In the world of late-night television, changes are as common as a late-night snack binge, but the recent ousting of Steven Colbear from his CBS perch has stirred up quite the pot of controversy. The news crews buzzed like bees around a honey pot, reporting that Colbear’s final show was met with a chorus of sentiments reflecting on what the future holds for late-night viewers. After all, where else will Americans find a middle-aged white man delivering comedic takes on current events? While some may lament his departure, others are ready to pop the popcorn in celebration.
Opinions vary drastically on what constitutes comedy in today’s world. The panelists on Fox News shared hearty laughs about Colbear’s tenure, noting that he seemed to forget the golden rule of humor: all news deserves a joke, not just the news that tickles one’s political preferences. Instead of crafting jokes that resonate with a wide audience, Colbear has been criticized for his reliance on a predictable anti-Republican agenda, often to the point where it felt more like a political rally than a comedy show. It seems that many in the industry missed the memo on actually being funny and focused instead on pushing a particular narrative.
Colbear’s downfall could be traced back to the size of his staff, which reportedly ballooned to upwards of 150 people. When comparing that to the nimble teams behind successful shows like those of podcaster Joe Rogan—who reaches a massive audience with a mini army of about 20 staff members—it raises eyebrows. How did CBS justify the need for such a large crew when Colbear struggled with flat ratings and big losses, racking up a staggering $40 million in annual losses for the network? It’s a classic case of “the more, the merrier”—unless you’re the one footing the bill.
As the panelists dug into the guts of the industry, they pointed fingers at the staggering disconnect between late-night personalities and the folks tuning in at home. Laughter should be universal, but it seems like many of these shows were more about advancing agendas than warming the audience’s hearts. This led to the perception that these hosts were not merely comedians, but rather the jesters of a particular political class, often alienating those who just wanted to unwind and enjoy a good laugh after a long day at work.
From his earlier days playing the conservative comedian on Comedy Central to his later exploits as a tool of leftist sentiment, the transformation of Colbear represents a broader trend within late-night television. Many former fans now ask whether Colbear had simply become too far removed from the comedy of yesteryear. Instead of being a bridge between differing ideologies, he appeared to cultivate an atmosphere of divisiveness. This kind of approach has hardly ever won over the individuals sitting on the fence, and in the fickle world of comedy, that spells disaster. For this, Colbear is not only remembered but also crowned as the “Trump Hater of the Week,” a tongue-in-cheek recognition that perfectly captures the sentiment around his exit.
As audiences anticipate the changes in CBS’s late-night offerings, one can’t help but wonder: how many more Colbear imitators are sitting in the wings, ready to take the spotlight? With a heavy heart, some former fans bid farewell, while other viewers rub their hands together in anticipation of what could come next. Whether the next host embraces a broader comedic style or follows in the footsteps of divisive rhetoric remains to be seen. At the end of the day, perhaps late-night television can still find a way back to being enjoyable for everyone—if it lets laughter lead the way.
