I may be speaking to an older audience here, but do you remember when the major TV networks aired late-night talk shows that were actually entertaining? I may be showing my age, but I certainly can.
When I was growing up and well into my early adult years, I looked forward to the celebrities and musical guests who appeared on the late-night shows of the day.
There were several shows to choose from, but like my parents, I gravitated toward The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson. To me, Carson was a comedic genius, delivering monologues that were truly funny — not slanted with politics or aimed at pushing a particular agenda. And his skits were amazing. My favorite was “Carnac the Magnificent.” Carson masterfully blended funny and clean humor with his dry wit and quizzical stares at sidekick Ed McMahon and his audience.
Carson’s guests spanned the gamut of the entertainment world. Every so often, he would also welcome someone from everyday life who had accomplished something interesting or unique. My favorites, though, were always the popular actors and actresses of the time. And I was especially excited when the show featured my favorite musical artists.
As a lifelong drummer — Carson played drums too and sometimes on his show — I always enjoyed when the legendary drummer Buddy Rich appeared. Wow! Carson’s band, led by trumpeter Doc Severinsen with Ed Shaughnessy on drums, was also a favorite of mine.
A few days ago, I was listening to conservative radio host Moon Griffon, who talked about how late-night shows in recent decades have evolved into little more than political platforms instead of the entertaining and relaxing programs we once knew. He even played a clip from a 60 Minutes interview in which Johnny Carson explained his simple rule — warning Mike Wallace of the dangers of using his show as a political platform.
Carson said that once you cross that line, the host risks becoming self-important, believing their words carry great weight, and then using the show to sway opinions and perspectives. “That’s not how it should be,” Carson said. “That’s not entertainment.”
In light of recent events — and the completely inappropriate and insensitive comments made on some late-night shows regarding the assassination of Charlie Kirk — I find myself reflecting even more. These days, I don’t watch late-night TV as much as I once did, mainly because I’m usually asleep by then (unless I’ve had a nap and stay up for the 10 p.m. news and the shows that follow). When I do watch, I want to be entertained and relaxed — not lectured or pushed toward a political agenda.
Of course, free speech belongs to all of us, not just a select few. Everyone has the right to express their views, political or otherwise. But to me, late-night shows have gone too far. Still, I also have the right to turn them off — and often, I do.
I long for the days when late-night talk shows were pure entertainment. I long for the days of The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson.
Randy Brown is Regional Publisher and Executive VP of Specht Newspapers, Inc.