Roy Wood Jr. Quits ‘The Daily Show’ As Search for Permanent Host Continues

After eight years as a correspondent on Comedy Central’s ‘The Daily Show,’ legendary comedian Roy Wood Jr. will not return to the show on October 16th for the new season. He was never offered the full-time position to become the show’s permanent host, so Wood decided it was time for something new.

The Alabama native had some bars when he spoke to NPR’s Eric Deggans in an interview released Thursday.

“I can’t come up with Plan B while still working with Plan A,” Wood stated to Eric Deggans. “The job of correspondent… it’s not really one where you can juggle multiple things. (And) I think eight years is a good run,” Wood said.

In a statement to The Daily Beast, Wood stated: “After eight amazing years on The Daily Show, where I’ve been able to pursue my comedic and political curiosities with some of the best writers, producers, crew, and correspondents anyone could hope for, I’ve made the decision to move on.”

Wood Jr. added that he also was “grateful to Trevor Noah, Paramount and especially Comedy Central for giving me the runway to also produce three one-hour specials, for letting me write & shoot my own comedy pilot, write a film, and much, much more.”

Once it was reaffirmed that Wood Jr. would not be the host, it seemed that the comedian was already on the fence depending on the host. It is clear now what his intentions are. As a well-traveled and well-versed comedian with a podcast and other endeavors, it is assumed that Roy will be just fine.