This guy will be the first to get a hug when social distancing is over!
The Daily Show host Trevor Noah has agreed to pay the salaries of employees out of his own pocket, Variety reports.
Since production everywhere is shut down due to the coronavirus pandemic, many people in the entertainment and media industry have found themselves out of work with no relief in sight. Last month, in-studio production halted on The Daily Show, the No.1 rated nightly show for pop culture, politics and news. As a result, Noah has been hosting a modified version of his show from his house, with the support of writers, producers and a fraction of his original production staff.
Staff members of the Comedy Central show who are only able to work in person, like camera operators, audio techs, and stage management, have unfortunately been furloughed. Last week, Noah stepped up to let all 25 employees know that he’ll be paying their salaries himself.
“These are the people who have been on the show with Trevor from day one and help him put on the show. Trevor is personally covering their salaries until the production business opens again. He respects his crew tremendously and feels it’s only right that they get [through] this together,” a source told Variety.
“The Daily Social Distancing Show With Trevor Noah” is still airing on Comedy Central and has since been extended past its original half-hour format to feature 45 whole minutes of Noah’s hilarity from the comfort of his home. His March interview with Dr. Anthony Fauci, head of the U.S. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, garnered more than 43 million views. The pop culture commentator joins a litany of celebs stepping up to help wherever they can as a result of this global crisis.
Thank you Trevor! We’re sure your staff is grateful!
Photo Courtesy of Sean Gallagher/@trevornoah/Instagram