Roy Wood Jr.’s ‘Have I Got News for You’ is ‘a chance to live within the jokes first’

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As a seasoned journalist and comedian myself, I can’t help but admire Roy Wood Jr.’s journey in the world of topical humor. His experiences at “The Daily Show” under Trevor Noah have undeniably shaped him into a remarkable talent who effortlessly balances anger, compassion, and humor in his craft.

In high school, Roy Wood Jr. spent much of his athletic years on the sidelines, which eventually prepared him well for his future in stand-up comedy.

In simpler terms, “Your role as a benchwarmer was to think up jeers towards the opposing team,” Wood reminisced in a recent Zoom conversation. “I felt accomplished when I could make the referee chuckle, similar to an applause break. If I managed to make the parents laugh, that was like a standing ovation.

On the sidelines, Wood unexpectedly found his knack for humor, a skill he’s tirelessly developed over the years since then. After countless tours, Wood finally got his long-awaited big break in 2015 when he joined Comedy Central’s “The Daily Show” as a correspondent. Known for its ability to launch comedic careers, “The Daily Show” showcased Wood’s dry wit and insightful commentary on topics like race and criminal justice. However, following a successful performance as the host of the White House Correspondents Dinner last year, Wood announced his departure from “The Daily Show.” This sudden news was disappointing to fans who saw him as an ideal successor to Trevor Noah, who stepped down in 2022 after seven years at the helm. The announcement came amidst a difficult and prolonged search for a new host.

In just a short time, Wood managed to find his footing. Come Saturday, he’ll make his premiere as the host of “Have I Got News for You,” a panel show airing on CNN that will tackle the week’s news headlines and aim to revitalize the topical comedy scene.

The American adaptation of the long-running BBC program “Have I Got News for You” is set to air. Originally a staple on British television since 1990, this show features guests from politics and entertainment participating in a quick-fire news quiz. Hosted by Paul Merton, the team captains will include comedy veterans Michael Ian Black and Amber Ruffin, who will serve as rival leaders. Though comedy panel shows are common in the U.K., the closest American equivalent could be the NPR quiz show “Wait Wait… Don’t Tell Me.” According to Wood, “Have I Got News for You” will tackle current events with a more casual and agile approach.

Wood mentioned that our location is quite intriguing, nestled between shows like ‘Jimmy Fallon’ and ‘The Daily Show.’ This puts us in an excellent position to discuss current events, but with the freedom to add our unique perspective and delve as deeply as we desire on specific topics,” he explained, taking turns between two smoothies: one vibrant pink for sweetness, the other green for health.

Following many years at “The Daily Show,” where even the most humorously presented content always carried a political perspective, Wood is eager to embrace some freedom and let loose.

He expressed that he no longer has to present his case repeatedly, instead, “I can now enjoy life through humor initially, and express my views afterwards.

As a movie buff, I find myself often traversing the captivating crossroads where news and entertainment unite. My academic journey led me to Florida A&M University, a prestigious historically Black institution, where I delved into broadcast journalism. My dad, Roy Wood Sr., was a trailblazer in radio reporting, renowned for his coverage of the civil rights movement and Black platoons during the Vietnam War. Together with others, he established the first Black radio network.

From an early age, Wood was drawn towards humor, enjoying movies by the Zucker brothers and shows like “You Can’t Do That on Television” and “Clarissa Explains It All” on Nickelodeon. When his hometown cable company in Birmingham, Alabama, added Comedy Central, he discovered stand-up comedy. However, it wasn’t until college that he decided to give it a go himself. He began performing at open mic nights nearby at Florida State University, choosing this venue so that if his performance didn’t go well, he could always return to the peaceful surroundings of his own campus.

Following his graduation, instead of delving into journalism directly, he secured a position as a morning radio DJ at a station in Birmingham, where his father had previously worked. Given that he was stepping into Rickey Smiley’s shoes, who was renowned for his humorous prank phone calls, Wood found himself learning the craft. As he put it, “I tried to make them as effective as possible, unaware at the time that those prank calls would serve as a great preparation for street interviews on ‘The Daily Show.’

He carried on traveling and doing stand-up acts across the nation. In his younger years, Wood’s comedy wasn’t particularly political, but as he matured, he delved into addressing socially relevant topics that were deeply rooted within him, a reflection of his upbringing in Southern Black communities.

As you grow increasingly aware of global events, it strikes you that your dad was right when he said the government doesn’t prioritize people’s concerns. Previously, those conferences we used to attend together, where I was usually preoccupied with my Game Boy, were actually about significant issues. This realization began influencing my work, and when I joined ‘The Daily Show,’ I had to admit that I’m merely a funnier replica of my father.

Tessa joined “The Daily Show” when Noah, from South Africa, became its host, replacing Jon Stewart. This transition brought a fresh, multi-cultural viewpoint to the widely acclaimed late-night program, as Tessa started her tenure not long after Donald Trump declared his presidential candidacy, during the rise of the Black Lives Matter movement, and throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and the January 6th insurrection. Needless to say, it was an intricate period for creating political humor.

(Oliver Farshi / For The Times)

(Oliver Farshi / For The Times)

One valuable lesson I’ve picked up from observing Trevor Noah is to keep anger from tainting one’s sense of humor. Despite the infuriating events in America, if you let yourself drown in anger, you lose your capacity to find humor in everything,” he pointed out.

Wood recalls the episode taped on the day when the officer who killed Philando Castile was found not guilty. “I remember Trevor allowing not anger but compassion to drive the segment. As I recall, there wasn’t a single joke in that first act,” he said. “He just spoke sincerely to camera about where we are as a country. There were so many moments where Trevor could have used that pulpit to cuss America out, and he never did it, but instead he used calmness as a more precise scalpel.”

In late 2022, Noah unexpectedly departed, and several temporary hosts, including Wood, tried out for the role of his successor. When it seemed that Hasan Minhaj was no longer in contention for the position, Wood began to question if “The Daily Show” had a strategy as it approached an election year, and with significant changes happening at Comedy Central’s parent company, Paramount Global. At that moment, Stewart returning wasn’t even a possibility, he stated. “For me,” he said, “it felt like, ‘What will my future look like after ‘The Daily Show’? If they select someone who doesn’t want me as a correspondent, then what do I have planned for the following year?’

He realized, “Since I’ll need to find a landing spot eventually, it makes sense to initiate that search right away.

In a time when TV networks are reducing political programming following the Trump administration, ‘Have I Got News for You’ steps in to provide a balance between politics and pop culture. According to its creator, the show aims to talk about significant issues without making them overly dramatic. The program will be taped on Fridays, ensuring it stays current with the latest news.

Ruffin remarked about Roy, “He isn’t a journalist or an anchor, yet he could be. He’s incredibly funny,” she said, having hosted her own late-night show on Peacock for three seasons. “Roy is well-versed in all the latest news events, and more impressively, their historical context as well. It always surprises me when I think, ‘He won’t know the background of this story,’ but he does.

Black commented on Roy’s charisma, saying he seemed perfectly suited for his comedian role. “He’s the guy you’d find casually chatting near the grill at a barbecue,” Black said, “while I’m the one asking about exotic food options like impossible burgers.

Wood has been getting ready by jotting down observations about Steve Harvey’s hosting style on “Family Feud,” as he is known for hearing something absurd, pausing, and then responding humorously before steering the game back on course. Regarding his ideal guests, he aims to invite numerous politicians and news figures, with the intention of holding them accountable – through laughter. As he says, “Let’s chuckle at the emperor who has no clothes, and then let’s bring in the tailor to learn, ‘Why didn’t you sew any clothes for the emperor?’

And while he’s excited about “Have I Got News for You,” he’s keeping an open mind about the future.

Speaking as a devoted fan, I’d express it this way: “Should The Daily Show reach out, I wouldn’t let their call go unanswered. However, I’ve got a special someone in my life right now.

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2024-09-14 22:01