Gutfeld Rides Controversy to Late-Night Dominance Amid Hollywood’s Backlash

HOLLYWOOD, CA — In a dramatic turn of events this February, Hollywood finds itself embroiled in a controversy reminiscent of the political turmoil depicted in Tom Wolfe‘s ‘Bonfire of the Vanities.’ The backlash centers on actress Emilia Gascón, the first openly transgender actor nominated for an Oscar, as resurfaced social media posts igniting outrage from across the political spectrum have made her a pariah during awards season.

The posts, in which Gascón referred to George Floyd as ‘a drug addict swindler’ and Islam as ‘an infection for humanity that urgently needs to be cured,’ have sparked intense backlash, forcing Hollywood to confront its complicated relationship with identity politics. Gutfeld, now a leading late-night satirist, has been unflinching in his commentary on the matter.

On his Fox News late-night show ‘Gutfeld!,’ he provocatively scrolled through Gascón’s incendiary tweets. ‘The more I read these, the more I’m starting to like this broad,’ he proclaimed, skillfully targeting Hollywood’s hypocrisy. ‘They wanted a trans figurehead, then acted shocked when she turned out to be a complicated person,’ he stated, pointing out the absurdities of ‘virtue signaling’ and identity politics that now have Hollywood distancing itself from one of its own.

Gutfeld’s sharp humor is drawing viewers, making him a notable figure in late-night television. In a landscape dominated by traditional hosts like Jimmy Fallon and Stephen Colbert, Gutfeld’s show has unexpectedly surpassed them in ratings. His lack of celebrity guests is deliberate, as he noted in his interview with Variety, ‘Celebrities have too much to lose to let their guard down on a show like mine.’

However, Gutfeld’s approach of challenging conventional political correctness resonates deeply with his increasingly diverse audience. Reports show his show has outperformed every major late-night competitor, reaching over 3 million viewers on average while drawing a demographic that includes a considerable number of younger viewers.

Days later, Gutfeld continued to unpack the incident from a bar in SoHo, emphasizing that the fallout from Gascón’s statements represents deeper issues within Hollywood. ‘The cannibalism happens. Inevitably, you’re going to eat your own,’ he remarked, underscoring how Gascón’s rise has now threatened those who initially supported her.

Despite facing backlash for his comments, Gutfeld maintains that his perspectives serve as a critique of the prevailing social climate. He possesses a talent for connecting with those who feel disillusioned by mainstream media that he believes often shuns topics or opinions that deviate from the norm.

‘That’s the threat of virtue signaling and cancel culture together,’ he elaborated. ‘People will just go, ‘I’m good.’ And then they vote for Trump.’ He underscores an emerging fatigue around political correctness, asserting that audiences are eager for candid discussions lacking the ‘preachy’ tone characterizing contemporary late-night humor.

Despite the inherent risks associated with his fearless commentary, Gutfeld embraces the chaotic realities of modern entertainment. As he shapes his niche in a competitive late-night ecosystem, his ascendance highlights a cultural shift, demonstrating that a significant segment of the viewing audience seeks satire that transcends traditional late-night tropes.