There’s been a lot of talk lately about how hard it is to be a comedian who hosts awards shows. Some claim it’s the events themselves that make the gig difficult, while others say these shows aren’t built for comedy. However, none of these issues seem to plague Grammys host Trevor Noah as he prepares to emcee music’s biggest night for the fourth straight year on Sunday, Feb. 4. The Emmy winner spoke to The Root about how he approaches the job and what drives him to keep things fun.
What often gets lost in the midst of all this discourse is that this is the biggest night of someone’s career. As a nominee for Best Comedy Album, Noah understands what the artists in the room are feeling. This is why he’s all about keeping things positive during the show and honoring the work it’s taken to get to this point.
“I’m sensitive to the fact that this is a night where people are being awarded. As much as it’s a night where a comedian gets to stand on stage, I also don’t take for granted what it means to be a nominee,” Noah told The Root. “I don’t take for granted how much work has gone into what people have created there. How many people have supported them in getting there. My goal is to create an experience that brings the people together, as opposed to tears anybody down. My goal is to have fun with it. But to have as broad of fun as possible, so that everyone walks away feeling like they were included.”
With Chris Rock, Wanda Sykes, Dave Chappelle and Sarah Silverman among the nominees for Best Comedy Album, Noah has stiff competition if he wants to pick up a Grammy. However, he might be able to relax a little because he’s already received a huge honor during awards season. He recently became the first Black host to win an Emmy for Outstanding Variety Talk Series—essentially the award for late night talk shows. With the show taking place on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday, the cast of “Martin” reuniting, Arsenio Hall making an appearance and multiple Black artists winning, it wasn’t lost on the “Black Panther” star that this was an extra special night.
“I don’t ever think of myself as somebody who’s making history or trying to make history. It’s pretty insane to be able to make that kind of history in 2023. Being there that night was really special, especially seeing somebody like Arsenio Hall, who was worthy of every Emmy along the way for what he did with his show,” he said. “It was just something that was out of this world. It really takes me a moment to suck it all in and realize how much this achievement is built off of the achievements of other great performers in their respective spaces. I humbly accept the gravity of the moment, but in no way shape or form think it is just about me. Every moment in history is a culmination of many other people’s actions.”
Trevor Noah hosts The 66th Annual Grammy Awards airing live on Sunday, Feb. 4 at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT on CBS and streaming live on Paramount+ With SHOWTIME. The event is available to stream the next day for those with Paramount+ Essential subscriptions.