Comedian David Spade said he will not be making jokes about President Donald Trump in his upcoming comedy series, which premiers on July 29, even if it means sacrificing ratings.
Spade is set to star in upcoming Comedy Central series “Lights Out with David Spade.” He told Daily Mail that he will leave Trump jokes to his late-night comedy counterparts, saying jokes about the president have become an easy way to draw in viewership.
Instead, the Emmy and Golden Globe nominee said the series will focus on pop culture and will feature skits and field segments.
“I just thought when we talked to Comedy Central that it was sort of like what could we do with me and my sense of humor,” Spade, 54, said via Daily Mail. “And maybe it is time for a non political fun show again making fun whatever else is going on. Gender reveals drive me crazy, anything going on in music and acting.”
He also explained in a sit-down interview with JoBlo.com about why he believes a show that doesn’t take political sides is a good thing, and why its hard to do, given the political pressure in Hollywood.
“I’d rather keep the politics out of it, and it is hard … people almost picking fights, they want me to be one way or the other,” Spade said. “I’d rather keep it simple.”
Another reason the comedian said he won’t be doing any Trump jokes is because he doesn’t want to make his audience feel alienated or uncomfortable.
“I just think it gets people tense and I don’t want that. I just want to screw around so both sides could watch and be like ‘Eh, this is pretty funny,’ that you don’t have to worry that I’ll say something to make you angry or cheering. It’s just not my thing, that’s all.”
In March, late night comedy veteran Jay Leno talked about how comedians are parroting each others views on politics and society.
“The theory when we did the show was, you just watch the news, we’ll make fun of the news and get your mind off the news. Well now people just want to be on the news all the time. You just have one subject so it’s the same topic every night,” Leno said in an interview with Today.
Leno also criticized comedians for constantly making anti-Trump jokes during his appearance on The View.
“You’re all kind of doing a different version of the same joke,” said Leno.
President Trump quoted Leno in a tweet soon after, praising his courage to stand away from the pack.
“Jay Leno points out that comedy (on the very boring late night shows) is totally one-sided. It’s tough when there’s only one topic.” @foxandfriends Actually, the one-sided hatred on these shows is incredible and for me, unwatchable. But remember, WE are number one – President!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 13, 2019
While Leno suggested covering politics and news, but making jokes at the expense of liberals and conservatives equally, Spade is looking to take a more lighthearted approach and leaving politics behind altogether.
Spade said he will also take less shots at celebrities, a change from what he is known for during his time on Saturday Night Live in the 1990s.
“I don’t think it’ll be as rough on celebs like I was on SNL. Now I’m kind of one of them. I will think of being funny against them, but I don’t want to take anyone’s legs out too hard. It is a bad pitch,” Spade told Daily Mail.
“Lights Out with David Spade” will premiere July 29 and air a new episode from Monday to Thursday at 11:30 p.m eastern time, following “The Daily Show.” It will feature Spade’s celebrity friends as well as lesser known comedians.
