Because the fallout from CBS’s cancellation of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert continues, one in all late night time’s longest-reigning hosts have some ideas in regards to the position of politics in comedy. Jay Leno, in an interview with Ronald Reagan Presidential Basis president/CEO David Trulio, mentioned that whereas internet hosting The Tonight Show, he was comfortable to goal for a steadiness of jokes about Democrats and Republicans. In right this moment’s local weather, although, he added, “Now you must be content material with half the viewers as a result of you have got [to] give your opinion… Why shoot for simply half an viewers on a regular basis? , why not attempt to get the entire [audience]?”
The veteran comic went on to say that “I imply, I prefer to convey individuals into the massive image. I don’t perceive why you’d alienate one specific group… I’m not saying you must throw your help or no matter, however simply do what’s humorous.”
Leno additionally commented that “I don’t assume anyone needs to listen to a lecture,” as a substitute urging comedians to deal with their jokes. He famous that he was by no means certain if legendary comic Rodney Dangerfield was a Republican or Democrat, as a result of “We by no means mentioned [it], we simply mentioned jokes… Once I was with Rodney, it was all the time within the economic system of phrases — get to the joke as shortly as potential.”
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Whereas Leno didn’t immediately handle Colbert’s present ending, his one-time rival David Letterman did speak out on July 25th, calling CBS’s determination to finish the present “pure cowardice.” Jon Stewart additionally used his time on final week’s The Every day Present to speak against the decision.
