Trever Noah‘s seven-year run as host of the ‘Daily Show’ ended Thursday (December 8) with a tearful sign-off and a toast to Black women, who the 38-year-old highly credits for shaping him into the award-winning comedian and commentator he is today.

In a clip of his final monologue, the EMMY winner nearly broke down as he expressed his gratitude to the show’s dedicated fans.

“I remember when we started the show, we couldn’t get enough people to fill an audience,” he began. “There were empty seats and then I look at this now, I don’t take it for granted ever. Every seat that has ever been filled to watch something that I’m doing, I always appreciate it because I know there’s an empty seat that sits behind it so thank you so much,” he said. “Thank you to the people who watch, the people who share the clips.”

Among his “thank yous” was a special shout-out to the “brilliant” Black women in his life.

“Special shout out to Black women. I’ve often been credited with having these grand ideas. People say, ‘Oh Trevor, you’re so smart.’ I’m like, ‘Who do you think teaches me? Who do you think shaped me, nourished me and formed me?'” he shared. “From my mom, my grand[mom], my aunt, all these Black women in my life, but in America as well.”

The praise session didn’t stop there.

“I tell people if you want to truly learn about America, talk to Black women cause, unlike everybody else, Black women can’t afford to f— around and find out,” before later adding, “Black people understand how hard it is when things go bad, especially in America, but any place where Black people live… when things go bad, Black people know that it’s worse for them. Black women in particular, they know what s— is. They know what happens if things do not go the way it should.”

Paramount Media Networks and MTV Entertainment Studios president and CEO Chris McCarthy lauded Noah in a statement prior to his departure.

“Trevor redefined the show, as did Jon Stewart before him, and as we look to the future, we are excited to reimagine it yet again with the help of this incredible list of talent and correspondents along with the immensely talented ‘Daily Show’ team.”

And while the Comedy Central series is slated for a return to TV on January 17, 2023, Noah’s official replacement has not been announced yet.

[photo source: Comedy Central/VIACOM]

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