When Greg Gutfeld walked onto The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, few could have predicted just how big of a splash he would make. The Fox News personality, whose own late-night–style program Gutfeld! has been a surprise ratings juggernaut, delivered Fallon’s show its largest audience of 2025.

According to Nielsen, the episode brought in 1.7 million viewers, a 57% increase over Fallon’s 2025 average of 1.1 million—with about a 28% bump in overall viewership compared to recent months, and a 13% lift in the advertiser-coveted 25–54 demographic.

The sudden surge has left media outlets divided—some hailing the numbers as a much-needed revival for NBC’s flagship late-night program, while others worry about the political implications of rolling out the red carpet for one of conservative media’s loudest voices.

Ratings Gold for Fallon

On the numbers alone, Fallon scored a clear win. Late-night has been in a steady ratings decline for years, and with Colbert, Kimmel, and Fallon locked in a three-way battle for shrinking audiences, any surge feels like gold. Gutfeld’s appearance not only boosted Fallon’s total viewers but also helped him reclaim momentum in the 25–54 demo, where ad dollars are most heavily concentrated.

Fox News itself trumpeted the success, noting that Gutfeld managed to do for Fallon what A-list celebrities often cannot: bring new viewers to the broadcast at a time when late-night feels increasingly irrelevant to younger audiences.

Criticism: A “Softball” Interview

But not all the coverage was celebratory. The Daily Beast blasted Fallon’s performance as little more than “a softball chat”, accusing him of fawning over Gutfeld rather than holding him accountable for past controversial remarks.

Instead of tough questions, Fallon leaned on safe anecdotes—like stories from Gutfeld’s early career and lighthearted jokes—leaving critics to argue that the Tonight Show host missed an opportunity to challenge his guest on substance.

Political Optics and Strategic Shifts

Other outlets, like Vulture, framed the moment as a calculated ratings move. Their headline—“Jimmy Fallon Kisses the Conservative Ring”—suggested NBC might be testing the waters with right-leaning audiences, opening its stage to a figure who draws millions of nightly viewers on cable.

To some analysts, it reflects the precarious state of late-night television: networks are more willing to court controversial voices if it means winning back viewers. “It’s not just about comedy anymore,” one media critic noted. “It’s survival.”

The Debate: Is Gutfeld Truly “Late-Night”?

Another wrinkle in the coverage revolves around Gutfeld’s classification. While often labeled a late-night competitor, Gutfeld! actually airs at 10 p.m. ET, a prime-time slot rather than the traditional 11:30 p.m. late-night start.

Some media commentators argue that comparing Gutfeld’s numbers to Fallon, Colbert, or Kimmel is misleading. Still, the audience overlap is undeniable: Gutfeld has consistently outperformed broadcast shows in overall viewers, making him a force the traditional late-night establishment can no longer ignore.

A Divided Narrative

So how will media outlets respond moving forward?

Pro-NBC voices highlight the surge as evidence that crossing political lines can revive a fading format.

Skeptics see danger in normalizing a figure whose appeal is rooted in partisan commentary.

Industry analysts suggest this could mark a shift in strategy—where late-night no longer leans exclusively left, but opens doors to guests across the ideological spectrum.

For Fallon, at least in the short term, the gamble paid off. He got a rare ratings win, the headlines that came with it, and—if nothing else—a reminder that in today’s fractured media landscape, one unlikely guest can change the numbers overnight.