The late-night world has been rattled in recent weeks. From Stephen Colbert’s Late Show being abruptly canceled after CBS’ parent company merged with Skydance, to Jimmy Kimmel’s temporary suspension following a controversial monologue, to Seth Meyers enduring verbal jabs from Washington, the late-night scene has turned into a high-stakes battleground.

But not everyone is charging into the fight.

Jimmy Fallon, host of The Tonight Show, says his approach is much simpler: keep his head down, tell jokes, and focus on entertaining audiences.

Fallon’s CNBC Appearance

Fallon’s comments came during a Tuesday interview on CNBC’s Squawk on the Street while promoting his upcoming reality competition series On Brand with Jimmy Fallon. Anchor Carl Quintanilla pressed the host on the tense atmosphere surrounding late-night television.

“I thought you were so eloquent in the wake of Kimmel’s suspension,” Quintanilla said, referencing Fallon’s September 18 monologue. “I am wondering how you’re thinking about what you can put in the monologue; what it’s like being on an FCC-licensed avenue of broadcasting right now.”

Fallon’s answer was measured, halting at times, but consistent with the brand he’s cultivated since taking over The Tonight Show from Jay Leno in 2014.

“Our show’s never really been that political,” Fallon said. “We hit both sides equally, and we try to make everybody laugh, and that’s really the way our show really works.”

He added: “I just keep my head down and make sure the jokes are funny. I have great writers; clever, smart writers. We’re just trying to make the best show we possibly can and entertain everybody.”

A Different Kind of Late-Night Host

While Colbert, Kimmel, and Meyers have leaned heavily into political satire and criticism in recent years, Fallon has charted a different course. His Tonight Show has been defined by games, musical impressions, celebrity sketches, and viral moments—content designed to appeal to as broad an audience as possible.

The contrast is stark:

Stephen Colbert made political commentary the centerpiece of his show, often turning nightly monologues into pointed critiques of Washington.

Jimmy Kimmel has walked a line between sharp humor and heartfelt advocacy, addressing everything from healthcare policy to political controversies.

Seth Meyers has become known for his “A Closer Look” segments, which function as comedic deep dives into daily news and politics.

Jimmy Fallon, meanwhile, has focused on keeping the show bipartisan—or apolitical altogether—rarely wading too far into divisive territory.

This approach has its critics. Some argue Fallon’s lighter touch makes him less relevant in a political era when satire feels more necessary than ever. Others see it as a welcome refuge from the endless churn of political commentary.

The Carson Connection

Fallon often invokes Johnny Carson when discussing his philosophy. Like Carson, Fallon wants The Tonight Show to be a broad-tent program, one that appeals to viewers across the political spectrum.

“Our monologues are kind of the same that we’ve been doing since Johnny Carson was hosting,” Fallon told CNBC. “So really, I just keep my head down and make sure the jokes are funny.”

Carson famously avoided overt political alignment, preferring observational humor and light satire. Fallon appears to be doubling down on that model—even as late-night has shifted toward more direct political commentary since the mid-2010s.

Praising His Competitors

Fallon has not criticized his embattled peers. In fact, he has praised both Kimmel and Colbert in the wake of their recent struggles. After Colbert’s cancellation, Fallon acknowledged the enormous impact The Late Show host had on the genre. After Kimmel’s suspension, he offered solidarity without wading into the controversy surrounding it.

Unlike Kimmel and Colbert, however, Fallon has not framed these network decisions as political attacks, nor has he issued sweeping condemnations of the Trump administration. His role, as he sees it, is to keep his show running smoothly while others carry the political torch.

Trump’s Ire

Still, Fallon hasn’t escaped presidential attention. Donald Trump recently lumped Fallon and Seth Meyers together in a broadside, calling them “two total losers” and urging NBC to cancel their shows. “Do it NBC!!!” Trump wrote the same night Kimmel’s suspension was announced.

It’s not the first time Trump has taken aim at Fallon. Ever since Fallon’s infamous 2016 hair-tousling interview with Trump—a moment the host later admitted regretting—he has remained a target of criticism from both political sides. Critics on the left accuse him of humanizing Trump, while Trump himself has slammed Fallon for later apologizing.

The latest insult only underscores how precarious the late-night stage has become, with hosts on every network facing scrutiny, backlash, or even disciplinary action for their jokes.

Fallon’s Tightrope

By sticking to a bipartisan, entertainment-first approach, Fallon has carved out a unique role in late-night television. He avoids becoming a lightning rod but risks being seen as disengaged from the cultural and political conversations shaping the country.

The strategy may, however, ensure his longevity. With Colbert’s show ending and Kimmel battling controversy, Fallon’s steadiness could allow The Tonight Show to emerge as the least embattled of the big-network late-night staples.

It’s a balancing act—too cautious, and Fallon risks irrelevance; too bold, and he could find himself in the same hot water as his colleagues. For now, he appears determined to play the long game.

The State of Late Night

The late-night landscape is shifting dramatically:

The Late Show will soon leave CBS’ lineup entirely.

Kimmel, though back on air, remains under a microscope after his suspension.

Meyers continues his politically charged approach but faces mounting political blowback.

Fallon, meanwhile, positions himself as the “safe” option—still playful, still light, still closer to variety than news commentary.

This diversity of approaches has turned late night into a fascinating cultural experiment: four hosts, four strategies, one uncertain future.

Looking Ahead

Fallon’s interview reinforced his role as late night’s steady hand. While others fight battles with networks, politicians, and executives, Fallon is leaning on a formula that has kept him in the chair for over a decade: charm, games, and an insistence that the show’s first mission is laughter.

Whether that strategy continues to resonate with audiences remains to be seen. In an era of constant political drama, Fallon’s apolitical stance may be either a refreshing escape or an outdated throwback, depending on who you ask.

For now, Fallon seems content to ride it out, head down, focused on jokes. As he put it: “We’re just trying to make the best show we possibly can and entertain everybody.”

And in today’s turbulent late-night climate, that might be his boldest move yet.