Trevor Noah Gets Slight Post-Election Ratings Bump On ‘The Daily Show’
Judging by Trevor Noah’s ratings earlier this year, many thought he would no longer be the host of The Daily Show. However, Noah is hanging on. Fueled by Donald Trump’s presidential win, his ratings have risen slightly. When averaging cable ratings from Showbuzz Daily last week, Noah averaged 845,000 viewers a night — this is up slightly from the below 800,000 average per night that Noah attracted just six months ago.
Many liberals are still angry that Donald Trump pulled a surprise upset, and Trevor Noah has been there to offer them some humor. For instance, as the Huffington Post recently reported, Noah told his audience that everybody needs to sign up for Trump’s proposed Muslim registry.
“When you think about what Trump has said about Muslims over the past two years, giving him a Muslim registry seems like a dangerous idea. You wouldn’t give Jared [Fogle] a list of all the playgrounds,” Noah is quoted as saying.
The Comedy Central host added that we need to stand in solidarity with the Muslims who are being targeted by Trump. The segment earned a lot of praise on Twitter.
Awesome idea. Stand in solidarity ??
Watch Trevor Noah @TheDailyShow "Team Trump Proposes a Muslim Registry" https://t.co/tjPfsstMD9— Moosie (@MaMoosie) November 22, 2016
If this Muslim registry thing happens, we all just need to register as Muslims. thanks Trevor Noah
— Justin Adler (@Just_explode) November 20, 2016
According to Deadline, Noah even compared Donald Trump to South African President Jacob Zuma.
“Trevor Noah took a different path last night, comparing our POTUS-Elect Donald Trump to populist South African leader Jacob Zuma. Among the similarities, Noah explained: financial conflicts of interest, threats to jail rivals, lashing out at media.”
The article added that Noah made his case by pointing out that until a few years ago, South Africa’s economy was doing well, and the country was thriving. He said that things have changed for the worse because an anti-establishment president came in and shook things up for the worse.
According to Variety, The Daily Show hopes to thrive with Trump’s eventual relocation to the White House. Columnist Brian Steinberg notes that Noah’s most recent jokes about Donald Trump are receiving some heavy laughs and praise. Steve Bodow, the show’s executive producer, says that there is going to be a lot to say and do. Steinberg himself has a lot of hope for Trevor Noah.
“Noah could prove to be one to watch as the nation’s late-night comedians figure out how to tackle a polarizing U.S. president who has said during campaign speeches that he might like to “open up” libel laws, while also appealing to two different chunks of audience, one that supported Trump’s election and another that is vehemently opposed to it.”
Meanwhile, NPR interviewed Trevor Noah about his difficult upbringing in Apartheid Africa, the aftermath of its ending, and how it all still influences him.
“I thought that I was the hero of my story, [but] in writing it I came to realize over time that my mom was the hero. I was lucky enough to be in the shadow of a giant. My mom’s magic dust sprinkled on me and I hope I have enough of it to be as brave as she was and continues to be,” Noah said, adding that he lived in fear that people would find out he was an interracial child (interracial relationships were forbidden by law).
Noah always dealt with his upbringing and other hardships with humor. Even though The Daily Show‘s ratings are still underwhelming, Trevor Noah is still one of the most respected young comedians today. Noah’s fans hope to see him host The Daily Show for a long time.
[Featured Image by Jason Kempin/Getty Images]
