LOS ANGELES (AP) – The question of who can replace Jon Stewart on “The Daily Show” seems roughly akin to asking his fans what might serve for the sun.
His passion, wit and boldness make for a magical combination that will be difficult to re-create when Stewart steps away as host sometime later this year.
“The X-factor here is Stewart’s charisma. It’s significant,” said Sophia McClennen, a Penn State professor and author of “Is Satire Saving our Nation?: Mockery and American Politics.”
The “Daily Show” boot camp has graduated a number of impressive talents who might prove to be worthy of the host chair, McClennen said, counting John Oliver first among a group including Aasif Mandvi, Samantha Bee and Jason Jones.
There are outsiders who certainly have the comedic chops. But do they have the star power and the backbone to speak punchlines to power, and on a nightly basis?