Roy Wood Jr. Reveals Surprising Regret About His Time on The Daily Show

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For some people, Roy Wood Jr. may primarily be recognized due to not securing the full-time hosting position on “The Daily Show” following Trevor Noah’s sudden departure in 2022. However, this narrow perspective fails to capture the diverse and accomplished career that this Alabaman artist has cultivated. He delivers a thoughtful, poignant stand-up comedy routine, showcased in his fourth special, “Lonely Flowers” on Hulu, and also serves as host for shows like CNN’s “Have I Got News for You.” In addition to acting in productions such as “Love, Brooklyn” at Sundance, he has carried on the legacy of his late father, journalist and civil rights activist Roy Wood Sr., through the acclaimed NPR podcast “Road to Rickwood.” During a Zoom call from Manhattan in early January, the 46-year-old father was excited to discuss his multifaceted career, the boundary between comedy and journalism, and the future of late night television: “There won’t be any more $20 million-a-season white men at 11:30.”

Did you intentionally decline shots offered by Anderson Cooper and Andy Cohen during their New Year’s Eve broadcast, which garnered some notice?

I haven’t intentionally sought out fame on CNN, having appeared on only 10 episodes so far. Given my limited experience, getting drunk with Anderson Cooper and Andy Cohen isn’t something I can casually do. Plus, any photos of me drinking could potentially be used negatively if something goes wrong in my career. I’m not providing them that opportunity. This joke was actually made to support Don Lemon, even though it might not have been clear to everyone.

In your conversation with Marc Maron, you mentioned that due to your rounded facial features, audiences find it hard to believe when you’re angry while performing. Can you share how you arrived at this observation?

Many Black male entertainers often find themselves limited in expressing their anger as part of their performances compared to their peers. Comedians like Paul Mooney and Patrice O’Neal have excelled at conveying frustration, but they did so in unique ways that were almost ritualistic. Dick Gregory was bitingly funny, yet his humor served as a form of release. However, it seems there may be a scarcity of Black male comedians who adopt a “rant-style” similar to Lewis Black, or whose appearance might not align with this style. A round face, for example, might not fit the typical image associated with such performances.

But what’s wrong with round faces?

In the TV series “Brain Games” on National Geographic, they explained how the brain responds to various stimuli such as colors and body language. When I joined “The Daily Show”, I delved into this topic to find comedic techniques that could enhance my performance on camera. Interestingly, there’s a certain appeal to being round-shaped, even if it’s just in the face, which makes people perceive you like a cuddly teddy bear. If I ever appear genuinely angry on stage, most people would respond with “I hope he feels better” rather than focusing on what I’m saying. So, I try to convey irritation instead of full-blown anger. My angriest expression on stage wouldn’t be much hotter than how Carl Winslow would scold Steve Urkel.

Do you wish you had more leeway with that?

After figuring out how people view you, it’s essential to let this understanding shape your content, or at least the way you deliver it to your audience. During my time on The Daily Show, I found that I could express anger about various topics, as long as they weren’t controversial issues like abortion or gun control. Instead, I would do rants about food or car commercials, and I could get quite heated about them in a 1990s Dennis Leary kind of way. It’s ironic because I truly feel passionate about those things, but there are no significant consequences.

As a gamer diving headfirst into the world of news, I find myself standing at the intersection of “Have I Got News for You” and “The Daily Show.” While they share a common interest in current events, their approaches and workloads couldn’t be more different. With the 2024 election just around the corner, I find myself back in the Trump era. My curiosity about the news has always been piqued, but now that it’s all about another Trump presidency, my appetite for staying informed is insatiable. It’s a rollercoaster ride, but I wouldn’t trade this front-row seat for anything!

Much of contemporary political satire revolves around the effectiveness or lack thereof, in the case of Trump’s administration. However, it doesn’t mean the government can avoid responsibility and we should cease making jokes because people are tired of the subject matter. I, too, am exhausted by it. I wish there were other figures to scrutinize instead of Trump, but he is the one in power. Over the next four years, I believe political satire will need to adapt, moving beyond labeling the president as unintelligent. We already know that; now, let’s explore other angles for humor.

Using CNN, we hold minimal accountability within our network, primarily focusing on delivering news with a humorous spin about the past week’s events. Unlike my role at The Daily Show, I don’t have the obligation to delve deep into the root causes of problems. If we touch upon such topics while en route to a joke, great! However, I’m not John Oliver. I won’t be providing in-depth analysis on how a law from the 1950s might have contributed to the current state of agriculture by examining its impact over time.

John Oliver firmly maintains that what he does doesn’t fall under the category of journalism. Given your background in journalism and your father being a journalist, I’m curious about where you’d place this type of politically-oriented humor?

In my view, the work I do shares similarities with journalism. However, I wouldn’t presume to label myself as a journalist due to the depth of research and diligence that professional journalists possess. If people are learning from what I share amidst the laughter, then it’s worth noting. Many people may not consider themselves journalists, yet their content is fact-checked. For instance, we have a fact checker at CNN. This puts us on a higher level compared to some podcasts featuring individuals chatting casually on a couch with no professional oversight. I believe stand-up comedy is a type of journalism because it either reports observations or expresses personal feelings. While not all information may be accurate, it serves as a means of sharing insights with the audience.

Indeed, it’s common to refer to something as journalism because a large portion of people obtain their news from comedic sources.

comedians prefer not to be labeled as journalists because they wish to adhere to the ethical standards specific to comedy, rather than journalism. As a comedian, there’s more room for creativity and pushing beyond conventional boundaries. Once you begin to claim journalistic integrity and assert that your work is crucial, you open yourself up to being critiqued as a journalist instead of an entertainer. The line between entertainment is more fluid, like jelly, while the boundaries for journalism are rigid and unyielding.

In that article from The New Yorker, Hasan Minhaj discovered himself facing questions about the truthfulness of certain stories he tells during his stand-up performances.

The instance you’ve shown is impressive. Hasan’s situation was similar to those instances where individuals who are expected to adhere to journalistic standards engage in comedy that falls short of those expectations. Therefore, the question was whether he was a skilled comedian or a poor journalist. It’s worth noting that Hasan never claimed to be a journalist himself. He focused on facts, but not in the style of TED Talks. However, any comedian who wants to claim the title of journalist is walking a tightrope.

Did we cross paths at the Governors Ball following the Emmys, where your colleagues from The Daily Show received the award for outstanding talk series on camera? At that moment, it appeared as if you whispered something into the camera, hinting that Comedy Central should find a new host for the show. Did this action cause any backlash or response?

That night was truly exceptional… I must admit, I wasn’t aware that Jon Stewart was in negotiation talks when I made that comment. It turned out to be a situation I now regret. Though it may have been amusing at the time, it certainly wasn’t appropriate given the moment. Trevor Noah had just made history as the first Black man to win for late night television, and here I was, an exhausted stand-in, overshadowing his achievement. It was uncalled for, and I apologized to the team later on. Fortunately, we were able to put it behind us. I’ve come to understand that while your intentions might be good, they can often be misconstrued, and it is the interpretation that ultimately defines history. Unfortunately, good intentions don’t always matter in hindsight.

In your latest stand-up, there’s a humorous anecdote about you telling your mother that the position on The Daily Show was yours once Trevor left. Did there come a time when you truly thought it would be you?

first, I stood in for The Daily Show in early April, followed by performing at the White House Correspondents dinner two weeks later. Both instances went smoothly, and I playfully suggested to my mom that if I got the job, she could retire. She responded that she would only do so when my name was on a building. On the day the press release announced my departure from the show, I called my mom, and her reaction was something like, “That’s why I didn’t quit my job.

Have you ever second guessed the decision to leave when you did?

I don’t harbor any regrets. I sensed the imminent transformation within that series, and Jon Stewart and I share a strong connection. I don’t believe he would’ve replaced me, but change was inevitable. Whether it was someone else or him, things were going to shift. The writers’ strike also forced me to consider whether to stay or leave.

Have you taken into account the longevity of late-night programming or traditional shows on Comedy Central? It’s noticeable how much the channel has changed since you joined in 2015, compared to its earlier days.

Speaking about the recent developments in political satire and late-night television, it’s worth noting that [Have I Got News for You] is the sole fresh addition to the scene in recent years. They’re streamlining their operations, reducing costs wherever they can. They’ve taken over Jimmy Fallon’s Friday slot, removed Seth Meyers’ band, replaced James Cordon’s show with a more affordable one titled After Midnight. Now, when I departed, I wasn’t contemplating the simplicity of selling something. However, I have managed to sell three shows in total. Let me clarify that point. The market is undergoing a transformation right now. Once we emerge from this transition phase, I’ll be in a better position to plan my next moves, much like Shannon Sharpe or Pat McAfee did with their career shifts.

Pat McAfee serves as a captivating case study, since he doesn’t simply work for ESPN or sell his company outright; instead, he grants them the rights to air his program.

It’s likely that in the future, individuals with talent will become both the creators and distributors of content, much like what McAfee and SmartLess Media are currently doing. This trend may eventually become the standard. I find this development fascinating, though it raises some intriguing questions. Not every individual will be able to sell a podcast for $100 million because not everyone will receive a return on their investment. The concept of taking a risk on someone and putting them on TV is no longer viable. ESPN wouldn’t offer Pat McAfee $80 million over four years without any prior notice simply based on a hunch. Instead, they require data and metrics to validate the decision, and his digital audience serves as their focus group.

And you think the rest of TV will follow that example?

It’s my strong opinion that the TV stars we currently watch may represent a dying breed, as it seems unlikely that future high-earning white male athletes will command $20 million per season at 11:30. Instead, what we might see next is something preconceived and already resonating with audiences, given the networks’ risk-averse approach. I wouldn’t say they’re bankrupt, but they’re certainly being cautious. This makes me excited because it suggests that anything can be created by anyone; the possibilities are endless.

What is the brass ring for you? Hosting a show? Acting in something you create? Selling out MSG?

There’s a quote by Chris Rock that resonates deeply with me. He once shared that his goal is simply to make people pay to see him perform live. Stand-up comedy is something I will never give up, as it’s the one thing no one can take away from me. Naturally, everyone desires wealth, hosting a show, landing a lucrative podcast deal, or other similar opportunities. But the thrill of interacting with strangers on stage remains evergreen to me. To put it simply, I aspire for a career as a working actor like Kevin Hart, but I’m unsure if I possess the required dedication. What I crave is a break to spend some time in a recording studio or appear on CNN to voice my opinions towards politicians.

You can find this tale in the January 29th edition of The Hollywood Reporter magazine. If you want to stay updated, consider subscribing by clicking here.

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2025-01-24 19:56