Jay Leno Says Ticket Sales Surged After Dropping Politics From Comedy Routines

Comedian Jay Leno says he’s seen a major boost in ticket sales since removing political commentary from his stand-up act — a move he credits with making his shows more enjoyable for a broader audience.

Speaking on NBC’s “Today,” the former Tonight Show host revealed that by steering clear of political jokes, he’s now selling more tickets than he did when his material leaned into current affairs.

“I just took politics out of it, completely,” Leno said. “I know ticket sales are up 20, 30 percent, just because nobody wants to be lectured.”

Leno, 75, emphasized that his decision to drop politics wasn’t just about avoiding backlash, but about recognizing that audiences across America don’t want to feel alienated — especially in states with more conservative leanings.

“When you go to Indiana or Kentucky or any other place in the country, you’re always going to have a third of the people who don’t agree with you politically,” he explained. “So why even go there?”

Leno’s remarks reflect a broader shift in how he approaches comedy compared to many modern late-night hosts, who often lean heavily into partisan content. Rather than cater to one side, Leno built his legacy during his Tonight Show tenure by poking fun at both parties — something he said would now be seen as taking a side.

In a separate interview with Piers Morgan earlier this year, Leno reflected on how the political landscape has changed: “When I did The Tonight Show, the idea was you made fun of both sides equally … Now, you’ve gotta take a side and people are angry if you don’t.”

When asked by Hoda Kotb whether comedy is harder in today’s climate, Leno disagreed. “I don’t think it’s any trickier than any other time,” he said. “We’ve always had tough times.”

Still, he noted that societal norms have changed rapidly. “Stuff that used to be the law is now against the law… and that’s great,” he added with optimism, saying he’s “very hopeful” for the future of comedy.

“Sometimes you gotta hit [comedy] in the head with a two-by-four to get its attention,” Leno joked, “but eventually it will listen.”