So. Let’s continue with this edition of (Drumroll, please) \_/ \_/ \_/ \_/ \_/ \_/ \_/ \_/ \_/ \_/ Late night shows.
Yes, the same comedic shows that help us make sense of this complicated world by making us chuckle & laugh. Below are a few shows that I follow religiously (ironic!) on Youtube (’cause that’s the only way I can “watch” these shows- via clips on Youtube).
1- Last Week Tonight with John Oliver
Honestly, there isn’t much to say when it comes to this show. It speaks for itself (or JohnOliver does, at least). Indulge yourself in the magical world of Chijohns, #confederashe & Donald Drumpf. John Oliver is just undeniably hilarious & don’t let anyone tell you otherwise (Nick Chen). An apprentice of The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, His topics are quite varied & interesting. Though a lot of the content is on political issues. Olivers talent makes him quite memable material. He is a living meme when on stage (or…in desk?).
Olivers episode on WWE. Kind of a wild card, but shows the dark side of the arena & is one of his passions.
Episode on megachurches & the absurdity of churches remaining tax-exempt as demonstrated by his creation of the church Our Lady of Perpetual Exemption. He seriously carried out this practical joke. Seriously….
Episode on Trump. Or should I say Drumpf?
9.5/10- Very memable & fit-coughingly hilarious (don’t get COVID-19, stay healthy). & Yes 95% is close to perfection because perfection doesn’t exist, but if it did, it would be this show.
2- The Daily Show
with Jon Stewart-
Ah. Jon Stewart. A man who is much honored in both Liberal & Conservative circles (mostly liberal, but anyways). This mans power should not be underestimated. He has shut down a TV show (crossfire) & passed a bill through Congress for the first responders to 9/11. The man has created Late Night Shows & Comedy as we know it & has kickstarted the careers of greats like John Oliver, Stephen Colbert, Trevor Noah, Steve Carrell & Hassan Minhaj. There is only one clip that can encapsulate his brilliance (you Chicagolanders will not enjoy the sheer magnanimity of Jon Stewart in this clip. He held back a little bit, you know)
http://www.cc.com/video-clips/zb44o8/the-daily-show-with-jon-stewart-strife-of-pie
Watch successively & embrace the criticism. Also, sorry for no embedded video. The best I could do.
with Trevor Noah-
Ah. Trevor. He’s the host who has made the daily show #woke. The show has now moved from the old strain of liberalism to the millennial strand. The show continues what Stewart had already done. Not much to say.
At this point, just go to Twitter or Youtube & search up “The Daily Show”. Please do me a favor. But anyways-
8/10- Has adapted very well to the millennial generation. Sometimes can lack context & depth due to short amount of time to cover wide range of topics, daily.
3- The Late Show with Stephen Colbert
Stephen Colbert, the satirist from the former Colbert Report (where he plays a mock conservative, much like The Opposition with Jordan Klepper) at Comedy Central, takes over this show & transforms it into the upper echelons of Late Night elites. There is only one thing you can think when Stephen Colbert comes to mind- elegance. Stephen is as smooth as the molasses of his native South Carolina & slips in jokes, double entendres at the right moments, catches you off-guard & makes you chuckle at least once during a span of 3 minutes.
Stephens monologue after Trumps Win. His sober tone yet hilarious jokes make for a great laugh.
8/10- Smooth, Hilarious & Intellectual.
4- Patriot Act with Hasan Minhaj
Okay, this isn’t a Late Night show. It’s a web series. But it’s still sooooooo good. I might be biased here (’cause I’m brown) but still. Hassan puts up a good show even with a lack of accents & impersonations. Hasan describes his show as “a Drake concert” with him as host, pointing to the Emmy winning visuals of his show.
One of Hasan favorite topics. My mans gotta look fresh, am I right?
One of his “Deep Cuts” where he either has a interview, interacts with the audience or does both. They’re kinda like the Daily Shows “Between the Scenes”
9/10- Almost perfect. But the standing around is too much & too confined a space. Topics are varied & visuals are A-mah-zing.
5- Real Time with Bill Maher
The old, stoner liberal atheist (again, might be biased) who has been criticized for using the n-word & has some tinge of Islamophobia. But let me tell you this much- I don’t think he’s a racist. Does that mean I’m defending his use of the word? No. He used it to make a joke. But, I cannot defend the use of that word by anyone who is not black. Also, he is anti-PC (which I can agree with. PC culture is too absurd). But he has some really good monologues.
Interview with Megan Kelly
One of his “New Rule” segments which gives his opinion on a specific current event.
& the notorious, conventional monologue.
8.5/10- I like Bill. Despite his flaws, he is a great comedian & I believe, a good person.
I know that I didn’t mention the many other late night shows. But these are what I’ve been watching. Also, I know a lot of these shows have been cancelled due to the coronavirus which makes me sad. ‘Cause believe it or not, these shows give us clarity on many issues in this crazy world & cancelling these shows obscures our vision a bit. So, I hope this gets over soon, people get better & I can finally watch these shows again. Till then, toodles.