This is one of those rare moments when I find myself not only nodding in agreement but standing up to applaud. Every word here hits the mark. Johnny Carson was the gold standard—not just for comedy, but for knowing his role: to entertain, not indoctrinate. Late night hasn’t been funny since he left the stage, and certainly not since the rise of smug, self-congratulatory “comedian-commentators” like Colbert.
What made Carson so effective was that he understood the audience wasn’t tuning in for lectures, and certainly not for moral superiority masquerading as humor. He brought joy, wit, and a little mischief without belittling half the country. Colbert, on the other hand, was never really funny—he was “clapter” funny. Applause masquerading as laughter. There’s a difference. One unites, the other divides. And for years now, it's been clear: Colbert wasn’t hosting a late-night comedy show. He was holding court for a narrow ideology, smugly confident that anyone outside his tribe was fair game for mockery.
So yes—what took so long?
The late-night graveyard is full of comedians (in name only) who mistook platform for pulpit. They forgot the simple truth Johnny Carson knew instinctively: if you want to speak to everyone, don’t preach. Be funny. Be fair. Be human.
As for the outcry from Hollywood’s most reliably un-self-aware virtue signalers? Predictable. Performative grief from those who think every cancellation is martyrdom and every critique a censorship. If Colbert’s ratings had been strong, he’d still be on air. This wasn’t political retribution—it was economic reality finally catching up to ideological irrelevance.
Late-night comedy didn’t just lose its edge—it lost its audience. And that’s no conspiracy. It’s just math.
The only late night comedian I saw was Leno. His biting sarcasm was a thing of beauty. I tried to watch his successor, but he just wasn't funny. Thanks for the numbers, Joel, that tells the whole story.
"... steps were decidedly of the anserine variety." You lost me on that one, but a quick trip to the dictionary had me laughing out loud.
Please do tell us about the "merry band of sycophants," that sounds like a wonderful story!
Writer Alex mentioned Jay Leno, my favorite Jay Leno quote is from around the time Iraq was trying to come up with an Iraq Constitution. Jay said "let's just give them ours, we're not using it."
This is so true! Johnny Carson was the best - just an entertainer! Nate Bargatze is another guy is just funny with no political agenda that I can see. Like others who have commented, I had to look up "anserine" and plan to use that word very soon in a conversation! Thank you for your always informational and entertaining thoughts!
Cancel them all! What a waste of sleep these asshats are! Each of them dem dooming nightly to the faithful. Enough already. And btw. I hope it is politically motivated
Colbert Cancelled—What took so long?
Joel, Bravo!
This is one of those rare moments when I find myself not only nodding in agreement but standing up to applaud. Every word here hits the mark. Johnny Carson was the gold standard—not just for comedy, but for knowing his role: to entertain, not indoctrinate. Late night hasn’t been funny since he left the stage, and certainly not since the rise of smug, self-congratulatory “comedian-commentators” like Colbert.
What made Carson so effective was that he understood the audience wasn’t tuning in for lectures, and certainly not for moral superiority masquerading as humor. He brought joy, wit, and a little mischief without belittling half the country. Colbert, on the other hand, was never really funny—he was “clapter” funny. Applause masquerading as laughter. There’s a difference. One unites, the other divides. And for years now, it's been clear: Colbert wasn’t hosting a late-night comedy show. He was holding court for a narrow ideology, smugly confident that anyone outside his tribe was fair game for mockery.
So yes—what took so long?
The late-night graveyard is full of comedians (in name only) who mistook platform for pulpit. They forgot the simple truth Johnny Carson knew instinctively: if you want to speak to everyone, don’t preach. Be funny. Be fair. Be human.
As for the outcry from Hollywood’s most reliably un-self-aware virtue signalers? Predictable. Performative grief from those who think every cancellation is martyrdom and every critique a censorship. If Colbert’s ratings had been strong, he’d still be on air. This wasn’t political retribution—it was economic reality finally catching up to ideological irrelevance.
Late-night comedy didn’t just lose its edge—it lost its audience. And that’s no conspiracy. It’s just math.
Again, Bravo Joel! Bravo!
Jack
Late night comedy ended with Johnny Carson. It’s been late night indoctrination for thirty years now. Globalists helping cultivate the mushrooms 🍄
The only late night comedian I saw was Leno. His biting sarcasm was a thing of beauty. I tried to watch his successor, but he just wasn't funny. Thanks for the numbers, Joel, that tells the whole story.
Great article!
"... steps were decidedly of the anserine variety." You lost me on that one, but a quick trip to the dictionary had me laughing out loud.
Please do tell us about the "merry band of sycophants," that sounds like a wonderful story!
Writer Alex mentioned Jay Leno, my favorite Jay Leno quote is from around the time Iraq was trying to come up with an Iraq Constitution. Jay said "let's just give them ours, we're not using it."
that's hysterical!
Late night with Dave Chapelle
Funny: I first read this, "Stiller is like a man with a fork in a world full of soup." as "a world full of SOAP"
I still laughed. I don't know why I thought "soap" was funny, and your words are definitely better.
I used to watch Colbert when he was on Comedy Central. He was funny then. Sad.
Even though it was 'liberal,' The Colbert Report was brilliant. Same with The Daily Show, back in the day.
Agreed. Back then they served one master: comedy.
Colbert reached his level of incompetence.
This is so true! Johnny Carson was the best - just an entertainer! Nate Bargatze is another guy is just funny with no political agenda that I can see. Like others who have commented, I had to look up "anserine" and plan to use that word very soon in a conversation! Thank you for your always informational and entertaining thoughts!
Make comedy funny again.
Predictable that dem politicians would chime in. Another piece of their propaganda machine falls by the wayside.
Thanks for the Carson quote and the new vocabulary word, anserine. Even my Webster’s ap didn’t recognize it!
New words are my favorite. Glad you enjoyed!
EXCELLENT! He forgot comedy and became a hater!! Good riddance 🤪
Dennis Miller used to say, "bring the funny".
PC social issues on late nite are like a mandatory DEI PowerPoint after a 🍔🍟🥤 cheeseburger lunch....
I always appreciate improving my vocabulary reading your articles besides the original take and humor. Props.
SC
👍
Maybe they could replace him with Dominic Frisby? Would certainly stir things up 😆
Cancel them all! What a waste of sleep these asshats are! Each of them dem dooming nightly to the faithful. Enough already. And btw. I hope it is politically motivated