779 29/09/2015 Muscian Bucie at the first South African screening of the Daily Show with Trevor Noah at Rosebank Mall. Picture:Nokuthula Mbatha 779 29/09/2015 Muscian Bucie at the first South African screening of the Daily Show with Trevor Noah at Rosebank Mall. Picture:Nokuthula Mbatha
Lerato Mbangeni
JOHANNESBURG: Rosebank’s Ster-Kinekor Cinema Nouveau was teeming with celebrities and media Tuesday afternoon as they gathered to watch Trevor Noah host his first show.
Comedy Central hosted the first South African screening of The Daily Show with Trevor Noah which the rest of the country watched later in the evening.
Model Maps Maponyane, presenter Lunga Tshabalala and singer Bucie were among the local stars who attended the event which catered cupcakes with Noah’s face.
After some socialising, the 50-plus audience quickly filled the seats, excited to be the first to watch the episode, even though it aired in the US on Monday night.
The feeling of anticipation was palpable as soon as the lights dimmed and the screen lit up with the show’s opening sequence. The theatre erupted in applause when Noah’s face appeared.
His smile and quips were warmly received, especially his sentiments about former host Jon Stewart.
He said: “Jon Stewart was more than just a late night host. He was often our voice, our refuge, and in many ways, our political dad, and now it’s weird, because dad has left. And now, it feels like the family has a new stepdad, and he’s black, which is not ideal.”
Noah touched on topical US news items, including the pope’s visit. He also tested the waters with a few risky jokes about Whitney Houston’s drug overdose. This too, was well received. And his first guest, Kevin Hart, brought along a box of ties for him. Although this didn’t impress Noah much, the two did chat about Hart’s upcoming tour to South Africa next year. When the show ended, fans, friends and peers gave him a collective nod of approval.
l International Relations and Co-operation Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane visited The Daily Show studios in New York and conveyed to him South Africa’s best wishes.
“We want Mr Noah to know that the people of South Africa and indeed the entire African continent are proud of his achievement and that they support him fully as he takes the first steps of what we believe will be a rewarding journey,” she said.