Criticism of Modern Late-Night TV and Liberal Comedy

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. commented on a viral satirical thread that critiques modern late-night television, focusing on Stephen Colbert and the shift in liberal comedy. The thread, created by Peter Girnus, was spotlighted by Kennedy to address criticism of hosts like Jimmy Kimmel.

Kennedy referred to Girnus’s post as a “superb dissection” of the change in liberal comedy. He expressed concern about how comedians, like Kimmel, have faced criticism for moving away from humor towards ideological affirmation. “Late Night host Jimmy Kimmel can say, ‘It’s not my job to be funny,'” Kennedy stated, highlighting the change in comedic roles.

Girnus’ satirical post posed as a fictional “Senior Vice President of Late Night Strategy at CBS,” focusing on Colbert’s transformation from his Comedy Central character to his current late-show persona. Girnus criticized this transition, stating that an earnest lecturer is not synonymous with humor. “Correct is not funny,” he wrote, emphasizing the shift from entertainment to ideological lecturing.

“Liberal comedy has become an excommunication system working as designed,” Girnus wrote, following Kennedy’s praise. He argued that the current culture in comedy penalizes those stepping outside liberal norms.

The discussion gained traction after Kimmel defended his approach to comedy during a podcast episode with Michelle Obama and Craig Robinson. Kimmel argued that his role as a comedian was fluid, saying, “Don’t tell me what my job is. My job is whatever I decide my job is.” Despite his openness to comedy, he acknowledged that audience laughter remains central to his work.

Girnus further argued that the state of late-night comedy is more about validation for liberal viewers rather than engaging entertainment. He wrote, “An echo chamber cannot produce comedy. Comedy involves saying what the room does not expect, whereas an echo chamber punishes the unexpected.”

The changes in late-night television were highlighted when CBS announced that “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” would conclude in May 2026, retiring the franchise. The network cited financial reasons, unrelated to show performance or content.

Fox News Digital sought comments from ABC after the reactions to late-night comedy but received no immediate response.

CJ Womack, an associate editor at Fox News Digital, contributed to the discussion. With experience in analyzing news media, Womack’s background in Political Science and Journalism plays a vital role in shaping media coverage.