If the search for the next full-time host of The daily show continues, joker John Mulaney reflects on how he almost got the job in 2015. It was then that Jon Stewart ended his lengthy run on the show, having served as host since he succeeded Craig Kilborn in 1999. Trevor Noah would be named as Stewart’s replacement and would serve as host for seven years, ending his own run last December.
While promoting his new Netflix special John Mulaney: Baby JMulaney was featured for a new interview on the Simple! podcast with Doug Herzog and Jen Chaney. He recalled how in 2015 he had just finished a sitcom that had not done well at all. As Mulaney explained, per THR:
“It was shortly after the SNL 40th birthday. I had a sitcom on Fox. They had sent out all 13 of them [episodes], but it was cancelled. It didn’t do good numbers, but critics at least taunted it. So it was a fun time.”
As the sitcom flop eroded his confidence, Comedy Central saw potential in Mulaney. The comedian reveals he has received an offer to succeed Stewart The daily show. Although he found it very “flattering” to be asked, Mulaney says he felt far too “gun shy” to get back in front of the cameras after his sitcom didn’t work. If it had been about five years later, Mulaney might have accepted it, but he just wasn’t quite ready to take that kind of pressure.
“I was extremely flattered that you asked me about it. I felt it would be big shoes to fill. I think I was also shy about putting myself out there at that point after the Fox run. And I felt that all eyes would be on whoever came after Mr. Stewart… It wasn’t the right thing at the time, but I remember saying to Kent, “I wish it were five years from now.” And he said, “Yes, but it’s not.” I mean, I just remember Kent having a great tone of, ‘I hear you. I’m here to hear anything you have to say, but it’s now, and we’re asking you about it, and hypothetically we can’t talk that long over this dinner, John.’”
Who will be the next host of The Daily Show?
No permanent host has yet been named The daily show after Trevor Noah’s departure. Celebrity guest stars have filled in on a rotating basis, including names like Leslie Jones, Marlon Wayans, Chelsea Handler, Kal Penn, Wanda Sykes, Sarah Silverman, and DL Hughley. The daily show correspondents also alternate as guest hosts at this time.
Stewart also recently returned for a surprise appearance on the show. He popped up on an episode hosted by correspondent Roy Woods Jr. while wearing a Jedi outfit. Woods joked that he needed something big to help him go “viral” that week, and the two joked about Stewart’s previous appearance on the show.
Stewart joked, “I’m Jon. I used to work here when the budget wasn’t that big. A few years ago. I actually hosted the show to be honest.”
“The daily show had a white host?” Woods joked back.