Trevor Noah Credits His Success To ‘Brilliant’ Black Women During ‘Daily Show’ Farewell

December 9, 2022 by Monique Nicole in TV with 0 Comments

Trevor Noah Credits His Success To ‘Brilliant’ Black Women During ‘Daily Show’ Farewell

Trevor Noah says goodbye to The Daily Show.

After a seven-year run, Trevor Noah bid farewell to The Daily Show on Thursday night (Dec. 8).

In a video clip of his final remarks, the late-night host expressed his gratitude to the fans who supported the Comedy Central series, and to the “brilliant” Black women in his life who he credited for being “a lot of the reason why I’m here.”

He explained,

“I remember when we started the show, we couldn’t get enough people to fill an audience. There were empty seats and then I look at this now, I don’t take it for granted ever. Every seat that has ever been filled to watch something that I’m doing, I always appreciate it because I know there’s an empty seat that sits behind it so thank you so much. Thank you to the people who watch, the people who share the clips.”

He even thanked the naysayers and people who criticized his show.

“To everyone who’s had an opinion, everyone who’s been kind enough and gracious enough, even if it’s a critique… I wanna say I appreciate those people. Even the people who hate-watch, we still got the ratings so thank you, I’m eternally grateful to you.”

Trevor Noah

Trevor Noah then highlighted the “brilliant” Black women in his life, and those living in America, who played a major role in his success.

“Special shout out to Black women. I’ve often been credited with having these grand ideas. People say, ‘Oh Trevor, you’re so smart.’ I’m like, ‘Who do you think teaches me? Who do you think shaped me, nourished me and formed me?’ From my mom, my grand[mom], my aunt, all these Black women in my life, but in America as well. I tell people if you want to truly learn about America, talk to Black women cause, unlike everybody else, Black women can’t afford to f**k around and find out.”

He continued,

“Black people understand how hard it is when things go bad, especially in America, but any place where Black people live… when things go bad, Black people know that it’s worse for them. Black women in particular, they know what s**t is. They know what happens if things do not go the way it should.”

The late-night host then named several Black leaders, including Roxane Gay, Tressie McMillan Cottom, Zoé Samudzi, and Tarana Burke, and referred to them as “brilliant, brilliant women.” He also thanked them for taking the time “to inform me, to educate me, to argue with me.”

Noah added,

“Do yourself a favor, you truly want to know what to do or how to do it? Or maybe the best way or the most equitable way? Talk to Black women — they’re a lot of the reason why I’m here and so I’m grateful to them. I’m grateful to every single one of you. This has been an honor. Thank you.”

On Thursday, September 29, Trevor Noah announced his plans to leave ‘The Daily Show.’ Noah, who took over the series from John Stewart back in 2015, seemingly transformed the show in a seven-year time frame for a new generation of viewers.

During his announcement, Noah said,

“There are so many people who make this thing come together, and I want to say thank you to the audience for an amazing seven years. It’s been wild. I remember when we first started, so many people didn’t believe in us. It was a crazy bet to make. I still think it was a crazy choice…. What a journey it’s been.”

He continued,

“It’s something that I never expected, and I found myself thinking throughout the time, everything we’ve gone through — the Trump presidency, the pandemic, just the journey, the more pandemic. And I realized that after these seven years, my time is up. But in the most beautiful way, honestly.”