There's a fine line between funny and offensive, skirted by just about every well-known comedian.
But many people have questioned where that line lies with "Daily Show" newcomer Trevor Noah, a "Daily Show" contributor crowned as Jon Stewart's replacement this week.
After the announcement of Noah succeeding Stewart, the fairly unknown comedian became famous overnight not only for his new gig, but because of some jokes Twitter users dug up. Dating back to 2009, the tweets have become fodder for many users to call Noah an anti-Semite, among other things.
"Sad that someone (sic) as ignorant as Trevor Noah will host The Daily Show with comments like these," user Dani Klein tweeted in response to one of Noah's 2009 tweets, "South Africans know how to recycle like Israel knows how to be peaceful."
While many people were offended by Noah's old tweets, others defended Noah's tweets as comedy, which often flirts with offense. Comedy Central also stood by Noah, telling Buzzfeed, "Like many comedians, Trevor Noah pushes boundaries; he is provocative and spares no one, himself included."
At the Atlantic, James Hamblin argued that while he personally disliked Noah's tweets, most comedians use offensive language or ideas to get to the punchline even beloved American comedian Bob Hope, who Hamblin points out made his name with misogynistic jokes.
"Hope was adored in his prime, but then his misogyny fell out of style, and his fans and the industry largely disowned him," Hamblin wrote. "Things are still getting better, but the root of a lot of comedy today comes from broad generalizations about people."
While time will tell if Noah's brand of comedy will stand up with "Daily Show" viewers, Will Hagle of Opposing Views says offending people is, frankly, just part of comedy.
"Comedy provides a medium for sensitive issues like this to be discussed, and Noah shouldnt be afraid to speak his mind once he assumes control of the Daily Showdesk," Hagle wrote.
But many people have questioned where that line lies with "Daily Show" newcomer Trevor Noah, a "Daily Show" contributor crowned as Jon Stewart's replacement this week.
After the announcement of Noah succeeding Stewart, the fairly unknown comedian became famous overnight not only for his new gig, but because of some jokes Twitter users dug up. Dating back to 2009, the tweets have become fodder for many users to call Noah an anti-Semite, among other things.
"Sad that someone (sic) as ignorant as Trevor Noah will host The Daily Show with comments like these," user Dani Klein tweeted in response to one of Noah's 2009 tweets, "South Africans know how to recycle like Israel knows how to be peaceful."
While many people were offended by Noah's old tweets, others defended Noah's tweets as comedy, which often flirts with offense. Comedy Central also stood by Noah, telling Buzzfeed, "Like many comedians, Trevor Noah pushes boundaries; he is provocative and spares no one, himself included."
At the Atlantic, James Hamblin argued that while he personally disliked Noah's tweets, most comedians use offensive language or ideas to get to the punchline even beloved American comedian Bob Hope, who Hamblin points out made his name with misogynistic jokes.
"Hope was adored in his prime, but then his misogyny fell out of style, and his fans and the industry largely disowned him," Hamblin wrote. "Things are still getting better, but the root of a lot of comedy today comes from broad generalizations about people."
While time will tell if Noah's brand of comedy will stand up with "Daily Show" viewers, Will Hagle of Opposing Views says offending people is, frankly, just part of comedy.
"Comedy provides a medium for sensitive issues like this to be discussed, and Noah shouldnt be afraid to speak his mind once he assumes control of the Daily Showdesk," Hagle wrote.
