Nearly 250 years ago, Americans made it clear they were done caring about British royals. Fast forward to today, and nearly five months have passed since CBS announced that Stephen Colbert’s late-night show will end. This backdrop of historical defiance provides a ripe stage for the awkward, yet comical intersection of cultural commentary and celebrity.
On Wednesday, Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, made a surprise appearance on “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.” What might have been an event packed with anticipation quickly turned into unintentional humor. The pair engaged in a segment that started with Colbert’s humorous take on the endless stream of Christmas movies, where women often find love with royals during the holidays. With so many such films circulating, one can only laugh at the idea that one might stumble upon a real prince while holiday shopping.
Harry’s entrance was met with applause, creating an initial buzz. He stepped into the spotlight with an awkward script in hand, supposedly mistaking the show for auditions for one of those very Christmas films. “You’re an actual prince,” Colbert shot back, stunned. “Why would you want to be in one of those movies?” To this, Harry quipped, “Well, you Americans are obsessed with Christmas movies, and you’re clearly obsessed with royalty, so why not?”
The exchange showcased not only the absurdities of fame but also revealed a disconnect between reality and the scripted world of entertainment. While Colbert attempted to downplay America’s supposed obsession with royalty, Harry didn’t hesitate to jab at the former president. “Really?” he said, smirking. “I heard you ‘elected’ a king.”
Amid laughter and jeers from the audience, Harry leaned into the absurdity of it all. He even asked Colbert for help in landing a role in a Hallmark movie, promising to do anything to get there. His comedic reach, however, felt hollow. Colbert deflected, asserting, “I didn’t do any of those things.” The banter showcased the thin line between humor and awkwardness. Then came Harry’s playful dig, suggesting that perhaps this lack of action was the reason Colbert found himself facing cancellation.
This moment should not be overly celebrated, as it unfolded as a carefully crafted segment with scripted lines. Thus, contemplating Harry’s future in comedy or political commentary seems like a stretch. His attempts fell flat, leading to a cringe-worthy experience for viewers, especially those who might feel a twinge of nostalgia for simpler, more earnest forms of entertainment.
Ultimately, this brief exchange serves as a reminder of the state of late-night comedy, particularly for Colbert. With his reliance on tired political proselytizing and overt theatrics, the show seems to drown further into irrelevance—an irony not lost on those keen to point out the disconnect that envelops both the British monarchy and American pop culture.
In the end, this particular appearance may have offered a few laughs, but for many, it also amplified the disconnect between celebrity culture and the pressing realities faced by everyday Americans. The overarching sentiment remains clear: the humor and insight into contemporary issues have significantly waned, making it hard to care about the jabs thrown by Colbert or his royal guest.
So, as the show gears up for its eventual goodbye, it’s hard not to see Harry’s appearance as just another instance of the stale jokes and gimmicky antics that have become all too common in late-night television. As audiences reflect on the evolution of entertainment, it becomes increasingly evident that many have grown weary of the same old political games. So, the question lingers: how relevant will this form of entertainment remain moving forward?
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