Late-night audiences vote for political laughs
For comedians, President Donald Trump is the gift that keeps on giving. Except when that gift is the booby prize. ❚ Trump’s unorthodox presidency has been a boon for the satire industry: Many late-night hosts are reaping more jokes and greater cultural authority by continuing the Shakespearean tradition of the jester speaking truth to power. ❚ But the rewards haven’t been spread evenly.
Liberal Stephen Colbert, lauded by fans for his skewering of the president, has added viewers, bucking a trend of declining audiences, to push “The Late Show” to No. 1 in late night (3.8 million viewers, up 19% over last year).
That’s come at the expense of “Tonight Show” competitor Jimmy Fallon (2.7 million, down 15%, but ahead by a narrowing margin among young adults), who’s still answering questions about a Trump hair-mussing incident in 2016.
Last week the TV critic in chief, perhaps triggered by Fallon’s comments about the hair debacle, was on the warpath with many of them, calling Fallon “a lost soul,” Colbert “a lowlife” and Jimmy Kimmel “terrible” at a South Carolina rally. Trump criticized Samantha Bee of TBS’ “Full Frontal” recently, too.
A look at how the comedians most affected by the Trump era — left-leaning or not traditionally political — have fared:
Outright winners
Stephen Colbert: After an acclaimed run on Comedy Central, Colbert initially foundered playing the big room on CBS. Trump helped him get his “Colbert Report” groove back, as his quick wit, sharp tongue and political knowledge became valuable weapons in a politicized and polarized era.
John Oliver: At a time when facts are so devalued, Oliver’s entertaining deep dives into complicated, dusty topics and various Trump critiques have made wonkery cool and are a big reason HBO’s “Last Week Tonight” won its second consecutive Emmy as best variety-talk series in September.
Image winner
Jimmy Kimmel: The host of ABC’s “Jimmy Kimmel Live” (2.25 million, up 1%) was seen as apolitical before his impassioned appeal to maintain health coverage for people with pre-existing conditions after his infant son needed heart surgery. His appeal resulted in more than 12 million YouTube views. But Kimmel messed up when he made fun of Melania Trump’s accent.
Early (and able) adapter
Seth Meyers: With the rise of Trump, politics grew as a cultural talking point. That played to the strength of news-oriented “Saturday Night Live” alum Meyers, who opens NBC’s “Late Night” at his desk with a “Weekend Update”-style presentation and his signature (and more serious) segment, “A Closer Look.” His ratings have remained stable despite the losses of lead-in “Tonight.”
Name recognition
Michelle Wolf: The stand-up comic wasn’t well known before she headlined the White House Correspondents Dinner last April, but she “shocked” sensitive types there when she did what she does: deliver scathing satire of the president and press secretary Sarah Sanders. Now, Wolf is on the radar with her Netflix show, “The Break.”
Beneficiary of Trump “largesse”
Bill Maher: HBO’s “Real Time” appeals to liberal viewers, and Trump has provided a comedic bounty. It’s familiar ground for Maher, who has been ridiculing Trump for years. Unlike many rivals, the spiky Maher, who can upset liberals as well as conservatives, is also protected from advertiser wrath on HBO.
Found footing, lost viewers
Trevor Noah: After an uncertain start in 2015, Comedy Central’s “The Daily Show” host has gained some political traction. He also provides a different perspective as a South African and a black man. But “The Daily Show” is down 12% in viewers and 23% in young adults compared with a year ago.
Temporary loser
Samantha Bee: TBS’ “Full Frontal” host rose to household-name status after a monologue May 30 in which she called Ivanka Trump a vulgar name at the end of a righteous attack on government separation of immigrant parents and children. An apologetic Bee acknowledged the controversy overshadowed her larger message. A number of advertisers beat a rapid retreat, but some had returned by last week.
Biggest loser
Jimmy Fallon: “The Tonight Show” host has suffered most. The hair incident epitomized an eager-to-please style that valued games over substance, which served Fallon well, but hasn’t resonated at a time when avoiding controversy doesn’t always pay dividends.
Maybe it’s not the worst thing for Fallon to become Trump’s latest latenight punching bag. That seems to have served some of his competitors well.