Penske Media’s Realization About Colbert
Penske Media seems to have finally grasped something that many of us have recognized for years: Stephen Colbert’s inflated sense of self-importance has taken a toll on the Late Show franchise.
From my perspective, it’s frustrating to see this unfolding. Penske owns a slew of reputable outlets like Variety, Deadline, The Hollywood Reporter, and others, all of which somehow missed the mark on critiquing this phenomenon. It might be hard for those in the same industry to be objective, but you’d think they’d notice… something.
In one analysis, it was noted, “Stephen Colbert’s farewell for The Late Show shifted from a goodbye to an ego trip.” The piece pointed out that watching one person rack up accolades doesn’t necessarily justify the show’s relevance. Additionally, despite Colbert’s overtly political slant, he fails to engage with the viewpoints of many viewers who tuned in for that very perspective.
The reality is, Colbert’s participation in “Resistance TV” reflects significant ego. However, it’s challenging for insiders, like those at Variety, to hold him accountable. One doubts they would muster up the guts to call it like it is.
This week, actor John Lithgow was a guest on The Late Show, and, unsurprisingly, he lavished praise on Colbert, something that has become all too common lately. Lithgow recited a poem, dubbing Colbert’s monologue a “sublime masterpiece” and even suggested he consider running for president in 2028. Bette Midler has made a similar appearance, performing a tribute song. Drew Barrymore, too, contributed her take on an old classic just to celebrate Colbert.
But here’s the kicker: Colbert is set to continue until May 21st. That’s still over three months to go!
Looking back, Midler didn’t sing until after Johnny Carson’s final farewell. The homage aired recently became a starkly exaggerated tribute that felt more suffocating than sincere.
This isn’t a laughing matter. Colbert has shown a consistent tendency toward narcissism, often lying without a hint of embarrassment. Carson’s retirement carried a different weight, one that was deserved. He was a beloved figure for decades, retiring on his own terms, while Colbert embraces a more divisive persona, embodying a perceived moral superiority tied to the Democratic Party, which, frankly, he has helped drag down.
And here we are months later, with Stephen Colbert using The Late Show as a platform to honor what seems to be his greatest passion: himself.
