The Boys' Club of Late-Night Television
Start writing a post
Entertainment

The Boys' Club of Late-Night Television

"Vanity Fair" photo sparks discussion about gender diversity.

63
The Boys' Club of Late-Night Television
Sam Jones

This past week, "Vanity Fair" ran the article "Why Late-Night Television is Better Than Ever." The accompanying photo featured Stephen Colbert, Conan O'Brien, Trevor Noah, James Corden, Jimmy Kimmel, John Oliver, Seth Meyers, Larry Wilmore, Jimmy Fallon, and Bill Maher.


"Late-night comedy has seen a disorienting—some feared fragmenting—shuffle over the last two years as Jay Leno, David Letterman, and Jon Stewart gave up their chairs. But, writes David Kamp, a mix of new faces, shows, and platforms has only revitalized the format." -Vanity Fair

If it's not glaringly obvious from the photo, no women are represented in late-night comedy on big networks. While the article highlights a "disorienting...shuffle," it seems as if not much has changed. The past kings of late night just passed the baton to the next guy.

For years, comedy has been described as a "boy's club." The way Vanity Fair chose to portray the all-male hosts did not help their cause. The suits and scotch glasses scream "no girls allowed." A title that boasts late-night is "better than ever," seems to overlook the lack of gender diversity.

After the Vanity Fair article was published, people on Twitter had a lot to say:

"Late night television: sadly, no cracks in that glass ceiling." @standupkid

"Vanity Fair piece on how awesome US late night television is. (Apparently women go to bed at 7 after cooking dinner.)" @TomEatonSA

"It's not called late-night television, I believe it's called a sausage fest." @feministabulous

That's not to say that the existing late-night hosts are not talented. The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon and John Oliver's Last Week Tonight are two personal favorites. But when something as influential to American culture as late-night television is 100 percent male and 80 percent white, there's a clear problem. Comedy is often used as social commentary and when women are not represented, their voices aren't being heard.

"What’s conspicuously missing from late-night, still, is women. How gobsmackingly insane is it that no TV network has had the common sense—and that’s all we’re talking about in 2015, not courage, bravery, or even decency—to hand over the reins of an existing late-night comedy program to a female person?" -Vanity Fair

With so many current high-profile female comedians like Amy Schumer, Tiny Fey, Amy Poehler, Mindy Kaling, Melissa McCarthy, Maya Rudolph, Kristen Wiig, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Chelsea Handler, Ellen DeGeneres, Kristen Schaal, Jessica Williams, and Sarah Silverman, you would think there would be more female representation on late-night.

In 2016, Chelsea Handler will have a show on Netflix and past Daily Show correspondent, Samantha Bee will be on TBS, but there is still a long way to go before we can achieve gender equality in late-night television.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
houses under green sky
Photo by Alev Takil on Unsplash

Small towns certainly have their pros and cons. Many people who grow up in small towns find themselves counting the days until they get to escape their roots and plant new ones in bigger, "better" places. And that's fine. I'd be lying if I said I hadn't thought those same thoughts before too. We all have, but they say it's important to remember where you came from. When I think about where I come from, I can't help having an overwhelming feeling of gratitude for my roots. Being from a small town has taught me so many important lessons that I will carry with me for the rest of my life.

Keep Reading...Show less
​a woman sitting at a table having a coffee
nappy.co

I can't say "thank you" enough to express how grateful I am for you coming into my life. You have made such a huge impact on my life. I would not be the person I am today without you and I know that you will keep inspiring me to become an even better version of myself.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

92627
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

71041
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments