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.
See Noah and Fallon’s tweets below.
Thank you for your love and support. The Daily Show is back on today but I can't stand up. Tune in 11pm Comedy Central.
— Trevor Noah (@Trevornoah) November 6, 2015
Hey Jimmy. The hospital people said to tell you "wrong finger, come back"? Not sure what that means. https://t.co/9acIwdsCUt
— Trevor Noah (@Trevornoah) November 6, 2015
Hey @Trevornoah, tell everyone at the hospital I said hey! Get better soon buddy!
— Jimmy Fallon (@jimmyfallon) November 4, 2015