Opinion: Late-night TV vital to maintain American closeness, community
Late-night TV exists to simultaneously and humanize public figures and politicians, our columnist writes. He highlights the interpersonal closeness still provided in spite of modern evolutions, underscoring the vital role of talk shows. Emma Lee | Contributing Ilustrator
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My grandfather and I have a complicated relationship. When I was young, I saw him as a “cool” and relatable mentor. During the COVID-19 pandemic, though, our relationship became strained due to distance. But there was one thing we did have in common: enjoyment of late-night shows.
We watched Stephen Colbert, Trevor Noah and Jimmy Kimmel — shows made us feel closer at a time we’d never been further apart, joking about them over video calls.
In the last few years, many have started viewing late-night talk shows as “no longer relevant.” Most recently, it’s been overtaken by recent political controversies, such as those with Colbert and Kimmel. In viewing these shows through such a limiting lens, American society neglects their many purposes.
These programs have the power to hold politicians accountable, humanize famous “out of touch” figures and foster community in an increasingly polarized America.
Many talk show hosts have started using their platforms to criticize the actions of politicians across the spectrum. Some viewers may be deterred by this political increase, but it’s really an example of the powerful position hosts are in and how they use those positions effectively.
As external parties to politics, hosts can hold our policymakers accountable more effectively and communally. With the decline of local news and our larger news stations lacking trust, late-night talk show hosts have timelessly provided us with a different way to look at issues.
Many late-night talk show hosts discuss topics many typical newscasters avoid, notably actions of parent companies. Colbert, for instance, criticized CBS’s parent company, Paramount, for settling a lawsuit with President Trump for $16 million.
Colbert claimed that the primary reason Paramount settled was to bribe President Trump and his allies to allow an $8 billion merger with Skydance. Even if you completely disagree with Colbert, you can’t deny that talk-show hosts denouncing corporate mergers doesn’t make for a fascinating conversation.
In 2017, Kimmel used his platform to criticize congressional Republicans and President Donald Trump for their efforts to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act. Kimmel’s criticism was part of a shift in public opinion to prevent a repeal of the ACA.
In 2024, following former President Joe Biden’s disastrous debate with President Donald Trump, many hosts criticized Biden. Colbert, for one, mocked his mental acuity by remarking, “I don’t know what’s going on in Joe Biden’s mind — something I apparently have in common with Joe Biden.”
Although late-night shows rarely attacked Biden early in his presidency, their attacks on his mental acuity impacted the opinions of many voters. Biden ultimately dropped out of the 2024 presidential race in July, showing the media’s power in amplifying public attention.
We frequently see celebrities humanized and more accurately represented by talk shows than their aggressive, invasive media counterparts, too. Late-night shows present them as more in touch and relatable.
It’s true the format of late-night talk shows has changed over time, with television viewership declining as social media presence rises, but the impact they’ve had on us all has stayed the same.Bella Tabak, Columnist
Late-night shows also provide big breaks for smaller, up-and-coming artists. Seven-time Grammy winner Jon Batiste got his start as a bandleader on Colbert’s The Late Show, which provided him with significant national exposure.
In a time of industry plants taking over America’s musical scene, late-night shows serve as an ample opportunity for those without major connections to receive more record sales and listens.
No matter the content, late-night talk shows connect people. They serve each audience a purpose, whether by making a political impact or predicting what music styles and fashion statements will be trending. In times as dividing as these, society can lean on late-night shows for more human and common interests.
More than that, families can still gather together to watch late-night talk shows, allowing for stronger and more durable relationships and influencing Americans in even subconscious ways to result in social connection.
There’s a common misconception that late-night shows are slowly dying out, which some blame on the perceived liberalism of hosts.
It’s true the format of late-night talk shows has changed over time, with television viewership declining as social media presence rises, but the impact they’ve had on us all has stayed the same.
My grandfather and I still have a difficult relationship, but our shared interest in late-night television continues to connect us to this day. If we can connect and laugh together through late-night talk shows, maybe there’s hope for all Americans to do the same.
Sam Jacob is a freshman majoring in political science and international relations. He can be reahced at stjacob@syr.edu.
