The Slow Fade of Late Night: As colbert Departs, What’s Left of the Genre?
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The landscape of late-night television is undergoing a seismic shift. With the recent conclusion of Stephen Colbert’s The Late Show,another pillar of the genre has fallen,leaving many to wonder about the future of this once-dominant form of entertainment. This isn’t just about one show ending; it’s part of a larger trend that Mary Siroky deeply explored in a recent Outcome cover story. The departure of The Late Show, one of the few remaining late-night programs to still feature musical acts, only exacerbates the situation, eliminating a crucial platform for new artists to gain exposure and be discovered.
A Shrinking Circle of Hosts
The end of Colbert’s tenure marks a significant moment, highlighting the dwindling number of established late-night talk shows. The situation is further elaborate by recent developments with other prominent programs.
After Midnight‘s Abrupt End
After Midnight, the variety comedy series that took over James Corden’s former time slot in early 2024, has also concluded its run. The show’s departure, marked by host Taylor Tomlinson’s exit, signals a broader uncertainty for the format. it’s noteworthy that CBS opted to end the show with Tomlinson’s departure rather than seeking a new host to maintain the time slot, suggesting a potential reevaluation of the late-night strategy.
The Uncertainty Surrounding Kimmel and Meyers
Even long-standing hosts are facing questions about their futures. Jimmy Kimmel, in a Febuary 2024 interview, hinted that he might have signed his last contract as the host of Jimmy Kimmel Live. His current contract is set to expire in 2026, leaving fans to speculate about his next move.
Meanwhile, Seth Meyers’ contract for late Night with NBC extends to 2028. However, Meyers himself isn’t radiating optimism about the genre’s long-term prospects. In a recent interview with Variety,he expressed a somber outlook,stating,”unless some major sea change happens,I don’t think there’s going to be a whole new wave of network hosts… if you’re a great lover of the institution of late-night talk shows,there’s probably some sadness in your future.” His candid assessment reflects a growing sentiment that the traditional late-night model might potentially be facing an existential crisis.
fallon’s Ambition and the Shadow of Johnny Carson
on the other side of the NBC spectrum, Jimmy Fallon’s hosting deal for The Tonight Show also runs through 2028. interestingly, just a few months before securing this extension, Fallon shared his ambition to surpass Johnny Carson’s record for hosting. carson, the legendary king of late-night, helmed his show for nearly 30 years. For Fallon to match that longevity, he would need to continue hosting The Tonight Show until 2044.
Given the current climate and the sentiments expressed by his peers, the prospect of Fallon reaching that milestone, or indeed, the survival of the late-night talk show as we know it, remains a significant question mark.The slow fade of this once-ubiquitous television staple is a story worth watching, even as the lights dim on some of its most familiar faces.
