By John Q. Hosedrinker 
The Late Show with Stephen Colbert is being canceled by CBS, sparking shock and outrage. This decision comes after Colbert criticized CBS’s parent company, Paramount, for settling a lawsuit with Donald Trump. The cancellation, despite the show’s high ratings, is suspected to be a result of Paramount’s efforts to appease Trump, especially as it seeks a merger. This move signals a concerning trend of capitulation to political pressure, potentially impacting the freedom of expression in media.
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Colbert’s Cancellation Is a Dark Warning? Absolutely. But perhaps it’s more accurate to say it’s the inevitable outcome of years of escalating warnings, a culmination rather than a sudden shock. We’re well past the point of anticipating what might happen; we’re living it. This isn’t just about Stephen Colbert; it’s about a systemic shift, a creeping authoritarianism, and the erosion of free speech in the face of political pressure and corporate self-preservation.
In the past, the only avenue for widespread dissemination of a message was through these monolithic media corporations. They controlled the platforms. But now, the landscape is radically different. Anyone can build a website, launch a podcast, or create a social media presence. The middleman is gone. Creators can interact directly with their audience, free from contracts, obligations, and, importantly, free from the fear of censorship. The prospect of a truly unfettered Colbert is tantalizing. Imagine the Colbert Report 2.0, the one that can’t be “fired.”
The specter of political influence over media content is chilling. The suggestion that Colbert’s departure is linked to any form of deal-making is even more so, especially considering the political climate. It feels like we’ve walked through the gates already. This isn’t just a warning; it’s a consequence. It’s a reminder of the delicate balance between free speech and the concentration of power, a balance that is rapidly tipping in the wrong direction.
The removal of a late-night talk show host, once a plot device in dystopian fiction, is now a reality. It’s a move that seems to lack strategic foresight. Colbert, already successful in a less censored format, is unlikely to be silenced. The situation may very well backfire, creating a Streisand effect, and making Colbert even more popular. His ability to speak frankly and critically, to provide a voice for those who feel marginalized, should be a national treasure.
The damage, I believe, is done. The normalization of authoritarian tendencies within one of our major political parties, and the Democrats’ hesitance to challenge this head-on, has created a situation where the very foundations of democracy are under threat. While major upheaval doesn’t seem likely, the future looks grim, with institutions crumbling and the pillars of liberty cracking under the strain.
Colbert is a true patriot. His commitment to informing and entertaining the public, to exposing the lies and incompetence, is a service to the country. The thought that the First Amendment is conditional, valid only if it conforms to the whims of those in power, is terrifying. Colbert will continue to be heard. The challenge for those of us who value free speech and critical thought is to ensure he does.
The real warning wasn’t about the cancellation itself; the warning was the election of someone who’s long been accused of sex crimes involving a minor, a person who is reportedly friends with convicted pedophiles, and the acquiescence of media executives to his demands. This is the core of the problem. It’s the tip of the iceberg. The next question isn’t who’s next, but what’s next, and how far we’ll go.
Colbert, in his own right, could have seen this coming years ago, and perhaps should have operated independently sooner. There’s an idea that the act of remaining in the corporate ecosystem may be a limiting factor for the work. Perhaps there is something to the idea of a creative, independent voice.
Cutting ties with CBS, with their programs and all their side ventures, feels like a necessary step. They are, after all, sacrificing quality in their pursuit of money. They won’t be receiving my eyeballs. And I’m looking forward to Colbert’s next move. Perhaps run for office? Corporate America is showing its true colors.
This isn’t about ratings; it’s about what you stand for. Colbert is being punished for his values. Corporate America is caving. The networks are going to expedite their self-destruction. It is inevitable that viewership will shift to independent streaming. Boycott CBS. Boycott them until they understand the language of dollars and cents.
There are a number of creative ideas on how he could make money and remain independent. Imagine that Colbert could charge a fee, and the income would be there. The thought is, what would he do with it? What could he be able to do without corporate restrictions?
The media’s response, if true, is a dark warning. It’s a message that the system is broken, the rules are skewed, and anyone who dares to challenge the status quo will be silenced. And it is not a warning anymore; this is happening.
There is the possibility of positives to be had. Large media corporations cutting off programming that people watch is bad business. Colbert will continue. These network executives are cutting off their noses to spite their faces. Even so, they seem to bend over backwards to appease people like Trump. If anything, he’ll be untethered. I, for one, miss the Colbert Report days. It is horrifying that Colbert is getting fired for criticizing what appears to be an under-the-table deal. This is the realization of the warning. Let’s ensure that Colbert has a successful political career, and use it to send a message of our own.
This decision is not just the end of something; it’s the beginning of something else. It’s a sign of the times. The end of an era. The end of an era of appointment television. This is the reality of the situation. We are in it. Cancel Paramount+. Let them know why. This is a very good reason to do so. Time to pay some consequences for kowtowing to a dictator.