. Stewart’s program by the end of his 16-year tenure.

    But Comedy Central cited other positive trends in its decision to extend Mr. Noah’s contract, including growth among overall viewers, and viewers aged 18 to 49, over the program’s 2016-17 season. The network said that “The Daily Show” was on pace this quarter to become the most-watched daily late-night talk program among millennial viewers (aged 18 to 34).

    Kent Alterman, the president of Comedy Central, said in a phone interview, “We have never had any lack of confidence in Trevor. Quite the opposite, we’ve never wavered in our belief in him, and now what we’re seeing is that the rest of the world has taken notice and expressed the same confidence.”

    Also could it be, that you are a white middle class North American? Because Trevors stand up programs are hilarious. But he is talking about his international experiences, what it means to move abroad and deal with a complex family situation. I understand if that isn’t relateable for many people.

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      9 months ago

      I mean if he was amazing then

      Mr. Noah’s incarnation of “The Daily Show” drew an average nightly audience of just over 1 million viewers for the week ending Sept. 1, according to Nielsen, well short of the 2 million or more who tuned in for Mr. Stewart’s program

      You’re saying people didn’t like him because he was black, and spoke of his international experiences. I don’t think so. I watched a lot of his episodes, and the writing just wasn’t there. Additionally, his interviewing skills are subpar. Often interrupting or talking over his guest, right when they’re about to say something interesting.

      • You have a host that people grew accustomed to. Over 16 years. So many people who started watching the show in their teens spent half their lifes with Stewart. And you have a new host who yet has to find his groove. Of course viewership goes down for a while. But that is not an adequate reflection of the overall quality of that host.

        Imagine you start a new work and even after 5 years and a promotion to senior, people say "well in his first months he wasn’t like the old colleague we had for 15 years before that. That is not a probable metric.

        Regarding the international experiences i am referring to his stand up programs. Of course something like “son of Particia” where he talks about his South African mom doesn’t resonate as much with John Miller from Nebraska, like it does with people who lived across continents.

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          39 months ago

          Son of Patricia was OK. But it mostly relied on him doing impressions of people he grew up with. It was funny, but in a middling sort of way. It’s lazy joke writing that’s comparable to Larry the Cable Guy or Jeff Dunham.

          Just because he’s black, doesn’t mean that disliking his performance is racist. In fact, it’s racist to suggest it. He’s just not as good as Colbert or Stewart. Not like I hate him, he’s fine. Just not as good at the Daily Show job.