Even emergency surgery can’t keep Trevor Noah off the air for long, and “The Daily Show” host was back to work Thursday just one day after going under the knife — minus his appendix, of course.
“I am back from the world’s shortest vacation,” Noah said to open the show after missing Wednesday night. “Some of you may have heard that I was out yesterday with a touch of emergency appendectomy surgery. Appendix out, and I’m OK now.”
On the bright side, the South African comic said the procedure was a good way to really experience America. “What better way than enjoying America’s healthcare system?” he said. “It was an interesting experience going to the emergency room … but I don’t know if ‘emergency room’ is the right term, because they make you wait,” Noah observed.
“I feel like there should be two rooms — a room for emergencies and a room for people who can fill out forms.”
After trying to explain to the nurse that he was “dying” while “keeling over, trembling from the pain” with a burst appendix, Noah was told “you can’t faint here.”
He was then asked how he was paying for the treatment but was clueless about whether he had health insurance or not. Fortunately, his demanding nurse had seen the “Daily Show” billboards plastered around New York City after Noah took over from Jon Stewart and decided he would be able to cough up enough money for the bill.
Along with thanking all his well-wishers for their support, the host thanked Comedy Central “for giving me one day off for surgery.”
Noah went on to explain that the network had told him to take as much time off as he needed, and he actually wanted to come to work Wednesday straight away with all the stitches.
Some Twitter users took his brief recovery period as a cruel — and even racist — move by the network. “Is it Comedy Central or the cotton fields?” one supportive fan tweeted Noah.
Noah announced earlier on Thursday that he would be back via Twitter, but warned fans that he “can’t stand up.”
The new host also thanked late-night rival Jimmy Fallon for his support, while taking a cheeky jab at the “Tonight Show” host for his own recent hospital visits with multiple hand injuries.
First Look at Trevor Noah's New 'Daily Show' Set (Photo)
TheWrap has obtained a new photo of Trevor's Noah new "Daily Show" set.
In addition, Comedy Central told TheWrap on Friday that Noah's debut behind the show's news desk will be simulcast across all Viacom networks, such as MTV, VH1, BET, Spike, Logo, TV Land, and Epix.
Comedian Kevin Hart will be Noah's first guest. Others will include Bumble CEO Whitney Wolfe, GOP Presidential candidate and current New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, and Ryan Adams on Thursday.
Noah is taking over "The Daily Show" following Jon Stewart's departure from the program in August after 16Â years on the air.
Trevor Noah will debut on "The Daily Show" on Sept. 28 at 11pm/10c.
Party Report in Pictures: Jon Stewart, Trevor Noah, Kevin Hart, Lea Michele (Updating Photos)
New York Mets fan Jon Stewart gave fans a Derek Jeter-esque tip of the cap as he left "The Daily Show" for the last time in Manhattan on Thursday night.
Getty Images
"Daily Show" successor Trevor Noah was on the scene with scarily big shoes to fill.
Getty Images
"I like huntin', fishin', and lovin' every day," Luke Bryan said on his press whip through NYC this week, that included Jenny McCarthy (left), a chat with Erin Andrews, and a capping performance in Soho for the launch of the Samsung Galaxy 6 Edge + and Note 5.
Getty Images
On Friday, Kevin Hart tried to get as many kids in to the frame, and in to shape, at the Children's National Medical Center in D.C.
Getty Images
"I attribute my personal and professional successes to not only my self-reliance and determination, but to the inspiration, education and support I received from others,” Lea Michele said in the #ActuallySheCan campaign.
#ActuallySheCan
Andy Richter gave Comedy Central's Andy Daly the "atta boy" for landing Season 2 of his show "Review" backstage at the UCB deep on Sunset Blvd. in Los Angeles.
Getty Images
Kevin Farley's documentary about his late brother, Chris, arrives on Spike on Monday, August 10. At a Hollywood premiere, Tom Arnold and Michael Rosenbaum bookended the exec-producer/star.
Todd Williamson/ Wireimage
It does not count if one of the "2 Thumbs Up" is your own. Tom Green and "I am Chris Farley" director Brent Hodge after the STK Out catered screening at the Pickford Center.
Todd Williamson/ Wireimage
"Blunt Talk's" premiere is not until Monday night at the DGA, but creator Jonathan Ames gave a sneak of his "Hairy" call at the TCA's for an audience that was bigger than just Seth MacFarlane and Patrick Stewart (pictured).
Starz
"Karate Kid" bad boys William Zabka and Martin "Sweep the Leg" Kove made a rare karate-related appearance at Street Food Cinema's outdoor screening of the classic.
Drea Castro/Street Food Cinema
This newest Malibu beach house is in ... Dallas, where singer Redfoo turned up for a promo appearance in Texas that had a musical tie to Pandora.
Peter Larsen/Getty Images for Pernod Ricard
"Who wants to have fun tonight?" Miguel shouted as the Grammy winner grabbed the mic at Up&Down in NYC on Thursday night. Alexander Wang was in the crowd.
Craig Giambrone @ikelovejones
Bryan Batt hustles Nic Cage down the carpet at New Orleans political thriller "The Runner" premiere at the TCL on Wednesday night.
Todd Williamson/Getty Images
Later at Wood and Vine, Batt, Ciera Payton, director Austin Stark and producer Glenn Williamson enjoyed Alchemy's hospitality.
Todd Williamson/Getty Images
The 301 (Maryland) to 310 (L.A.) connection was strong at Ben Feldman and Duff "Ace of Cakes" Goldman's Crab Fest at No Vacancy on August 2.
Imeh Akpanudosen/Getty Images
"The Matrix" star Laurence Fishburne with host Feldman.
Imeh Akpanudosen/Getty Images
Ben Feldman is the odd man out amongst chefs Duff Goldman, Michael Voltaggio, and Bryan Voltaggio. The Sunday afternoon feast gave every cent to Chrysalis, which creates a pathway from homeless to self-sufficiency.
Imeh Akpanudosen/Getty Images
Lollapalooza founder Perry Farrell dropped in to Maestro Dobel's V-VIP piano bar (a tent inside the VIP area) during the three day weekend.
Al Hassas
A$AP Rocky got in on the surprise trend, turning up unannounced adjacent to the main stage for a quick "Sunday Funday" party in the tented and elevated Samsung Galaxy Owner's Lounge in sight, but out of earshot of the main fields.
Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images
Girls were camped out early for bubble gum rappers Jack & Jack's performance at the skyscraper Dell Lounge in Chicago. Bottom right, non-bubble-gum DJ A-Trak spun a Friday night after party after hanging with Dell's Lauren Mauro and Lisa Martin-Louro at the Windows 10 branded space.
Gabriel Grams / Getty Images for Dell
This is the demographic for Jack & Jack.
Gabriel Grams / Getty Images for Dell
Marina and the Diamonds closed down Soho House's weekend of parties in Chicago with her second performance of the day. Sophia Bush was in the crowd for the Bacardi hosted bash.
Getty Images
Chicago-fornication: David Duchovny channeled Keanu Reeves by performing with his band at Bub City.
@Tyliner
Mulder led a team huddle backstage.
@Tyliner
Jack Antonoff of "Fun" fame is bringing his side project Bleachers to L.A. Let's call his Hard Rock Hotel set on August 1 a warm up.
HRH/Culture Collide
Josh Radnor called Emily Best's name to come on up and accept the IVY Innovator Film Award at SmogShoppe on Tuesday night. Cadillac's new man in Hollywood, Michael Patrick, cheers at center.
Getty Images
Loyola Law School's "Hot Topics" Entertainment Law Symposium included ABC Studios' Howard Davine, Robert Klieger, Jennifer McGrath, and Michael Plonsker amongst others chewing on the changing landscape of the digital media business.
Loyola Law School
1 of 27
The top shots from inside and backstage at the best industry bashes of the week from TheWrap’s Mikey Glazer
New York Mets fan Jon Stewart gave fans a Derek Jeter-esque tip of the cap as he left "The Daily Show" for the last time in Manhattan on Thursday night.
South African comedian takes over Comedy Central news desk on Sept. 28
TheWrap has obtained a new photo of Trevor's Noah new "Daily Show" set.
In addition, Comedy Central told TheWrap on Friday that Noah's debut behind the show's news desk will be simulcast across all Viacom networks, such as MTV, VH1, BET, Spike, Logo, TV Land, and Epix.
Comedian Kevin Hart will be Noah's first guest. Others will include Bumble CEO Whitney Wolfe, GOP Presidential candidate and current New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, and Ryan Adams on Thursday.
Noah is taking over "The Daily Show" following Jon Stewart's departure from the program in August after 16Â years on the air.
Trevor Noah will debut on "The Daily Show" on Sept. 28 at 11pm/10c.
Party Report in Pictures: Jon Stewart, Trevor Noah, Kevin Hart, Lea Michele (Updating Photos)
New York Mets fan Jon Stewart gave fans a Derek Jeter-esque tip of the cap as he left "The Daily Show" for the last time in Manhattan on Thursday night.
Getty Images
"Daily Show" successor Trevor Noah was on the scene with scarily big shoes to fill.
Getty Images
"I like huntin', fishin', and lovin' every day," Luke Bryan said on his press whip through NYC this week, that included Jenny McCarthy (left), a chat with Erin Andrews, and a capping performance in Soho for the launch of the Samsung Galaxy 6 Edge + and Note 5.
Getty Images
On Friday, Kevin Hart tried to get as many kids in to the frame, and in to shape, at the Children's National Medical Center in D.C.
Getty Images
"I attribute my personal and professional successes to not only my self-reliance and determination, but to the inspiration, education and support I received from others,” Lea Michele said in the #ActuallySheCan campaign.
#ActuallySheCan
Andy Richter gave Comedy Central's Andy Daly the "atta boy" for landing Season 2 of his show "Review" backstage at the UCB deep on Sunset Blvd. in Los Angeles.
Getty Images
Kevin Farley's documentary about his late brother, Chris, arrives on Spike on Monday, August 10. At a Hollywood premiere, Tom Arnold and Michael Rosenbaum bookended the exec-producer/star.
Todd Williamson/ Wireimage
It does not count if one of the "2 Thumbs Up" is your own. Tom Green and "I am Chris Farley" director Brent Hodge after the STK Out catered screening at the Pickford Center.
Todd Williamson/ Wireimage
"Blunt Talk's" premiere is not until Monday night at the DGA, but creator Jonathan Ames gave a sneak of his "Hairy" call at the TCA's for an audience that was bigger than just Seth MacFarlane and Patrick Stewart (pictured).
Starz
"Karate Kid" bad boys William Zabka and Martin "Sweep the Leg" Kove made a rare karate-related appearance at Street Food Cinema's outdoor screening of the classic.
Drea Castro/Street Food Cinema
This newest Malibu beach house is in ... Dallas, where singer Redfoo turned up for a promo appearance in Texas that had a musical tie to Pandora.
Peter Larsen/Getty Images for Pernod Ricard
"Who wants to have fun tonight?" Miguel shouted as the Grammy winner grabbed the mic at Up&Down in NYC on Thursday night. Alexander Wang was in the crowd.
Craig Giambrone @ikelovejones
Bryan Batt hustles Nic Cage down the carpet at New Orleans political thriller "The Runner" premiere at the TCL on Wednesday night.
Todd Williamson/Getty Images
Later at Wood and Vine, Batt, Ciera Payton, director Austin Stark and producer Glenn Williamson enjoyed Alchemy's hospitality.
Todd Williamson/Getty Images
The 301 (Maryland) to 310 (L.A.) connection was strong at Ben Feldman and Duff "Ace of Cakes" Goldman's Crab Fest at No Vacancy on August 2.
Imeh Akpanudosen/Getty Images
"The Matrix" star Laurence Fishburne with host Feldman.
Imeh Akpanudosen/Getty Images
Ben Feldman is the odd man out amongst chefs Duff Goldman, Michael Voltaggio, and Bryan Voltaggio. The Sunday afternoon feast gave every cent to Chrysalis, which creates a pathway from homeless to self-sufficiency.
Imeh Akpanudosen/Getty Images
Lollapalooza founder Perry Farrell dropped in to Maestro Dobel's V-VIP piano bar (a tent inside the VIP area) during the three day weekend.
Al Hassas
A$AP Rocky got in on the surprise trend, turning up unannounced adjacent to the main stage for a quick "Sunday Funday" party in the tented and elevated Samsung Galaxy Owner's Lounge in sight, but out of earshot of the main fields.
Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images
Girls were camped out early for bubble gum rappers Jack & Jack's performance at the skyscraper Dell Lounge in Chicago. Bottom right, non-bubble-gum DJ A-Trak spun a Friday night after party after hanging with Dell's Lauren Mauro and Lisa Martin-Louro at the Windows 10 branded space.
Gabriel Grams / Getty Images for Dell
This is the demographic for Jack & Jack.
Gabriel Grams / Getty Images for Dell
Marina and the Diamonds closed down Soho House's weekend of parties in Chicago with her second performance of the day. Sophia Bush was in the crowd for the Bacardi hosted bash.
Getty Images
Chicago-fornication: David Duchovny channeled Keanu Reeves by performing with his band at Bub City.
@Tyliner
Mulder led a team huddle backstage.
@Tyliner
Jack Antonoff of "Fun" fame is bringing his side project Bleachers to L.A. Let's call his Hard Rock Hotel set on August 1 a warm up.
HRH/Culture Collide
Josh Radnor called Emily Best's name to come on up and accept the IVY Innovator Film Award at SmogShoppe on Tuesday night. Cadillac's new man in Hollywood, Michael Patrick, cheers at center.
Getty Images
Loyola Law School's "Hot Topics" Entertainment Law Symposium included ABC Studios' Howard Davine, Robert Klieger, Jennifer McGrath, and Michael Plonsker amongst others chewing on the changing landscape of the digital media business.
Loyola Law School
1 of 27
The top shots from inside and backstage at the best industry bashes of the week from TheWrap’s Mikey Glazer
New York Mets fan Jon Stewart gave fans a Derek Jeter-esque tip of the cap as he left "The Daily Show" for the last time in Manhattan on Thursday night.
Getty Images
Getty Images
