Trevor Noah: 'I met some people where I thought – yes, you could be an alien' | Trevor Noah

In 2015, South African comedian Trevor Noah was plucked from relative obscurity to succeed Jon Stewart as host of The Daily Show. On the face of it this seemed an unpleasant task; Stewart hosted for 16 years and it's unclear what the show is independent of his liberal beliefs and New York sensibility. But Noah's wit and insight made him a darling of the American left, and by bringing an outsider's perspective — as a black man and a recent immigrant — to late-night television, Noah successfully pushed the show into the social media age.

Since leaving in 2022, Noah has been busy, starting a podcast, hosting the Grammys and winning the prestigious Erasmus Prize in 2023. Now she is publishing her first children's book, Into the Uncut Cross. A spiritual successor to his best-selling memoir, A Crime, this is a coming-of-age story written in the shadow of the last days of apartheid. He sat down to grill his inspirations, influences and fellow writers about the creative process.

I think people will be surprised to find that Into the Uncut Grass is a picture book of sorts. Did you get the idea? you By surprise, too? Frank Cottrell-Boyce, Children's Laureate 2024-2026
No, because it's something I've always wanted to do. It's an idea I've always romanticized because some of my favorite fables and stories were the picture books I grew up with, like Where the Wild Things Are. Children's picture books don't allow for 400 pages of intricate detail. I think I was surprised at how difficult it is to actually do, to be so concise while still having feeling and emotion.

What was the spark – the first seed of an idea – that inspired you to start this story? Harlan CobanMystery Novel Author
The seed goes into therapy and realizing the reasons adults can't resolve conflict is because of things we weren't taught as children: how to communicate through disagreement; How to hold conflicting but equally valid opinions; How to compromise; How we see ourselves in relation to others. As children we are not taught these things and then as adults we wonder why we struggle to come to those realizations. It's even harder when you're an adult, because you're so fixed in your view of the world. So Spark was thinking: What might some of those lessons be, and how might those lessons be needed in today's world?

Like you, I have written about my mother in fiction and memoir. What are the positive effects? Writing about your real-life mother-son relationship? Dean AttaPoet
One of the biggest positive outcomes was that it forced me to think in a more active way about why I admire my mother, and see her as a person rather than a mother. We are so attached to our parents that we don't spend time thinking of them as human beings. It helped me understand why I love my mother so much. When you write about someone, you understand all the shades and layers that make up who they are to you.

How terrifying it was John Stewart What advice did he give on The Daily Show? Louis TherouxBroadcaster and editor
It was very intimidating. The stress of starting a new level on television every day of the week. Also, I took a beloved position from an organization and a person who had – and continues to have – an indelible impression on American politics. The best advice I got from Jon Stewart was when he took over the show and was kind enough to show how much people didn't trust him. This was before social media, but he was slammed by critics. People wrote articles about how he failed. I think it's amazing that he shows me that there was a time when he was a doubter and nobody thought he could do it. Now he seemed the most obvious choice. The advice he gave me: Grind until someone notices what you've created.

What was the worst advice you were given as a child? Adam KFormer doctor and author
The worst advice is to try to fit in. You'll meet someone you don't know, and you'll be told to “bear with it for now.” Only later in life do you realize that without you around the people you want to build a life with becomes a prison. This was probably the worst advice I ever received as a child: To maintain relationships with other people in my life, they told me to absorb it. My advice to a child today: “Be yourself as much as you can.” You may lose some people along the way, but the ones you have will know the real you.

You speak many languages. Are you using voice recognition technology in different languages? Susie DentCountdown dictionary and author
I don't use any speaking aids. I find them boring and difficult, and I spend more time editing them than getting the information I'm looking for. I don't even know how many languages ​​they speak or don't speak. How many languages ​​do I speak? It changes depending on how much I train. Now I speak … I think … English, Zulu, Afrikaans, Tsonga. My German is not fluent, but I can get by. I'm trying to learn Spanish, so I call it five and a half.

You've made 315 jokes about President Trump's first 100 days. Which is your favorite? Joel ColbyTeacher Four Stars: A Life. reviewedPublished by Mudlark, out now
I assume all these jokes were made on The Daily Show. My only response to that is that I didn't make 300 jokes about Trump's first 100 days. I would argue that Trump did 300 things in his first 100 days that deserve to be ridiculed. So I only observed and commented on them. I think one of my favorites was when he walked into the White House and he got a tour from President Obama. It was hilarious to see how easily he was taken by Barack Obama, who has such a cute note. Trump came into the White House almost hostile. It was this turmoil that he ran his whole campaign through. After reading a note Obama left for him on the desk, Trump almost turns into a love in a war movie where they read a beautiful letter from their love. One of the funniest stories to me was how he recounted the story of the letter Obama left for him.

Who is the most annoying man and woman in the world you've ever met? Connie HoughTelevision presenter, screenwriter and children's author
The most annoying thing is standing up before the plane comes to a complete stop, pulling their bags out of the overhead and preventing others from standing up while we all try to get off the plane. They're so desperate they'll crush you and your family to death so they can get to the baggage carousel two minutes early. I think these are the most annoying men and women in the world. I don't know their names and don't want to know their names.

I have just written a shadow playBased on the classic TV show UFO from the 1970s. Have you ever had a close encounter? yourself? James Swallow, author and screenwriter
Sometimes we look up to the sky, but I don't know. If the aliens are as advanced as they are, I think they can disguise themselves just like us. I met some people where I thought: “Yes, you might be an alien.” I try to be as kind to them as possible, so that when they come back and invade, they remember me: “Oh, that guy is really nice. We will not kill him.

What are the five main components of a great rollercoaster? Stuart HeritageGuardian writer and children's author
Not sure why my IMDb page says I love rollercoasters. It's true though. I love rollercoasters. What are some key elements? Number one, the seating position. Rollercoasters that deviate from the norm have an advantage over rollercoasters where you sit in a regular position because your body is already feeling uncomfortable and going to freak out. A great roller coaster should put you in a position where people nearby can see you. I think it adds to the horror you collectively experience. Another element of a good rollercoaster is the initial suspense, the initial surge. It should have some crazy twists and turns that will completely confuse your orientation. You never know where up or down. People should also ride a roller coaster in a waiting line because the suspense is part of the experience when you're actually riding it. South Africa has many famous things, but we don't have a famous roller coaster. Maybe that's why I love them.