Shortly after the New York Times reported NBC and CBS were suspending its late-night television programs until March 30 because of the novel coronavirus outbreak, late-night hosts are finding ways to make sure the laughs continue, and prevent late-night television from going completely dark.
In the past two days, late-night hosts Jimmy Kimmel, Stephen Colbert, Trevor Noah and Jimmy Fallon have all filmed late-night monologues from their homes and posted them online.
The most notable thing about Colbert’s first monologue from home was that he shot it in his bathtub dressed in a full suit and tie. But instead of jokes, the host focused on sharing valuable information about flattening the curve of the COVID-19 outbreak and expressed frustration with how some government officials are handling the crisis.
Trevor Noah’s video was the shortest — just over a minute long — and followed the “Daily Show” host as he somewhat frantically cleaned his house.
Fallon’s monologue featured an original song to celebrate Saint Patrick’s Day and a link to raise money for Feeding America, which has raised $20,000 so far. As all the “Tonight Show” crew were also working from home, Fallon had a new set crew: his wife, Nancy, as camera operator and studio audience, his daughters as the graphics department and his dog as a special guest. Perhaps most meaningful, it showed that even late-night hosts experience the struggle of working from home with kids.
Kimmel’s monologue also featured graphics from his kids, a window into how difficult parenting can be during a quarantine — Kimmel claims he has watched “Frozen 2” with his children more times than the people who animated it likely watched it — and a Saint Patrick’s Day celebration. Kimmel promised viewers that he would be shooting a short monologue or “minilogue” every day until the show was back on the air. Kimmel is also using this opportunity to donate to charity. His first monologue was dedicated to raising money for No Kid Hungry.
“The only way we’re going to get through this is by sticking together.” Kimmel said in the video. “While, of course, remaining at a CDC-approved distance of six feet apart.”