If you asked teenagers what kind of TV they like to watch at night, the answer would not be talk shows. Despite that late night talk shows target people who are up late, teenagers prefer Netflix and Hulu, while audiences for talk shows have grown older and smaller. However, with a recent influx of new hosts, networks are drawing in younger audiences. In the past two years, comedian Jimmy Fallon, “SNL” veteran Seth Meyers and British actor James Corden have taken of late night offerings on NBC and CBS. This fall, Stephen Colbert transitioned to CBS’ “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert,” while newcomer Trevor Noah took over Comedy Central’s offering, “The Daily Show.”
Stephen Colbert was formerly the long-time host of Comedy Central’s “Daily Show” spin-off “The Colbert Report.” Acting as a right-wing pundit, Colbert satirized the Tea Party, processed politics into humor, and attracted young people with his liberal views and humorous approach to global affairs. It was not a surprise when CBS tapped him to host “The Late Show,” a talk show with an older following, in an attempt to broaden their base. Colbert has made an effort to let audiences know it is difficult to live up to famed former host David Letterman, but he doesn’t have to—viewers can tell he is no Letterman.
The truth is that he was more natural acting conservative on “The Colbert Report.” He relies too heavily on his former role, and it gets awkward when his jokes don’t get a reaction—he waits for the audience to laugh. As himself, he does not click well with the audience, and his guests do not take him seriously. They also tend to get the best of him when he tries to mock them. A segment with Donald Trump failed to get the candidate to trip over himself; Trump expertly avoided the host’s trick questions. It got awkward when guest John McCain’s comments ended up being funnier than Colbert’s.
On another front, Trevor Noah recently began his stint as host of “The Daily Show.” Though former host Jon Stewart was beloved by fans, Noah has settled into his role well. In just a few weeks, he has become a fan favorite, a natural behind the desk. His monologues are relaxed, and his jokes are rarely forced. He also brings a new identity to the table—he is South African, and he frequently jokes about his birth country in his monologues. A segment comparing Donald Trump to African dictators was smoothly-executed and got great reactions. Though “The Daily Show,” a less-serious offering than mainstream talk shows, has always had a young and diverse audience, Noah’s appointment attracted many viewers who were alienated by an older, white host.
The changes in hosts have multiplied ratings for CBS and Comedy Central. Noah’s debut tripled the lukewarm ratings that Stewart received in the weeks before his departure. Colbert is similarly getting rave reviews from critics, and his audience is slightly younger than Letterman’s. It is too soon to tell if the duo will attract more long-term talk show viewers, but Colbert’s energy and Noah’s willingness to make edgy jokes is just what the tired genre needs. They might be what networks need to draw more teenagers into late night television.
The five most recent episodes of “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” are available on the CBS website. All episodes of “The Daily Show with Trevor Noah” are available on the Comedy Central website. The shows air on weeknights at 11:35 pm and 11 pm, respectively.
