CBS Morning co-host Tony Dokoupil has pushed back against criticism from liberal outlets over the cancellation of “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.” Dokoupil argued that the late-night industry is broken, citing changing business and political landscapes. He also disputed Jon Stewart’s claim that the show was cancelled due to corporate pressure to fit into Paramount’s $8 billion merger with Skydance Media.
Dokoupil stated that viewers are not solely reliant on reruns of comedy shows for entertainment value, as they buy movies and sitcoms instead. This challenges Stewart’s assertion that late-night programming is a significant contributor to the company’s bottom line.
Co-host Gayle King defended Colbert, acknowledging it’s difficult to disagree with corporate decisions while still loving one’s job. However, many remain outraged over the cancellation, believing it was influenced by President Donald Trump. Despite this, Fox News Channel’s “Gutfeld!” has taken advantage of the situation, becoming late-night’s highest-rated program.
According to a report, Colbert’s show was costing CBS $40 million annually and had a budget of $100 million per season. The cancellation is set to take effect in May 2026.
Source: https://www.foxnews.com/media/cbs-host-pours-cold-water-liberal-outrage-colbert-cancellation-says-late-night-industry-broken