More diversity in late-night comedy
Wendy Williams interviews NFL player Terrell Owens on her late-night talk show (AP Photo by Anders Krusber)
George Lopez during a fundraiser in Beverly Hills (AP Photo by Matt Sayles)
The television late-night comedy talk show lineup has been more diverse this fall. There have been minority hosts popping up all over the late-night talk show scene.
“The Mo’Nique Show” premiered this fall on the BET network and “The Wendy Williams Show” premiered on the Fox and BET networks.
Mo’Nique began her career as a stand-up comedian. She eventually became an actress and has a major role in the upcoming film “Precious,” which was produced by Tyler Perry and Oprah Winfrey.
Mo’Nique’s late-night show caters to a hip hop audience, while Williams’ show has a broader appeal because her celebrity guests are from all walks of life.
Comedian Wanda Sykes’ new late-night talk show will premiere Nov. 7 on the Fox network, and George Lopez’s show “Lopez Tonight” will debut Nov. 9 on TBS.
This is the most diversity I’ve seen in late night comedy. Kudos to those networks for making an effort. However, I’m still waiting on NBC, ABC and CBS to diversify their late-night schedule.
Whether those shows listed above will see long term success is unknown. The last minority to have a successful late-night talk show was Arsenio Hall. His show ran from 1989 to 1994.
