The Rob Carson Show

Episode: Late Night Is Dead but Carl Higbie Is on Fire
Date: December 12, 2025
Host: Rob Carson
Guest: Christian Toto

Episode Overview

This lively installment of The Rob Carson Show blends political commentary, humor, and cultural critique. Rob Carson, known for his satirical style honed by years writing for Rush Limbaugh, brings incisive takes on government corruption, immigration controversies, and the state of media and entertainment. Highlights include a passionate monologue by Newsmax’s Carl Higbie on the accountability crisis in Washington, a spirited analysis of the collapse of late-night TV with critic Christian Toto, and holiday-themed discussions about movies, music, and family life.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Immigration and Government Corruption Crisis

• Summary:
  Carson details ongoing federal operations against criminal aliens in New Orleans and lambasts Democrats' perceived complicity. He points to broad systemic problems in immigration, voter fraud, and government waste, painting a picture of a deeply corrupt bureaucracy.
• Notable insights:
  • Operation “Catahoula Crunch” in Louisiana, backed by strong local law enforcement, saw no violence against ICE and Border Patrol—unlike Democrat-run states.
  • Chains of fraudulent social assistance and overseas money transfers uncovered, especially in Minnesota’s Somali community.
  • Covid-era PPP loan fraud and sham Obamacare enrollments exemplified as evidence of rot in the federal system.

Quote:

“Our government is so profoundly mother bleeping corrupt… This country would have to have a colonoscopy—its first in 250 years—if we were going to survive another 250 years.”
— Rob Carson (12:19)

Key Timestamps:

• 01:18–07:22 — Federal immigration crimes, Democrats and sanctuary policies
• 10:35–12:19 — Pandemic fraud, government waste, taxpayer scams

2. Carl Higbie’s Rant: Republican Accountability & Base Motivation

• Summary:
  Carson features a fiery monologue by Carl Higbie decrying GOP inaction, lack of prosecutions for political corruption, and alienation of conservative voters. Higbie demands actual results and tough action from Republican leadership.
• Main points:
  • Republicans risk losing support by failing to enact change or pursue accountability for Covid mismanagement, Russiagate, and government corruption.
  • Calls for aggressive reforms: abolishing the filibuster, IRS, and income tax; indicting political wrongdoers; and stricter refugee policies.

Quote:

“The most important election of our lifetimes from here on out is the next one, and then the one after that... If Republicans don’t make these things into law and get this through their head, they’re gonna lose.”
— Carl Higbie (17:27)

“You want to keep your majority? Throw 100 people in jail for political corruption... That’s like low-hanging fruit.”
— Carl Higbie (19:03)

Key Timestamps:

• 17:27–20:13 — Higbie’s accountability monologue

3. The Death of Late Night TV and Rise of Right-Leaning Satire

Guest: Christian Toto (HollywoodInToto.com)

• Summary:
  Christian Toto joins to analyze the decline of traditional late-night TV, arguing the format has become irrelevant in the streaming age and overtaken by partisan, unfunny hosts.
• Key points:
  • Jimmy Kimmel’s renewed contract is seen as a “treading water” deal; ABC can’t fire him but the format is unsustainable.
  • Late night is no longer appointment viewing except for sports or special cable shows like Gutfeld! on Fox, which brings an edgier, self-deprecating conservative tone.
  • The genre’s politicization and unwillingness to poke fun at itself are cited as reasons for alienation of broad audiences.

Quotes:

“I think this is a treading water contract… They’d love to fire him because I’m sure he’s not making them a lot of money. No, no. And they know this is a dying format.”
— Christian Toto (24:32)

“There are a few select politicians who can be funny… but right now you’ve just got political operatives spewing nonsense, inviting politicians who nobody would find entertaining otherwise.”
— Rob Carson (26:09)

“Gutfeld... that’s different. That’s, that’s different. I don’t wait for the highlights like you do with, you know, the late night or SNL. Nobody watches SNL when it’s on, you know, but Gutfeld, he’s breaking the [mold]."
— Rob Carson (28:11)

Key Timestamps:

• 22:33–29:26 — End of late night TV, Jimmy Kimmel analysis, Gutfeld’s rise

4. Media, Movies, and Holiday Culture

• Summary:
  The conversation shifts to media, family, and Christmas culture:
  • Animatedly sharing favorite Christmas music and films, opining that classics still hold magic (Miracle on 34th Street, Christmas Vacation, Elf).
  • Discuss Disney’s investment in AI, expressing concern for animators and creative jobs, but acknowledging AI’s potential in medicine and other fields.
  • Films in review: James L. Brooks’ new "Ella McKay" and Oscar hopeful "Hamnet" are discussed.

Quotes:

“I think it’s going to give creators a way to share their stories even if they don’t have the big-pocketed companies behind them. I like that. But for animators, for artists, for writers, I think it could be devastating.”
— Christian Toto (32:23)

“Maybe it’s time that conservative comedy had a little edge. And it’s on the Ascension because the left can’t be taken seriously.”
— Rob Carson (29:26)

Key Timestamps:

• 22:33–23:53 — Holiday music favorites
• 32:23–34:15 — Disney, AI, and creative industries
• 34:56–38:33 — Holiday films and favorite Christmas movies

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Immigration and Fraud:
  “I’m talking about bureaucrats approving PPP loans for applicants who used pictures of dolls for IDs. Imagine giving Barbie or Ken a taxpayer-funded loan.”
  — Congressional testimony, highlighted by Rob Carson (10:35)

• On Political Fatigue:
  “Why the hell would Republicans be excited to vote if Trump’s not on the ballot? … Throw a hundred people in jail for political corruption. People like me will be excited to go out and vote… I will legit run through a wall like the Kool Aid dude to get to the polls.”
  — Carl Higbie (19:03–20:11)

• On the Nostalgia and Bittersweetness of Christmas:
  “This song reminds me that Christmas is bittersweet… The Christmases past are past. And I’ll never be able to experience the Christmases I had when I was a child... But I’m preferring to focus on the sweet. That’s what I’m going to do.”
  — Rob Carson (38:54–end)

Episode Flow & Tone

Rob Carson’s signature is his blend of sharp wit, sarcasm, and heartfelt candor. He moves from exposing scandal and skewering the political class to playful banter about Christmas music and family life, offering listeners both comic relief and moments of sincerity. Christian Toto’s segment is insightful and conversational, focusing on culture but always with a comedic edge.

Chronological Timeline (Timestamps of Key Segments)

• [01:18–07:22]: Immigration sweeps, sanctuary cities, and Democrat complicity
• [10:35–12:19]: PPP/EIDL, Obamacare, and government fraud
• [17:27–20:13]: Carl Higbie’s GOP accountability monologue
• [22:33–29:26]: Christian Toto breaks down the death of late night TV and Gutfeld’s success
• [32:23–34:15]: Disney invests in AI; implications for the creative industry
• [34:56–38:33]: Reviews and lists of classic Christmas movies
• [38:54–end]: Reflections on Christmas, nostalgia, and gratitude

Summary

This episode is a blend of scorching political satire, pointed media critique, and holiday warmth. The first half is dominated by Carson’s takedown of government corruption and immigration chaos, energized by Carl Higbie’s vocal outrage at GOP inertia. Christian Toto joins to add cultural context, arguing that late night TV is increasingly irrelevant, while spotlighting the unapologetic rise of right-leaning comedy. The latter half offers respite with Christmas nostalgia, music, and a thoughtful discussion about AI’s impact on media. Throughout, Carson maintains a pace that is both entertaining and impassioned, offering conservative listeners both validation and a sense of community—especially poignant during the holidays.