Stephen Colbert’s Farewell Episode Highlights the Issues with “The Late Show”

As Stephen Colbert wrapped up his last episode of “The Late Show” on Thursday night, he inadvertently highlighted why the CBS program had become so unappealing and, frankly, dull.

“I thought the best way to celebrate what we’ve accomplished over these 11 years is to do a regular episode where I come out here and discuss national topics,” Colbert said.

Honestly, are there two words more yawn-inducing than “national conversation”? Maybe a lecture on calculus? Or, I don’t know, a rock tumbler?

In a comedic twist, Colbert was interrupted by various celebrities trying to become the final guest, including Bryan Cranston and Ryan Reynolds. None of them really stood out, though.

Besides a performance of “Hello Goodbye” by Paul McCartney, the episode didn’t leave much of an impression. The jokes felt pretty standard—most of them, well, not very funny.

Still, Colbert hit the mark when CBS decided to end the show. In a way, the title could have been “The Twisted National Conversation with Stephen Colbert” all along.

What started as a comedic talk show took a less enjoyable turn when Rachel Maddow paired her stylist with the musical guest.

Even die-hard fans have to admit this is true.

Colbert largely steered clear of political topics in his farewell, aside from a vague mention of President Trump and a black hole sketch with astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson. It was an odd metaphor for power, but ultimately lacked laughs.

Even without heavy politics, Colbert’s show was marked by a somber tone and often felt biased, particularly regarding Trump.

At 11:30 p.m., just before many were heading to bed, the segment of viewers mysteriously drawn to the show managed to push Colbert’s ratings up slightly. He began to view himself as a martyr for truth, perhaps a modern-day jester.

It’s interesting how the lofty ambitions of online entertainers can come off as delusional. It was really just a ratings play. I recall an old saying by Walter Winchell: “The quickest way to become famous is to throw bricks at famous people.”

Colbert’s lengthy run will be remembered for shifting late-night comedy into a more politically charged arena.

The increased anger-laden content seemed to benefit Colbert and similar hosts like Jimmy Kimmel, but it also weakened the show’s foundation.

Meanwhile, younger and more eclectic comedians from Brooklyn are gaining favor through podcasts and YouTube, offering a friendlier alternative.

Colbert’s provocative style isn’t sustainable. Once Trump’s term ends, the audience may dwindle significantly. We’ve already witnessed such declines before, like with the Washington Post and former MSNBC. As consumer outrage fades, viewership can plummet.

Corporate media has also alienated parts of its audience.

Johnny Carson’s emotional farewell to “The Tonight Show” in 1992, when Bette Midler sang “One More for My Baby,” remains a benchmark of iconic goodbyes.

I felt a genuine sense of loss that time—like saying goodbye to a family member.

In stark contrast, after an agonizing year of excessive praise and complaints, Thursday’s finale didn’t feel like any kind of significant loss.

Frankly, I think I deserved a better time slot.