Jay Leno Criticizes Late Night Hosts for Alienating Viewers Amid Colbert Cancellation

Jay Leno recently shared his perspective on the current state of late-night comedy amid the cancellation of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert by CBS. Leno emphasized that his approach during his tenure on The Tonight Show was to deliver balanced humor that appealed to the entire audience rather than alienating half by favoring one political side, recalling that he received criticism from both Republicans and Democrats for the same jokes. He expressed concern that modern late-night hosts tend to cozy too much to one political side, which fragments viewers, contrasting this with his era when comedians like Rodney Dangerfield avoided political discussions to focus purely on jokes. Though Leno's interview was recorded weeks before the Colbert cancellation announcement and does not directly address it, his comments have resurfaced amidst speculation about the reasons behind the show's end, including political pressure from the Trump administration. Leno advocates for comedy that offers an escape from life's pressures and cautions against turning late-night shows into partisan platforms, suggesting that audiences want humor, not lectures. The Late Show with Stephen Colbert will continue airing until 2026, with Colbert's future plans uncertain.