Audiences in the News: Stephen Colbert Shuts Down Rowdy Audience During Ted Cruz Interview

By: Dominic Jones

On a recent episode of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert host Stephen Colbert was interviewing controversial US Senator and Republican presidential candidate Ted Cruz when his audience got a little rowdy and began booing Cruz.  Colbert ultimately told the audience to stop, as seen in the clip below at around 3:55,

 

What interests me about this is that the late night talk show is usually a venue that encourages a certain level or rowdyness.  Audience members are encouraged to cheer when the stars are introduced and laugh at their jokes and stories.  However, it seems that there is some line that is crossed here where the rowdyism becomes unacceptable.  And that line appears to be booing.  

It begs the question of why rowdyness is acceptable at some times and not at others.  Ultimately it seems to come down to the idea of the upper class wanting to feel safe, as discussed in lecture.  The audience, who are not lower class necessarily (more likely a middle class audience), is a lower class than the celebrities and politicians on stage.  Colbert and Cruz (or whoever may be the guest) represent the upper class and are likely OK with rowdyness when it is positive, but when it becomes negative they may fear for what may happen next.

Much like audiences in the past where the lower class out numbered the upper class, the people in the audience outnumber greatly the two men on stage.  When the rowdyness is positive, the celebrities will feel safe as they are being celebrated.  However, if it becomes negative -as it does in the clip above- Colbert will want to put a cap on it so that things don't get out of hand.  This concern is likely heightened when someone controversial like Senator Cruz is the guest.  Cruz is a far right politician, where as Colbert's audience tends to be left leaning.  It's not hard to imagine a situation where Cruz could be feel threatened if an audience of people who disagree with him are getting rowdy.  From that standpoint, one can understand why Colbert (who likely agrees with the audience members booing Cruz on the issue being discussed) would shut down the negative rowdyness.  As host, it is his responsibility to ensure his guests feel safe, and that means controlling the rowdyness so things don't get out of hand.