As Bill Carter writes, 'The Daily Show' is a linear TV unicorn—the rare show not losing younger viewers but gaining them. Could the late-night series that seemed nearly left for dead two years ago end up being the genre’s most durable?
So I thought about Trevor and the correspondents that joined around his time, Desi, Ronnie, Roy Wood Jr, Kosta (a little later) and Klepper (a little before). But the thing is they all joined about 10 years ago, which is also around the time Colbert and Seth Meyers started.
So when we talk about younger demographic and we compare Daily Show vs Colbert vs Seth Meyers, only the Daily Show has had a major change up in the last 2-3 years.
I will say that COVID dramatically changed each of these shows for the better. I think Trevor’s best years as host were when he was at home. Trevor felt more relaxed and honest and it just gave the right vibe. Seth and Stephen also had similar transformations, with Seth largely keeping it after the return to a studio and Stephen going back to the more classic “professional” vibe.
First off, Jon is the GOAT, no question.
However I wonder how much the newer correspondents are also helping bring in younger viewers?
Josh Johnson being the biggest newcomer (in 2024). Troy and Grace coming in the year before we’re also huge pluses.
Traditional Late Night relies on a single host, perhaps the larger group of hosts and correspondents helps keep things interesting for younger folks.
Jon is absolutely the goat.
I havent had cable in a very long time so I never watched much during Trevor’s run.
But Jordan Klepper’s segments were some of my favorite videos to watch on youtube
So I thought about Trevor and the correspondents that joined around his time, Desi, Ronnie, Roy Wood Jr, Kosta (a little later) and Klepper (a little before). But the thing is they all joined about 10 years ago, which is also around the time Colbert and Seth Meyers started.
So when we talk about younger demographic and we compare Daily Show vs Colbert vs Seth Meyers, only the Daily Show has had a major change up in the last 2-3 years.
I will say that COVID dramatically changed each of these shows for the better. I think Trevor’s best years as host were when he was at home. Trevor felt more relaxed and honest and it just gave the right vibe. Seth and Stephen also had similar transformations, with Seth largely keeping it after the return to a studio and Stephen going back to the more classic “professional” vibe.
Also I agree Klepper is excellent.