Hugh Jackman entertained the audience with a humorous rendition of Neil Diamond’s “Sweet Caroline,” while Bette Midler delivered a comedic twist on “Wind Beneath My Wings.” John Lithgow composed and shared a poem titled “The Mighty Colbert.” Jake Tapper presented a painting depicting Stephen Colbert as Gollum from “The Lord of the Rings.” Additionally, Jimmy Fallon gave a sharp interpretation of Frank Sinatra’s “My Way,” with lyrics reflecting on the political landscape: “And now the end is near/ And so you face the final curtain/ But Trump, he made it clear/ He wants you gone/ Of that we’re certain.”
A host of stars have visited the Ed Sullivan Theatre in New York in recent months to bid farewell to CBS’s “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert,” recognizing a voice that will be greatly missed when the program concludes on May 21. Colbert, now 62, has served as a nightly source of comfort for millions navigating the tumultuous atmosphere during Donald Trump’s presidency. He provided reassurance that their feelings of confusion were valid, contrasting his irreverent humor and genuine empathy with Trump’s self-absorbed demeanor and indecency.
The announcement from CBS last July regarding the cancellation of “The Late Show,” which has been a staple of television for 33 years, sparked skepticism among many. This decision came shortly after Colbert sharply criticized a $16 million legal settlement between CBS’s parent company, Paramount, and Trump, and just one week before federal regulators approved Paramount’s $8 billion merger with Skydance. CBS described the cancellation as a “purely financial decision against a challenging backdrop in late-night television.” However, David Letterman, the show’s original host, expressed his disbelief, stating, “I’m just going to go on record as saying: They’re lying. They’re lying weasels.”
Late-night television was long dominated by Johnny Carson on NBC until his retirement in 1992. CBS subsequently introduced “The Late Show” with Letterman as the host, which has since surpassed Carson’s version of “The Tonight Show” in terms of longevity. Colbert took over the hosting duties in 2015 after previously portraying a bombastic conservative on “The Colbert Report” on Comedy Central.
Bill Carter, an author with extensive knowledge of television, remarked on Colbert’s unique talent in his previous late-night role, stating, “It was like no one has ever done. He was doing essentially a sketch for nine years. It was satire on such a high level.” Carter recalls interviewing Colbert about taking the Late Show position, noting Colbert’s uncertainty about transitioning from character work to being himself on stage.
Initially, Colbert struggled to adapt to the new format, which left him feeling uncomfortable and disheartened. Management was reportedly dissatisfied, leading Les Moonves, then CBS’s head, to issue an ultimatum for Colbert to improve the show’s performance. With the help of two key figures in 2016, Colbert turned things around. Chris Licht, brought in as showrunner, encouraged Colbert to embrace his comedic instincts rather than conform to traditional hosting norms.
Carter noted, “He focused more on politics. He gave himself a voice and he got better and better at being a monologist.” This evolution contributed to Colbert achieving the highest ratings in late-night television. The second significant influence was Trump’s emergence in politics, which transformed the landscape of late-night comedy. Colbert adeptly delivered incisive monologues addressing the political climate, often including his own impressions of Trump.
Stephen Farnsworth, co-author of “Late Night With Trump: Political Humor and the American Presidency,” remarked on Trump being an exceptional target for late-night comedy, highlighting the absurdity of his behavior and rhetoric. This shift in comedic tone deviated from Carson’s more subdued style. However, Colbert has contested the notion that late-night hosts have become overtly partisan, explaining, “I have a problem with Trump being a complete narcissist who is only working for his own interest and does not appear to care if the entire world burns. That’s not a partisan position.”
Colbert’s contributions extended beyond mere satire; his monologues often served as a moral compass, expressing hope for America even amid despair over the political climate, providing audiences with a sense of solidarity and resilience.
