Bad Trump-Adjacent Delights Meyers: A Critical Analysis

In the world of late-night comedy, Seth Meyers is one of the most prominent voices. As the host of “Late Night with Seth Meyers,” he has become known for his incisive political commentary and his willingness to take on controversial topics. However, in recent years, Meyers has come under fire for what some see as his over-reliance on jokes about Donald Trump and his administration. In this article, we will examine the phenomenon of “bad Trump-adjacent” humor and its impact on Meyers’ comedy.

The Rise of Bad Trump-Adjacent Humor

To understand the current state of late-night comedy, it is important to look at the broader cultural context. Since the election of Donald Trump in 2016, political humor has become more prevalent than ever before. Late-night hosts like Meyers, Stephen Colbert, and Jimmy Kimmel have all seen their ratings rise as they have taken on the Trump administration with increasing fervor.

However, as the years have gone on, some critics have begun to argue that this type of humor has become stale and predictable. Rather than offering insightful commentary on the state of politics, some late-night hosts have fallen into the trap of simply making fun of Trump and his associates without adding anything new to the conversation.

This is what some have dubbed “bad Trump-adjacent” humor. It involves making jokes about people and events that are tangentially related to Trump without actually saying anything meaningful or insightful. For example, a joke about Trump’s hair or his diet might get a few laughs, but it doesn’t really add anything to the political discourse.

The Problem with Bad Trump-Adjacent Humor

So why is bad Trump-adjacent humor such a problem? For one thing, it can be seen as lazy and unoriginal. Rather than coming up with new material, comedians are simply relying on tired old tropes that have been used countless times before.

But more importantly, bad Trump-adjacent humor can actually be harmful. By focusing on trivial aspects of the Trump administration rather than the substantive issues at hand, comedians risk normalizing the president and his behavior. If all we ever hear about Trump is jokes about his hair or his tweets, it becomes easier to forget the very real damage that his policies and rhetoric are causing.

Furthermore, bad Trump-adjacent humor can be seen as a cop-out. Rather than taking a stand on important issues, comedians are simply pandering to their audience by making fun of an easy target. This can be especially problematic when it comes to issues like racism, sexism, and other forms of discrimination. If comedians are only willing to make fun of the most obvious targets, they risk perpetuating harmful stereotypes and failing to challenge their audience’s assumptions.

The Case of Seth Meyers

So where does Seth Meyers fit into all of this? As one of the most prominent late-night hosts, he has been at the forefront of the political comedy boom. However, some critics have argued that his reliance on bad Trump-adjacent humor has hurt his comedy in recent years.

For example, Meyers has been criticized for his frequent jokes about Trump’s hair and skin tone. While these jokes might get a few laughs, they don’t really add anything to the conversation. Similarly, Meyers has been accused of relying too heavily on jokes about Trump’s associates like Rudy Giuliani and Michael Cohen rather than focusing on the bigger picture.

However, it is worth noting that Meyers has also been praised for his willingness to take on more substantive issues. In recent years, he has devoted significant airtime to topics like police brutality, immigration, and climate change. These segments have been praised for their depth and insight, and they demonstrate that Meyers is capable of going beyond the easy jokes and offering real commentary on important issues.

The Future of Political Comedy

So where does this leave us? As the Trump administration enters its final months, it is likely that political comedy will continue to evolve. Late-night hosts will need to find new targets and new ways to engage with their audiences.

However, it is important that comedians don’t fall into the trap of bad Trump-adjacent humor. While it might be tempting to rely on easy jokes, this type of humor ultimately does a disservice to both the comedy and the political discourse. Instead, comedians should strive to offer insightful commentary on the issues that matter most, even if it means taking a risk or challenging their audience’s assumptions.

Conclusion

Seth Meyers is one of the most prominent voices in late-night comedy, but he has also been criticized for his reliance on bad Trump-adjacent humor. While some of his jokes might be funny in the moment, they ultimately do a disservice to both the comedy and the political discourse. As political comedy continues to evolve, it is important that comedians strive to offer insightful commentary on the issues that matter most. Only then can we hope to move beyond the easy jokes and truly engage with the world around us.