Daily Show correspondent Roy Wood Jr. has just been placed in a major hosting gig.
The comedian, perhaps best known for his hilarious segments and quippy one-liners opposite Trevor Noah on Comedy Central’s The Daily Show for the last 8 years, will host this year’s White House Correspondents Dinner.
“This night will go down in the history books, and then be removed from the history books, or maybe never be added to the history books,” the comedian posted to his 310,000 Instagram followers when breaking the news. “All depends on which state you live in, it’s complicated.”
Taking place at the Washington Hilton on April 29, the annual dinner serves as a fundraiser for White House Correspondents Associations scholarships, an opportunity to honor the recipients of the WHCA’s annual journalism awards, and of course, poke some lighthearted fun at the President, politicos, and press members that work at the White House.
“Roy Wood Jr. brings a journalistic eye to his comedy. He’s hilarious — but also makes sure his audiences are thinking as they laugh,” WHCA president and White House correspondent for NPR Tamara Keith told The Hollywood Reporter. “My aim with this year’s dinner is to lift up the importance of a free and independent press to a functioning democracy, so I am thrilled to be able to feature a comedian who gets what journalism is all about.”
The White House Correspondent’s Dinner was infamously placed on pause in 2020 and 2021, returning just last year with then–Daily Show hose Trevor Noah as its host. It’s tradition for the President and the First Lady to attend the annual soiree, as both the Bidens did last year – a change of pace from the previous President, who boycotted the event for the duration of his term in office.
“It’s an honor to be a part of a long-running tradition of celebrating those members of the media, who work so hard to uncover the truth, and hold our government accountable,” Wood Jr. told The Hollywood Reporter.
In addition to his continued duties on The Daily Show, Wood Jr. currently has a stand-up special entitled Imperfect Messenger streaming on Paramount+.