Amy Schumer Turned Down Hosting ‘The Daily Show’ Because It Was Too ‘Safe’
As Jon Stewart winds down his tenure on The Daily Show, more and more names have emerged from Comedy Central shortlists ahead of Trevor Noah. Red-hot comedienne and perfect human Amy Schumer seems also to have been offered the gig, though the Trainwreck star declined a “safe” option for her blossoming career.
We’d had an inkling that everyone from Louis C.K., Amy Poehler and Chris Rock had been offered The Daily Show hosting chair with their own stipulations, though The Daily Beast reports that Schumer too was apparently approached to host, ultimately turning the position down, despite her relationship with Comedy Central.
I was so honored to be asked and considered. With Comedy Central, I project so much ‘You’re my parents!’ on the network and the people that run it, so them saying, ‘We believe in you and trust that you can do this,’ I thought, ‘Oh my god, thank you!’
And then I thought, ‘Well, I could give everyone I love a job and we could all be together for five years. But picturing being in a building and knowing what I was going to do for five years — I love not knowing. And I’ve never done anything safe or to make money for that reason. So, you know, I said, ‘I can’t start now.’
Much as we’d love to have Amy Schumer in a nightly position talking topical events, it’s hard to argue her declining The Daily Show, given the breakout success and career freedom that enables hits like Inside Amy Schumer or Trainwreck. Few know what to make of Trevor Noah beyond the initial controversies, but would The Daily Show have been better off with Schumer succeeding Stewart?