‘He had a unique ability to be human’: late-night TV says goodbye to Stephen Colbert
The Late Show, and its much-loved host, will bid farewell this week after a controversial cancellation leaving behind a challenging TV landscape
TL;DR
- A constellation of stars, including Hugh Jackman, Bette Midler, and Jimmy Fallon, have appeared on The Late Show to honor host Stephen Colbert ahead of its final broadcast.
- Colbert's show provided a nightly antidote to the chaos of the Trump era, offering a contrast of irreverence, empathy, and decency.
- The cancellation of The Late Show, a 33-year institution, is considered suspicious by many, including former host David Letterman, with timing suggesting political motivations linked to a CBS/Paramount settlement and merger.
- Colbert's journey on The Late Show involved initial struggles, evolving into a successful format focused on politics and his monologues with the help of showrunner Chris Licht.
- Donald Trump's political ascent served as a catalyst for Colbert finding his authentic voice and delivering sharp, satirical commentary.
- Colbert rejected the label of being politically partisan, stating his criticism stemmed from Trump's perceived narcissism rather than party affiliation.
- Beyond mockery, Colbert offered a moral anchor, sensitive interviews, and personal reflections, demonstrating a unique human quality and emotional honesty shaped by childhood loss.
- Critics suggest Trump's vindictive response to Colbert's commentary, including suing Paramount and publicly celebrating the show's demise, highlights the controversial cancellation.
- The future of late-night TV is uncertain due to economic pressures and increased political scrutiny, with potential for more combative content to shift to cable.
- Speculation surrounds Colbert's next steps, including a potential presidential run or a move to other platforms like HBO or podcasting.