Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Jessica Williams is leaving The Daily Show for her own series

She recently penned a deal with Viacom

Justin Carissimo
New York
Wednesday 29 June 2016 13:37 EDT
Comments
Jessica Williams at the 75th annual Peabody Awards.
Jessica Williams at the 75th annual Peabody Awards. (Mike Coppola/Getty)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Jessica Williams, one of the most popular correspondents on The Daily Show, is leaving the satire news broadcast after signing a new development deal with Comedy Central.

The network announced today that Thursday will be the 26-year-old comedian’s final appearance on The Daily Show. “I feel so many emotions,” Williams told Entertainment Weekly. “I feel like I’m growing up and graduating.”

The Daily Show host Trevor Noah told the outlet that he was just as bittersweet about the departure. “The sadness I have for Jessica leaving is only eclipsed by the joy I have for her starting her new show,” Noah said. “If her podcast is anything to go by, it’s going to be an exciting show!”

Williams joined the show when she was just 22-years-old, becoming the youngest correspondent in the show’s 17-year history. She signed the deal with Viacom back in March and will star, write and produce a half-hour scripted series. Naomi Ekperigin (Broad City, Difficult People) has also signed on to co-produce the show.

“I know that often for me, as a black woman of color, I feel like I’m supposed to represent these ideals and values that I was taught as a young lady. Like I’m supposed to carry myself in a special type of way, but oftentimes I’m, like… I’m still in my 20s, and still kind of a mess. So it’s a show about somebody in their 20s who has all these social ideas, but still does not have it together,” Williams told EW. “And she’s goofy and silly and funny.”

Read Williams’ entire interview with Entertainment Weekly here.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in