Daily Show correspondent Roy Wood Jr was caught mouthing a subtle message to the audience during Trevor Noah’s Emmy win – as the show enters its second year without a host.  

Since Noah’s departure in late 2022, the show has failed to find a permanent host to replace him – and instead, they’ve been using a constant rotation of guest hosts. 

Many believed that Wood would be the candidate to take over the flagship Comedy Central show, but that dream ended when he also quit last October. 

But Wood – who worked on the Daily Show for eight years – made sure he took the opportunity to get his feelings across when all eyes, and cameras, were on him. 

Daily Show correspondent Roy Wood Jr (far left) was caught mouthing a subtle message to the audience during Trevor Noah ‘s Emmy win – as the show enters its second year without a compere

Roy Wood Jr (left) made sure to mouth his message while the cameras were on him

Lip-readers realized that as Wood stood next to South Africa-born Noah accepting the Emmy, he was mouthing the phrase: ‘Please hire a host.’ 

Wood confirmed to the Hollywood Reporter: ‘I was saying, “Please hire a host.” I probably shouldn’t have done it, but this has been going on too long. Get it together!…But I’m so happy that [Noah] won.’

He also made a joke about his covert lip syncing on stage, writing on X: ‘Chill fam I was trying to do that in the low.’

Wood was surrounded by his correspondents from the show, who had just accepted the Outstanding Talk Series award at the 75th annual Emmys. 

Social media found the stunt hilarious. One person wrote: ‘You are so chaotic (I’m here for it).’

Trevor Noah left The Daily Show, the flagship Comedy Central series after seven years at the helm

Another added: ‘YOU SPEAK FOR ALL OF US UNCLE ROY.’ 

Noah, 39, who hails from South Africa, took over the show from former host Jon Stewart in 2015.

Announcing his departure in 2022, Noah said he had a feeling of ‘graтιтude’ and thanked the audience. ‘It’s been wild,’ he said.

‘I remember when we first started, so many people thought it was a crazy bet, I still think it was a crazy choice, this random African… what a journey it’s been. It’s been absolutely amazing,’ he said.

‘After the seven years, my time is up. In the most beautiful way. I’ve loved hosting this show,’ he said to audible gasps from the crowd. 

In his exit speech, Noah noted the length of his tenure and the eras the show has endured including the Trump presidency and the pandemic.