It was recently announced that The Late Show has been canceled, set to end its run with Stephen Colbert as host in 2026. This marks the end of an era for late-night television, sparking speculation about which other talk shows could be next to get squashed.
Jay Leno, who hosted The Tonight Show before current host Jimmy Fallon, has spoken out about the state of late-night TV. He discussed the situation during an interview with Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute president and CEO, David Trulio. Leno said that these shows have gotten too political with their humor in recent years, pushing away many potential viewers who don’t want to hear “lectures” about politicians.
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“To me, I like to think that people come to a comedy show to kind of get away from things, you know, the pressures of life, whatever it might be,” Leno explained. “I love political humor, don’t get me wrong, but it’s just what happens when people wind up cozying too much to one side or the other.”
The funnyman continued, “Funny is even. You know, it’s funny when someone who is not… you make fun of their side, and they laugh at it. I just find, I don’t think anybody wants to hear a lecture.”
I don’t think anybody wants to hear a lecture.
“Why shoot for just half an audience all the time? You know, why not try to get the whole? I mean, I like to bring people into the big picture,” Leno added. “I don’t understand why you would alienate one particular group, you know? Or just don’t do it at all. I’m not saying you have to throw your support [behind certain politicians]. Just do what’s funny.”
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Leno also recalled how he would get “hate letters” from viewers back when he would make political jokes on The Tonight Show. According to Leno, these letters would come from both Democrats and Republicans accusing him of cozying up to the other side. He saw this as a good thing that his personal opinion wasn’t so clear, explaining that this was the key to getting the “whole audience” as opposed to half.
“[The hate letters from both sides] were all for the same joke,” Leno said. “And I go, ‘Well, that’s good.’ So, that’s how you get a whole audience. Now, you have to be content with half the audience, because you have to give your opinion.”
Are Kimmel, Fallon, and Stewart Next?
Today’s major late-night talk shows are heavily critical of Donald Trump. After it was announced that The Late Show would be ending, despite Stephen Colbert maintaining the top ratings out of all of them, Trump celebrated the news on social media. Rumors have also been spreading online that Trump’s influence may have been the real reason for The Late Show getting the boot.
In any case, it might be a worrying time for other late-night comedians, like Jimmy Kimmel, Jimmy Fallon, and Jon Stewart.
Source: Variety
- Showrunner
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Christopher Andrew Licht
- Directors
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Jake Plunkett, Jim Hoskinson, Ballard C. Boyd
- Writers
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Emmy Blotnick, Michael Brumm, Nate Charny, Aaron Cohen, Stephen Colbert
- Showrunner
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Christopher Andrew Licht
- Directors
-
Jake Plunkett, Jim Hoskinson, Ballard C. Boyd
- Writers
-
Emmy Blotnick, Michael Brumm, Nate Charny, Aaron Cohen, Stephen Colbert