‘Gutfeld!’ Continues to Dominate Late Night in 2025, Leaving ‘Colbert’ in the Dust

For decades, late-night talk TV was a predictable landscape. Johnny Carson was the gold standard, Jay Leno outlasted Letterman, and in the streaming era, Stephen Colbert, Jimmy Fallon, and Jimmy Kimmel vied for cultural relevance with political punchlines and celebrity interviews. But in 2025, the late-night throne has been seized by a most unexpected king: Greg Gutfeld.

According to the latest Nielsen ratings, ‘Gutfeld!’ now draws a staggering average of 3.1 million viewers per night—a commanding lead over ‘The Late Show with Stephen Colbert,’ which attracts just 1.8 million. While traditional late-night favorites fight to stay afloat in an era of splintered attention and cord-cutting, ‘Gutfeld!’ has become appointment viewing for millions, reshaping the rules of the late-night game.

A Surprising Late-Night Disruptor

When Fox News launched ‘Gutfeld!’ in 2021, few saw it coming as a genuine contender. The show, fronted by the sardonic and quick-witted Greg Gutfeld, was initially dismissed as a right-leaning niche experiment. Fast-forward four years, and ‘Gutfeld!’ is not only surviving but thriving, reinventing what late-night means for a new generation of viewers.

So, what drove this meteoric rise?

Redefining the Genre

While political humor has always been late-night’s bread and butter, Gutfeld brought something different to the table: an unapologetic, often contrarian blend of comedy and commentary. His show balances irreverence and critique, mixing astute satire with a variety of rotating guests—many of whom are comedians, authors, and cultural figures from across the political spectrum.

Unlike other hosts, Gutfeld makes no secret of his affiliations or opinions. In an era rife with accusations of media bias, fans appreciate this candor. Episodes routinely skewer mainstream narratives while poking fun at both sides of the aisle. It’s this irreverence, combined with actual laugh-out-loud moments, that has earned the show its massive following.

The Colbert Conundrum

Once the undisputed king of late-night, Stephen Colbert’s slide has been impossible to ignore. In the Trump era, ‘The Late Show’ enjoyed a political windfall, with Colbert’s sharp jabs against the administration resonating with an audience eager for catharsis and satire. But as political tides shifted and viewer fatigue set in, Colbert’s relentless focus on divisiveness has struggled to draw in new viewers.

Meanwhile, younger generations gravitate toward digital platforms rather than appointment TV. But Gutfeld’s content, clipped and shared across social media, has become viral fuel—helped by Fox News’ distribution muscle and a brand of comedy that feels fresh to many Americans.

Beyond Politics: Pop Culture and Panel Chemistry

What separates ‘Gutfeld!’ further is its structure. Unlike the formal monologue-interview-sketch format of classic late-night, Gutfeld’s panel-driven approach keeps things moving at a rapid-fire pace. Regulars like Kat Timpf, Tyrus, and a rotating cast of comedians bring unique perspectives and in-jokes that keep fans coming back.

Crucially, the panel’s chemistry feels genuine. There’s little of the forced banter or canned laughter that haunts other late-night shows. Instead, unpredictable riffs and unscripted exchanges provide the same chaotic energy you’d find at a neighbor’s backyard barbecue—but with sharper punchlines and a national audience.

The Demographics Edge

One of the secrets behind the show’s dominance is its appeal to audiences ignored elsewhere. While legacy late-night favors younger, urban, and left-leaning viewers, ‘Gutfeld!’ has corralled millions of overlooked Americans—older, suburban, working-class—who feel alienated by one-sided political humor. Even with a conservative lean, the show boasts a surprisingly broad tent; independent and even some left-leaning viewers tune in for the dynamic debates and comedic skewering of cultural absurdities.

Appointment TV in the Streaming Era

The irony of ‘Gutfeld!’s rise is that it’s happening as more Americans “cut the cord” and move toward on-demand streaming. Yet, Gutfeld’s audience remains fiercely loyal, tuning in live or watching via Fox’s official digital platforms. Clips rack up millions of views on YouTube and X (formerly Twitter), where the show’s hot takes generate near-constant debates online.

In many ways, Gutfeld’s success signals not just a shift in format or ideology, but a revival of the community aspect of TV viewing. Fans rally together online, making the program a nightly ritual in a way late-night TV hasn’t seen since the heyday of Leno and Letterman.

What Does This Mean for the Future of Late Night?

The numbers don’t lie: Gutfeld’s 3.1 million nightly average dwarfs Colbert’s 1.8 million. While it would be simplistic to attribute this solely to political polarization, it’s clear audiences crave something different—authenticity, unpredictability, and humor that doesn’t feel filtered by the approval of directors and network censors.

Industry insiders notice. There are rumors of other networks plotting their own versions of the panel format, hoping to bottle the lightning that has made Gutfeld the new king of late-night. Even Colbert’s team has reportedly considered subtle tweaks, aiming to broaden the show’s appeal beyond its current echo chamber.

A New Era Dawns

For the first time in years, late-night feels unpredictable again. Gutfeld, armed with wit, willingness to offend, and a fiercely loyal audience, continues his reign. As streaming giants and legacy networks alike scramble to reclaim eroding audiences, the lesson is clear: Give viewers something different—something honest—and they’ll show up, often in bigger numbers than anyone expects.

In the battle for late-night dominance, Greg Gutfeld has pulled off an unlikely upset. Whether you’re a super-fan or a skeptic, his success is reshaping the future of television, one joke at a time.

Late-night is awake again—and the rest of the industry is just catching on.