Jon Lovitz attacks Colbert and Kimmel for pushing a ‘political agenda’ late at night: They ‘hammered him to death’

EXCLUSIVE – Actor and comedian Jon Lovitz has attacked the politicization of late-night comedy, denouncing liberal hosts Stephen Colbert, Jimmy Kimmel and Seth Meyers during an exclusive interview with FOX News Digital.

Lovitz, who has been a comedy icon for nearly 40 years since his days as a cast member on “Saturday Night Live,” was asked about comedy’s transformation over the years and called attention to the polarization of late-night shows since the Trump era.

“I don’t like it. I don’t like it,” Lovitz said. “They were comedy shows. And now, with the exception of Jimmy Fallon, they’ve all become very political. And to me, it’s just… it’s too much.”

“I mean, Johnny Carson would make, you know, two or three jokes about who was president at the time or what was going on at the time and that was it. But they were entertainment shows.” , did he declare. “I know all these guys. And they’re very nice guys. Very talented. I know Seth. I know Stephen Colbert. I know Jimmy Kimmel. I think they’re funny, you know. But when they started doing politics, like, so one-sided, it’s like- and that’s all it is, all of it, it’s just like, these aren’t the shows I used to be on. You know, it was ‘The Tonight Show’ and David Letterman.”

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Lovitz recalled how during his appearances on “Late Show” during the Letterman era, it was truly a “comedy show” but in talk show format, and how the interviews were structured more like a “routine” so that Letterman can help “highlight” his upcoming guests. of the recording. This contrasts with today.

“It’s their show. They can do whatever they want. But you ask me if I like it, and I say no,” Lovitz said. “If I want the news, I’ll watch the news. I don’t watch those shows. It’s late night entertainment, but it’s all political except for Jimmy Fallon. And they keep getting mad at Jimmy. “Why don’t you don’t do politics? Because he’s making a stupid, escapist entertainment show. “

Liberals turned on Fallon after his cordial interview with then-candidate Donald Trump just weeks before the 2016 presidential election. Fallon, who had previously hosted Hillary Clinton on his show twice, invited his former colleague to NBC for a similarly friendly chat, which ended with the host ruffling Trump’s hair.

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Anti-Trump critics said the interview humanized Trump and may have ultimately helped the Republican nominee on Election Day. In 2018, Fallon apologized and called it a “mistake.”

Even though Fallon hasn’t opted for partisanship, his late-night colleagues like Colbert and Kimmel have made it a cornerstone of their programs. Lovitz tells FOX News Digital that they prioritize politics over comedy.

“They’re pounding it to death…they’ve become. ‘Here’s my political agenda.’ They’re very open about it,” Lovitz said. “And I’m like, well, okay. I don’t have any say in that. It’s their show, you know. But I don’t particularly like — I don’t like that they became that because where are the comedians and the stand-up and the bits, you know, like Letterman. It was comedy.”

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In addition to “SNL,” Lovitz has starred in films like “A League of Their Own” and “Rat Race” and has been featured in numerous Adam Sandler comedies. Most recently, he has made regular appearances on Byron Allen’s comedy game show “Funny You Should Ask” and regularly tours the country doing stand-up, including monthly appearances at The Laugh Factory at the Tropicana from Las Vegas.

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In January, Lovitz appeared on “The Tonight Show,” impersonating Rep. George Santos, R-N.Y.