Comedy Central will not select the host of “Daily Show” after a year-long search

Comedy Central is experimenting with a new format for its popular show “The Daily Show,” following a year-long celebrity bake-off.

According to three people familiar with the situation, when the show returns from break, it is anticipated to mainly rely on a group of correspondents to take the lead each night. However, it is unclear whether the network has found its ideal group of performers. Some of the celebrities who have hosted “Daily Show” since Trevor Noah, the last permanent host, abruptly left the show in late 2022 may also make guest appearances.

At least not yet, for those searching for Noah’s immediate replacement, there isn’t one.

The Paramount Global network made its decision at a time when late-night television, a cultural icon in the US, is starting to face financial difficulties. The programs’ audiences and advertising budgets have started to decline in recent years as viewers increasingly turn to streaming video and watch more content by looking at digital media snippets of shows that are broadcast on linear TV the day after they air.

According to Vivvix, a company that tracks advertising spending, “Daily Show” is expected to bring in slightly less than $19 million for 2023, after bringing in approximately $39.9 million in 2022. The Hollywood writers’ strikes hindered production last year, and Comedy Central did not broadcast “Daily Show” repeats like its competitors at CBS, NBC, and ABC did.

Next week, Comedy Central is anticipated to reveal its “Daily Show” plans. When asked about the correspondents’ involvement in upcoming broadcasts, the network did not immediately answer.

It is reported that talent representatives were notified of the network’s decision in the last few days by Chris McCarthy, the president of Paramount Global, who is in charge of the majority of the company’s cable networks. McCarthy has reportedly informed people that “Daily Show” will rely more heavily on the idea of a “newsroom,” with a team of correspondents running the show, according to people with knowledge of the discussions. According to these sources, executives don’t feel ready to select a solo host just yet, but they may keep a watch on potential candidates in the coming months.

Undoubtedly, the choice will probably result in financial savings, which is a worry shared by all of the networks that offer late-night content. Warner Bros. Discovery has withdrawn from the early hours of television by discontinuing shows hosted by Samantha Bee and Conan O’Brien in recent months.

Additionally, NBC has stopped hosting a late-night program at 1:30 a.m., which it had done for years with Bob Costas and Carson Daly. The Late Late Show on CBS was recently replaced by “After Midnight,” a show hosted by Taylor Tomlinson that is more akin to a game show and reportedly produced for a lot less money.

Of course, there are fewer correspondents for “Daily Show” now than there formerly were. One of the most well-liked members of the group, Roy Wood Jr., left Comedy Central last year, citing the network’s inability to assign a host as one of the reasons for his departure. Michael Kosta, Dulce Sloan, Ronny Chieng, and Desi Lydic are among the other correspondents for the show.

Comedy Central has good reason to resume production on “Daily Show.” The program usually has its best year during an election year, which it frequently utilizes to produce special programs and live broadcasts. Comedy Central, like many other Paramount-owned cable networks, has grown increasingly dependent on repeats of classic shows like “South Park” and “Seinfeld.” But those days are long gone, when Comedy Central had shows like “Broad City” and “Drunk History” on its primetime schedule.

The following celebrities, in an attempt to be considered for a long-term role, guest-hosted “Daily Show” in 2023: Leslie Jones, Chelsea Handler, Kal Penn, Charlamagne Tha God, and Sarah Silverman.

Comedy Central might still have a chance to bring in a well-known figure in the future. Two people familiar with the situation say that at some point recently, the network reached out to comedian John Mulaney about taking on the host role.