What are the distinctions, if any, between succession and the transfer (or taking) of power? Does the term “succession” require power to be transferred with the consent of the person surrendering it?
Answers
Answer:
Creative Succession
After Jon Stewart stepped down as host of The Daily Show on Comedy Central, the network announced his successor would be the relatively unknown South African comedian Trevor Noah. Although there was controversy around Noah’s selection, he benefitted from Stewart’s support and from institutional continuity: the show kept around many of the same writers and producers. Watch clips of Noah’s debut performance, then discuss with your team: are there lessons here for those choosing successors to other popular television hosts? Why do you think The Daily Show continued with a new host while its popular companion series The Colbert Report came to an end once its original host (Stephen Colbert) left?
Explore these other examples of host transitions—and non-transitions—over the years, then discuss with your team: what made some transitions easier or harder than others?
Walter Cronkite | Jay Leno | Oprah Winfrey | Ralph Lawler | Mary Berry
Tragically, the world’s most famous quiz show, Jeopardy!, will soon need a new host—as current host Alex Trebek has said that his struggle with pancreatic cancer will force him to retire. Discuss with your team: should he be involved in selecting his replacement—and should he be replaced, as many have suggested, with someone better able to embody youth and diversity