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New Daily Show host Trevor Noah rejects criticism of Twitter jokes

Comedy Central defends incominghost of The Daily Show from 'unfair' attacks

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Trevor Noah is the new host of The Daily Show. Photo: EPA

Trevor Noah, the newly announced host of , rejected the backlash over his graphic tweets targeting Jews and women as an unfair reflection of him and his comedy.

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"To reduce my views to a handful of jokes that didn't land is not a true reflection of my character, nor my evolution as a comedian," Noah posted on his Twitter account, the same one that included past tweets others deemed offensive.

Comedy Central also came to his defence, calling Noah a "provocative" comedian who "spares no one, himself included".

"To judge him or his comedy based on a handful of jokes is unfair," the network said in a statement, adding that he has "a bright future at Comedy Central".

Noah was announced as Jon Stewart's successor on Monday. The next day, he was a trending topic on Twitter as he drew fire for jokes described as tasteless, hateful — and unfunny.

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Roseanne Barr was among those calling out the 31-year-old South African comic, who has an international following and two million Twitter followers.

"U should cease sexist & anti semitic 'humour' about jewish women & Israel," she tweeted.

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