As you’ve got little question heard by now, the royal household is in a state of disaster.
After eradicating herself from public life for a number of months, Kate Middleton introduced final week that she has most cancers.
The Princess of Wales did not go into specifics with regard to the severity of her situation or the organs affected, however anybody who’s ever skilled the ravages of most cancers — both firsthand or by witnessing a beloved one’s battle — is aware of that it is a horrible illness that extracts a devastating toll.
In different phrases, it is nothing to joke about, which is why Stephen Colbert issued an apology to Kate and her household this week.
In case you missed it, Colbert — like nearly each different public determine within the Western world — commented on Kate’s disappearance and supplied some lighthearted hypothesis in regards to the doable causes.
The clip above is from a monologue that Colbert delivered two weeks in the past, when Kate’s absence was making headlines, and nobody had any concept about her analysis.
As soon as the reality got here out, Colbert was fast to retract his remarks and supply sort phrases to Kate and her beloved onesa.
“We do plenty of reveals. I inform plenty of jokes. I inform jokes about plenty of various things, largely about what everyone is speaking about,” Colbert started.
“For the final six weeks to 2 months, everyone has been speaking in regards to the thriller of Kate Middleton’s disappearance from public life.
“After I made these jokes, that upset some folks even earlier than her analysis was revealed,” he continued.
“I can perceive that. A number of my jokes have upset folks previously, and a few of my jokes will upset folks sooner or later, however there’s a regular that I attempt to maintain myself to, and that’s I don’t make mild of any person else’s tragedy.”
Sure, most cancers is nothing to make mild of — nevertheless it’s essential to notice that that is not what Colbert did.
His bit addressed the questions surrounding Kate’s sudden disappearance, nevertheless it was largely targeted on the rumors that she stepped away from her royal duties due to William’s alleged affair with Rose Hanbury.
The jokes weren’t notably edgy or mean-spirited, they usually poked enjoyable at British tradition greater than the rest.
So why did Colbert really feel obligated to apologize?
Properly, the host has lengthy had a repute as one of many nicest guys within the trade, so it is not terribly stunning that he felt a twinge of guilt within the wake of Kate’s announcement.
In actual fact, it was extra stunning that he made these jokes — innocuous as they have been — within the first place.
However there’s extra occurring right here than simply Colbert’s comprehensible need to keep away from being seen as a jerk.
Allow us to start by assuring you that you simply’re not about to be subjected to a different drained invective on the risks of wokeness and their impact on comedy,
These takes are virtually at all times lame, and now greater than ever, you’ll find any sort of comedy that you simply’re all for by way of one of many billion or so platforms on which entertainers are at the moment posting authentic content material.
Community TV has at all times mirrored society’s tastes greater than it is formed them, so it comes as no shock that Colbert and his ilk are providing up a model of comedy that is extra attuned to at present’s tastes.
Seth, Stephen, and the Jimmies aren’t going for edgy low blows anymore as a result of that is simply not what their viewers are on the lookout for within the hour earlier than mattress.
Mockingly, you may discover an edgier model of humor on After Midnight, hosted by late night time’s sole millennial, Taylor Tomlinson — however that is largely as a result of Tomlinson’s present brings in an ever-changing roster of standups and permits them to riff in a sport present format.
No, we’re not about to lament the truth that “nobody is allowed to say something anymore,” particularly when Dave Chappelle remains to be in a position to command an eight-figure payday for a brand new hourlong particular.
We’re wonderful with the truth that late night time hosts are leaning nearer to Jim Gaffigan than George Carlin lately.
However we do fear a couple of future through which all celebrities and highly effective public figures should be handled with child gloves.
Colbert’s apology to Kate was probably real and heartfelt, however there could come a time when hosts are compelled to make comparable statements for causes associated to entry.
For those who anger the improper celebrities, then they will not do your present anymore. And in the event that they’re influential sufficient, they could have the ability to persuade different stars to not do your present anymore.
And in the event you endanger the revenue margin of a big-budget film or TV present by cracking too many jokes about it in your monologue, then a whole studio, community, or expertise company would possibly take your title out of its digital Rolodex.
Late night time reveals have at all times relied on participation from celebrities.
However within the previous days, the celebrities would present up simply to sip cocktails and shoot the bull with Johnny Carson.
Typically that they had a challenge to advertise, however these reveals had a extra freewheeling occasion vibe, and on any given night time, you would possibly tune in to see Shelley Winters dumping a drink on Oliver Reed’s head.
As of late, the interview portion of the present is extra infomercial than casual. Jimmy Fallon and Sydney Sweeney would possibly play a non-licensed model of Password, however the truth that she’s shilling for Madame Internet isn’t far out of your thoughts.
Any present that completely pissed off sufficient stars would mainly be lifeless within the water — and since celebs are actually the one impartial joke fodder in these hyper-politicized occasions, the state of affairs would possibly finally show stifling for comedy.
What do you suppose, TV followers? Do celebs have an excessive amount of energy within the realm of late night time? Hit the remark part under to share your ideas.
Tyler Johnson is an Affiliate Editor for TV Fanatic and the opposite Mediavine O&O websites. In his spare time, he enjoys studying, cooking, and, in fact, watching TV. You possibly can Follow him on X and e mail him right here at TV Fanatic.
