The most significant election of our time is nearly upon us.

If you’re following the race between Vice President Kamala Harris and ex-President Donald Trump via mainstream media, you’ll hear this sentiment a lot. The same goes for late-night TV, which has shifted to a political focus recently.

On NBC’s “The Tonight Show,” Jimmy Fallon is showcasing his (not-so-great) Trump impersonation while making bizarre remarks about eating pets. Over on HBO, John Oliver expresses his frustration regarding Project 2025 and the federal judiciary in an emotionally charged segment. Meanwhile, NBC’s “Saturday Night Live” kicked off its season with a roster of comedians portraying prominent political figures: Maya Rudolph as Harris, Jim Gaffigan as Democratic VP candidate Tim Walz, and Dana Carvey as the outgoing President Biden.

Moreover, even in entertainment that usually serves as an escape, the influence of politics is everywhere, especially as October marks the election year. While these shows have traditionally thrived on current events and political parodies—from Chevy Chase’s Gerald Ford in the 1970s to Jay Leno’s jabs at Bill Clinton and Monica Lewinsky in the 1990s—the tone has shifted dramatically since 2016. Jokes now carry a weightier sense of urgency and darkness, largely influenced by the presence of Trump, whose absurdities have become part of everyday discourse. Comedians are not merely trying to entertain; they’re also grappling with a distinctly absurd political landscape.

Although the debate cycle appears to be winding down, Trump and Harris are intensifying their efforts to attract voters. Their media appearances and speeches are great fodder for comedians seeking fresh comedic material from this crucial and serious national event. But the real question is—how amusing can this actually be? Are these comedians delivering laughs or just tilting at the perennial windmills of election cycles?

This election cycle has injected new energy into late-night shows, particularly due to the race’s unpredictability—from Biden’s exit to Trump’s erratic speeches. ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel and NBC’s Seth Meyers seem to delight in recounting Trump’s frequent gaffes and making jokes about him. CBS’ Stephen Colbert is energetically commendable of Harris and Walz. On Comedy Central’s “Daily Show,” Jon Stewart has adopted John Oliver’s more in-depth approach, tackling complex issues like Israel’s military actions in Lebanon. Fallon, on the other hand, typically stays on the lighter side, focusing on younger generational humor rather than wrestling with Trump and trade policies.

The kickoff of “SNL” for its 50th season has been highly anticipated. Over the past two decades, the show has dedicated immense resources to ensure its cold openings during election seasons capture the political zeitgeist, often casting top-tier stars as candidates. In 2020, Alec Baldwin and Jim Carrey portrayed Trump and Biden, turning the resident cast into supporting roles. Although “SNL” still capitalizes on big-name guest stars for political impersonations, producer Lorne Michaels is opting for well-crafted impressions over simply casting celebrities for shock value. This season featured Gaffigan, Carvey, and Andy Samberg (playing Harris’ spouse Doug Emhoff), along with main cast members James Austin Johnson and Bowen Yang as Trump and his running mate, JD Vance.

The new ensemble excelled in a Harris-centric sketch during the latest “SNL” episode, which was the first since Biden’s exit from the race. Carvey, known for his iconic portrayal of President George H.W. Bush in the 1990s, effectively reinterpreted Biden’s persona. Rudolph delivered the highly-anticipated “Mamala” jokes that fans had been waiting for since Harris’ selection as a nominee. However, Yang’s portrayal of Vance was a letdown, offering nothing more than generic one-liners about his oddness, which has been frequently repeated by other comedians.

When it comes to late-night talk shows, they mostly manage to extract humor (excluding Fallon). Stewart and Oliver are influential and informative, addressing current events in their monologues. While the jokes are amusing, they often feel unoriginal, reflecting the growing pattern of political commentary we’ve seen in multiple previous election cycles. We’re attempting to find humor in issues that are critically important.

The current atmosphere is reminiscent of discussions we’ve seen since 2016, becoming a standard part of today’s American political dialogue.

With several shows scheduled before November 5, audiences can expect plenty of lackluster Trump impressions and a range of baffled looks from Rudolph. (“SNL” will air four more episodes leading up to Election Day.) If the comedians stick to their usual routines, the humor will likely be amusing but also somewhat predictable. Meyers will raise his voice during “A Closer Look,” and another former “SNL” cast member will portray a Democrat or Republican making headlines. Stewart will incite some anger.

However, given how unpredictable the 2024 election cycle has been, there could be chances for more significant comedic moments. That is, provided these comedians can rise to the occasion.