Jay Leno argues fashionable comedy cannot match at the moment's 'outrageous' society

[ad_1] NEW Now you can take heed to Fox Information articles!

Comic and late-night legend Jay Leno mentioned in an interview Saturday that fashionable comedy has been eclipsed by the "outrageous" society we reside in, notably within the period of President Donald Trump .

"You realize, folks all the time say, ‘Oh, and I wager you missed it with Trump being president.’ No, probably not. It’s like capturing fish in a barrel," Leno told Maria Shriver on her "Life Above the Noise " podcast. "You realize, you sort of do it, psychologists used to say the punchline of the joke could be like 'that’s just like the president with a stripper.' OK, now the president is with strippers."

Shriver had requested the comic if he envied today's late-night scene or if he was glad he wasn't a part of it.

"I imply, you possibly can’t — we reside in a society the place there’s nothing you possibly can say that’s so outrageous, as a result of comedy comes from a place of conservatism. You begin with a form of ethical excessive floor," he mentioned.

JIM GAFFIGAN SAYS COMEDY AUDIENCES ARE TIRED OF POLITICAL DRAMA AND JUST WANT TO LAUGH AGAIN

Legendary speak present host and automobile collector Jay Leno is seen within the paddock forward of the Components 1 MSC Cruises United States Grand Prix at Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas, on Oct. 17, 2025. (Reginald Mathalone/NurPhoto by way of Getty Photos)

Leno advised an anecdote about acting at a jail to make his level.

"I had an act about assembly girls. You realize, I mentioned, you know the way if you see a woman, you’re not fairly positive the right way to strategy her. And this man yells out, ‘Simply punch her within the face and f--- her,’ and so they all cheer. And I am going, ‘OK, I’m taking part in a jail.’ The concept of approaching and being, it simply made me chuckle as a result of the cultural mores within the jail actually usually are not the identical ones I’m coping with right here," Leno mentioned.

Shriver mentioned it was like what was off-limits is now actual, and what was stunning is now "on a regular basis."

"That’s why it’s enjoyable to go the opposite approach," Leno replied. "I identical to to work clear simply because it requires a bit extra thought, and it makes it a bit trickier."

JAY LENO, WIFE MAVIS RELY ON FAITH, FAMILY TO OVERCOME LIFE'S HARDSHIPS

Jay Leno internet hosting "The Tonight Present." (Paul Drinkwater/NBCU Photograph Financial institution/NBCUniversal by way of Getty Photos by way of Getty Photos)

He mentioned it was tougher to work with clear materials as a result of it's worthwhile to please each viewers member.

"We reside in a society now the place folks simply no matter you’re into, there’s an viewers for that. And also you simply play that viewers," he mentioned.

Leno said during a November interview that he fully minimize politics out of his stand-up act.

The veteran comedian advised NBC’s "At this time" that his ticket gross sales have gone up for the reason that change as a result of he’s not alienating a 3rd of his viewers with political jokes.

"I am on the highway quite a bit. I simply took politics out of it, fully. I do know ticket gross sales are up 20, 30 %, simply because no person needs to be lectured," Leno advised co-host Hoda Kotb.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE COVERAGE OF MEDIA AND CULTURE

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

The previous host of NBC’s "The Tonight Present" mentioned comics can take political dangers on their own programs , however when touring throughout the nation — particularly in pink states — they typically tone it down.