Comedian Offers Blunt Response to Leno’s Criticism of Political Humor in Late-Night Shows
John Oliver has made it clear he won’t be taking any comedic advice from Jay Leno. The Last Week Tonight host, 48, responded bluntly after The Hollywood Reporter brought up Leno’s recent comments about the potential dangers of political humor in late-night television.
John Oliver’s Blunt Response
In an interview published on August 5, Oliver was asked about Leno’s suggestion that some late-night comedians were alienating “half an audience” with their political content. His reaction? A firm “hard pass.”
“I’m going to take a hard pass on taking comedic advice from Jay Leno,” Oliver said, not mincing words.
Oliver, whose HBO show has won 30 Primetime Emmys since its 2014 debut, emphasized that comedy is inherently subjective. He expressed that while it’s entirely valid for some stand-up comedians to aim for a broad audience, it’s equally valid for others to take a more niche approach, targeting specific perspectives or political views.
The Nature of Comedy: Subjectivity Over Prescription
Oliver elaborated, saying that comedy isn’t a “prescriptive” art form. “Comedy can’t be for everyone,” he noted, pointing out that what works for one comedian or show may not be effective for another.
While he acknowledged that some comedians aim for mass appeal, Oliver explained that his own show at Last Week Tonight takes a stance on certain issues without being overly partisan.
“We’re not just going for political jokes,” he explained. “Our last few shows were about gang databases, AI slop, juvenile justice, med spas, air traffic control.” He continued, “I’m not saying these topics don’t have a point of view, but I hope they can reach people across the political spectrum. The goal is to get people to agree on the problem, even if they disagree on the solution.”
Leno’s Advice: Aiming for the Whole Audience
Leno, 75, made his comments on July 27 at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation & Institute. Reflecting on his time as The Tonight Show host, he expressed that while he enjoys political humor, he consciously tried to avoid alienating any part of his audience.
“Why shoot for half an audience? Why not try to get the whole?” Leno asked. He added, “I like to bring people into the big picture. I don’t understand why you would alienate one particular group.”
Leno also discussed how he enjoyed receiving hate mail from both Republicans and Democrats, believing it was a sign that he was reaching a broad audience. “Nowadays, you have to be content with half the audience because you have to give your opinion,” he said.
The Cancellation of Stephen Colbert’s Show: A Backdrop for Leno’s Comments
Leno’s advice came amid the unexpected cancellation of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert by CBS on July 17, despite its popularity.
The timing led to speculation about whether the decision was politically motivated, especially since CBS’ parent company, Paramount, had recently been seeking approval from the Trump administration for its merger with entertainment company Skydance.
While CBS insisted that the cancellation was a financial decision unrelated to the show’s content or performance, the situation highlighted tensions in the late-night world. Leno’s comments seemed to reflect the changing landscape of late-night television, where political humor has become more pronounced.
Oliver’s Support for Colbert
In the wake of Colbert’s cancellation, Oliver, along with Jon Stewart, Jimmy Fallon, Andy Cohen, and Anderson Cooper, showed support for their colleague. Oliver explained that since the writers’ strike began, the group had been in contact, and they all quickly checked in with Colbert when the news broke.
“You want to be able to support him and his staff in a horrible, horrible time,” Oliver said, acknowledging how difficult the situation had been for Colbert and his team.
