Trevor Noah, Stephen Colbert and the Jimmies honour Ruth Bader Ginsburg by continuing the fight

On Friday, the news that American Supreme Court Justice and gender-equality champion Ruth Bader Ginsburg had died at the age of 87 sent shockwaves across the United States, and indeed the world. She was an icon for women’s rights, dissent, pushing the envelope, and maintaining poise and grace under pressure. Now there’s a massive debate happening south of the border about the possibility Donald Trump will fill her seat mere weeks before a Presidential election. So on Monday, late night talk show hosts like Trevor Noah, Jimmy Fallon and Stephen Colbert made sure to carve out some space dedicated to honouring the feminist legend before her legacy is lost in the hubbub of political furor.“Ruth Bader Ginsburg served on the Supreme Court for 27 years,” Fallon began his solemn tribute on The Tonight Show (weeknights at 11:35pET on CTV2), “She was a leader in the fight against sex discrimination and a pioneer in the battle for women’s rights and gender equality. This country has lost a true hero, a relentless fighter and a role model to women everywhere.” He capped off his moving tribute by encouraging Americans to register to vote for their upcoming election, adding, “Thank you RBG. Rest in peace. We promise to continue the fight that you started.”The Late Show with Stephen Colbert decided to make a more satirical tribute to the woman who was lovingly dubbed “Notorious RBG” and also “Ruthie Smalls,” by pointing out that 2020 has been a hellscape to begin with, so her loss feels like a kick in the teeth.“I like to think I can take a lot of punishment,” he said, opening the show, “But damn—damn!—2020 is a relentless opponent […] on Friday it got so much worse, because our country said goodbye to a hero, Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg […] If you’re like me, you got texts from everyone you know with an even mix of sadness and swearing.” YUP.[video_embed id='2039948']RELATED: Reflecting on Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s life after her passing [/video_embed]Noting that RBG was renowned as a “tireless advocate” for women, Stephen pointed out that he knew just how tireless she truly was, considering he got the chance to workout with her at the gym with her trainer two years ago. Stephen getting his butt kicked by an 85-year-old judge who lifts is how we feel every day of 2020. Real talk.RBG was incredibly quotable, as Stephen pointed out that her mantra to “be a lady and be independent” encouraged not just women, but everyone to not lose themselves to anger but rather use calm communication to make themselves heard. She also famously said in her fight for gender equality, “I ask no favour for my sex. All I ask of our brethren is that they take their feet off our necks.” Dang. What a woman. *swoon*The Daily Show with Trevor Noah (Mon-Thurs at 11pET on CTV Comedy) and Jimmy Kimmel Live! made note of her passing too, but also focused on the political upheaval taking place right now in partisan circles concerning her vacant seat on the Supreme Court. Both Trevor and Jimmy noted that republicans in 2016 raged against the idea of President Obama filling a vacant seat during an election year but now with the election currently underway, they are more than happy to rush to fill it—a hypocrisy that leaves a bad aftertaste.

 

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Let’s take a break from the debate over how and when to replace Ruth Bader Ginsburg, and talk about just how irreplaceable she was.

A post shared by The Daily Show (@thedailyshow) on Sep 22, 2020 at 5:02am PDT

“It's basically the 'When you're a star, they let you do it' but of judicial appointments,” Trevor Noah said, baffled that Trump “gets to name three justices who serve for life! This is the same guy who's had to fire everyone he's hired because of how bad he is at hiring people—for life! Trump can't even pick his own partner for life, but he gets to do it for America?”Jimmy Kimmel, who has finally returned back to his show after a summer of guest hosts, pointed out that when Trump announced his plans to nominate a woman justice to fill RBG’s seat, the president also made an hourglass shape with his hands. “Who does that? His mouth is always lying but his little hands tell the truth.”But perhaps Late Night with Seth Meyers’s take on her legacy was the most endearing and bittersweet, as he rolled a clip of her pulling out a pocket-sized copy of the American constitution that she carried with her wherever she went in the world. “Watching RBG reach into her tote bag for her pocket constitution is like watching Batman reach into his utility belt for his grappling hook. And of course, you’d never see the latter, because no matter where you stand on Batman, he clearly lacks the crowd-pleasing show-and-tell warmth of RBG.”RIP tireless defender.Watch The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon weeknights at 11:35pET on CTV2 and The Daily Show with Trevor Noah Monday to Thursday at 11pET on CTV Comedy.[video_embed id='-1']BEFORE YOU GO: Hungry pup in other car wants to join in on breakfast [/video_embed]