For decades, late-night television talk shows were where America snuggled up together and we laughed.

Now that I've seen it, I know exactly what I'm talking about.

The hosts were household names, but also very male and, let's say it, white.

Anybody you had in mine particularly?

Things diversified a bit last decade with hosts like Trevor Noah, Larry Woolmore, and Samantha B.

Welcome back to this show.

Birth control is a goddamn miracle.

But now, they're all out.

Trevor Noah announced he's leaving Comedy Central's The Daily Show.

I realized that after the seven years, my time is up.

I, yeah.

And in a world where people like their hot takes and comedy bits and TikTok-sized reels,

is late-night TV finally, truly done?

I'm Gustavo Arellano.

You're listening to The Times, Essential News news from the L.A. Times.

It's Monday, October 17, 2022.

Today, what's next for a uniquely TV American genre,

one whose obituary has been written again and again,

yet continues to stumble along.

Lorraine Ali is a television critic for the Los Angeles Times.

Lorraine, welcome the Times.

Hello, glad to be here.

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