Stephen Colbert is once again making it clear he doesn’t see himself, or late-night comedy as a whole, as standing up for one political party. The Late Show host insists he isn't partisan; it just looks that way because of how much he despises President Donald Trump.
In a recent interview with The New York Times, the Late Show host addressed ongoing criticism that comedians like him have become too politically one-sided, particularly in their coverage of Donald Trump. The president has been perhaps the loudest voice, saying that late-night hosts like Colbert, Jimmy Kimmel, and Seth Meyers are essentially Democratic operatives.
“I don’t have any problem with Trump being a Republican,” Colbert said. “I have a problem with Trump being a complete narcissist who is only working for his own interest and does not appear to care if the entire world burns. That’s not a partisan position.”
Colbert framed his critiques not as political allegiance, but as a response to what he sees and hears. The comedian also pushed back against the perspective that late-night hosts are "refs" that have become entirely one-sided.
That perception, he argued, misrepresents how late-night comedy actually works. “I reject the partisan description,” Colbert continued. “Partisan means you’re never, ever going to make a joke about a Democrat, and that’s just not true." Still, Colbert did admit that there is just more material to work with when satirizing President Trump and Republicans.
There are some inside the world of comedy who think things could be a little more balanced. Former Tonight Show host Jay Leno has questioned why the current crop of shows alienates half the country. Actor Vince Vaughn recently shared his thoughts on when late-night stopped being funny, tracing it back to increased political commentary. Even Conan O'Brien thinks it's a waste of time to try to pull humor from the words and actions of President Trump.
The Stephen Colbert also suggested that the tension between political figures and late-night hosts is nothing new. His commentary is especially relevant following the backlash against Jimmy Kimmel, which escalated from First Lady Melania Trump calling for his job to the FCC reportedly taking a hard look at Disney's broadcasting licenses.
“Authoritarians don’t like anybody who doesn’t give them undue dignity,” Colbert said. “Comedians are anti-authoritarian by nature. And authoritarians are never going to like anybody to laugh at them.”
Colbert went on to suggest that he and his fellow comedians just exist in an entirely different world than some of their political targets. That creates frustration for those who expect the likes of Colbert to bend to their will and go silent when pressured.
Unfortunately for fans who prefer Colbert's approach to comedy, his time in late-night is coming to a close. The Late Show host only has a handful of shows left before his May 21 finale.
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