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This was quite a week for stand-up comedy on late-night shows.
James Cordens likability crisishas people once againwondering what late night is even fornowadays.
What function does it serve in the greater entertainment ecosystem?
Extremely famous people plugging theircash-grab childrens books, sure, but theres got to be something else.
In the 70s and 80s, whole careers were allegedly made by one set onCarson.
October 5sWWHLfeaturedSandra Bernhard, someone who got her Q score up as a frequent guest of Letterman.
Her rep was burnished by appearance after appearance.
Whos getting that frequent couch time today, Josh Gad?
Hes Olaf, he doesnt need it.
I worry about the next generation of celebs.
The current platforms for a come-up (mostly TikTok and Instagram) prioritize being hot over being talented.
Its possible to come through the podcast track, like a Nicole Byer or Matt Rogers.
Perform + pod + time = hosting a reality-competition show = face time with the masses.
We dont have to completely ape theBritish model; we can reject modernity and embrace our own traditions.
Bring backDrunk History,bring backI Love the ____,bring backChelsea Latelyand her panel of staff writers.
Or at the very least, keep having weeks like this on late night.
Part of what made this week fun was the variety of performance styles we got from the stand-ups.
And Isabel Hagen broke out a viola.
