Over the past two weeks, a number of late night talk shows, including "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert," "Late Night with Seth Meyers," and "Conan," all took their programs live for a period of time, whether it was entire weeks or just a night or two. Some were making jokes at the expense of the Republican and Democratic National Conventions, while O'Brien preferred to stick with something a little more sensible and took on San Diego's Comic Con. The result? Better programming.

Let's start with a brief description of late night television, which typically is categorized as the programming aired on major networks (ABC, CBS, NBC -- though it's expanded over the years) following the late news, so it begins around 11:35 p.m. Over the years, the late night show has developed a bit of a format. It usually includes variety shows, such as "Saturday Night Live," or talk shows hosted by comedians, such as the ones I previously listed. Today, nearly all of these shows are pre-recorded. Even ABC's "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" is actually taped an hour before it airs. This makes sense, seeing as it allows for guests to swear or ramble and the results to be polished in the editing room. However, with the change in the format these past two weeks, you can see a difference.

First off, there is a need for the jokes to be funnier when things are live. I've had the ability to attend run-throughs of NBC's late night programs before they aired, and sometimes, the jokes fall flat, but they can cut them before they go out to the nation. This, obviously, can't happen on live TV. Hosts have to admit when they're trying too hard. Sometimes, this is just as funny as a good joke.

The jokes are also fresher when they're coming at you live. One of the most notable times when late night hosts didn't comment on a major news event was the 2009 death of Michael Jackson, which occurred after the recordings had all taken place. Yes, it's probably been hell on earth for the writers of the "Late Show" these past two weeks trying to watch the crazy conventions while also making comments on them, but guess what? That stress has also led to higher ratings, has it not? (OK Jon Stewart's appearance helped, too.)

But on top of having more topical material, hosting a show at the same late hour when those at home are watching it makes for a more authentic experience. Everyone involved in the process is tired and a little loopy -- even more so these weeks what with the conventions pushing things later and later. Having hosts be in this state of exhaustion with the audience leads to everything being funnier. You know how when you're staying up late with your best friends and the later you're up, the easier it is to crack up at something, nearly anything? It's the same effect when late shows go live.

Viewers aren't about perfection. We're looking for a laugh, an authentic one. I hate to break it to TV editors, but this is more likely to happen when the hosts sit down in their chairs at 11:35 p.m. to joke about the day at the same time we're laying our heads down in our beds.