Late-night TV has always been a balancing act. Hosts juggle celebrity interviews, cultural commentary, and comedy—all while keeping one eye on the headlines. But in 2025, the late-night world feels more combustible than ever. With Stephen Colbert’s Late Show abruptly canceled, Jimmy Kimmel suspended after a controversial monologue, and Seth Meyers sparring with Washington critics, the pressure on hosts has never been higher.
And then there’s Jimmy Fallon.
The long-running host of The Tonight Show has, by design, remained relatively untouched by the firestorms engulfing his colleagues. In an era where late-night monologues are scrutinized, clipped, and dissected across every platform, Fallon has taken a different path—one he says is rooted in his original vision for the show.
The Chaos in Late Night
The past year has been nothing short of seismic for the late-night landscape.
CBS pulled the plug on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert after Paramount’s merger with Skydance, citing cost-cutting. Critics, however, suggested that Colbert’s outspoken political monologues may have played a role in the decision.
ABC suspended Jimmy Kimmel Live! for a week after one of Kimmel’s monologues referenced a controversial political figure’s death. Though Kimmel returned, the suspension raised questions about the limits of free speech in comedy.
NBC’s Seth Meyers has continued his nightly “Closer Look” segments, doubling down on biting satire—even as he becomes a favorite target of presidential criticism.
Yet through it all, Fallon’s Tonight Show has remained relatively unscathed, still delivering celebrity sketches, quirky games, and monologues that aim to keep audiences laughing without dividing them.
Fallon’s Philosophy: Laughter First
During a recent CNBC interview while promoting his reality competition series On Brand with Jimmy Fallon, the host was asked how he navigates such a tense political environment. His answer? Keep it simple.
“Our show has never really been that political, you know. We hit both sides equally, and we try to make everybody laugh, and that’s really the way our show works,” Fallon explained.
He compared his style to the golden era of The Tonight Show, tracing his approach back to the Johnny Carson years.
“Our monologues are kind of the same that we’ve been doing since Johnny Carson was hosting. So really, I just keep my head down and make sure the jokes are funny. I have great writers—clever, smart writers. And we’re just trying to make the best show we possibly can and entertain everybody.”
It’s a strategy that has kept Fallon largely out of the political crosshairs, even as his peers face mounting pressure.
A Different Kind of Late Night
Where Colbert leans into satire and Meyers dissects the day’s news, Fallon leans toward games with celebrities, viral-ready sketches, and musical impressions. The result is a show that feels less like a political forum and more like a comedy variety hour.
Consider the difference:
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Colbert often opens his show with biting critiques of government policies or political speeches.
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Kimmel blends heartfelt commentary with sharp monologues that take direct aim at Washington.
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Meyers devotes entire segments to detailed analysis of political events.
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Fallon, meanwhile, is more likely to play “Wheel of Musical Impressions” with Ariana Grande or break into a lip-sync battle with Justin Timberlake.
While Fallon doesn’t completely avoid politics—his writers still sprinkle in topical jokes—his overall tone is lighter, designed to make both sides laugh rather than take sides.
The Hair-Tousle Legacy
Fallon’s apolitical approach isn’t accidental. It can be traced back to one moment in 2016 that continues to follow him: the infamous Donald Trump hair-tousle.
During Trump’s appearance on The Tonight Show as a candidate, Fallon playfully mussed Trump’s hair, a moment many critics said humanized the controversial figure. Fallon later admitted he regretted the bit, calling it a misstep. Since then, he has worked carefully to avoid becoming the center of political firestorms again.
By keeping his comedy bipartisan—or at least attempting to—Fallon has avoided the suspensions, cancellations, and controversies that have plagued his colleagues.
Navigating a Risky Landscape
Fallon’s strategy is not without its risks. Critics sometimes accuse him of playing it too safe, of avoiding important issues in favor of silly sketches. But Fallon defends his lane, arguing that late-night should offer escape just as much as commentary.
His approach also reflects the wider NBC strategy. While Seth Meyers handles the more political content on Late Night, Fallon’s Tonight Show is designed to appeal to a broad audience, much like Carson’s did decades ago.
That division may be exactly why NBC has managed to weather the storm while CBS and ABC grapple with late-night crises.
The Unity of Late-Night Hosts
Despite differences in approach, Fallon remains publicly supportive of his peers. When Colbert’s cancellation was announced, Fallon acknowledged the void it would leave in the late-night ecosystem. And during Kimmel’s suspension, Fallon joined Meyers and Colbert in subtle gestures of solidarity.
Even though his own show avoids diving into the same controversies, Fallon’s words suggest that he views himself as part of a broader community of comedians, all facing the same heightened scrutiny.
What the Future Holds
The uncertainty around late-night television isn’t going away. Streaming services continue to reshape how people watch comedy, while corporate shakeups at major networks threaten the stability of traditional formats.
Fallon’s plan to stay the course—leaning on broad, bipartisan humor—may keep him in his role longer than most. Still, even he admits that the environment is fragile. “You just have to make the best show you can,” he told CNBC.
As Saturday Night Live prepares for its new season and Kimmel, Meyers, and Fallon continue their nightly balancing acts, the late-night conversation will remain a cultural barometer for how comedy intersects with politics.
Closing Thoughts
Jimmy Fallon’s strategy for surviving the late-night storm isn’t flashy. It doesn’t involve fiery monologues, viral political takedowns, or direct confrontations with power. Instead, it’s rooted in simplicity: stick to the laughs, stay bipartisan, and remember the legacy of Carson’s Tonight Show.
In an era when comedy often doubles as commentary, Fallon has carved out a space that feels almost old-fashioned—an oasis of games, music, and celebrity fun. Whether that’s a safer path or a missed opportunity depends on who you ask.
But one thing is certain: as long as late-night remains under the microscope, Fallon’s careful, comedy-first approach will keep him in the conversation—even if he’s not the one lighting the biggest political fires.
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