The huge news of The Daily Show stalwart Jon Stewart’s imminent departure from his hosting throne was perhaps only outshone by talk of his predecessor: who, if any, could live up to Jon MF Stewart, and match his consistently stellar game?
Names were thrown around in a frenzy: your Amy Poehlers, your Tina Feys, your Kristen Schaals, your Chris Rocks, your Hannibal Buresses, and even our very own Dan Illic were all whacked in the mix as hopefuls for one of America’s most coveted late night hosting spots. The all-holy Masterchef Power Apron of television, if you will.
While comedian Trevor Noah (who quickly came under fire for some fairly questionable jokes on Twitter) ultimately took the spot; comedian Amy Schumer has today revealed Comedy Central approached her for the gig – an offer she turned down, with the five-year tenure of the position sealing the offer as a deal-breaker.
“I was so honoured to be asked and considered. With Comedy Central, I project so much ‘You’re my parents!’ on the network and the people that run it, so them saying, ‘We believe in you and trust that you can do this,’ I thought, ‘Oh my god, thank you!’”
“And then I thought, ‘Well, I could give everyone I love a job and we could all be together for five years. But picturing being in a building and knowing what I was going to do for five years—I love not knowing. And I’ve never done anything safe or to make money for that reason. So, you know, I said, ‘I can’t start now.’”
A moment of silence, please, for the sheer excellence that could have been.
‘The Daily Show’ hosted by Trevor Noah will premiere on September 28 this year, after Jon Stewart’s last show on August 6. The size of the shoes Jon Stewart has left to fill?
Bloody. Huge.
Via The Daily Beast.
Lead image by Rich Polk via Getty.
