New Daily Show host Trevor Noah rejects criticism of Twitter jokes

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

"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.

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.