NEW YORK — Comedy Central’s search for a new “Daily Show” host begins Jan. 17 with a slate of guest hosts, who will fill the seat funnyman Trevor Noah gave up last month after seven years.
The series of three-day guest spots gets underway when “Saturday Night Live” alum Leslie Jones kicks off the show’s 2023 premiere.
On Jan. 23, comedian Wanda Sykes assumes hosting duties. She will turn the desk over to D.L. Hughley — the only male so far named to guest-host the 11 p.m. program — on Jan. 30.
Former “Chelsea Lately” host Chelsea Handler takes the reins Feb. 6, before comic Sarah Silverman begins her series of stand-in gigs Feb. 13.
While a few days behind the fake-anchor desk might be enough for some hosts, Handler said doing the “The Daily Show” sounds promising.
“They were saying they needed guest hosts, I was like, ‘Yeah, let’s go, I’ll go do that, too,’” she told “The Last Laugh” podcast. “That’s a perfect job for me. That’s a great gig.”
Handler took herself out of the running for CBS’ “The Late Show,” which will having an opening in the spring when James Corden departs. That show starts at 12:30 a.m. — 90 minutes later than “The Daily Show” begins. Handler said she’s “not interested” in that job.
She also told “The Last Laugh” that women are underrepresented on late night television, which the 47-year-old New Jersey native would like to see change. Since making its debut in 1996, the show’s three hosts — Craig Kilborn, Jon Stewart and Noah — have been men.
Al Franken, John Leguizamo, Hasan Minhaj, Kal Penn and Marlon Wayans will also appear on “The Daily Show,” though dates for their visits haven’t been announced, Comedy Central stated.
Noah’s “Off the Record” stand-up tour opens in Atlanta on Jan. 20.
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