Last night, Trevor Noah premiered as the new host of the Daily Show with a fresh round of jokes about the pope’s recent visit to the United States and John Boehner’s surprise decision to resign as House speaker late last week.
But before diving into the news of the hour, the South African comedian used his opening monologue to thank Jon Stewart for the opportunity and promised to continue fighting his predecessor’s 16-year “war on bullshit.”
“Jon Stewart was more than just a late-night host,” Noah said. “He was often our voice, our refuge, and in many ways our political dad. It’s weird, because Dad has left and now it feels like the family has a new stepdad—and he’s black.”
“Thank you, John,” he continued. “Thank you for believing in me. I’m not quite sure what you saw in me, but I’ll work hard everyday to find it. And I’ll make you not look like the crazy old dude who left his inheritance to some random kid from Africa.”
