Jay Leno, the former host of NBC's "
Tonight Show," said Tuesday that late-night television has gotten too political.
The 68-year-old was on "Today" and was asked about the current state of affairs when it comes to late-night talk shows.
"It's different," Leno said. "I don't miss it. You know, everything now is, if people don't like your politics, they — everyone has to know your politics.
"I kind of used [Johnny Carson's] model. People couldn't figure out. 'Well, you and your Republican friends' or 'Well, Mr. Leno, you and your Democratic buddies.' And I would get hate mail from both sides equally."
Leno added "it just makes it tough" when viewers see late-night hosts having a specific political opinion.
The late-night shows often feature political undertones, with the hosts routinely bashing President
Donald Trump and his administration.
Trump himself has pushed back on some of the jokes about him. Leno said things have gotten too serious on a stage that is supposed to be funny and light-hearted.
"Now it's all very serious," Leno said. "I'd just like to see a bit of civility come back to it, you know?"