Divisive Politics & Wokeism Have Killed Comedy

Comedy, once a bastion of free expression and unfiltered truth, has been hijacked by the sanctimonious grip of divisive politics, political correctness, and wokeism. What was historically an art form that united audiences through shared laughter has devolved into a platform for social engineering, where comedians and writers wield their microphones as megaphones for ideological agendas. The result is a fractured comedic landscape that caters to polarized tribes, alienates broad audiences, and sacrifices genuine humor for cheap applause.

Late-night talk shows and sketch comedy shows like Saturday Night Live (SNL) exemplify this decay, peddling politically jaded material that fuels the social divide in America. These so-called comedians and writers have betrayed comedy’s essence, prioritizing activism over artistry, and underscore why true comedic genius thrives without leaning on divisive crutches.

Late-night talk shows, once home to the irreverent wit of Johnny Carson and David Letterman, have become predictable echo chambers for left-leaning dogma. Hosts like Stephen Colbert, Jimmy Kimmel, and Seth Meyers have transformed their platforms into nightly sermons, delivering politically charged monologues that pander to progressive audiences while alienating conservatives. Their jokes, often thinly veiled attacks on Republican figures or policies, lack the nuance or universality that defined earlier eras of comedy.

For instance, Colbert’s relentless mockery of Donald Trump during his presidency—calling him everything from a “dictator” to a “buffoon”—rarely ventured beyond gratuitous low-hanging fruit, earning cheers from partisan crowds but failing to resonate with viewers seeking intellectually-crafted wit and cleverness over propaganda.

This shift is deliberate. Writers’ rooms, increasingly staffed by ideologues, churn out material designed to signal virtue rather than provoke laughter. Kimmel’s tearful monologues on gun control or healthcare, while emotionally charged, blur the line between comedy and activism. His 2017 rants on the Affordable Care Act, though heartfelt, alienated viewers who tuned in for escapism, not lectures.

The result is a self-selecting audience, with ratings plummeting as moderates and conservatives abandon ship. Nielsen data shows late-night viewership at historic lows, with Colbert’s Late Show averaging under 3 million viewers, a far cry from Carson’s 10 million-plus in the 1980s. By catering to one side of the political spectrum, these hosts have traded broad appeal for niche relevance, proving that comedy suffers when it becomes a tool for social engineering.

Saturday Night Live, once a cultural touchstone for biting satire, has similarly succumbed to the allure of divisive politics. The show’s cold opens, which used to skewer both sides with equal glee, now lean heavily into progressive talking points. During the 2020 election cycle, SNL’s portrayal of Trump (played by Alec Baldwin) as a bumbling villain contrasted sharply with its fawning depictions of Democrat figures like Kamala Harris (Maya Rudolph), who was often framed as a flawless heroine. This imbalance isn’t accidental; it reflects a writers’ room more concerned with preaching than punching up.

SNL’s reliance on “woke” humor—jokes that prioritize moral posturing over wit—further erodes its comedic credibility. A 2021 sketch mocking “white fragility” during a corporate diversity training session felt like a TED Talk with canned laughter, alienating viewers who reject such heavy-handed messaging. The show’s obsession with identity politics has also led to self-censorship, with writers avoiding topics that might offend progressive sensibilities. Gone are the days of Norm Macdonald’s unapologetic jabs at all sides; in their place are safe, predictable bits that reinforce the l