Comedians Kevin James and Jay Leno Avoid Politics in Their Acts

In response to a polarized climate, comedians are shifting away from political humor to avoid alienating their audience.

Comedian Kevin James has decided to avoid politics in his latest stand-up special, following a similar decision by Jay Leno, who has also retired political jokes from his act.
James aims to keep his material universal and family-friendly, discussing topics such as aging, fear, trust, and raising kids in his new special 'Irregardless'.
Leno has stopped making political jokes to avoid angering his audience, stating that the current climate requires comedians to take a side.
A study from the Media Research Center found that 81% of all political jokes told on major late-night comedy shows in 2023 targeted conservatives.
Comedians are increasingly feeling the pressure to conform to a specific political ideology, leading some to avoid political humor altogether.