Matt Sienkiewicz

  • Professor of Communication and International Studies, Boston College
Donald Trump has long been fodder for late-night TV hosts − but he got the last laugh during the 2024 election. Spencer Platt/Getty Images

How liberals lost comedy − and helped Trump win

Programs geared toward liberals like ‘The Daily Show’ once held a monopoly on political comedy. Not so anymore.
Joe Rogan’s ability to attract young male listeners is particularly powerful in today’s fractured media environment. Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC via Getty Image

How Joe Rogan became podcasting’s Goliath

By sidestepping partisan pigeonholing and appealing to the anti-establishment impulses of young men, Rogan has brought together an audience that advertisers have long coveted.
In August 2021, comedian Greg Gutfeld’s weeknight talk show ‘Gutfeld!’ became the highest-rated late-night talk show in the U.S. Gary Miller/Getty Images

How conservative comic Greg Gutfeld overtook Stephen Colbert in ratings to become the most popular late‑night TV host

Critics have long pooh-poohed conservative comics. But in today’s fragmented media environment, right-wing comedy has become both a moneymaker and a force in politics.

Contact Matt for

  • General
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  • Speaking request
  • Consulting / Advising
  • Research collaboration
  • Research supervision