When I settle down for some before-bed late-night TV watching, I want something light -- something that takes me to a simpler time. I just want to laugh, not be reminded of the bad and dramatic stuff I've heard about all day.
I’m a fan of comedy and I appreciate sharp wit and insightful commentary. But lately, I’ve found myself increasingly alienated by what has become the dominating force in late-night monologues: politics. Honestly, it feels like late night did get too political and it’s a shift that, in my opinion, has fundamentally altered the comedic landscape for the worse.
This isn't about me belonging to one party or another, or being a supporter of one person or another, it's the overall fact that I don't want to hear about politics all day every day. (If I may: I don't give a shit about politics.)
I remember a time when late-night hosts, while certainly not shying away from current events, understood the art of spreading the humor around. David Letterman, an icon of the genre, could pivot from a joke about a celebrity scandal to a silly top-ten list, then touch on a world event, and only then maybe offer a quick quip about a politician. His monologues were a delightful salad of observations, topical gags, and often, just plain absurd humor. They reflected a world beyond the Beltway, acknowledging that life, and comedy, happens everywhere.
As a regular viewer of shows like Stephen Colbert’s now-cancelled The Late Show, I’ve noticed a profound shift. The vast majority of the monologue – often 10 minutes or more on any given night – is dedicated almost entirely to the president or, more broadly, to political figures and current legislative dramas.
Jimmy Kimmel, Jimmy Fallon, Seth Meyers – while their styles differ, the underlying theme of their opening segments often remains stubbornly political. And let’s be honest, for several years, it’s primarily been about one figure in particular.
Again, this isn’t about my own political leanings, whether I’m a Trump voter or a supporter of any other political stripe. That’s entirely beside the point. My concern is purely about the angle of the comedy itself. Not everyone wants to watch a comedian dissect the day’s political headlines, offer scathing critiques, or mock politicians night after night after night after night. There are times when, after a long day of consuming news and navigating the complexities of the world, I just want to laugh about something else. Anything else.
I miss the days when a monologue might feature jokes about a bizarre local news story, a celebrity’s latest antics, or even just some mundane observation about modern life. Stephen Colbert, whom I admire for his intellect and comedic chops, rarely, if ever, talks about celebrities in his monologue these days, unless they're somehow embroiled in a political story. It feels like the entire comedic lens has narrowed, focusing almost exclusively on one fraught topic. (Do people still use the term one-trick pony?)
Many will point to declining viewership for broadcast TV as a whole, suggesting that changing viewing habits are solely to blame. And yes, I agree, the rise of streaming, on-demand content, and social media has undeniably fractured the audience. But I also strongly believe that what these shows are talking about is a significant factor. When the content is the same political bitching or mockery every single night, it gets old. Fast. Even the most ardent political junkie can experience fatigue.
Consider SNL. While its cold open (I've never understood that term) is almost inevitably a political sketch, the rest of the show usually branches out into a wide array of comedic subjects: pop culture parodies, character pieces, sketches about everyday situations. It offers variety, acknowledging that a balanced diet of humor is more satisfying than a monochromatic one.
I believe there’s an important distinction to be made. Offerings like The Daily Show were designed from their inception to deliver political humor and satire. That’s their niche and they do it exceptionally well. True, Colbert came from that arena and branched into network TV with The Late Show but maybe it's also likely what led to his firing 10 years in: he wouldn't let up on Trump and ultimately called a lawsuit settlement by Paramount-CBS a bribe.
When all of the mainstream late-night shows dominate their content with politics, it creates an echo chamber of sorts. More critically, it alienates huge swathes of viewers who have no interest in making politics their nightly dose of entertainment.
Ultimately, I yearn for the late-night shows to reclaim their broader appeal. To once again be a space where, for an hour, we can escape the relentless news cycle and laugh at the absurdities of life, in all its varied forms. By becoming so singularly focused on politics, these shows have, ironically, lost some of their universal comedic power, pushing away viewers who simply want a laugh, without another lecture.
It’s time for late night to remember the full spectrum of humor and return to making us laugh about everything, not just the politics.