Jessica Williams Ruled Herself Out Of Taking Over ‘The Daily Show’

If any of you care about this even half as much as what I do, this’ll be a day-ruiner. With Jon Stewart‘s recent announcement – and poignant on-air segment – that at some point this year he’ll be handing over the reigns of The Daily Show, speculation has run rampant over the potential list of suitors to fill the soon-to-be-vacated chair.

The Daily Show, of course, is an institution for Comedy Central, and whilst the network hasn’t confirmed that the show will continue without Stewart, it’s hard to imagine them putting the sword to their most beloved and important franchise – particularly with a looming federal election campaign that’s bound to galvanise any new host’s position on the show.
Unfortunately for people who like nice things, one of the more favoured names on that speculative shortlist has ruled themselves out. Current Daily Show-correspondent, and arguably the best thing about the show in its current form (maybe even above Stewart himself) Jessica Williams has seemingly withdrawn her name from any potential hat.
The clear breakout star of (what turns out to be) Stewart’s last graduating class went on the ole’ Twitters to cross her name off the list, much to my own great chagrin.

That second one alone ramps my upset-ness that she won’t be hosting up by about 1000%.

So whilst this is monumentally upsetting, her youth and burgeoning career arguably make a tied down, extremely demanding role like the anchor chair of The Daily Show probably not an ideal career move. At least not at this stage.

‘Course this could also be the crippling self-doubt of youth manifesting itself, and by the time the job ad actually appears, network executives might well have been able to convince her otherwise. Hot Tub Time Machine 2 could yet be right!
But ultimately, if she does indeed pass on the job, it might be for the best. At least that way she’ll be free to have enormous piles of cash thrown at her by every studio in the world because Jessica Williams is absolutely brilliant and needs to be in everything ever. The end.
Photo: Larry Busacca via Getty Images.


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