Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Critiques Liberal Comedy
Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. recently commended a viral satirical post on X, targeting Stephen Colbert and the declining state of liberal comedy. In his remarks, he seized the opportunity to criticize Jimmy Kimmel, particularly as “The Late Show” prepares to wrap up.
Kennedy viewed the post as a way to explain why Kimmel faced criticism from conservatives regarding his comedic approach. He described it as “a brilliant dissection of the shocking collapse of liberal comedy,” pointing out that Kimmel, who was hired as a comedian, has turned his role into that of a moral authority.
The satire, penned by Peter Gilnas under the guise of “CBS’ Senior Vice President of Late Night Strategy,” focused on how Colbert has shifted from his Comedy Central persona to that of a more serious figure on “The Late Show.”
Gilnas remarked, “We killed off the characters and put a real man on the stage. The real man was a lecturer. Serious, thoughtful, correct in everything.” He suggested that this seriousness isn’t particularly engaging.
Following Kennedy’s endorsement, Gilnas went further, stating that the issue extends beyond Kimmel; it’s about a culture that stifles humor that strays from liberal views.
In last month’s podcast appearance with Michelle Obama, Kimmel stood by his right to make political statements. He pushed back against critics telling him his role is solely to make people laugh, asserting, “Don’t tell me what my job is.” He emphasized that his enjoyment comes from making the audience laugh.
Gilnas characterized this tension as evidence that late-night comedy has turned into a predictable routine for liberal audiences, rather than offering true spontaneity. He elaborated, “Comedy doesn’t happen in echo chambers. An echo chamber is a room that punishes the unexpected.”
In July 2025, CBS announced that “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” would come to an end in May 2026, attributing the decision to economic factors amid challenging late-night conditions, distancing it from any performance issues or controversies linked to Paramount.
