With Stephen Colbert, Jimmy Kimmel, Jimmy Fallon, and Seth Meyers back from their summer breaks, there’s been an effort among media platforms to convince viewers that the challenges faced by late-night TV aren’t related to its political content. In fact, according to Late Nighter, a platform dedicated to the format, this upcoming season is being viewed as a trial for the medium as a whole, rather than an assessment of the hosts’ increasingly partisan skits.
As a film enthusiast, I’ve been noticing a significant drop in television ratings lately, and here’s my take on what could be causing it. It seems that platforms like YouTube and TikTok, with their captivating content and easy accessibility, are stealing the spotlight from traditional TV shows, while our audience habits have also evolved to favor these shorter, more engaging formats over lengthier programs.
In a common occurrence seen in Hollywood news analysis, when beloved figures in the industry face difficulties, the media often changes the discussion to topics other than the apparent problem. At present, the apparent fact is that many Americans are growing weary of tuning into prime-time TV at 11:30 pm, only to encounter what appears as political preaching masked under the label of “comedy.
The Media’s Argument: It’s the Format, Not the Content
As a movie buff diving into the world of late-night TV, I’d say the article titled “Late Nighter” strongly emphasizes that late-night shows remain “in the zone” due to their politically-charged monologues often skyrocketing in popularity across social media platforms like X and YouTube. When these clips amass millions of views, it seems clear that the traditional format isn’t obsolete but rather requires a shift towards adapting to this digital-first era we’re living in.
Essentially, what this means is that politics isn’t a matter best addressed at late-night shows – it’s about distribution that needs focus. And when it comes to the media’s advice, they suggest continuing with the same style of heavily political commentaries, but present them more effectively for online consumption.
The Audience’s Verdict: They’ve Checked Out
However, ratings present a contrasting picture. Previously dominating the late-night scene with star-studded games and humorous antics, Jimmy Fallon now lags in third place. Seth Meyers, known for his “Closer Look” segment that delivers nightly progressive commentary, typically attracts less than a million viewers on favorable nights. Interestingly, even Stephen Colbert, who surpassed Fallon by embracing politics post-2016, has also experienced a continuous decline in viewership.
In simpler terms, Jay Leno, a popular late-night host, recently stated that if you consistently criticize one group, you’re losing out on the chance to connect with half of your possible audience. This idea is quite logical and it seems like the golden era of Johnny Carson, a famous predecessor, feels long gone by.
The Colbert Case Study
It’s been confirmed that “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” will come to an end in May 2026. According to formal statements, this decision is due to economic factors such as escalating costs, dwindling ad revenues, and viewers moving towards online platforms. However, some speculate that the timing is peculiar given recent events. Specifically, Colbert had recently criticized his corporate bosses for settling with Donald Trump, and soon after, the show’s future was announced.
Regardless of the internal dynamics at CBS, it’s evident that Colbert continues to attract a larger viewer base compared to his peers. However, unlike in the past when networks relied on a diverse, cross-generational audience, and ad revenues to stay afloat, Colbert seems to be lacking in these areas.
In times when each advertising dollar is crucial for CBS’s financial health, it becomes significantly more challenging for their financial analysts to make a strong case when nearly half of the country appears to be disengaging from their programming.
The Gutfeld Exception
In the late-night TV sphere, there’s a notable exception: Greg Gutfeld on Fox News. Unlike Colbert, Kimmel, or Fallon, Gutfeld isn’t struggling; he’s succeeding magnificently. His program frequently outperforms the typical network late-night hosts, sometimes even leading the viewership charts with more total viewers than the “big three” combined.
It’s important to note that Fox News operates as a political network. Audiences choose to watch it primarily for political content. Gutfeld’s comedic style acknowledges and caters to this reality, ensuring he delivers on audience expectations.
In contrast, late-night television was not originally intended to cater to specialized audiences. Broadcast networks like ABC, CBS, and NBC have a mission to appeal to wide spectators. It wouldn’t be surprising if Stephen Colbert presented progressive commentaries on MSNBC, but on CBS, it’s expected to offer comedy for everyone. However, when politics started dominating the nightly content, approximately half of the viewers switched channels or simply turned off their TVs altogether.
Media Spin vs. Viewer Reality
As a film enthusiast who’s recently delved into “Late Nighter” and other related content, it appears that late-night hosts are encouraged to amplify their political humor since it resonates well digitally. However, I can’t help but wonder if this is the right move, given that overemphasizing one aspect might be what initially sent viewers fleeing from traditional television.
Absolutely, many viewers enjoy a brief, humorous 90-second clip featuring Colbert satirizing Trump or Kimmel criticizing Republicans. However, it’s important to note that this doesn’t necessarily mean they would watch an entire hour of similar content every night. While viral moments can generate interest, they may not guarantee long-term high ratings.
Conclusion: Doubling Down on Decline
Although the media might attempt to portray the problems with late-night shows as stemming from a format issue, viewers recognize this isn’t the case. Late-night programming didn’t lose its cultural significance due to YouTube; rather, it lost it because it ceased being funny for everyone and transformed into politically-focused therapy sessions for a limited audience segment.
In my humble opinion as a movie reviewer, if Hollywood continues to feed the late-night talk show hosts like Colbert, Kimmel, Fallon, Meyers, and their successors that politics isn’t the issue at hand, they will only find themselves digging deeper into the grave of their struggling genre. Instead of resuscitating late-night television, this persistent focus on politics might just pen its final epitaph.
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2025-09-03 18:01