Tony Dokoupil Responds to Outrage Over Colbert’s Cancellation

“CBS Mornings” co-host Tony Dokoupil has addressed the liberal backlash regarding CBS’s decision to cancel “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.” On Tuesday, he remarked that the late-night industry is facing significant issues, stating, “Business is broken.” He implied that the landscape of politics and entertainment has evolved tremendously since the days of Johnny Carson, suggesting that the balance is no longer the same. Perhaps there’s a need to reflect on these shifts, which, I think, represent a profound cultural transformation.

Dokoupil, along with his colleagues, reacted to Jon Stewart’s harsh critique of CBS. Stewart dismissed CBS’s claim that the decision to cancel Colbert’s show was financially motivated, implying there were deeper issues at play.

Stewart suggested that the cancellation stems from Paramount’s ongoing $8 billion merger initiative and its negotiations with the FCC. He linked the timing of the show’s end to these corporate moves, which—according to him—creates a troubling precedent.

In Dokoupil’s defense of the network’s stance, he expressed skepticism about equating the cancellation to corporate strategy, voicing that it’s troubling to think an $8 billion merger hinges on a late-night comedy show. “It seems off to me,” he said. “People enjoy sports, films, and comedies. They don’t just tune in for the reruns.”

Gayle King, another co-host and frequent visitor on “The Late Show,” supported Colbert in her conversation with Dokoupil. She noted, “Many viewers believe there might have been an alternative to this outcome.” Her concern about standing against corporate decisions was evident, but she also complimented Dokoupil’s efforts, encouraging viewers to check out Stewart’s complete monologue.

The cancellation, scheduled for May 2026, has ignited anger among many liberals, with some, including Stewart, interpreting the move as a politically motivated jab at President Trump. Contrarily, a report indicated that Colbert’s program was costing CBS around $40 million annually, thus raising questions about the financial viability of the show.

Additionally, while traditional liberal late-night programming faces a downturn, Fox News Channel’s “Gutfeld!” has climbed to become the leading late-night show, having surpassed Colbert, the “Daily Show,” and others in key demographic ratings.