Pulling all-nighters in college, the one thing that kept me going (aside from an IV-like infusion of caffeine) was The Late Show with David Letterman. At the time, his subversive approach to television, the late-night genre and corporate obeisance felt like the beginning of something wholly new. And it was.

But over time, the ideas he pioneered have become staples of the genre. Stuff like pranks and stupid pet tricks are de riguer for any TV personality with a desk and a chair. For many, the fun and games aspect of these shows have become a larger part of the appeal than the sit-down interview (which we all know is just a platform for celebrity plugging).

And yet, we now use late-night talk to help us understand the day’s events. To make sense of the utterly senseless chaos around us. Perhaps because the actual world seems so farcical and abstract, our late-night hosts have become our cultural first-responders – replacing what used to be the role of network news, before our trust in them eroded.

So now that Trevor Noah’s landed safely (arguably too safely) on The Daily Show, what’s notable in the category when subversion itself becomes institutionalized? Let’s name check the late-night landscape from a cultural perspective.

PLAYTIME

No doubt here that the reigning chatfest is more “fest” than chat. The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon’s rampant exuberance is a professional version of recess that relies on visual theatrics and low-fi fun. That improvised, earnest positivity channels a millennial vibe that puts playfulness in the foreground. The Late Late Show host James Corden’s impish pranks, coupled with his seemingly genuine glee, are more grown-up fun, finding joy in simple moments.

LATER, HATERS

It’s been easy to peg the host of Jimmy Kimmel Live as the “mean Jimmy,” but at his best, he targets his wrath at people and ideas that, in the current culture, seem to really deserve it. From wagging a finger at Cecil the Lion’s killer dentist to celebrities confronting “Mean Tweets” about them, his most notable bits echo the larger cultural trend of shaming bad behavior. (Full disclosure: TruthCo. has worked with this show).

SMART SHOWMANSHIP

Perhaps more has been written about Stephen Colbert’s dancing than his interviews. But that’s all window dressing for what seems to be his real agenda. The booking of guests for his B segment indicate more of an intellectual priority than the typical ratings drivers.

From new-economy CEOs to his throat-lumping sit down with Joe Biden, he’s giving a platform to provocative leaders across a range of sectors to make us think.

Along with John Oliver’s Last Week Tonight, Colbert reflects a cultural aspiration to understand and master subjects that reframes intelligence for the everyman. This reflects a recent cultural shift: being informed and analytical is no longer for the “elite” or highly educated viewer. In a world of Wikipedia, there’s a curiosity and hunger for next-level information that is accessible and appealing to all.

OUTSIDERS INSIDE

Oliver’s British POV aligns with our current cultural mode of elevating outsiders (Donald Trump, anyone?) Ever since the economic collapse destroyed our collective trust of institutions, even bastions of comedy are suspect. So we look to people with explicitly different points of view for a reality check. The promise of Trevor Noah — as-yet-unfulfilled — is his international, biracial and millennial take on the hypocrisy of politics and the systems that enable it. Perhaps it’s too soon to say, but I hope he’ll play it less safe and less reverent to the fake news shrine that Jon Stewart built, and infuse some of the outrage (mock or not) that gave the show its bite. It’s OK to toughen up.

WHATEVER HAPPENED TO SNARK?

Perhaps it’s ironic that the person who seemingly got lost in the late night shuffle is the one person who stands out for a sharper, more abstract and more cynical voice in late night. Remember Conan? The bitterness that pervaded his post-NBC boot may actually work in his favor now, channeling a Gen X skepticism when everyone else is pushing positivity. Could this be Conan O’Brien’s next breakout moment?

Samantha Bee and Chelsea Lately, take note. Whenever there’s too much of a good thing, culture favors distinction. And we’ve seen before what happens when women seize a medium. The Internet hit critical mass when it opened up to consumers other than gamers, porn addicts and sports fans – that is, the other half of the population. So it’s your turn, ladies. Let’s bring back that subversive spirit and show the boys how it’s done!

I’d love to hear your thoughts on the Late Night shows you’re watching. Tweet me @lindaong100 and check out www.truthco.net for more on our latest Truth Culture Decoder: Talking Late.

TruthCo. is a cultural branding and insights company, headed by CEO Linda Ong, that analyzes the current cultural landscape to deliver actionable recommendations that keep entertainment brands and their offerings relevant.


Image of The Daily Show’s Trevor Noah courtesy of Comedy Central

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