LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Comedian Jon Lovitz recently criticized the trend of political bias on late-night comedy shows, directing his comments toward liberal hosts Stephen Colbert, Jimmy Kimmel, and Seth Meyers during an interview with FOX News Digital.
Lovitz, celebrated for his comedic legacy spanning almost four decades, particularly addressed the noticeable shift in late-night entertainment, particularly during the Trump era.
Jon Lovitz voices displeasure about 'shift' from entertainment to politics
Expressing his displeasure, Lovitz lamented the transition of these shows into predominantly political platforms, except for Jimmy Fallon's program.
He nostalgically recalled the past entertainment-focused format of shows like 'The Tonight Show' and David Letterman's program, contrasting them with the contemporary politically-charged late-night landscape.
“I don’t like it. I don’t like it,” Lovitz said. “They were comedy shows. And now, except for Jimmy Fallon, they’ve all become very political. And for me, it’s just... it’s too much.”
“I mean, Johnny Carson would, you know, he would do two or three jokes about whoever was president then or what was going on then and that was it. But they were entertainment shows,” he said.
Lovitz voices disappointment about 'one-sided' takes on shows
“I know all those guys. And they’re very nice guys. Very talented. I know Seth. I know Stephen Colbert. I know Jimmy Kimmel. I think they’re funny, you know. But when they started doing the political stuff, like, so one-sided, it’s like- and that’s all it is, the whole thing, it’s just like, that’s not the shows that I used to go on. You know, it was ‘The Tonight Show’ and David Letterman.”
Beyond his stint on 'SNL' and appearances in films such as 'A League of Their Own' and 'Rat Race', Lovitz remains an active figure in the comedy circuit.
He frequently appears on Byron Allen’s game show 'Funny You Should Ask' and tours nationally for stand-up performances, including regular gigs at The Laugh Factory in Las Vegas.
In January, Lovitz made headlines for his appearance on 'The Tonight Show,' impersonating Rep George Santos.
His recent remarks shed light on his critical perspectives regarding the evolution of late-night comedy as a expert in the biz.
Internet reacts as Jon Lovitz blasts late-night show hosts
Jon Lovitz's recent criticism of late-night hosts prompted diverse reactions online.
Some users expressed agreement with Lovitz's sentiments, highlighting a perceived shift in hosts like Colbert and Kimmel, stating they've moved away from being authentic comedians to becoming mouthpieces for political "propaganda."
One user wrote,"Good for Lovitz. Colbert and Kimmel haven’t been true comedians for a long time. They’ve devolved into political pimps for the Democrat party".
Another replied,"Good for him. He's not wrong. I stopped watching late night when it became propaganda fests."
"It's super hack of them. Lovitz is the man!" commented another.
"I feel like celebrities are the BEST ones to turn to for political advice seeing as how they represent the common man. That said, Jon Lovitz is right here ," replied one.
