Politics Ruining Stephen Colbert's Attempt To Beat Jimmy Fallon In Rating Race?

by Miguel Abesamis / Feb 11, 2016 10:28 PM EST

NBC's "The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon" has crushed CBS' "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert" in ratings.

For those unaware, Colbert took over CBS' "Late Show" back on Sept. 8 after David Letterman finally stepped down from his chair after more than two decades of hosting the show.

However, his arrival would be upstaged the very next day by Jimmy Fallon, who replaced Letterman's rival, Jay Leno, over at NBC.

According to an article written by Bill Carter for The Hollywood Reporter, Stephen Colbert's show's high ratings only lasted 24 hours.

"Fallon beat him the second night - and 55 of the next 58 nights," Carter wrote. "During recent weeks, the gap has grown in the 18-to-49 demographic coveted by late-night advertisers."

Of course, there are several theories why Stephen Colbert's late night ratings are dwindling. A veteran late-night writer speculates that he "maybe too smart for a mass audience" while another says that "he needs to be more commercial, more social friendly."

It is also speculated that politics is playing a part. As per the article, Colbert is being shut out by Republican viewers given that he is a blowhard conservative.

Jimmy Fallon, meanwhile, focused on his strengths and created segments that include impressions and music-oriented sketches. Adele's bit on the show already has 18 million hits on youtube while his "Musical Impressions" with Christina Aguilera has 48 million views.

Despite crushing the competition, the SNL alum is still modest about his show's ratings.

"He's just, as you know, one of the nicest guys out there," Jimmy Fallon said referring to Stephen Colbert in an interview with Ellen Degeneres. "And I think the more the merrier. I think it just brings more attention to late night and gets more people watching TV in general. So I think we all win. I mean, there's room for everybody. "

NBC's "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon" and CBS's "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert" both air at 11:35 p.m. ET.