The episode in question saw De Niro in fine form, delivering candid insights, humorous anecdotes, and his unfiltered opinions on a variety of subjects, including politics. De Niro, never one to shy away from expressing his viewpoints, engaged in a lively exchange with host Jimmy Kimmel, touching on everything from his illustrious career to the current political climate.

Despite the promise of such a heavyweight guest, the episode’s ratings plummeted, leaving many to ponder the cause of this disconnect between the anticipated appeal of a star like De Niro and the actual viewer turnout.

Several factors have been posited in the attempt to understand the ratings slump. Some have suggested that the content of the episode, particularly De Niro’s political commentary, may have alienated a segment of the show’s viewership. In an era where political polarization is at an all-time high, celebrities’ political opinions can sometimes result in backlash from the public, leading to a decline in viewership for shows that feature such discussions.