The term "game-changing" is egregiously overused of late, especially in advertisements on social media. But it seems to me that recent late-night broadcast programming has the potential to be exactly that. I have nothing new to add to the ongoing free speech conversation (or is it a "confrontation?") that you haven't read, said, or thought about since Stephen Colbert got the boot on CBS and Jimmy Kimmel got temporarily tossed off ABC. The latter "cancellation" was quickly reversed amid the clamor of the masses in defense of every American's 1st Amendment rights.
It's nice to know that we aren't all as jaded and brainless as is often assumed in an era when we are continuously encouraged to let our phone do the thinking for us. Freedom of speech, the hot button of the moment, is critically important. So are the livelihoods of the hundreds of hard-working people who become casual collateral damage when their employers are wrongly silenced. (In his monologue last Tuesday Kimmel really roasted Trump on that point.)
I'm as tired as you are of media executives declaring that they would defend to the death the 1st Amendment, under the protection of which they have made their fortunes, when we all know they wouldn't cross a busy street to save the life of a lost puppy. But the intensity of the explosion of support for Kimmel and Colbert (and other media personalities) in this escalating homespun conflict has been exhilarating.
On the other hand, and in ways having nothing to do with politics, it has left me feeling somewhat dissatisfied with the state of broadcast and cable television overall. Granted, they are speaking out about extreme circumstances, but Colbert and Kimmel have both been riveting of late, not only in their monologues but in conversation with many of their guests, as well.
As the headline above says, it has been a heady mixture of power, passion, and pride. But it has made one thing perfectly clear: Broadcast and cable television simply do not offer enough of the straightforward, intelligent, thought-provoking conversations Colbert and Kimmel have been giving us of late. (As an example, see Colbert's chat last week with California Governor and potential presidential candidate Gavin Newsom.) We sometimes get this from Seth Meyers on NBC, Jon Stewart on Comedy Central and Bill Maher on HBO, but even there (as with the others) these folks don't trust anyone to listen unless someone cracks a joke every couple minutes or periodically interrupts their show for (often juvenile) comedy routines. And the host's personal politics are never far removed.
The more I thought about this the clearer it became: Ever since Oprah Winfrey left daytime television, the late Barbara Walters left ABC's The View (and, earlier, discontinued her frequent primetime specials), the late Larry King left CNN and, going way back, Dick Cavett and Johnny Carson left late night and Mike Douglas and Merv Griffin left syndication, it has been darn near impossible for Americans to find lengthy and engaging conversations and insightful interviews that are not heavily opinionated. There might occasionally be one on a Sunday morning news program (when most people are otherwise engaged) or a nightly cable news show (let's not go there), but odds are they will be brief and often agitating to watch.
Not every interview would have to be serious. I'm always ready to be entertained. But I would welcome a timely mix.
When it comes to television viewing, how can it be that I was exposed to a greater number of smart conversations about important matters and entertaining interviews with celebrities in my youth than my adulthood?
It seems to me that a savvy cable executive or, dare I suggest, a beleaguered broadcaster, should give Colbert a shot at a "serious" news-driven and news making talk show … one without a band, sophomoric skits, and constant forced humor. (Leave the comedy to Andy Cohen, Graham Norton, and Greg Gutfeld. They do it better, each in his own way.) Possibly once a week in primetime? Maybe a live telecast? Why not? It looks as though broadcast and cable are losing ground to streaming at an alarming rate. "Live" is still one of the things that both do best.
Simply create a friendly environment (as Oprah and Larry and Dick and Johnny so successfully did) and have newsmakers from all areas come on and chat. Balance political guests between the left and the right. Let people listen and form opinions for their own damn selves. Just study old Barbara Walters interviews for tips on how to pull this off in ways that people appreciate.
Even though Colbert is both an actor and a comedian I think he could do this. Or Stewart. He has the skills. (Remember when he used to brave the terrors of The O'Reilly Factor on Fox News, and Bill O'Reilly would return the favor with visits to The Daily Show?) Or Robin Roberts. Or Hoda Kotb. (Now there's an idea!)
Or how about Kimmel? Yes, he's a comedian, too … but when he gets serious on his show it's impossible to turn away. How might we all benefit by listening to him talk to people without worrying about amusing anybody?
Jimmy, you are a golden goofball, but in your next act you might be so much more.
Stephen, that goes for you, too.
Guys, your country needs you.
Posted at MediaVillage through the Thought Leadership self-publishing platform.
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