Who Will Replace Jon Stewart?

Many names being mentioned are women
By Evann Gastaldo,  Newser Staff
Posted Feb 11, 2015 10:55 AM CST
Who Will Replace Jon Stewart?
This Nov. 30, 2011 file photo shows television host Jon Stewart during a taping of "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart" in New York.   (AP Photo/Brad Barket, File)

The entertainment buzz today, obviously, is who will replace Jon Stewart as host of The Daily Show. And, though Stewart is beloved, there's a chorus of "not another straight white male!" sentiment. Some of the top names being tossed around by Variety, Time, and the Daily Dot:

  • Samantha Bee: A Daily Show correspondent since 2003—the longest-serving correspondent in the history of the show, in fact—she gets a mention on all three lists. Variety suggests she and husband Jason Jones, also a current correspondent, could give the show a dual-anchor format for the first time. And the Daily Dot notes she's even been behind the desk while Stewart was out sick.
  • Jessica Williams: Another current correspondent with a mention on all three lists, Variety calls Williams "a fast-rising star," but notes that since she just started on the show in 2012, she may not have enough experience yet. But the Daily Dot notes that she's "the name on every Tumblr user's lips in terms of a replacement" and would connect well with a younger demographic.

  • Amy Poehler: Variety reports that she's among the names being mentioned, and with her just finishing up with Parks and Recreation, the timing could be right. The Daily Dot suggests she dual-anchor with Tina Fey, while acknowledging that's probably wishful thinking given how busy they are.
  • Amy Schumer: She also gets a mention on two of the three lists; she's already a Comedy Central hit with Inside Amy Schumer (the show itself actually gets a mention on all three lists). But the Daily Dot wonders if she's "too R-rated" or not well-known enough.
  • Aisha Tyler: The E! and The Talk co-host is a contender on two of the three lists. She's also an actress, comedian, podcast creator, and writer, and almost hosted her own talk show on ABC. But the Daily Dot notes that she seems to be most interested in the "geeky" side of pop culture, not the political side.
  • Bonus option: The BBC notes that there is some talk (both joking and serious) that Brian Williams and Jon Stewart should just switch jobs.
Other names mentioned on at least one of the lists: current and former Daily Show correspondents Olivia Munn, Kristen Schaal, Aasif Mandvi, and Michael Che; established comedians and show hosts including Sarah Silverman, Joel McHale, Ricky Gervais, Hannibal Buress, Chris Hardwick, and W. Kamau Bell; and actress Laverne Cox. (Click for a list of people who should not replace Stewart.)

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