LOS ANGELES – Former “The Daily Show” correspondent, Roy Wood Jr., slyly expressed his thoughts on the Emmy Awards stage. Wood Jr., who was once considered a frontrunner to replace Trevor Noah as host of the show, mouthed the words “please hire a host” as the award for Best Variety Talk Series was accepted. The show has yet to name a successor since Wood Jr.’s departure from the show last October.
Wood Jr.’s departure surprised many, as he had been a beloved correspondent with impeccable timing and cutting insights. However, the host position went unfilled for months, with Hasan Minhaj rumored as a favorite until a New Yorker exposé dashed his chances.
Last night’s Emmy Awards provided Wood Jr. with an opportunity to share his feelings. Amateur lip-readers caught him on camera mouthing the plea for a host. In a tweet, Wood Jr. confirmed that he said what everyone believed he said but tried to keep it low.
During the acceptance speech, Trevor Noah acknowledged the mild surprise of “The Daily Show” winning Best Variety Talk Series. The perennial winner, “Last Week Tonight with John Oliver,” had switched categories to Scripted Variety Series, giving “The Daily Show” its chance at victory.
As the show continues without a permanent host, fans and industry insiders wonder who will fill the role. For now, the absence of a host remains a lingering question mark in late-night comedy.
For more insights, listen to “The Last Laugh” podcast featuring Roy Wood Jr. and Jordan Klepper from “The Daily Show.”