Stephen Colbert's Cancellation Is Exactly What It Looks Like (The New Republic)

[Jack Valentino]

Stephen Colbert’s Cancellation Is Exactly What It Looks Like
Mock a Trump bribe on Monday, get canceled by Thursday. The Late Show’s death reveals how billionaires and presidents are reshaping American media.


Stephen Colbert announced on Thursday night that next May would mark not just the end of his run as host, but the death of The Late Show itself, a CBS institution that has existed since 1993.

“I found out just last night,” Colbert told his audience. “Yeah, I share your feelings,” he continued as they booed. “It’s not just the end of our show, but it’s the end of The Late Show on CBS. I’m not being replaced. This is all just going away.”

What Colbert didn’t say was why CBS would suddenly kill off one of television’s most storied franchises. The network’s press release insisted this was “purely a financial decision” while defensively adding it was “not related in any way to the show’s performance, content or other matters happening at Paramount.” That second part reads like someone protesting way too much.

If you’re thinking that sounds like complete bullshit, you’re right.

Read more:
https://newrepublic.com/article/198120/stephen-colbert-cancellation-ellison-trump


Very informative and depressing essay

[Scrivener7]

1. And it all began with Citizens United.

[Ninga]

4. Or it all began when Bush the elder put Alito and Roberts on the court, followed by W's nomination of Thomas.

Citizens United has many fathers….

[bsiebs]

6. Just the reverse... Bush the elder put Thomas on the court, W did Alito and Roberts..

I will never forget Bush senior saying at the time that Thomas (replacing the great Marshall) was the most qualified person in the United States to become a supreme court justice... bleh

[Ninga]

13. Opps! Bush this, Bush that. They're all the same! Thanks!

[Initech]

12. Citizens United and Sandy Hook.

This country truly lost its’ way when gun nuts decided that a classroom full of murdered children wasn’t a deal breaker. Fuck Alex Jones.

[H2O Man]

2. Recommended.

Thank you for this.

[dweller]

3. Who will be next ?

60 Minutes ?

😐


✌🏻

[Qutzupalotl]

18. They've sort of smothered themselves.

Formerly hard-hitting investigative journalism, now tepid fluff “human interest” pieces. I've lost interest.

[IronLionZion]

5. Sounds like Nixon and Smothers Brothers

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smothers_Brothers#Controversies_and_cancellation

[Grim Chieftain]

7. I really think the timing of CBS axing Colbert's show is interesting

Last edited Fri Jul 18, 2025, 03:46 PM - Edit history (1)

At a time when many are focused on Trump and his involvement with Epstein and sex crimes, CBS cancels Colbert. There is no way Colbert would learn this news and not share it with his fans. By orchestrating the news breaking when they did, CBS and Trump managed to take the focus away from Trump and place it on Colbert being let go. Interesting, especially since Colbert's show won't end until next May.

Oh look! Something shiny over there.

[AllaN01Bear]

8. put late nite movies back on and cartoons .

[Johonny]

9. I feel like Colbert will find new work

CBS, I'm not so sure about.

[lostincalifornia]

10. Financial decision? That would be believable if not for the tiny

detail that it is a very highly rated show.

How stupid does CBS think people are?

[Dave Bowman]

11. I haven't watch CBS in ages so boycotting them wouldn't be a problem.

[tinrobot]

14. I'm sure Apple and Netfilx have already reached out to Colbert.

Unless he wants to, he's not going away. He'll just change channels.

[mn9driver]

15. In this era of media consolidation, one very bad thing is becoming clear:

If you are a big media corporation and you want your merger approved by the Feds, you will need to give Trump what he wants: a few million dollars, and no talk shows that criticize him.

There will be more demands later. Guaranteed. And Paramount and the others will pay and censor themselves. Again. Guaranteed.

[cksmithy]

16. Thanks for the posting and the link.

I read the New Republic article, I agree, it is informative and depressing. I hate what that orange bag of fats has done to our country. I can only hope people wake up, keep protesting and vote blue in the midterms.

[Jack Valentino]

17. I'm particularly distressed by what I believe is going to happen to CBS News--

the right-wing billionaire new owner will slowly (or not so slowly) turn it into another right-wing propaganda outlet, right on broadcast TV (as opposed to Faux News, which is cable only). CBS was my favorite network and news from childhood... but no more.

[Flash953]

20. Me too.

Was a big fan of 60 minutes.

[Flash953]

19. Don't patronize Paramount inc. They are the problem!

Whoever in the Paramount empire that has that much clout needs to feel financial pain.... I bet Stephen Colbert will find a way to be online in a different context. maybe on Blue sky! I'm beginning to get my news from the BBC . I think they can be trusted . Our news stations are beginning to be devoured by the wealthy.......