Forget about the economic crisis and closing Gitmo. The real storm on the horizon is a sudden dearth of political humor.
Like most Americans dealing with problems, the nation’s comedians seem to be taking it all in stride, as a recent piece by Daniel Kurtzman on Huffingpost.com attests.
Kurtzman asked some of the country’s leading joke writers how they’re working to prevent the collapse of comedy in the U.S.
Here’s a sample of their responses:
Joe Grossman, writer, “Late Show with David Letterman”
“My best guess is that the late-night hosts will have to reinvent their shows now that political humor will cease to exist. Most likely, you'll see Letterman replace all of his comedy material with cooking segments, household safety demonstrations, poetry readings, and public service announcements imploring America's teenagers to practice sound physical and social hygiene. Either that, or the Obama administration will prove fallible, and mockery of government will continue as it has for most of recorded history. Could go either way.”
Kevin Bleyer, writer, “The Daily Show with Jon Stewart”
“On the contrary, I'm thrilled about an Obama presidency. During the Bush years, all my jokes were written by a team of Chinese pre-teens in a Shanghai sweatshop. Not that they didn't do a superb job -- I thought their take on seating the Michigan delegation was especially insightful -- but I'm just happy to have my job back.
Jay Jaroch, writer, “Real Time with Bill Maher”
“There will be no humor in the new order. You'll learn that in the re-education camps.”
Looks like the nation’s funny bone, unlike its life savings, is in good hands.
Wednesday, January 21
Trace Adkins – “The Ellen DeGeneres Show”
Brian Wilson – “The Tavis Smiley Show”
Blake Shelton, Becky Baeling – “Chelsea Lately”
John Pinette – “The Hour with George Stroumboulopoulos”
Lee Ann Womack – “The Bonnie Hunt Show”
Fall Out Boy – “Late Show with David Letterman” – rerun
Musiq Soulchild – “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno”
Fall Out Boy – “Late Night with Conan O’Brien”
Randy Jackson, Thriving Ivory – “Jimmy Kimmel Live!”
Trace Adkins – “Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson”
Thursday, January 22
Fall Out Boy – “Live with Regis and Kelly”
James Morrison – “The Ellen DeGeneres Show”
Akon – “The Tavis Smiley Show”
Brad Wollack, John Caparulo – “Chelsea Lately”
Will Smith, Of Montreal – “Late Show with David Letterman” – rerun
Lady Antebellum – “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno”
Blake Shelton – “Jimmy Kimmel Live!”
Company of Thieves – “Last Call with Carson Daly”
Friday, January 23
Chris Franjola, Gary Valentine – “Chelsea Lately” – rerun
Smashing Pumpkins – “The Hour with George Stroumboulopoulos” – rerun
Todd Rundgren – “Late Show with David Letterman” – rerun
Ty Barnett – “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno”
Nate Bargatze – “Late Night with Conan O’Brien” – rerun
Joan Rivers – “Jimmy Kimmel Live!”
Joshua Radin – “Last Call with Carson Daly” – rerun
Saturday, January 24
Manu Chao – “Austin City Limits”
T.I. – “Saturday Night Live” – rerun