Taylor Tomlinson succeeds James Corden as late-night host. Who is the woman?

After Midnight
Taylor Tomlinson succeeds James Corden as late-night host. Who is the woman?

American stand-up comedian Taylor Tomlinson is getting her own late night show – making her the only woman in the position. Your recipe for success? The 29-year-old dissects herself.

Stephen Colbert had a premature gift for her. Taylor Tomlinson, American stand-up comedian, was a guest on the late-night talker’s show. She also told the host that she would soon be celebrating her 30th birthday. Colbert congratulated her: “Congratulations. I have a TV show for you.”

In the future, Tomlinson’s broadcast will follow Colbert’s show on CBS airs Monday through Friday at 12:37 a.m. This gives it a strong broadcast position. Colbert’s show is the highest-rated late-night show on American television – and its new slot is the one that James Corden filled until not so long ago. The British presenter is known, among other things, for “Carpool Karaoke”, videos in which he sings in the car with celebrities.

All other late night talkers are at least 20 years older than Taylor Tomlinson

Taylor Tomlinson will then be the only woman on American late-night television. All other shows are hosted by men; the most famous hosts include Stephen Colbert, Jimmy Kimmel and Jimmy Fallon. What’s more, Tomlinson will not only be the only female late-night host, but also the youngest. All other talk hosts are at least 20 years older than her. Taylor Tomlinson is an exception.

Who is this woman?

Born in California, raised in a Christian family. At the age of 16, Tomlinson began telling jokes in church congregations. At the age of 20, she performed on college stages across the country and earned so much money that she dropped out of college to devote herself full-time to her comedy career. At the age of 25, her first Netflix special appeared – an accolade in the comedy industry. The special is called “Quarterlife Crisis”, it’s about the crisis that hits you when you’re around 25. Too old to party, too young to settle down. This is her story.

She jokes about online dating and childhood trauma. About topics that your audience can identify with. Her style: natural storytelling, precise timing. Your strength? The perfect balance of self-confidence and self-deprecation. So she comes across as neither arrogant nor pitiful, but rather on an equal level with her audience. Because she doesn’t play characters, but rather talks about herself believably, her comedy suggests authenticity. Stand-up comedy is the art of casualness. Tomlinson understood that.

Taylor Tomlinson has tough topics, packaged lightly

Their first special is a huge success. So big that her second Netflix special will be released in 2022: “Look at You”. With jokes about her suicidal thoughts, her bipolar disorder, panic attacks and her dead mother. Tough topics that she packs lightly. Tomlinson dissects himself – astutely and unsparingly. She perfects the old comedy rule: If you laugh at your own pain, you gain power over it. “Do you seriously think I would be so successful at such a young age if my mother were still alive?” Tomlinson asks her audience. “She’s in heaven. I’m on Netflix. Everything worked out.”

Tomlinson talks a lot about mental health. This is very zeitgeisty – and works extremely well on social media. She is followed by over 1.5 million people on Instagram and over 2.5 million on TikTok. She reaches a huge audience with her short videos. This is of course attractive for the television industry; the decision-makers hope that their followers will also diligently tune in to the show. Stephen Colbert put it this way on Wednesday evening: “We need someone who is funny, young and likeable. Someone who knows online trends.” That’s another reason why Taylor Tomlinson is a perfect fit.