(Thumbnail image: The Wrap)

“We’re about this right here, we’re about inclusion. We’re about inclusion, oneness. Look at all the different backgrounds in this room, black, white, young, old, Asian, Latino, all in the same room! You know who else can do that? Hugh Hefner!” (Lopez Tonight)

Three new talk shows debuted recently with one thing in common; the hosts aren’t white men. George Lopez, Wanda Sykes and Mo’nique all have new late night talk shows that are shaking things up.

We’re looking at sources talking about whether race matters on late night from CNN, The Wrap, CelebTV and The New York Times.

Variety’s Stuart Levine tells "Anderson Cooper 360" on CNN that being a minority host has nothing to do with the success of a show.

“This isn’t the first time late night has sought younger, more ethnic audiences, think Chris Rock, Magic Johnson and Arsenio Hall. Variety’s Stuart Levine believes the recipe for success is simple. ‘I think you just have to be funny, you can be a minority host and try to get a minority audience, but if you’re not funny people aren’t going to watch.’”

Hollywood blog The Wrap says there is simply a broader understanding of mainstream now, and these hosts are not as different as they’re being made out to be. "The Lopez Show’s" executive producer told The Wrap why Lopez is qualified to host a show.

“George happens to be Mexican, but that's not the reason he's doing this show. He's been doing standup for 30 years. He's been on every talk show out there. He's been preparing for this moment."

CelebTV says it’s not just Lopez himself breaking the late night mold, there’s a whole new atmosphere.

“’And the revolution begins in english y tambien en espanol.’ So aside from George himself, what were some of the differences?  Well, Lopez couldn’t get the audience to sit down, and then Ellen DeGeneres popped by in her jammies to welcome the new talk show host and passed out jello shots.”

The New York Times Media Decoder Blog says there might be something to this, reporting strong ratings for Lopez’s debut episodes.

“George Lopez created some big noise with his entry into the late-night competition Monday night, attracting more than 3 million viewers and faring better among many young audience groups than many of the established late-night stars.”

So what do you think? Is there a trend toward diversity in late night? Or is it more about how funny the comedian is?