Late Night Comedy TV

[PapaGeorgio]

There are numerous late night talk shows on the major networks these days, it seems most have at least two and even cable is getting into the game these days. (Leno, Fallon, Letterman, Ferguson, Kimmel, Lopez, Conan).

Comedy Central however has had success with the late night comedy news shows (Colbert, Stewart). These shows are critically successful (Emmey Win) and they do have a nice audience.

My question, do you think a show style of the late night comedy news desk would be successful on a major network (ABC, NBC, FOX, CBS)?


My thoughts:

There certainly is a lot of overlap currently. Some of the comedians do go for a different audience. Not to over simplify what they do, as there are many differences. But from a bigger picture they are the same shows.

I acknowledge the risk a network would take putting a comedy news show on, but I would hope one would want to try something different. The issue though is they would need to steal Stuart or somebody strongly established. If they copy the show format to closely, I don't think anyone would really give it a chance. Plus the audience would be skewed to a younger generation starting off. Would be hard to pull off but hey Chevy and Arsenio got a chance.

You guys can discuss.

[Emperor Smeat]

It could work in the short run but if everyone started to do a comedy news show then it could over-saturate the market similar to how every network has at least 2-3 late night or talk shows per evening.

One reason it worked out well for Comedy Central was because the network itself is themed around comedy and they gave the Daily Show years to develop its brand before adding the spin-off Colbert Show. They ended up having their "Left" and "Right" comedy shows both become satire of politics in general. When Fox News tried an attempt at a "comedy news show", it failed because it was too forced on making fun of Liberals or anyone Fox News didn't like.

[jerichoholicninja]

I don't think it could work on network TV because it would be too safe. The last thing a network wants to do is offend a major sponsor who has contributed a lot of money to a politician that the show makes fun of.

I know all late night shows make fun of politicians but what they do is nothing in comparison to the Daily Show and Colbert Report.