The Recording Academy announced on Friday that Blue Man Group will replace comedian Trevor Noah as hosts of the upcoming Grammy Awards at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on April 3rd, 2022.
Trevor Noah, the host of The Daily Show, emceed 2021’s hybrid virtual/in-person Grammy Awards ceremony and was previously slated to host again in 2022, but in light of the show’s move from L.A. to Las Vegas and some recent award show developments, the Recording Academy has been taking active measures to minimize the risk of any unplanned incidents.
As a representative from the Recording Academy said in a statement, “Our decision to replace Trevor Noah with Blue Man Group falls in line with our efforts to highlight the city and culture of Las Vegas with this year’s show. Blue Man Group is a beloved Las Vegas institution and we believe they will complement with the Grammy Awards broadcast nicely.”
Known for its use of percussion, paint, and deadpan humor—as well as for its members’ blue-painted skin—the ensemble has long been a staple of Las Vegas’ vibrant entertainment community. Additional Las Vegas-oriented appearances will include an opening performance by Silk Sonic.
While partly intended as an homage to Las Vegas, Mason admitted that the decision to scrap Noah in favor of Blue Man Group also came in hopes of quelling any quintessential Sin City rowdiness in the audience.
“We love Trevor,” Mason continued, “and we appreciate his fierce wit and his willingness to speak truth to power, but, I mean, you all saw the Oscars… and we’re in Las Vegas! We just thought it would probably be safer to if our hosts say less. Or nothing. Blue Man Group is locally significant, family-friendly, and totally silent, so we felt like that was a good place to start.”
On Friday afternoon, Noah quipped on Twitter that his last-minute removal from the Grammy Awards broadcast felt like “a slap in the face.”
April Fools!