Trevor Noah silences critics with epic debut on ‘The Daily Show’

But he froze when he saw the ties.

He also said he’s not coming onto the show with a specific list of targets – which means he won’t be picking up right where Stewart left off.

In all, Noah’s first “Daily Show” was a solid success, and funnier than skeptics probably expected. Because of the former host, the comedian now has two things he dreamed of as a kid: an inside toilet AND The Daily Show.

“The Daily Show with Trevor Noah” kicks off Monday night with a younger derriere going on the air.

Not quite a rocky start, but not an emphatically comforting one for fans either.

“It’s different timelines, but the directions we’ve taken, the consequences, dealing with the aftermath of what we then think is the beginning of democracy, and then realizing that’s just the first step – that freedom is the beginning of the conversation – that’s something that I’ve learned on both sides of the world”, he said. He was often our voice, our refuge, and in many ways our political dad. Now it feels like the family has a new stepdad. “Which is not ideal”. Noah admits that he has no inspirational idol. He says that he draws on the wisdom and talent of all his colleagues including Jimmy Fallon, Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert. There are no doubt going to be those who find his smile infectious, but he should not act like he’s one of them.

Trevor Noah launched the new Daily Show on Monday night and didn’t disappoint. That’s… aides, the people that help you! How we gonna get there?

Trevor had no problem acknowledging his predecessor is definitely gone, and that viewers are still hurting from Jon’s departure. “These white folks ain’t decided if they like you yet”. The 31-year-old South African comedian will have a wide range of guests his first week, including Kevin Hart on his first night, musician Ryan Adams, tech entrepreneur Whitney Wolfe and New Jersey Governor and Republican presidential candidate Chris Christie.

“The best thing that happened to me is the fact that Jon said, ‘This is who I pick”.

He opened up the box and it was a collection of ties. It played flat and even a little tinny, like Noah didn’t really understand how profoundly Boehner’s failings in that job hurt the country. He awkwardly put the box under his desk as Hart prattled and bellowed. “I thought you were gonna dance or something”.

On social networking sites, there were some “mehs” and sighs about Stewart’s absence, but there were also cheers for Noah’s premiere and many admiring comments about his handsome, youthful appearance. “I just bought a new condo”. Before the show ended, there was a “Moment of Zen”.

He knows the pressure is on but plans to take things slowly, saying there will be changes in style rather than structure. Judging from his earliest shows, few would have predicted a long run, but the Conan cannonball has been rolling along for 22 years.