The NYT had a behind-the-scenes look at Noah's last test show:
This new âDaily Showâ will be a substantially different program, based simply on the man now sitting in its anchorâs chair. And yet, to gauge from this taping and the preparations that preceded it, âThe Daily Showâ has hardly changed at all. It features a new set, subtracting the familiar globe that hung over Mr. Stewartâs head while adding an elegant, expansive desk.
There is still an opening act in which Mr. Noah lampoons the events of the day (in Thursdayâs case, Pope Francisâ visit to the United States); in-studio and field segments featuring âDaily Showâ correspondents; and interviews with cultural and political figures, like the test eveningâs guest, the CNN host Fareed Zakaria. Even the familiar opening theme, composed by the rock musician Bob Mould, is sticking around for the time being.
But the programâs success or failure rests largely on the comedic chops of a performer who, despite his international reputation, is still learning how to fine-tune his act for an American audience.
I plan to stay off Twitter after 8 PM tonight so I can watch Noah host his first show without first having read eight billion tweets about how well or how terribly he did.