Colbert Reflects on Conservatism and Show Cancellation
Stephen Colbert, the host of “The Late Show,” recently shared his thoughts in an interview, suggesting he’s more conservative than the public typically perceives him to be. In a conversation with GQ’s Zach Baron, published on Monday, he discussed the show’s recent cancellation and the dynamics of his audience.
Interestingly, Colbert pointed out that his viewership is quite diverse, comprising Republicans, Democrats, and independents alike. “People see me as this left-leaning figure. Honestly, I think I might be more conservative than they realize,” he revealed. He noted that his commentary often revolves around critical issues, particularly regarding radical governance, adding, “I guess my reactions sometimes come off like a comedic ‘Scream.’”
Colbert elaborated on the challenge of maintaining a balanced perspective, especially concerning significant political actions like deploying troops in unforeseen contexts. He admitted that while he never intended “The Late Show” to be a rallying cry for political change, the events following the 2016 election spurred him to warn viewers about then-President Trump.
Throughout his career, Colbert has been politically active, raising funds for the Democratic Party and expressing support for notable figures such as Presidents Joe Biden and Barack Obama, as well as Vice President Kamala Harris. He mentioned transitioning the show’s focus due to the political climate, stating, “In the early days, it was more about my personal take on each night, but I realized over time I had to engage with what mattered most in everyday discussions.”
Addressing the show’s cancellation, Colbert acknowledged CBS’s announcement of its decision being largely a financial matter, following a $16 million settlement with Trump concerning a lawsuit. Despite this, he suggested that it wasn’t unreasonable for people to suspect that the decision had political undertones. “I mean, it’s easy to see why someone would think that,” he remarked.
Concluding his thoughts, he voiced confusion regarding who in CBS made the final call about the settlement, pointing out that it felt almost self-defeating for the network given that their own lawyers deemed the lawsuit baseless. He concluded by confirming that the final episode of “The Late Show” is set for May next year.
