Leslie Jones Emerges as Front-Runner to Take Over ‘The Daily Show‘

When Trevor Noah shocked audiences by announcing his departure from Comedy Central‘s ‘The Daily Show‘ in September 2022, it left a huge void. After 7 successful years filling the massive shoes of Jon Stewart, Noah would be difficult to replace. But based on her widely-praised guest hosting stint in January 2023, comedian Leslie Jones appears to be the frontrunner to take over as the new permanent host.

Leslie Jones, best known for her 6 season run on Saturday Night Live from 2014-2019, guest hosted The Daily Show for 3 nights in late January. Reviews of her shows praised her high-octane yet laidback style. Vulture called her episodes “delightfully weird” and said they had an “infectious joy”. Based on the ratings and reactions, Comedy Central executives have to be considering Leslie Jones as the heir apparent to Trevor Noah.

Leslie Jones Brings Her Comedic Talents to Late Night

Leslie Jones has built her comedy career on fierce energy and hilarious vulgarity mixed with a big heart. She first gained notoriety as a stand-up comedian in the early 2000s before joining SNL as a writer and cast member in 2014.

On SNL, Jones became a fan favorite for characters like no-nonsense Single Lady Denise and for turn as a commentator on ‘Weekend Update’. She earned three Emmy nominations during her SNL tenure.

In 2016, Jones starred in the all-female Ghostbusters reboot alongside Kristen Wiig and Melissa McCarthy. She’s also appeared in films like Coming 2 America (2021) and had a stand-up comedy special on Netflix in 2017.

Jones’ comedy style is candid and conversational, often veering into gleefully profane territory. This sets her apart from past Daily Show hosts. She would bring a wholly unique voice and high-intensity comedic energy to the desk.

Other Contenders – Who Else is Guest Hosting?

In the search for Trevor Noah’s replacement, Comedy Central has lined up an eclectic mix of comics, personalities and actors to try out guest hosting The Daily Show in January and February 2023.

Some other notable guest hosts include:

• Hasan Minhaj – Comedian known for his Netflix show Patriot Act and 2017 White House Correspondents Dinner performance. Brings more political comedy chops.

• Marlon Wayans – Veteran comedian and actor from famous Wayans family. Hosted NBC’s I Can Do That competition show.

• Al Franken – Former SNL writer and cast member. Served as U.S. Senator from Minnesota from 2009 to 2018 before resigning.

• Kal Penn – Actor best known for Harold & Kumar films. Worked for Obama administration. Unique hybrid background of acting and politics.

• John Leguizamo – Accomplished character actor and stand-up comedian. Brings a multi-ethnic point of view.

The Daily Show’s own correspondents are also potentially in the mix, including Roy Wood Jr., Desi Lydic, Ronny Chieng, Dulcé Sloan and others. But based on the buzz from her episodes, Leslie Jones seems to have the inside track as of now.

Can Leslie Jones Fill the Shoes of Stewart and Noah?

Jon Stewart hosted The Daily Show from 1999 to 2015, winning 23 Emmy Awards and shaping the future of political satire. Trevor Noah admirably continued that legacy from 2015 to 2022. So whoever takes over has massive shoes to fill.

But Leslie Jones has the unique comedic skills and presence to make the role her own. She earned loyal fans through her raw, honest approach on SNL. Now she can bring that energy to late night and tackle political humor in her own signature voice.

Jon Stewart had a cerebral, sharp-witted approach while Trevor Noah mixed globally-inspired comedy with youthful charm. Leslie Jones would evolve the show with a down-to-earth sensibility and willingness to get vulgar. And her life experience as a black woman in America will enable her to provide fresh takes on social issues.

In my view, Jones’ high-intensity yet welcoming style can appeal to both core Daily Show fans and draw in some new demographics. She has proven her improv and live audience skills through her SNL and stand-up work. That makes the Daily Show desk a seamless fit.

Of all the guest hosts, Jones just seems to be having the most fun in the chair. That enthusiasm is contagious and can reignite audience excitement as the show enters a new era. The search is still ongoing, but right now Leslie Jones sits in pole position to take over The Daily Show.

Trevor Noah‘s Salary Sets High Bar for New Host‘s Pay

According to reports, Trevor Noah was earning around $16 million per year during his Daily Show hosting tenure. His total net worth now sits at an estimated $100 million after his successful 7-year run.

That sets a high bar for the salary Comedy Central will likely need to pay his replacement. By comparison, other late night and comedy TV host salaries include:

• Jimmy Fallon – $16 million per year
• Stephen Colbert – $15 million per year
• Jimmy Kimmel – $10 million per year
• Samantha Bee – $1 million per year
• Trevor Noah – $16 million per year

The Daily Show pulls in $30 to 40 million per year in advertising revenue for Comedy Central. So the network can justify a big salary for a host who can keep the show‘s premium ad rates high thanks to strong viewership and buzz.

Based on her rising profile and leverage, Leslie Jones could potentially command an 8-figure annual salary in the $10-12 million range if she took over as permanent host. Comedy Central now has to weigh factors like salary demands, chemistry, and qualifications as they seek the ideal Daily Show host to lead the program into the future.

The Evolution of Late Night in the Streaming Era

The new Daily Show host will be stepping in at an interesting inflection point for late night shows. Broadcast networks still offer flagship late night programs like The Tonight Show and Late Night. But consumption patterns have massively shifted toward next-day streaming and social media clips.

Cable late night shows now often get more traction from viral bits spreading online than from linear viewing. Trevor Noah adeptly evolved The Daily Show for this social media environment with shareable segments. But the new host will need to continue experimenting with new formats, guests and topics that can inspire conversation and online engagement.

With viewers shifting to streaming, many see late night shows as ripe for reinvention. Comedy Central will want a host who can further modernize The Daily Show to thrive in an ecosystem centered around viral moments rather than appointment viewing. Leslie Jones’ loose, high-energy style could inject the spark needed to fuel social sharing and online buzz as late night continues evolving.

Replacing an Icon – Can the New Host Fill Jon Stewart‘s Shoes?

While Trevor Noah carved his own hugely successful path, Jon Stewart still casts a long shadow over The Daily Show. Stewart hosted the show from 1999 to 2015, winning 23 Emmy Awards and shaping political comedy across TV.

Stewart blended outrage and idealism with sharp-edged satire. He held media and politicians accountable while also advocating fiercely for 9/11 first responders, veterans and social causes. For a generation, Stewart became one of the most trusted news sources in America.

Whoever takes over will need to pay homage to Stewart‘s legacy while also doing the job their own way. Leslie Jones would bring a completely different style. Her loose, conversational comedy is a departure from Stewart‘s more intellectual approach. But she can connect with her unique perspective on politics, media and society.

Finding the right balance and tone will be crucial. Stewart is an icon and comedic genius. The new host shouldn‘t try to copy him, but must uphold the standards he set while evolving the show to reflect their own vision. If Leslie Jones taps into her uncensored brand of humor, she can certainly meet this challenge.

The Business Side – Pressure to Maintain Ratings

For Comedy Central, choosing the right Daily Show host also comes down to business considerations. The show has long been one of the network‘s tentpoles, commanding premium ad rates thanks to its young, engaged audience.

Under Stewart and Noah, The Daily Show averaged around 1 million linear viewers per episode. That number may sound low compared to broadcast shows, but is very strong for modern cable viewership. However, ratings did decline in Noah‘s last two years as audiences shifted online.

Comedy Central will surely feel some pressure to choose a host who can maintain strong linear ratings while also generating viral digital engagement. The network has hemorrhaged viewers in recent years. Flagship shows like The Daily Show and South Park are even more important to its health.

Selecting the right host to keep ratings humming is surely a factor along with their chemistry and qualifications. Leslie Jones brings a loyal fanbase from her SNL fame that Comedy Central hopes can bring some fresh viewership energy as the show looks to regain footing.

Final Verdict – Leslie Jones is the Future

As Comedy Central‘s search continues, Leslie Jones stands out as the clear choice to become the next host of The Daily Show. She occupied the host chair with infectious joy and magnetism. Jones represents the show‘s future – evolving the format with her raw, conversational tone while maintaining the sharp satire fans expect.

Above all, Comedy Central needs a host who will feel like the right fit rather than just a fill-in. Leslie Jones demonstrated in her guest stint that The Daily Show stage is where she belongs. While the other guest hosts had their moments, none seemed to slide as effortlessly into the role as Jones.

For a show hoping to start a new chapter, Leslie Jones combines high-energy comedy, vitality and unique perspective. She has the talent and appeal to sustain The Daily Show‘s legacy while reinvigorating the program for the future. The search continues, but I predict that Leslie Jones will soon trade guest host for permanent host.