Bill Simmons: Comedy Central failed to get three big stars before landing Trevor Noah

ESPN and Grantland’s Bill Simmons tweeted about three possible stars who Comedy Central was considering to take over hosting duties for The Daily Show from Jon Stewart.

Comedy Central announced this morning that correspondent Trevor Noah would be taking over Jon Stewart’s role as host for The Daily Show, a move that promotes a young and politically conscious comedian whose star was already rapidly rising.

However, according to ESPN and Grantland sports writer Bill Simmons, the network tried and failed to get much larger and visible names to fill its important slot.

Heard Comedy Central pursued 3 big-ass names for Daily Show: Poehler, Louis CK, Schumer. Went 0 for 3. Young/cheap/upside was smart audible.
— Bill Simmons (@BillSimmons) March 30, 2015

PS: I don't think Poehler or CK was realistic, but had CC caught Schumer a year earlier - very realistic. Now she knows she can make movies.
— Bill Simmons (@BillSimmons) March 30, 2015

I disagree with Simmons here; none of the three would have realistically jumped from successful projects to turn in a completely different direction with their comedy. But I don’t doubt that Comedy Central pursued those comedians. With the networks late night block in transition, they were looking to make a big splash with a hire.

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Of those three names, Amy Poehler would likely be the most comfortable behind the desk. Poehler co-hosted The Daily Show‘s spiritual ancestor, Saturday Night Live’s Weekend Update, alongside both Tina Fey and Seth Meyers. She has experience working within the constructs of a comedy news program, although she would be forced to switch from tough-in-cheek political humor to more biting analysis.

Otherwise, neither Louis CK nor Amy Schumer would appear to be good fits based on their styles of comedy.

Trevor Noah does work in politically charged humor in the same vein as Stewart or other similar hosts, but as a South African who rather recently moved to the United States, Noah doesn’t have the intimate familiarity with the American political landscape that someone may want with a host. Noah may decide to give The Daily Show a more international spin, and he is a smart comedian who will have a valuable perspective on a wide range of issues. But the program will be massively different in tone with Noah behind the desk.

This is perhaps for the best, as trying to imitate Stewart would likely lead to ruin for any person looking to follow him as host.

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