Trevor Noah: “African American”

Rating: Four emoji laughing faces

Trevor Noah’s stand up comedy special “African American” is truly a work of cultural and comedic art. He describes growing up in apartheid South Africa as a child of mixed race who desired to move to America so he could be just “black.” The culture shock, and being confused as a Puerto Rican, open the door for Noah to depict his experiences with animated voices. Georgian hicks, American blacks, suburban whites and Iranians are just a few of the perfected voices that Noah uses to bring his wit to life before returning to his South African accent. The playful jokes poking at American culture are insightful truths, such as sport obsession and ethnic prefixes on everyone except white Americans.

Favorite Quote:  “My father was white. Well he still is a white man, sorry I said was, like through hard work and determination he became black… That guys looking at me like ‘is that possible?’ No sir, you’re fine…Your position of privilege is just the way it was. Although it would be something though if you could work so hard that you became black. That would change the work place forever. You see guys walking into the office talking to the boss ‘Jim, I don’t know. I think I’m gonna take a few days off. I don’t know, I feel it coming on…yeah I’ve been putting in some overtime… Look I mean the wife’s loving it but I can’t take a chance. I just filled out a new loan application and my credit is looking real good…yeah I’m gonna take a few days off.’”

Louis C.K.: “Live at the Beacon Theater”

Rating: Five emoji laughing faces

Louis C.K. is often called “a comedian’s comedian,” which has to be among the highest honors in the world of humor. After watching his standup, it is clear that he is one of the absolute best comedians of our time. He’s probably the best, but definitely not the favorite. This is because Louis slaps you in the face with reality, via self-deprecation and hyperbole, so hard that audience members can’t help but hate themselves while watching him. Louis is the ultimate comedic genius because he uses wit, realism and obscenity that can make everyone laugh at the reality of ironic Christian anti-environmentalists, white imperialism and the boredom of parenthood.

Favorite Quote: “If you believe that God gave you the Earth and God created the Earth for you, why would you not be – have to look after it? Why the f*** – why would you not think that when he came back he would go ‘What the f*** did you do? I gave this to you mother****** are you crazy? The polar bears are brown! What did you – what did you do to the polar bears??? Did you shit all over every polar bear? What did you – Who did this? Who spilled this shit? Who spilled this? Come over – did you f****** spill this? What is that?

‘It’s oil…it’s just some oil…I didn’t mean to spill it…”

John Mulaney: “New in Town”

Rating: Four emoji laughing faces

John Mulaney’s transitions from childhood escapades to faking Catholicism all the way to meeting Bill Clinton are absolutely flawless as he threads the stories together to eventually unfold before the audience a masterpiece of comedy. Each tale is as unbelievable as the next, but if you do your research, all of Mulaney’s stories check out to be true. When watching Mulaney’s standup, the videography is key not just to laughing at the absurdity but to experiencing it. Paired with Mulaney’s vivid voices of parents, politicians and his childhood innocence, the videography makes you feel as if father Mulaney is looking down at you and personally declaring you, too, have “the moral backbone of a chocolate éclair.”

Favorite quote: “This first time I’ve ever seen a law change because the government is like, ‘*sigh* Fine.’ You know? I’ve never seen it before, like gay marriage and health care we have to battle it out in the Supreme Court and be like, ‘gay people are humans’ and they’re like ‘We’ll think about it.’ But with weed it was just something we wanted really badly and we kept asking them for 40 years… And then the suddenly the government became like cool parents and they’re just like, ‘Okay, here. Take a little, we’d rather you do it in the house than go somewhere else.’”

Mike Birbiglia: My Girlfriend’s Boyfriend

Rating: 5 emoji laughing faces

Mike Birbiglia presents his standup comedy as a movie. Yes, it is still an awkward man, wooden stool and microphone, but the entire one hour and 13 minute special is about a single car accident after a fight with a girlfriend. As the story unfolds and Birbiglia begins explaining the minute details of his awkward life that led to this moment, the movie as a whole is a proclamation of his ideology of marriage. He ultimately defines marriage as “an archaic institution invented in the Middle Ages based on exchanging property” but concludes the show by revealing that after the accident he decided to marry his girlfriend. To get from the vehement disparagement of marriage to being among the hitched, Birbilgia carries the audience with uncomfortable and sweaty facial expressions and awkwardly acting out dramatic events with his entire body. This standup absorbs you into a truly eloquent movie.

Favorite quote: “I read that 50 percent of marriages end in divorce. That’s just first marriages. Second marriages, 60 percent to 62 percent end in divorce. Third marriages, 70 percent to 75 percent end in divorce. That’s a learning curve.”

Bill Burr: “I’m Sorry You Feel That Way”

Rating: Four laughing emojis

While Burr’s standup feels more masculine, it actually is quite the comedic experience because he has the ability to make anyone laugh at sports jokes or the hyperbolic dilemmas of being a man. One of the key distinctions of Burr’s standup is his sensitivity…or lack there-of. He calls men out on their shit and simultaneously calls women out on their shit; egalitarianism at its finest. However, the jokes that are really striking are in the realm of political issues. Burr is performing in Georgia, during his special and instead of shying away from topics that usually are avoided with conservative southerners, he addresses them head-on. His humor turns into a PSA of sorts, as he eloquently makes fun of anyone who thinks he or she needs a big gun. Burr is successfully performing controversial political activism by means of standup comedy.

Favorite Quote: “I’m thinking about adopting. Absolutely, recycle! You know. Think globally, act locally. It doesn’t have to be brand new… It’s a great thing to do and I already know what I wanna get. I do. I wanna get like an ’07 – ’08. I’d love to rescue some kid that works in a sweatshop. Find the kid who made this shirt! Wouldn’t that be amazing… How easy would that kid be to raise? All I gotta do is let him sit down…so that’s my first draft pick. Coming out of the gate with that. In the second round I’d probably get like a ’05 boy soldier, ya know? Yeah, sure up the offensive line. Gotta protect the blindside… That’s how f***** up the world is.”

Jon Stewart has hosted “The Daily Show with Jon Stewart” since 1999 and has developed a massive following. Stewart’s transition into the show resulted in a strong shift from pop culture commentary to a more politically focused program.  The show provides satirical responses to local, national and global news, which Stewart presents with equal parts of laughter and passion.  As opposed to many mainline news sources, “The Daily Show” tends to draw in a younger audience.  The Pew Research Center reports that approximately 55 percent of “The Daily Show”’s viewership consists of those between the ages of 18 and 49.  Further, the present audience of the program represents twice the proportion of liberals in the public.

Stewart’s announcement about leaving the show he has hosted for 16 years has raised a huge question for the future of the late night political staple.  Who will replace Jon Stewart as host of “The Daily Show”?

While Stewart himself has not publicly voiced any preference regarding his replacement, avid fans have provided more than enough suggestions.  At this time two political comedians appear extremely appropriate for the position.  First is Trevor Noah, a comedian and political commentator from South Africa. Noah boasts extensive experience with political commentary through comedy and has several popular standup specials.  Second, a far more well-known candidate, is Amy Poehler.  With “Parks and Recreation” having just ended, Amy Poehler is likely available for a new position.  While both are strong choices that would bring good experience to the show, Trevor Noah is by far the best person for the job.

Trevor Noah’s reputation for bold commentary on race relations and economic disparity will be his greatest advantage.  As someone who has lived in South Africa and has an understanding of the way racial divisions can negatively affect a nation, Noah would bring both experience and a sense of continuity to “The Daily Show” as it continues to address pressing social issues of the day.  Having gained an even larger fan base following his interview with Stewart last year, Noah who displayed both his witty sense of humor and firm grasp on controversial political topics, Noah has established a strong contention for the possibility of him hosting.

While Noah’s extensive experience in political satire makes him a strong candidate for the position, Poehler is both better known and far more popular.  Having a long history as a commentator and activist, especially regarding feminism and other social equality issues, and her experience as a comedian and actress, would allow for a smooth transition into a role as host of the show. Although Poehler has never been on the show herself, she could bring a new perspective to the show that would be incredibly valuable.  Amy Poehler would be a strong candidate for the role, but Comedy Central would likely have to contend with other programs and upcoming shows, especially her long-time employer NBC, for her time.

Despite Stewart’s consistent fight for the socially marginalized, Stewart admits that as a white male he is inherently privileged. With this in mind it could be wise for producers to appeal to a larger demographic through a host that represents a different background than the typical host. Stewart tackled many issues of the day in a fair-minded, while highly critical way that will make it difficult for anyone to take his place. Despite Poehler’s extensive experience in acting, Trevor Noah would draw a wider viewership to the show, as well as greater experience in political commentary, that Amy Poehler would have a hard time competing with. If Comedy Central can convince Noah to take on the mantle, he would be the best choice for the position.