Jay Leno Decries Political Partisanship in Late Night: ‘Why Shoot for Just Half an Audience?’

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Jay Leno — who hosted NBC’s Tonight Show for more than two decades — believes late night TV is the wrong place for political partisanship.

In a recent interview with David Trulio — the president and CEO of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute — Leno said he does not think it wise to alienate a large faction of a potential audience on either side.

“I love political humor, don’t get me wrong,” the late-night veteran told Trulio. “But it’s just what happens when people wind up cozying too much to one side or the other. Why shoot for just half an audience all the time? You know, why not try to get the whole. I mean, I like to bring people into the big picture.”

The interview was published on July 15 — before CBS announced the cancellation of Stephen Colbert’s Late Show, effective in May 2026. Leno did not mention Colbert or any other current late night comic in his commentary. Still, Leno made it clear that his comments apply to all of the current late night crop — while also adding that they don’t have a choice but to enter the partisan fray.

“Now you have to be content with half the audience because you have to give your opinion,” Leno said.

Watch above, via the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute.