Jimmy Fallon, the genial host of NBC’s “The Tonight Show,” has stumbled into a firestorm of criticism for daring to host Fox News’ Greg Gutfeld on a recent episode. Fans, particularly vocal on Reddit, are up in arms over what they see as Fallon giving airtime to a conservative voice. It’s a classic case of late-night television stepping on the progressive third rail.
Thursday’s episode sparked outrage among viewers who took to Reddit to vent their frustration over Fallon’s decision to feature a prominent right-leaning figure like Gutfeld. This incident has reignited debates about political bias in late-night entertainment and whether hosts should platform voices outside the progressive bubble, Breitbart reported.
“I’ve never liked Fallon. At all,” grumbled one Reddit user, clearly unimpressed. Such disdain drips with personal resentment, but it misses the broader point: late-night shows have long been echo chambers for left-leaning ideas, and a single conservative guest shouldn’t trigger a meltdown.
The criticism isn’t new; some users dredged up a 2016 moment when Fallon interviewed then-candidate Donald Trump and famously ruffled his hair. “Fallon has normalized the right’s worst before,” one user wrote bitterly. But let’s be fair—should a lighthearted gesture from nearly a decade ago define a host’s entire career?
Another user recalled Fallon’s supposed remorse over that Trump moment, saying, “Remember when Fallon went on a brief redemption tour?” The implication is hypocrisy, yet it’s worth asking if hosts must eternally atone for past missteps or if they can evolve without being branded as sellouts.
“Jimmy’s afraid of getting cancelled too,” surmised a Reddit commenter, suggesting Fallon is pandering to conservative audiences. While the fear of cancellation is real in today’s hyper-sensitive climate, it’s a stretch to assume one guest appearance equals capitulation to any political side.
Beyond the Reddit outrage, a NewsBusters study paints a damning picture of late-night television’s guest lists, revealing a staggering 511 liberal or Democrat guests compared to just 14 conservative or Republican ones. This imbalance isn’t just a quirk; it’s a systemic tilt that makes Fallon’s choice to host Gutfeld seem almost rebellious. Could this be a small step toward fairness?
The same study pointed out that Stephen Colbert’s “The Late Show” has hosted 176 left-leaning guests since 2022, with only one Republican in the mix. Such numbers aren’t just lopsided; they’re a glaring indictment of an industry that often preaches diversity of thought while practicing the opposite.
Piers Morgan didn’t mince words, calling late-night hosts “hyper-partisan activist hacks for the Democrats.” His sharp critique stings because it aligns with the data—entertainment has become a megaphone for one side, and viewers deserve better than a monologue of groupthink.
Amid the Fallon backlash, whispers of Stephen Colbert’s show facing cancellation by May 2026 have surfaced, though no hard evidence supports this claim. Morgan’s jab that it’s “no wonder” Colbert “got canned” adds fuel to the rumor mill, but without confirmation, it’s just speculation. Still, it reflects a growing frustration with late-night’s predictable slant.
Back to Fallon, the Reddit vitriol shows no sign of letting up, with one user declaring, “There is no defense of this.” Yet, isn’t there a case for dialogue, even with those we disagree with? Shutting down conversation only deepens the cultural divide.
Another commenter fumed, “Fallon has always been a ‘yes to everyone’ man.” While the jab at Fallon’s perceived lack of conviction might land, it also highlights a double standard—hosts are criticized for taking sides and for staying neutral. They can’t win.
The outrage over Gutfeld’s appearance underscores a deeper tension: late-night TV is expected to be a safe space for progressive ideals, not a forum for debate. But shouldn’t entertainment challenge viewers rather than coddle them? Fallon’s decision, however controversial, at least sparks that question.
Critics may loathe Fallon for this, with one stating, “I now hate Jimmy Fallon.” Hate is a strong word, and while frustration is valid, it’s a reminder that public figures are often lightning rods for broader cultural battles, not just personal gripes.
Ultimately, the Fallon-Gutfeld episode is a microcosm of a polarized society where even a single TV booking can ignite fury. The data shows late-night’s leftward lean is undeniable, yet the answer isn’t to silence conservative voices but to demand more balance. If dialogue scares us, we’ve already lost the plot.
