Hasan Minhaj Takes Credit for Saving 'The Daily Show' (Sort Of)

By Dustin Rowles | Celebrity | May 3, 2024 |

By Dustin Rowles | Celebrity | May 3, 2024 |

Yesterday at the Netflix Is a Joke comedy festival, Hasan Minhaj was greeted by The Daily Show correspondent Ronny Chieng at the end of his set, who joked, “I’m surprised that Hasan’s able to do this show. I guess ‘canceling’ is not what it used to be.”

The reference, of course, was to the scandal that cost Minhaj the job of The Daily Show host last summer, after The New Yorker fact-checked his stand-up special and ultimately did him dirty.

“Who the fuck fact-checks stand-up comedy? Only Ronny Chieng would set me up with some fucking mouth-breathing journalist,” Minhaj heckled, according to Variety. “It was you.”

Minhaj and Chieng spoke about how they met at The Daily Show back in 2015, before Minhaj joked again that Chieng cost him the hosting job. “A job you fucked me out of.”

“We’ve all failed in our lives, but have you ever failed so bad, you bring back Jon Stewart?” he continued. “I saved a dying institution. You’re welcome.”

He’s not wrong. Minjah was screwed out of the job, but had he been able to take it, he’d have probably worn out his welcome if his Jeopardy appearances were any indication. Meanwhile, Jon Stewart has rejuvenated the show not only on the nights he hosts but the rest of the week, which is hosted by The Daily Show correspondents (Jordan Klepper and Desi Lydic have proven to be particularly adept). So, thanks, The New Yorker?

Minhaj is currently touring on his “Off With His Head” tour, which sounds like it’s probably about losing The Daily Show gig. He will shoot a special this summer.

Source: Variety