Colbert Claims CBS Restricted Interviews with Democratic Candidates
On Monday, Stephen Colbert, host of “The Late Show,” stated that CBS has prevented him from interviewing Democratic candidates, citing the latest actions from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).
Colbert mentioned that CBS lawyers explicitly told the show it could not interview James Talarico, a Texas Senate candidate, nor could it inform audiences about this restriction.
The comedian connected this situation to the FCC’s enforcement of the Equal Time Rule, which mandates equal airtime for all legally eligible candidates regardless of their political affiliation. FCC Chairman Brendan Carr has suggested that liberal talk shows, previously exempt from these rules, have become “motivated by partisan objectives.”
In a light-hearted jab, Colbert remarked, “Well, sir, you’re the FCC chairman, so FCC it,” adding that he believes Carr himself is driven by partisan motives.
Colbert further noted that Talarico’s recent appearance on ABC’s “The View” sparked an investigation by the FCC, which led to CBS’s decision. He also revealed that the planned interview with Talarico would still be shared on the show’s YouTube channel, thus sidestepping FCC restrictions.
Colbert humorously commented about the absurdity of not being able to show Talarico on air and even confessed that the picture he displayed during the segment wasn’t actually him.
He also mentioned an ongoing letter from Carr indicating a possibility of eliminating the late-night business exception. While this hasn’t happened yet, Colbert joked that his network was already acting as if it had been axed, attributing this decision to economic motivations.
As of now, representatives from CBS, Paramount, and the FCC have not provided comments regarding the matter.
In a conversation earlier this month, Carr responded to the criticisms from Colbert and fellow late-night host Jimmy Kimmel, asserting that the FCC’s enforcement adheres to regulations that date back to the 1950s. He suggested that if they disagree with the law, they should advocate for change in Congress.
He added that under his watch, these regulations would remain enforced, while also pointing out that multiple platforms, like cable channels or streaming services, do not have to meet these requirements. He stated, if they want broad distribution on public airwaves, they must comply with existing regulations.
