Mad Magazine Reveals Late Night TV-Themed Issue

Late-night television is about to get roasted the old-school way. Mad magazine has set its sights on the genre for its June issue, promising a typically irreverent mix of caricature, parody, and insider ribbing.

Mad previewed two of the features inside in a social media post Wednesday: “A Eulogy for Colbert’s Show” and “Types of Guests You See on Late Night TV.” It’s not yet clear whether staples like Spy vs. Spy or the magazine’s signature Fold-In will also tie into the theme.

The cover, illustrated by longtime Mad artist Tom Richmond, imagines a sleepover featuring several of late night’s biggest names. Under the moniker “Mad Stays Up Late,” Jimmy Fallon spins a ghost story while Stephen Colbert and Seth Meyers hover over a Ouija board. Jon Stewart paints John Oliver’s nails, Jimmy Kimmel snacks on chips, and David Letterman curls up in a sleeping bag—unaware that Alfred E. Neuman is doodling “Putz” across his face with a marker.

Fallon was quick to embrace the gag, commenting “What, me?” on the magazine’s Instagram post unveiling the cover.

Now in its 74th year, Mad is no stranger to late night satire. Over the decades, it has lampooned hosts from Jack Paar and Johnny Carson to Arsenio Hall, Jay Leno, and beyond. Letterman—the only past host to appear on the new cover—was a particularly frequent target, owing in part to Mad’s offices being just across the street from the Ed Sullivan Theater through much of Letterman’s CBS run.

The influence has gone both ways. Late night writers and hosts have frequently cited Mad’s impact, with Stephen Colbert even penning the foreword to Mad’s 60th anniversary collection, Totally MAD.

And although Mad staffers were not involved, Fox’s MADtv—which aired from 1995 to 2009—took its name and comedic spirit from the magazine.

Mad magazine’s Late Night TV issue hits comic shops April 15.