Chapter 1: The Current State of Late Night Television

In recent times, it seems that late-night television is filled with nothing but reruns and recycled content. What’s happening in the world of comedy?

Photo by Thiébaud Faix on Unsplash

Late-night shows often include familiar names like Stephen Colbert, Seth Meyers, The Daily Show, Amber Ruffin, and occasionally Jimmy Kimmel or Fallon. Yet, many of these segments seem to lack genuine humor.

Perhaps it’s just a matter of fatigue.

The humor seems to revolve around one main figure: the presidential candidate for 2024. While comedians poke fun at both Republicans and Democrats, it’s often the absurd clownish antics that resonate the most.

Meanwhile, FOX News and other similar outlets are consumed to maintain a sense of “fairness,” though the idea of unbiased news feels increasingly far-fetched in our current age of misinformation. It’s evident that within a bubble, there are no honest exchanges.

Yet, watching hosts contort their logic to appease their audience can sometimes evoke laughter. Recently, the media stirred fear with tales of migrants or potential terrorists causing chaos on the Francis Scott Key Bridge.

The truth is, many viewers feel worn out by the limited choices presented to them, the vague responses to significant issues, and the role all media—entertainment included—plays in maintaining the status quo. The status quo typically prioritizes profit over all else: sell more, buy more, and disregard the consequences.

Chapter 2: Back to Our Middle School Days

Imagine being back in Junior High. The dynamics are familiar: the popular kids gossip incessantly, ignoring pressing societal issues. There’s the incel ranting about firearms, food waste and poor nutrition in the cafeteria, and a group of tech enthusiasts clamoring for attention and funding. A looming pandemic is on the horizon, and an abuser with racist tendencies aims for class president, backed by a cult-like following.

While the popular crowd continues their jokes, they seem oblivious to the erosion of democracy, reason, and choice.

Life in the present day feels reminiscent of those middle school days, even during late-night segments.

I engage in parody and satire myself, which I believe serves a purpose. However, my influence is limited. My hope is to inspire reflection, disagreement, and even motivate others to seek better lives and a healthier planet.

Comedy, particularly late-night, should not only challenge the comfortable but also provide solace to those struggling. For that, I often turn to Cody Johnston and Some More News. There are a few other critical comedic shows out there, but they require some digging to discover.

More than mere mockery, activism is essential. We can laugh until the cows come home, but we must also live as if our lives depend on it. Let’s advocate for leaders who truly represent us—advocating for liberty, freedom, and genuine patriotism.

Let’s reject the repetitive cycle of our middle school experiences and declare, “Not again.” This time, let’s raise our heads high and embrace our individuality on the stage of life.

The first video features a monologue from a recent show where humor intertwines with political commentary, offering insights into the state of current affairs.

The second video showcases Tucker Carlson's full speech at the RNC, providing a glimpse into the political landscape and media's role within it.

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