Jessica Williams Says She's 'Underqualified' to Host The Daily Show

By Tessa Berenson

February 17, 2015

Correction appended, Feb. 17

Many people would love to be considered as the next host of The Daily Show after Jon Stewart. But Jessica Williams, currently a correspondent for the show, recently said she’s not up for the job.

She later responded to a writer for thebillfold.com, who argued that Williams’ comment made her “the latest high-profile victim of impostor syndrome“—or as the writer put it, “a well-documented phenomenon in which men look at their abilities vs the requirements of a job posting and round up, whereas women do the same and round down, calling themselves ‘unqualified.'”

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Williams posted this on Twitter on Tuesday:

“No offense,” she wrote in another tweet, “but Lean the F–k away from me for the next couple days. I need a minute.”

After Stewart announced last week that he will be leaving The Daily Show, many have called for his replacement to be a woman.

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Kurt Vonnegut appeared on the show in 2005, one of his last public appearances.

Kurt Vonnegut appeared on the show in 2005, one of his last public appearances.

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Denis Leary and Jon Stewart have long been friends, so every time the actor appeared on the show, the two comedians would opt to make fun of one another rather than conduct an interview, leaving the audience in stitches

Denis Leary and Jon Stewart have long been friends, so every time the actor appeared on the show, the two comedians would opt to make fun of one another rather than conduct an interview, leaving the audience in stitches

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After releasing <i>Hugo</i> in 2011, Martin Scorsese visited the show

After releasing Hugo in 2011, Martin Scorsese visited the show

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Last year, Christopher Walken talked tap dancing on the show

Last year, Christopher Walken talked tap dancing on the show

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Barack Obama appeared on the show in 2005 as a senator, twice in 2008 as a presidential candidate, again in 2010 during his fist term, and finally in 2012 as he ran for a second term

Barack Obama appeared on the show in 2005 as a senator, twice in 2008 as a presidential candidate, again in 2010 during his fist term, and finally in 2012 as he ran for a second term

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First Lady Michelle Obama has appeared twice on the Daily Show, once in 2008 and twice in 2012

First Lady Michelle Obama has appeared twice on the Daily Show, once in 2008 and twice in 2012

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During one of Paul Rudd's may appearances on the show, Stewart revealed that the comedian was his first test guest after her took over for Craig Kilborn

During one of Paul Rudd's may appearances on the show, Stewart revealed that the comedian was his first test guest after her took over for Craig Kilborn

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Rachel Maddow was a repeat guest on the show where she described Justice Scalia as a "troll," said she could kill Bin Laden with a spoon and declared she was "embarrassed" by Bush

Rachel Maddow was a repeat guest on the show where she described Justice Scalia as a "troll," said she could kill Bin Laden with a spoon and declared she was "embarrassed" by Bush

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Correction: The headline and original version of this story misstated who Jessica Williams was responding to in her Twitter messages. She was responding to a writer who criticized her for saying she’s “underqualified” to host The Daily Show.

Write to Tessa Berenson at tessa.berenson@time.com.

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