Trevor Noah: “I met a few people who made me think – yeah, you're probably an alien” | Trevor Noah

IIn 2015, South African comedian Trevor Noah was plucked from relative obscurity to succeed Jon Stewart as host of The Daily Show. At first glance this seemed an unenviable task; Stewart hosted for 16 years and it seemed unclear what the show would even look like, regardless of his liberal beliefs and New York sensibilities. But Noah's wit and insight quickly made him a darling of the US left, and by bringing an outsider's perspective – both as a black man and as a recent immigrant – to late-night television, Noah managed to successfully turn the show into catapulting the social media age.

Since his departure in 2022, Noah has kept busy starting a podcast, hosting the Grammys and winning the prestigious Erasmus Prize in 2023. He is now publishing his first children's book, Into the Uncut Grass. A spiritual successor to his bestselling memoir Born a Crime, it is a coming-of-age story written in the shadow of the final days of apartheid. He sat down to discuss his inspiration, influences and creative process with a host of fellow writers.

I think people will be surprised to see that Into the Uncut Grass is a kind of picture book. Has the idea been accepted? You also surprising? Frank Cottrell-Boyce, Children's Laureate 2024-2026
No, that wasn't the case because it was something I always wanted to do. I've always romanticized this idea because the picture books I grew up with, like Where the Wild Things Are, were some of my favorite fables and stories. In children's picture books, it's not possible to spend 400 pages getting into intricate details. I think what surprised me was how difficult it actually is to be so concise and capture feelings and emotions at the same time.

What was the spark – the first germ of an idea – that led you to this story? Harlan CobenAuthor of crime novels
The seed went to therapy and realized that the reasons adults can't resolve conflicts stem from things we weren't taught as children: how to communicate during disagreements; 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 we wonder why we have difficulty coming to this realization as adults. As an adult it's much harder because you're stuck in your views about the world. So the spark thought: What would some of these lessons be and how would these lessons be necessary in today's world?

Like you, I have written about my mother in fiction and memoirs. Which have positive effects Did writing about your mother-son relationship have anything to do with that relationship in real life? Dean Attapoet
One of the biggest positives is that it has forced me to think very actively about why I value my mother and to see her as a person and not just a mother. We never really spend time thinking about our parents as people because we are attached to them. It helped me understand why I love my mother more than you should. When you write about someone, you get to know all the shades and layers that make them who they are to you.

How daunting the takeover was Jon Stewart on the Daily Show and what advice, if any, did he give? Louis TherouxBroadcaster and author
It was extremely discouraging. Just the stress of starting a new position on television that was on every day of the week. I also inherited a beloved position from an institution and an individual who has had, and continues to have, an indelible impact on American politics. The best advice I got came from Jon Stewart himself, who was kind enough to show me how much people didn't believe in him when he took over the show. It was before social media, but he was slammed by critics. People wrote articles about how he was doomed. I think it's really wonderful of him to show me that there was a time when he was doubted and no one believed he could do it. Now he seemed the obvious choice. The advice he gave me was: just keep going until someone notices what you've created.

What was the worst advice you received as a child? Adam Kayformer doctor and writer
I think the worst advice was that you have to try to adapt. You would meet someone you don't get along with and you would tell them, “Tolerate it for now.” It's only later in life that you realize it's a prison when you're around the people you're with You want to build a life, not yourself. That was probably the worst advice I received as a child: people telling me to suck it up so I could maintain connections with other people in my life. The advice I would give a child today would be: “Be yourself as best you can.” You will lose some people along the way, but the ones you keep will know the real you.

You speak many languages. Do you use speech recognition technology in different languages? Susie DentCountdown lexicographer and author
Actually, I don't use any speaking aids. I think they're stilted and stiff and I spend more time correcting them than actually getting to the information I'm looking for. I wouldn't even know how many languages ​​they speak or not. How many languages ​​do I speak? It changes depending on how often I can practice them. At the moment I speak… let me think… English, Zulu, Afrikaans, Tsonga. I don't speak German fluently, but I can get by. I'm trying to learn Spanish, so I'll call it five and a half.

Apparently you made 315 jokes about President Trump's first 100 days in office. What was your favorite? Joel GolbyAuthor of Four stars: One life. Ratedpublished by Mudlark, outside now
I'm assuming these jokes were all made on The Daily Show. My only answer to that would be that I didn't make 300 jokes about Trump's first 100 days in office. I would argue that Trump made 300 joke-worthy things happen in his first 100 days in office. And so I just watched and commented on them. I think one of my favorites was when he entered the White House and was led by President Obama. It was hilarious to see how easily he was accepted by Barack Obama and left him a really nice message. Trump came to the White House almost hostile. He had this bluster that he used throughout his campaign. After reading the note Obama left on the desk for him, Trump almost turned into a romantic in a war movie, reading a beautiful letter from their love. One of the funniest stories for me was how he told the story of the letter Obama left him.

Who is the most annoying man and woman in the world you have ever met? Konnie HuqTV presenter, screenwriter and children's book author
The most annoying thing on planes are the people who get up before the plane has come to a complete stop, grab their bags from the overhead compartment, and then stop other people from getting up while we're all trying to get off the plane. They're in such desperate need that 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 them.

I just wrote “Shadow Play.”based on the classic 1970s TV show UFO. Have you ever had a close encounter? himself? James Swallow, author and screenwriter
Sometimes we look at the sky, but I don't know. I have a feeling that if aliens are as advanced as us, they can probably disguise themselves to be just like us. I've met a few people where I thought, “Yeah, you're probably an alien.” I try to be as nice to them as possible so that when they come back and invade, they remember me and thinking, ‘Oh yeah, the guy was pretty nice.’ We’re not going to kill him.”

What are the five key elements of a great roller coaster ride? Stuart legacyGuardian author and children's book author
I don't know why my IMDb page says I like roller coasters. However, it is true. I love roller coasters. What are some of the key elements? Number one, seating position. Roller coasters that deviate from the norm have an advantage over roller coasters that have you sitting in a normal seating position because your body is already uncomfortable and is prepared for something that will scare it. A great roller coaster ride must enable you to see the people next to you. I think it adds to the horror you will experience together. Another element of a good roller coaster ride is the initial tension, the initial climb. There must be some crazy curves that completely disorientate you. You shouldn't know which way is up or down. The roller coaster should also go around the line where people are waiting because the excitement is part of how you actually experience the ride. South Africa has a lot of famous things to do, but we've never had a famous roller coaster ride. Maybe that's why I love her.