Trevor Noah pays tribute to Black women in his life in last edition of The Daily Show

Trevor Noah paid tribute to the ‘brilliant’ Black women in his life on his final edition of The Daily Show Thursday.

In a segment, the South African comedian, 38, thanked his fans and the Black women who ‘nourished and formed’ him and were ‘a lot of the reason why’ he’s succeeded in show business.

Noah said, ‘Special shout out to Black women – I’ve often been credited with having these grand ideas. People say, “Oh Trevor, you’re so smart.” I’m like, “Who do you think teaches me? Who do you think shaped me, nourished me and formed me?” 

‘From my mom, my grand[mom], my aunt, all these Black women in my life, but in America as well. I tell people if you want to truly learn about America, talk to Black women cause, unlike everybody else, Black women can’t afford to f*** around and find out. 

Noah said that ‘Black people understand how hard it is when things go bad, especially in America, but any place where Black people live… when things go bad, Black people know that it’s worse for them.’

Noah said ‘Black women in particular, they know what s*** is. They know what happens if things do not go the way it should.’

Noah named a number of Black leaders who are influential to him – a group consisting of Tarana Burke, Tressie McMillan Cottom, Roxane Gay and Zoé Samudzi – calling them ‘brilliant, brilliant women’ who informed, educated and argued with him.

In a segment, the South African comedian thanked his fans and the ‘brilliant’ Black women who ‘nourished and formed’ him and were ‘a lot of the reason why’ he’s succeeded in show business

Noah expressed his gratitude toward his fanbase and crew on his final edition of the show 

Noah said that ‘Black people understand how hard it is when things go bad, especially in America, but any place where Black people live… when things go bad, Black people know that it’s worse for them’

‘Do yourself a favor: you truly want to know what to do or how to do it?’ he said. ‘Or maybe the best way or the most equitable way? Talk to Black women – they’re a lot of the reason why I’m here and so I’m grateful to them. I’m grateful to every single one of you. This has been an honor. Thank you.’

On his final show, Noah looked back on his stewardship on the Comedy Central series, which began in September of 2015.

‘I remember when we started the show, we couldn’t get enough people to fill an audience,’ Noah said. ‘There were empty seats and then I look at this now, I don’t take it for granted ever. 

He continued: ‘Every seat that has ever been filled to watch something that I’m doing, I always appreciate it because I know there’s an empty seat that sits behind it so thank you so much. Thank you to the people who watch, the people who share the clips.’

On his final show, Noah looked back on his stewardship on the Comedy Central series, which began in September of 2015. Pictured in 2016

Noah said he appreciated ‘everyone who’s had an opinion, everyone whose been kind enough and gracious enough, even if it’s a critique.

‘I wanna say I appreciate those people. Even the people who hate-watch, you still pulled up the ratings so thank you, I’m eternally grateful to you.’

Noah announced he was leaving the show during a September 29 taping in saying that he felt gratitude after seven years of hosting the show, which Jon Stewart left in 2015.

‘I realized, after the seven years, my time is up,’ the Johannesburg, South Africa-born TV personality said.

Noah said that ‘so many people didn’t believe in us,’ adding that ‘it was a crazy bet to make’ to anoint him host of the series.

‘I still think it was a crazy choice – this random African,’ he said. ‘I wanted to say thank you to the audience for an amazing seven years. It’s been wild. It’s been truly wild.’

Noah’s departure comes amid a time a number of his colleagues have ended their shows, including Conan O’Brien last year and Samantha Bee earlier this year.