Always hard to play the what ifs, but it seems possible if not probable.
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For Late Night’s Trump Critics, the Escape Routes Are Vanishing
- Thread starter nomadcowatbk
- Start date
I wonder if Letterman had more prominence where the network could not really touch him.
It almost overwhelms the imagination, contemplating everything Johnny Carson would have done with/to said current Federal leader. Was there ever anyone with more unassailable clout in late night?
In a different era, all the shows at that time had a bigger linear audience, and deals like the one that led to this debacle were not exactly the norm. That’s what makes it darn near impossible to compare. Whatever issues some broadcasters and talent had with the feds, using the Letterman era as a general timeframe, it was nowhere near as openly corrupt as it is now.
Presidents may have spoken out in frustration at times but even that was generally muted. We did not have federal agencies basically demanding quid-pro-quo to axe someone because he told a joke a giant man-baby disliked. We can’t just look at piece of the reality then without the context of the other differences.
Colbert will be fine as has Conan, but it's the end of high budget institutions, the viewers are the biggest losers, I still miss Conan on TV other than the Oscars, will SNL continue after Lorne Michaels leaves?Colbert has a large late-night audience, ( over 2.5 million according to link below), and his cancellation at CBS will not have as severe an impact on curtailing his voice as CBS might think, IMO. He may be able to make the move to podcasts and You Tube, much as Conan O'Brien did. If Colbert wants to continue creating comedy content, I think his audience will continue to follow him. Leaving linear tv is not the death knell anymore that the powers in charge believe it to be. I think he will find a way to return. JMO - D.
Here Are Final Late Night Ratings for Q3 2025 - LateNighter
The late-night hierarchy held steady in the third quarter of 2025, with Stephen Colbert leading the 11:35 PM hour, and Seth Meyers continuing his dominance at 12:37 AM.latenighter.com
but something free and easily accessible to viewers?
Will they try to lowball the NFL like Larry Tisch thought they could do thinking they didn't want to be on what was the coat hanger network?
he frequently bashed CBS like the Simpsons and Family Guy have bashed Fox, those shows haven't done much Disney bashing though since the mouse bought them, the NBC management didn't carry much for Polly the Peacock on Conan
Lorne has said that the day he leaves the show will be gutted to the studs. It currently costs 4 million an episode. He has the power to get what he wants from NBC. Nobody else will.
Is SNL making enough money for NBC to keep it going? Who outside the Northeast and maybe Los Angeles County is watching? This show hasn't been even remotely funny for 30 years, and it plays strictly to NYC. The "flyover country" affiliates are still airing it, but I don't know how many viewers each affiliate has.
It’s still making money. It would not have lasted 51 years had it not. Lorne is the show. Without him it can’t survive no matter who takes it over.
so you were in High School during the 90s?
It also just expanded, with a UK version of the show.
I agree with the last part, especially when I recollect the years in the early '80s when he wasn't there. But he's 81 and can't last forever. The day will come, probably within the next decade, when he won't be there anymore. Hopefully he's in good health.
Because there are NBC affiliates in over 200 other markets that are not NYC, most of which (outside the NE and SoCal) have no connection or affection for Noo Yawk. I'm surprised to this day that SNL airs in smaller markets.
No, I was in HS in the early '70s, and was 20 when SNL made its debut in 1975. What's your point? It was funny then.
So no network shows anymore. The national audience doesn’t care about Boise.
The shows are highly variable, and who the guest host and musical guest are usually determines how funny (or funky) it is. Two weeks ago it was Matt Damon, and that particular episode was (IMO) the best one of the past season. Last week's, with Will Ferrell and Paul McCartney, was a very close second. When you have an actor who has a project to promote, don't expect too much, and when it's a musical act hosting, it's likely to be a dud.
However, Weekend Update is a show-within-the-show, and is often very funny in its own right. If you only tuned in for that one segment, it would be worth your time.
I'm sure there are plenty of viewers in "flyover" country. Just keep in mind that they're always shooting for an 18-34 demo audience. Anyone who has any recollection of John Belushi or Gilda Radner is way out of the demo.
I'm surprised to this day that NBC hasn't disbanded their national network other than in the Top 50 markets. I thought they'd do it 20 years ago. Obviously so far I've been wrong.