There is no real guide for how to do comedy on national television after highly publicized national tragedies. Often, it’s confusing as to what to do to make people laugh that want to laugh and where to go. Late night talk show hosts often bear a perceived responsibility to guide what the conversation, comedically, is supposed to be about such events like the recent shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary. 

Interestingly enough, Both Conan O’Brien and Jimmy Kimmel, with their respective late night show, decided to forego trying to dissect the events and went to their strong suits of absurd and silly comedy. Watch a clip featuring a Christmas character that only Conan would come up with and Kimmel showing off NSFW looking Christmas lights. Whether ou disagree with their move, both clips are pretty funny.