Critics at Large | The New Yorker
Episode: Late Night's Last Laugh
Release Date: July 31, 2025

Introduction

In the episode titled Late Night's Last Laugh, The New Yorker's weekly culture podcast, Critics at Large, delves deep into the current state and future of late-night television, with a particular focus on Stephen Colbert's recent show cancellation. Hosts Vincent Cunningham, Naomi Frye, and Alex Schwartz explore the evolution of late-night shows, their cultural significance, and the challenges they face in today's fragmented media landscape.

The Golden Era of Late Night Television

Vincent Cunningham reflects on his long-standing appreciation for late-night television, likening it to an American entertainment pillar similar to Saturday Night Live and Looney Tunes. He reminisces about the unified viewership during Johnny Carson's tenure:

"Johnny Carson, who was the host of the Tonight Show for 30 years, 1962 to 1992. Do you guys know what his audience high was? [08:16] It was 12 million people. That's a lot of people who were tuning in to watch what would go on with Johnny Carson."

This era represented a monoculture, a shared experience that began to fragment post-Carson, leading to the rise of diverse hosts like David Letterman and Jay Leno.

Alex Schwartz emphasizes the impact of Carson's departure:

"You'd have to be totally under a rock. [...] His manner suggested that TV could puncture the culture rather than prop it up."

This shift marked the beginning of a more fragmented late-night landscape, with hosts bringing distinct personalities and styles to the forefront.

Transition to Political Satire

The podcast transitions to discussing the rise of political satire in late-night shows, highlighting Jon Stewart's influence on The Daily Show and Stephen Colbert's subsequent evolution.

Vincent Cunningham notes:

"Stephen Colbert was a critic not only of politics but of media, which is that he's responding to the rise of cable news."

Alex Schwartz adds:

"Colbert was a critic in a lot of ways and that was a very interesting form to take on in this otherwise totally comedic performance."

Stephen Colbert, through his character in The Colbert Report, introduced concepts like "truthiness", blending satire with insightful critique:

"Truthiness is anyone can read the news to you. I promise to feel the news at you."

This approach resonated during politically turbulent times, particularly during the Bush and Trump administrations, providing audiences with both humor and a means to process complex socio-political issues.

Stephen Colbert's Evolution and Cancellation

The episode centers on Stephen Colbert's career trajectory from Strangers with Candy to hosting The Late Show. The hosts discuss his unique ability to blend satire with authentic emotional depth, setting him apart from traditional late-night hosts.

Vincent Cunningham highlights Colbert's depth:

"There are other clips of him, like trading lines of Shakespeare with Denzel Washington. [...] that kind of philosophical underpinning connects to the way he also then dealt with politics."

However, the recent cancellation of The Late Show amidst controversy has sparked debates about the future of late-night television. Colbert's on-air announcement of the cancellation, alongside allegations of a $16 million settlement paid to President Trump, raises questions about the motivations behind the decision:

"Paramount paid Donald Trump a $16 million settlement [...] it smells to high heaven."

Alex Schwartz and Vincent Cunningham discuss the implications of this event, pondering whether it signifies the decline of late-night shows or represents an isolated incident influenced by political pressures.

The Decline of Late Night and Future Implications

The hosts explore whether late-night television still holds cultural significance in an era of siloed media consumption. Alex Schwartz posits the emergence of a post-late night landscape:

"What is lost or gained with that? [...] These writers rooms and the technical aspects of the job are stocked. It's not just the guy in front, it's all the people coming up through that. And inevitably that's a big loss if those ways of learning and doing go away."

Naomi Frye adds that viewers are also losing a platform through which they engaged with news and politics:

"And it's also the viewers [...] who used to learn about the world and ways of interacting with entertainment and politics through late night shows."

The conversation touches on the challenges contemporary late-night hosts face, including maintaining relevance and navigating a highly polarized political environment. Alex Schwartz mentions:

"It's hard to have fun with the news as it is. And if you are having fun with it, something may very well be wrong."

The hosts express concern that the integrity and trust built between hosts and their audiences are eroding, complicating the role of late-night comedians as both entertainers and cultural commentators.

Conclusion: The Uncertain Future of Late Night

As Late Night's Last Laugh wraps up, the hosts contemplate the potential end of an era for late-night television. With several main hosts' contracts nearing expiration and Colbert's recent cancellation, the future remains uncertain. They question whether late-night shows can adapt to the evolving media landscape or if they are inevitably headed towards obsolescence.

"It's hard to. [...] It's hard to excavate hypocrisies and the stuff underneath the surface. [...] there's no facade right now."

Despite the challenges, Critics at Large remains hopeful that the art form of late-night comedy can evolve and continue to serve as a critical platform for cultural and political discourse.

Notable Quotes

• Alex Schwartz [08:16]: "Johnny Carson, who was the host of the Tonight Show for 30 years... their collective experience that has not been there since the 90s."

• Stephen Colbert Clip [26:26]:

  "Truthiness. Now, I'm sure some of the world, the word anistas over at Webster's are going to say, hey, that's not a word."

• Dua Lipa on Colbert [33:03]:

  "Does your faith and your comedy ever overlap?"

• Taylor Tomlinson on Late Night [31:29]:

  "We have a lot to discuss about what happened in LA this weekend and most of it is not funny. But late night shows aren't funny anymore anyway."

Final Thoughts

Late Night's Last Laugh provides a comprehensive exploration of the rise and potential decline of late-night television, using Stephen Colbert's career as a focal point. The discussion highlights the cultural impact of late-night hosts, the trust they build with audiences, and the challenges they face in a rapidly changing media environment. As the industry stands at a crossroads, the podcast underscores the need for evolution to preserve the essence of what made late-night television a staple of American culture.