Why Do We Want Politicians To Be Funny?
In the past month or so, we have seen Hilary Clinton serving up cocktails, Donald Trump interviewing himself as Jimmy Fallon, and Carly Fiorina singing songs to her dogs. Is this some sort of alternate reality? No, I’m not hallucinating -- I’m watching late night television.
Politicians on late-night talk shows is actually not new. Way back in 1960, John F. Kennedy started the tradition when he appeared on the "Tonight Show" with Jack Paar. Kennedy talked policy and took questions from the audience. In the interview he says, “The presidency is the key office…not the House, not the Senate, or even the combination. This is the great office.” Watching JFK talk about the presidency reminded me of the gravity the Oval Office holds. He stated clearly why he wanted the job, he didn't cut down his rival candidates, and he didn't try to win over the audience with theatrics. He was just being honest, and it showed.
Today, however, we couldn’t be farther from this kind of interview on late night television. I have yet to hear any host ask tough questions. And questions from the audience that were not screened by the campaign beforehand would never be allowed on live television for fear the candidate wouldn’t have a prepared answer.
So if they aren’t answering policy questions or interacting with the audience, what is the motivation for these late night appearances? It’s similar to the “Celebrities: Their Just Like Us” section of People magazine. With distrust of politicians on the rise, they need to stay relatable to the American public and connect with voters who don’t watch the news. What better way to do so than discussing their personal lives and cracking a few jokes on national television? These late-night appearances are just an extension of campaign events. And we are eating out of their hands.
For candidates like Carly Fiorina and Bernie Sanders, it’s more about upping their name recognition than relating to the audience. For Donald Trump, it’s mostly about feeding his own ego. But for Hilary Clinton who has problems connecting with the public, and with her number one word association being “liar” (accompanied by “dishonest” and “untrustworthy” according to the August Quinnipiac University Poll), it’s about showing the voters her softer side and putting to rest their reservations with her political record. Knowing the American public, her "Late Night with Jimmy Fallon" and "Saturday Night Live" appearances -- including a segment showing her needing a glass of wine while talking to Trump and portraying her as a bartender -- will probably do the trick. What do Americans like more than a person they can sit down and have a beer with?
While the candidates are the main winners, it’s not only in their interest. Networks that host these late night talk shows see an increase in ratings when presidential candidates are guests. There is a long history between the relationship of presidential hopefuls and television networks, and when ratings are involved it doesn’t really matter who the guest is. Networks only focus on the numbers, and Hollywood celebrity appearances don’t always guarantee high ratings like they used to. In September when Donald Trump appeared on Jimmy Fallon's show, he brought in 4.5 million viewers. The show saw its highest rating since February of 2014. In other words, Donald Trump is the new Brad Pitt of guest appearances. On second thought, maybe we are living in an alternate reality.
No matter how you feel about politics, it’s always nice to see the presidential hopefuls take a step back from the typical campaign trail activities and show their down-to-earth side. I personally enjoyed watching Trump make fun of himself with Jimmy Fallon, and I loved that Bernie Sanders gave Stephen Colbert one of the infamous “Feel the Bern” coffee mugs. Whether you see through their motives of or not, the skits and the jokes are still entertaining. But remember the next time you see Hilary Clinton downing a glass of wine, stop and ask yourself, “What would JFK do?”
(Photo: CBS)
