After weeks of anticipation, the new "Daily Show" host Trevor Noah finally took over for Jon Stewart. In his first night in Stewart's old chair, Noah seemed confident and kept the same format that the show used for 16 years while Stewart was host.
Noah addressed his predecessor Stewart almost immediately, and paid tribute to the longtime host. He also made sure to thank Stewart for giving him the opportunity to host the show and said while he did not know what Stewart saw in him, he was grateful nonetheless and promised not to embarrass him.
"Now that I am in the chair I can only assume that this feels as strange for you as it does for me," Noah said. "Jon Stewart was more than just a late night host. He was often our voice, our refuge and in many ways our political dad. And it is weird, because dad has left."
"And now it feels like the family has a new step-dad, and he's black," he joked.
The South African comedian seemed more comfortable in the host chair than he ever did as a correspondent during Stewart's time at the show. After his introduction was finished, he dove into the topical issues to continue "the war on bulls--t" that the show has missed since Stewart signed off in early August.
Noah gave "The Daily Show" viewers his take on the Pope, Syria and John Boehner. One of the more lively moments of the premiere episode came after a discussion with new correspondent, Roy Wood, Jr., about black people colonizing Mars.
The first guest on Noah's "Daily Show" was comedian and actor Kevin Hart, who discussed his "What Now" comedy tour. The interview with Hart was one of the weaker parts of the premiere episode and was mainly Noah laughing at Hart the whole time.
While Noah did struggle at some points and failed to capture the edge that Stewart brought to the show, it was only his first episode.
"The Daily Show with Trevor Noah" returns for its second episode tonight at 11 p.m. ET on Comedy Central.
