Actor Vince Vaughn criticized modern late-night television, arguing that political messaging has overtaken comedy and driven audiences away. He made the remarks during an appearance on comedian Theo Von’s podcast, “This Past Weekend.”

Vaughn said late-night shows lost their appeal by becoming overly focused on pushing viewpoints rather than entertaining viewers. “It felt like they had an agenda. It stopped being funny, and it started feeling like I was in a class I didn’t want to take,” he said.

Von suggested that declining ratings were tied to a perceived left-leaning bias in the entertainment industry, claiming shows narrowed their comedic focus and alienated audiences. Vaughn agreed, adding that many programs became indistinguishable from one another.

“They all became the same show,” Vaughn said, arguing that audiences turned away as politics took center stage in late-night programming.

He contrasted that trend with the rise of podcasts, which he said succeed with smaller teams and less production because they offer authenticity that viewers are seeking.

“People want authenticity,” Vaughn said, noting that audiences rejected content that felt like it was trying to “evangelize” them.

Clips of the interview quickly gained traction online, drawing more than 1.6 million views within a day of being posted.

Vaughn, who has described himself as a libertarian, also spoke about navigating Hollywood without being ostracized, saying he focuses on being honest while remaining respectful of differing views.