The Daily Show correspondents just grow up too soon. Wednesday, Jessica Williams announced she's leaving The Daily Show , effective... Thursday, June 30. One whole day's notice! The youngest correspondent and the first black woman to ever join the Comedy Central show told Entertainment Weekly she was leaving after four years to work on her own scripted comedy at the network, which will reportedly be about “a politically-minded young woman who may be ‘woke’ but doesn’t know what she’s doing.”
It’s sad to see Williams go — especially, since I have no idea who will become the show’s new Beyoncé expert — but it’s not really a surprise. Sure, the announcement may have caught fans off guard, but did anyone expect Williams to stay on the show forever? I sure didn’t. I mean, have you heard her podcast, 2 Dope Queens with Phoebe Robinson? This girl was bound to get her own show. In fact, I'd love it if she was given all the shows.
Williams has always been the correspondent who finds the ironic humor of what it’s like to be a woman in this male-dominated world. She calls men out for when they need to be, something that much be even more fun being one of the few female voices on the very-male Daily Show. She found humor in topics that are not always easy to bridge, including race and gender, with an unapologetic wit that will surely be missed this political season.
But, it certainly won't be forgotten. That's why I've rounded up Williams' best moments behind the desk or in the streets reporting on issues like street harassment and racial identity, just to name a few.
1. She Tackled Street Harassment Like A Badass
Williams takes on claims that sexism isn't a thing in this brilliant piece, which consisted of her filming her walk to work. But don't worry, Williams comes up with a foolproof way for women to keep people on the street from harassing them: act crazy AF. Hear that ladies? Sexism is dead.
2. She Shared Her Take On The Supreme Court’s Hobby Lobby Decision
This was released after the Supreme Court ruled that the owners of Hobby Lobby could exercise their religious beliefs, even it involved refusing a worker the right to contraception. The court stated that Hobby Lobby wasn't really a corporation, but a "closely held corporation," which Williams defined in a way that is rather unforgettable, telling then host Jon Stewart to think of it as a hug. “A hug that squeezes all the sluts off the health plan.”
3. She Gave Women Tips To Ward Off Campus Sexual Assault
While "bro" correspondent Jordan Klepper gave his party safety tips for men, Williams offered up some tips for women. Klepper warned guys against passing out on a couch, making it clear someone would draw a penis on their face. Williams had similar advice, with one very important caveat. “Someone will put their dick on your face,” she said. “At a minimum.”
4. She Got Real About Racism
Williams teamed up with Samantha Bee to talk about racism. Williams spoke to a group of white people, while Bee talked to a group of black people, asking them how close America is to ending racism. The results are as eye-opening as you can imagine.
5. She Put Together Her Very Own Hunger Games
After Republicans looked to cut $40 billion from the budget for food stamps, which over 47 millions families depend on, Williams noticed that this plan seemed rather novel. To be more specific, a series of novels called The Hunger Games. She even has Manhattan school children fighting over the last juice box. May the odds be ever in your favor, kids.
6. She Destroyed The Myth Of "Nice Cat-Calling"
Williams wanted everyone to know there is no such thing as "nice cat-calling" — it's all just plain ol' harassment. When a man claps for a woman and she smiles back, Williams wanted these men to know that it's not because they're flattered, it's because that woman "is trying her best to end this interaction, because if she doesn't smile he might tell her to smile. If she tells him to leave her alone, he might call her a bitch and I know he thinks he's different, that he's classy, he's charming, but since going to work isn't a performance, we're not looking for applause." Mic drop. Williams out.
Williams told EW earlier today about leaving, “I feel so many emotions. I feel like I’m growing up and graduating.” Think of this list as a diploma then, Jessica. A way to celebrate a job well done. Can’t wait to see what you do next. If these moments are any indication, it’s going to be hilarious and insightful.
