“I Swear, No One Could Ever Touch Jay Leno!” — Dana Perino Spills Why He Was Different from the Rest of Late-Night TV 

In a world where late-night comedy has become increasingly political, polarizing, and at times even combative, former White House Press Secretary and Fox News anchor Dana Perino is offering a refreshing perspective on a beloved figure in American entertainment: Jay Leno. In a recent interview, Perino described Leno as “an exception” to the genre—someone who stood out not just for his wit, but for his integrity, fairness, and unique approach to comedy. Her comments paint a compelling portrait of a man who refused to be boxed in by partisan lines and instead prioritized unity, humor, and good-natured fun.

A Different Kind of Comedian

Dana Perino, who served as press secretary under President George W. Bush and now co-hosts The Five on Fox News, has long admired Leno’s style. During a candid conversation about the state of American media and comedy, she took time to reflect on how Leno managed to be universally beloved, even in an increasingly divided cultural climate.

“Jay was never cruel,” Perino said. “He told jokes that made you laugh, even if they were about politics. But they weren’t mean-spirited. He never made you feel like an idiot for your beliefs.”

That observation may seem simple on the surface, but in the context of today’s often confrontational late-night scene, it speaks volumes. Leno, who hosted The Tonight Show from 1992 to 2009, and again briefly from 2010 to 2014, navigated a complex political landscape without alienating half the country. According to Perino, it’s a skill few have mastered.

Walking the Line Without Falling Off

In the heyday of Leno’s career, late-night comedy served as a cultural glue—a way for Americans of all stripes to end their day with a laugh. While his contemporaries often veered into advocacy or biting satire, Leno maintained a middle ground.

“People could go to bed laughing with Jay, not fuming or feeling defeated,” Perino noted. “That was a gift.”

Perino believes that Leno’s success came from his ability to find common ground. Instead of using his platform to promote a political agenda, he used it to connect people through shared absurdities, funny observations, and timely—but never cruel—punchlines.

“He never wanted to preach. He wanted to entertain,” she emphasized. “And he did it well.”

A Reluctant Outlier in a Changing Landscape

As modern late-night hosts increasingly stake out ideological positions—whether it’s Stephen Colbert’s biting Trump-era monologues or John Oliver’s longform political dissections—Leno’s brand of evenhanded comedy has become rarer.

“Today, it’s almost like late-night hosts are expected to pick a side,” Perino said. “You’re either the voice of progressive America or you’re irrelevant. But Jay never subscribed to that. And I don’t think he ever will.”

While Leno has been somewhat critical of the direction late-night comedy has taken, he rarely attacks his peers. Instead, he lets his work speak for itself. Since stepping away from The Tonight Show, he has focused on projects like Jay Leno’s Garage, where he explores classic cars and chats with celebrities from all walks of life. It’s a departure from politics—but also a return to something more essential: authentic curiosity and connection.

The Value of Humor Without Hostility

Perino’s appreciation for Leno also comes from her own experience in the political trenches. As someone who has faced both praise and criticism from the media, she sees the toll that constant political sniping can take on public discourse.

“Leno never made you feel like you were being targeted,” she said. “That’s so important. You can be funny without making someone the butt of every joke. Jay understood that, and people respected him for it.”

Perino believes that this ethos is what made Leno an enduring figure in American entertainment. While others came and went—riding the waves of political controversy—Leno’s legacy remains largely intact. He didn’t alienate; he welcomed. He didn’t lecture; he listened.

“He made fun of everybody, sure,” she said with a smile. “But it never felt personal. You could laugh at yourself. And that’s a lost art.”

A Lesson for the Next Generation

For Perino, Leno’s approach holds lessons not just for comedians, but for anyone in the public eye.

“In today’s world, outrage sells. Division gets clicks. But Jay proves there’s still a place for decency. For fairness. For humor that brings people together instead of tearing them apart.”

She hopes that young comedians, journalists, and entertainers look to Leno as a model—not just of success, but of integrity. In a media landscape where every statement can become a viral controversy, Leno’s ability to stay grounded is rare and admirable.

“There’s strength in restraint,” Perino said. “And Jay had that. He still does.”

A National Treasure

While Leno’s legacy is firmly cemented in American pop culture, hearing someone like Dana Perino sing his praises adds another dimension to his story. Here is a man who rose to the top of his field—not by shouting the loudest, but by listening, understanding, and laughing alongside his audience.

It’s no wonder Perino calls him “an exception.” In many ways, he is. In an era of hot takes and viral rants, Jay Leno reminds us of a simpler time—a time when a good laugh didn’t need to come at someone else’s expense.

“He didn’t follow the trend,” Perino concluded. “He led with kindness, and people followed. That’s what made him special. That’s why he’ll always be remembered.”

As conversations around the future of comedy and media continue to evolve, Jay Leno remains a shining example of what it means to entertain without dividing, to critique without cruelty, and to lead without yelling. Dana Perino’s heartfelt tribute is not just a reflection on a man, but a call to return to civility, decency, and shared laughter.

Jay Leno reflected on why he always kept his jokes politically balanced while hosting “The Tonight Show” for over two decades.

The 75-year-old comedian recently sat down for an interview with David Trulio, the president and CEO of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation, during which he was questioned about his approach to political humor.

“I read that there was an analysis done of your work on ‘The Tonight Show’ for the 22 years and that your jokes were roughly equally balanced between going after Republicans and taking aim at Democrats. Did you have a strategy?” Trulio asked.

“It was fun to me when I got hate letters [like] ‘Dear Mr. Leno, you and your Republican friends’ and ‘Well, Mr. Leno, I hope you and your Democratic buddies are happy’ — over the same joke,” Leno recalled.

JAY LENO, WIFE MAVIS RELY ON FAITH, FAMILY TO OVERCOME LIFE’S HARDSHIPS

Jay Leno explained why he poked fun at both the left and the right when joking about politics during his tenure hosting “The Tonight Show.” (Paul Drinkwater/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images via Getty Images)

‘And I go, ’Well, that’s good,'” he said. “That’s how you get a whole audience.”

Leno went on to note how late-night comedy has changed amid the current divisive political landscape.

“Now you have to be content with half the audience because you have [to] give your opinion,” Leno said.

When Trulio asked if Leno had any advice for comedians today, the “Jay Leno’s Garage” host referred to his longtime friendship with late comedy legend Rodney Dangerfield.

“I knew Rodney 40 years,” he said. “I have no idea if he was Democrat or Republican. We never discussed [it], we just discussed jokes.”

Leno said he never knew if his friend of 40 years, Rodney Dangerfield, was a Republican or Democrat.  (Vince Bucci/Getty Images)

“And to me, I like to think that people come to a comedy show to kind of get away from the things, you know, the pressures of life, whatever it might be,” Leno continued. “And I love political humor, don’t get me wrong, but it’s just what happens when people wind up cozying too much to one side or the other.”

While speaking with Trulio, Leno discussed how comedy could be used to create common ground.

“Funny is funny,” Leno said. “It’s funny when someone who’s not….when you make fun of their side and they laugh at it, you know, that’s kind of what I do.”

“I just find getting out — I don’t think anybody wants to hear a lecture,” he continued. “When I was with Rodney, it was always in the economy of words — get to the joke as quickly as possible.”

Leno noted how today’s late-night show hosts are losing “half the audience” by falling into the divisive political atmosphere. (Donald Kravitz)

Trulio pointed out that both Leno and Dangerfield achieved massive success during their careers, noting the two’s “approach worked in the marketplace.”

“Well, why shoot for just half an audience all the time? You know, why not try to get the whole [audience],” Leno replied.

“I mean, I like to bring people into the big picture,” he explained. “I don’t understand why you would alienate one particular group, you know, or just don’t do it at all. I’m not saying you have to throw your support or whatever, but just do what’s funny.”

Leno’s comments came prior to the uproar that ensued after CBS announced on July 17 that it was canceling “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” with the show’s final episode scheduled to air in May 2026.  (Stacie McChesney/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images via Getty Images)