By Jonathon S. Platt
News Editor
In the not too distant future, I’ll have quite the dilemma on my hands: I won’t know where to get my news.
Well, that’s not true. I’ll still read the Times and the Trib, but what I’m talking about is far more important.
Jon Stewart announced his resignation from “The Daily Show” Tuesday and now I will have no place to go for satirical news – possibly the most important news of them all.
Stewart’s opening monologue over unadulterated truth and his no-holds-barred approach to are part of my near-daily routine. Hearing news that I see coming fresh off the AP wire told in a story-esque and comical way is perfect for someone whose job it is to cover the tragedy, unrest and strife in the world.
It’s important for satirical news to be good, if only for my sanity. And for “The Daily Show” to stay at the top of a growing pack, they’ll need a stellar replacement.
Here are my top 10 nominees to replace the one and only Jon Stewart, whose shoes will never, ever be filled:
Lewis Black
The outspoken and provocative comedian already frequents “The Daily Show” to rant on special issues. His straightforward and direct form of delivery is perfect to continue Stewart’s work to call out corruption and lunacy.
Amy Poehler
A key point to who can fill this position is availability. Poehler’s term as Leslie Knope on NBC’s “Parks and Recreation” just ended and so now she has some free time on her hands. Poehler obviously carries an “SNL” comedic style, which I don’t think is what “The Daily Show” needs. However, she is famous for her ability to emulate a character to the point that you forget she’s not actually who she is portraying. Colbert proved that this type of approach is wildly successful for satire news.
David Duchovny
I unashamedly loved “Californifaction,” especially Duchovny’s character. His dry humor and pretentious wit would bring a unique flavor to the show, amid the often-intentional wackiness. Since Stewart helmed the “Daily Show” ship for nearly two decades, it might be time to seek someone with a completely different comedic style. Duchovny’s delivery is like no other: cynically serious.
Jeff Daniels
Yes, the famed Will McAvoy from HBO’s “The Newsroom.” I loved him behind the “News Night” desk. His unique blend of sarcasm and seriousness would allow Comedy Central to bring in more groundbreaking guests and actually get into the realm of melding true news and pure comedy. Daniels gets my first vote.
Chris Rock
I’m hesitant to suggest Rock, but I’m also excited that he seems to be one of the most talked about possibilities. Rock, like Black, goes off the rails more frequently than most, but his unashamed nature would bring some character to the mainly colorless nighttime talk shows.
Click here to tell the Lariat who you think would make the best “Daily Show” host.
Barack Obama
The president proved his comedic ability to me at the last State of the Union address when he responded to Republican applause that he had no more campaigns to run with, “I know because I won both of them.” Oooh! Slam! And, I mean, he’ll be looking for a job in two years anyways.
Emily Mortimer
Anyone who has acted alongside Steve Martin definitely gets a thumbs-up from me. (Alas, I considered Martin for this position, but I just don’t think he’d be a good fit.) Mortimer’s experience in TV “news” also comes from HBO’s “Newsroom.” As Will McAvoy’s (Jeff Daniels) executive producer, she delivered humor in the driest form. She’s great with comedic banter too, which is very important for engaging with “Daily Show” guests.
Steve Carell
While I know that Carell is trying to recreate himself in a post-Michael Scott era, his re-entry to “The Daily Show,” where he got his start, would be beautiful. With his wide-ranging acting ability, I think Carell could deliver a well-balanced broadcast. Let’s get #RallySteveRally trending.
Hannibal Buress
Probably the underdoggiest of candidates. Buress is honestly a nobody in the comedic sphere – at least, until his anti-Bill Cosby monologue. Having someone who is less known behind the “Daily Show” desk might actually turn out to be a good thing.
Ruth Bader Ginsburg
While I would certainly hate to see Ginsburg leave the Supreme Court, she has proven to be a sarcasm ninja in a black robe. Like when she used dairy products to clarify her point, “There’s two kinds of marriage, there’s full marriage and then there’s sort of skim milk marriage.” Or when she trolled the court in a concurring opinion that literally was just two sentences. “Unlike the exemption this Court approved in Burwell v. Hobby Lobby Stores, Inc., accommodating petitioner’s religious belief in this case would not detrimentally affect others who do not share petitioner’s belief,” she wrote. “On that understanding, I join the Court’s opinion.”
I can see it now, “The Daily Show with Notorious R.B.G.”
