Gutfeld Emerges as Late Night’s Unexpected King Amidst Hollywood Turmoil

HOLLYWOOD, Calif. — Hollywood is currently embroiled in a controversy reminiscent of ‘Bonfire of the Vanities,’ as actress and Oscar nominee Gascón faces backlash due to her past social media comments on George Floyd and Islam. Tweets labeling Floyd as ‘a drug addict swindler’ and Islam as ‘an infection for humanity’ have created a rift, igniting criticism during a pivotal awards season and turning Gascón into a pariah amid the liberal elite.

Leading discussions on this uproar is Greg Gutfeld, who is now heralded as the latest breakout star of late night television. Known for his blunt takes and provocative humor, Gutfeld recently tackled this subject on his top-rated show ‘Gutfeld!’ with a dramatic flair. He quipped, ‘The more I read of these, the more I’m starting to like this broad,’ subtly indicating that the true target of his satire might be Hollywood’s hypocrisy and its complex interplay with identity politics.

Gutfeld elaborated on how the very same Hollywood that boosted Gascón up the ladder is now quick to distance itself from her due to her controversial opinions. ‘Gascón’s movie got all those nominations because she ticked the box, and now those who obediently nominated her are boxed in themselves,’ he said, highlighting the irony that Hollywood finds itself in when a favored identity figure presents views that clash with prevailing liberal ideology.

The ratings magnet has sparked conversations not just about Gascón but also represents a changing tide in late-night humor. Traditionally, late-night shows lean towards a more liberal viewpoint. In stark contrast, Gutfeld’s program, launched at Fox News Media’s urging, has rapidly gained extraordinary traction, garnering over 3 million viewers, eclipsing long-standing heavyweights such as Stephen Colbert, Jimmy Kimmel, and Jimmy Fallon.

Gutfeld portrays himself as a provocateur in a landscape of comedians adhering to ‘agreed-upon groupthink.’ He thrives on highlighting hypocrisy, not just in Hollywood but across cultural landscapes. In a recent appearance at Bar Mercer in SoHo, he maintained that the backlash against Gascón underscored a pattern of self-destruction within Hollywood’s progressive ideals, stating, ‘Inevitably, you’re going to eat your own.’

As social media fueled the outrage machine, Gutfeld’s unique brand of humor resonated with an audience tired of political correctness and virtue signaling. ‘The chord Greg strikes most vividly is people are tired of taking themselves so seriously,’ said Dr. Drew Pinsky, a regular contributor on ‘Gutfeld!’.

While critics of Gutfeld view his humor as mean-spirited, his ability to attract a younger, politically diverse viewership cannot be overlooked. The growth in his audience is striking; Nielsen data indicates he has outshined his competitors among audiences aged 25-54 and 18-49.

Gutfeld attributes his success to a departure from traditional late-night formulas. Instead of celebrity guests promoting their latest projects, his show features panel discussions that candidly critique the political elite and popular culture. This format has proven to resonate with viewers who seek an alternative to the established norms.

Despite his rising prominence, Gutfeld remains aware that the entertainment landscape is volatile and often unforgiving, especially for those who breach the unwritten laws of political correctness. ‘Celebrities have too much to lose to let their guard down on a show like mine,’ he explained, suggesting that A-listers are often hesitant to engage in conversations outside their comfort zones.

As late-night television continues to evolve, Gutfeld’s brand of humor gains traction amid a landscape fraught with outrage and cancel culture. His platform provides a space for discussions that challenge mainstream narratives, prompting viewers to consider both sides of contentious issues, while adding a layer of satire.