Amy Poehler passed on taking over "The Daily Show" from Jon Stewart and, according to a Comedy Central insider, "it was the quickest no in history."
According to an in-depth New York Times Magazine piece on the network, Poehler was among one of three big names offered the position before it was given to relative newcomer Trevor Noah earlier this year.
“They were pretty much expecting her to say no, and it was the quickest no in history,” an anonymous source told The Times.
It would have been good timing for
Poehler to accept a "Daily Show" gig, Salon noted. When Comedy Central considered her, "Parks and Recreation" was just coming to an end, which would have given Poehler the time to take on a new regular role.
Unsurprised by the actress’ rejection of their offer, Comedy Central also reportedly approached Amy Schumer and Louis CK. Chris Rock reportedly considered the role, but the comic actor was only willing to sign on until November 2016, at which time he reportedly said he wanted to see a more permanent replacement following the election, according to The Times.
Sports commentator Bill Simmons was also not surprised by Poehler’s refusal to consider "The Daily Show."
Kent Alterman, Comedy Central’s president of content and original programming, said he “had a lot of conversations with different people,” about replacing Stewart, but is confident in Noah.
“I’ve known Trevor a few years now, and he’s someone we’ve had our eyes on,” Alterman admitted to The Times Magazine. The South African actor had been on "The Daily Show" several times in the past.
The network officially announced Noah as the new host in late March.