Reflections on Stephen Colbert’s Legacy
I’ve had quite a journey with Stephen Colbert over the years. We’ve crossed paths multiple times, whether through interviews or guest appearances on each other’s shows. Regardless of where you stand on his liberal views—and let’s be honest, they can be divisive even among his own fans—his recent discussions on political fallout, media division, and the uncertain future of late-night television raise significant concerns.
It all began when I first interviewed Colbert during a short trial for his own show on Comedy Central. He was uncertain about his future, but he was friendly and razor-sharp, comparable to Jon Stewart in his wit. I remember a moment when I portrayed a hardline conservative on The Colbert Report and he playfully smacked me for it. Quite the experience, really. On Fox, I discussed how some Republicans criticized Hillary Clinton, claiming she bore extra burdens as a potential female president.
Colbert took that and turned it into one of his segments, suggesting Hillary was “too old.” Well, that felt a bit off to me—but these things can spiral out of control. I feigned offense and responded with a touch of sarcasm, quipping about Colbert being a “fake anchor” who vilified hardworking journalists like myself. Some of my critics took my jibe too seriously. Still, I was invited to promote my book on his show, and though it was fun, I wasn’t surprised to see most of my humorous contributions cut while his shone bright.
Looking back, it was clear Colbert was already a significant figure in the scene then. After moving away from Comedy Central, he secured a position with CBS’s Late Show, where he initially struggled but later found his footing. Once he brought in a showrunner from Morning Joe, his approach shifted dramatically to a more partisan stance. He even labeled Trump as the “Antichrist”—though he claimed it was a joke. Against all odds, this pivot propelled him to the top of the ratings, but was it worth alienating half of his audience? It felt like consuming something that looked inviting but had a hidden danger.
His interviews with prominent figures like Obama and Biden were somewhat restrained in comparison. CBS even ventured to lock him into a long-term contract based on his ratings. However, not long ago, Colbert raised eyebrows by alleging the network had accepted “significant bribes” related to a lawsuit involving Trump. The timing was curious, coinciding with Paramount’s anticipated acquisition approvals and the eventual cancellation of his show without much consultation among top stars.
Trump notably expressed approval of this move, suggesting it was indeed a case of political retaliation.
Colbert’s ongoing critiques didn’t help the network’s sense of goodwill. During his farewell, CBS dynamic turned the exit into quite the spectacle. There were a slew of celebrity guests, perhaps it felt overdone—Tom Hanks, Oprah, Jon Stewart among others, contributing to a somewhat theatrical goodbye.
As the Late Show prepares to hand over the reins to Byron Allen, who’s paying CBS for the time slot and promises a less politicized format, one has to wonder about the shift in late-night entertainment. I mean, look at it this way: Colbert’s show has reportedly taken a financial hit, losing millions annually. It’s hard to sustain that kind of loss, especially when today’s late-night audience is a mere shadow of the golden days when Johnny Carson ruled the airwaves.
Interestingly, Colbert and Kimmel have both hovered around 2.5 million viewers recently, with Fallon slightly behind. That’s not terrible, but it’s a fraction of what once was. Nowadays, people often catch clips of these shows online rather than tuning in live, which raises questions about the survival of such formats. With social media and streaming ever-present, it’s a different era. I, for one, haven’t listened to AM radio in ages.
Ultimately, no matter what, Colbert’s talents will ensure he’s just fine moving forward.
