Make way, folks, because it seems like the end of an era has finally arrived. Stephen Colbert’s version of “The Late Show” is packing up its bags, and CBS has decided to pull the plug. After an almost decade-long run, Colbert found himself at the helm of a legendary late-night franchise built by comedic giants like David Letterman. But alas, it seems that the combination of divisive political monologues and a changing landscape of late-night television has led to its downfall. Cue the applause, or perhaps just the groans from an audience that looked at late-night comedy as their last refuge for laughter.

Now, dear reader, some might speculate that the timing of this cancellation has more to do with politics than ratings. After all, the axe fell only days after Colbert audaciously criticized CBS’s parent company’s settlement with Trump. While conspiracy theorists might indulge in a game of political blame, let’s not kid ourselves. The actual details surrounding the cancellation have not been fully disclosed. Colbert’s brand of comedy, which often resembled a political lecture rather than comic relief, didn’t resonate with some audiences.

Imagine if you will, a world where late-night comedy was about the laughs, where Johnny Carson or Jay Leno poked fun at everything and everyone, and half the country wasn’t left out of the joke. Alas, those were the golden days. The modern twist of turning comedy into overt political advocacy torched whatever bridges were left to laugh at. It’s no wonder then, that a chunk of the American public opted out, probably turning to other platforms for their doses of humor.

Colbert, you see, often rubbed elbows with members of the political elite, showcasing segments that some viewed as more partisan than punchy. In a society where virtually everything feels divided, even comedy, which should be a common ground for all, became weaponized. Instead of mocking power and folly across the board – as any good comedian should – Colbert seemed to pull his punches on one side of the aisle.

Let this be a lesson to future hosts: Comedy should bring people together and not pander to the audience with cookie-cutter political narratives. Maybe one day, a new voice will take the stage, ready to usher in an era where jokes are just jokes, meant for everyone to enjoy and share a hearty laugh. Until then, we bid farewell to “The Late Show” as it once was, a reminder of the potential pitfalls of straying too far from entertainment and diving headfirst into political appeasement. So, here’s to hoping the next chapter in late-night offers more light-hearted comedy and less of a spin room.