Colbert, Why Late Show Failed and Abrupt Cancellation Sparks
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When do we stop calling Colbert's 'Late Show' cancellation 'just a business decision' and start calling it slow, strategic silencing of critics?
Warnings of "government censorship and authoritarianism" are a "flaming bag of nonsense," countered David Marcus at Fox News. Colbert's cancellation is, instead, merely the inevitable result of his "utterly pointless and irrelevant" faux conservative character having run its cultural course.
The network’s stated reason for canceling the show has the sheen of believability. It’s true that the late-night ecosystem is struggling. Still, Colbert’s show has consistently led the ratings for its time slot. CBS and Paramount Global, The Atlantic contended on Thursday, no longer deserve the benefit of the doubt.
Jill Abramson, a former executive editor of The New York Times, teaches journalism at Northeastern University and is a contributing Globe Opinion writer.
12hon MSNOpinion
Like Stephen Colbert, the Smothers Brothers enjoyed top ratings, and they had a history of refusing to avoid sensitive topics, regularly airing anti-Vietnam War and pro-civil rights segments at a time when such material was scarce on network television.
6don MSN
The East and West Coast branches of the union conveyed concerns that the move may be “sacrificing free speech to curry favor with the Trump Administration.”
Opinion
7don MSNOpinion
The shocking cancellation of Late Show With Stephen Colbert raises questions about the Paramount merger and Trump's influence.
1don MSN
Look at what is happening. NPR has been defunded, PBS has been defunded, Colbert is getting canceled,’ Brendan Carr declared when asked if Trump played a role in The Late Show coming to an end.
Late night shows no longer serve the role they once did — especially for generations raised on social media who don’t subscribe to TV packages. Waiting until 11:30 p.m. to hear the hot takes on the day's news is antiquated.
Writers Guild Calls for Investigation Into Colbert Cancellation The Writers Guild of America (WGA) is calling for an official investigation into the recent can
Stephen Colbert gained a little help from his friends and late-night rivals on Monday, his first night back on-air since announcing that CBS is ending the legendary show.