While many in the late-night community are standing by Stephen Colbert, one veteran host has a different perspective.
Jay Leno recently commented on the political comedy of today’s late-night hosts after The Late Show with Stephen Colbert was unceremoniously canceled at CBS, amid the network’s dealings with Donald Trump.
“I like to think that people come to a comedy show to kind of get away from the things, you know, the pressures of life, whatever it might be,” he told David Trulio, president and CEO of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute. “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.”
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Noting that he “never discussed” politics with close friend and frequent guest Rodney Dangerfield, Leno said, “I don’t think anybody wants to hear a lecture. When I was with Rodney, it was always in the economy of words — get to the joke as quickly as possible.”
Leno added, “Well, why shoot for just half an audience all the time? You know, why not try to get the whole [audience]? I mean, I like to bring people into the big picture. 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 or whatever, but just do what’s funny.”
Meanwhile, Paramount is under fire for canceling The Late Show on the heels of the company’s $16M settlement with Trump, which has been scrutinized as potential bribery by some lawmakers. Following Colbert’s ongoing jokes at the president’s expense, Trump has celebrated the talk show’s demise.
Leno hosted NBC’s The Tonight Show from 1992 to 2014, with the exception of when he left to film his short-lived primetime talk show The Jay Leno Show from 2009 to 2010.