Seth Meyers, the liberal NBC ‘Late Night’ host, has discussed the trend of talk shows moving away from hosting politicians as guests, a shift he attributes to the rise of podcasts as a better medium for political discourse. Meyers noted that podcasts allow for deeper conversations and give politicians more freedom to express their views without the constraints of television interviews.
He pointed out that the 2024 election has been dubbed the ‘podcast election’ due to the significant influence of podcasts in shaping public opinion, particularly with figures like Joe Rogan. Meyers mentioned that he himself had a history of mocking Donald Trump, including at the White House correspondents’ dinner in 2011, and now, with the second term of Trump, he has observed how the media landscape has evolved.
Meyers also addressed the prediction made by veteran talk show host Jimmy Kimmel that there might not be late-night hosts in 10 years. He agreed with Kimmel’s assessment, suggesting that the format may not sustain itself in the future. Meyers emphasized the need for media to adapt to technological changes, noting that people will always find ways to consume content that suits their preferences.
He further explained that podcasts offer an advantage in the way they allow for more in-depth interviews, which television interviews cannot match. Meyers emphasized that the format of podcasts allows for a more relaxed and comprehensive conversation, which is beneficial for both politicians and voters.
Despite the potential decline of traditional late-night talk shows, Meyers remains optimistic about the future of humor and engaging conversations, suggesting that they will always find new ways to captivate audiences through various platforms.