In the world of late-night television, it seems the curtain is finally dropping on a certain brand of comedy. Stephen Colbert’s era on CBS’s Late Show is ending, and boy, it’s been quite the ride – if you enjoy a rollercoaster of political shenanigans. For the better part of a decade, Colbert turned what used to be a prime-time comedy gig into a political pulpit, often leaving many viewers scratching their heads rather than splitting their sides. But now, amidst a swirl of financial reasons, CBS has decided to pull the plug on his brand of “comedy.”
For those of us on the conservative front, watching Colbert morph from a comedian to a relentless political commentator has been like watching someone forget they’re hosting a comedy show. The ever-infamous “Vaccine Song” really nailed it as the moment when comedy wasn’t funny. It wasn’t just the cringe that stung; it was the preachy holier-than-thou vibes that seemed more like a poorly executed campaign ad than late-night entertainment. It’s no surprise that viewers started fleeing faster than you’d hop on a Black Friday deal at Walmart.
Another late-night host, Jimmy Kimmel, had an absolute conniption over CBS’s decision, proving once again that comedy is only skin deep when wrapped in political smoochery. Kimmel lashed out at CBS execs and even threw a virtual tantrum on social media, backing his pal Colbert and tagging some choice words. Somehow, Kimmel seemed oblivious to the fact that his own show was teetering closer to the brink, too. You can’t help but wonder if they ever stop to think about why the average American might be flipping the channel during their diatribes.
In the grand tradition of late-night hosts like Leno and Carson, comedy was always about poking fun at the powerful – not playing puppeteer in the court of woke politics. Those were the days when you could chuckle without being told how to think. But today’s late-night has forgotten those roots, prioritizing punchlines with political purpose instead. Colbert transformed the role of a comedian into an activist, outright trading laughter for lectures. But finally, with Colbert’s departure, there might be a glimmer of hope that the pendulum will swing back to genuine comedy.
Former President Trump, never shy about roasting his rivals, didn’t hold back his joy at the news. His social media barb about Colbert’s lack of talent was typical Trump, but he’s got a point many conservatives would echo: Political grandstanding isn’t comedy gold. Whether it’s Colbert’s theatrical exit or Kimmel’s impending gloom, one thing is clear: viewership is speaking louder than their curated monologues.
Ultimately, the decline of politically charged late-night comedy offers a poignant lesson about the alienating effects of turning entertainment into activism. Perhaps as we wave goodbye to Colbert’s Late Show theatrics, the networks will rediscover the timeless principle that what’s most powerful in comedy is relatability and genuine humor. Here’s hoping the next chapter in late-night TV brings back the laughs without the lectures.