Stephen Colbert's 'The Late Show' is ending after nine months, causing discomfort and raising questions about the future of late-night television. The announcement has sparked speculation that the show's demise is linked to the political climate and Colbert's criticism of President Trump. Colbert's recent comments on a settlement between Paramount and Trump, which he called a 'bribe,' have fueled the controversy. Politicians and the Writers Guild of America have expressed concerns and called for investigations into CBS's and Paramount's motives. CBS claims the decision was purely financial, but the timing and context suggest otherwise.
15 days ago
CBS announced on July 18, 2025, that "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert" will conclude in nine months, sparking widespread discussion about the future of late-night television and the motives behind the decision 1. This development has led to discomfort and questions within the American media landscape 1.
A significant concern surrounding the cancellation stems from Stephen Colbert's recent on-air comments regarding Paramount's $16 million settlement with President Donald J. Trump 1. Colbert had publicly labeled the settlement "baseless" and a "big fat bribe" just two nights before the cancellation announcement 1. Paramount, CBS's parent company, is currently involved in a proposed acquisition by Skydance Media, whose CEO's father is a major supporter of Mr. Trump 1. Critics, including Democratic Senators Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders, have questioned CBS's and Paramount's motives, with the Writers Guild of America calling for an investigation into "potential wrongdoing" 1. President Trump himself "absolutely loved" Colbert's dismissal and issued warnings to other late-night hosts 1.
Conversely, CBS asserts that the decision to end "The Late Show" was "purely a financial one against a challenging backdrop in late night," unrelated to the show's content or host 1. Financial reports indicate that "The Late Show" incurs an annual shortfall of $40 million 1. Although Colbert's program is the highest-rated in traditional Nielsen viewership, it trails "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon" and "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" in social media popularity among younger demographics and in advertising revenue 1. Overall, late-night television has seen a 50 percent drop in ad revenue across the board over the past seven years, signaling a broader decline in the traditional format as media consumption shifts towards curated, on-demand content 1.
Despite the industry's challenges, Stephen Colbert is recognized for his unique blend of traditional late-night hosting with a "darkly subversive nature" 1. His career, originating from The Second City theater, included unconventional projects like "Strangers with Candy" and his satirical "The Colbert Report," showcasing his ability to navigate various comedic styles 1. A prominent aspect of Colbert's public persona is his open and articulate Catholic faith, which he frequently integrated into his humor and critiques of the current administration 1. His comedy often prioritized "matters of real social consequence," grounded in Catholic teachings on human dignity and the common good 1. His departure is viewed by some as the loss of a significant voice of dissent in mainstream media 1.
How does the Church view the role of Catholics in public discourse?
The Catholic Church views the participation of Catholics in public discourse as an essential aspect of their vocation, rooted in their baptismal dignity and their call to evangelize the world . This involvement is not merely a civic duty but a means of bringing Christian values and the Gospel message to bear on temporal affairs, thereby working for the sanctification of the world from within .
Lay Catholics, by their very vocation, are placed in the midst of the world and are tasked with various temporal responsibilities . Their primary and immediate task is to utilize every Christian and evangelical possibility present in worldly affairs . This includes a vast and complex array of fields such as politics, society, economics, culture, the sciences, the arts, international life, and the mass media . They are called to be "salt of the earth" and "light of the world" in these areas, making the Church present and operative where only through them can she be effective witnesses of the Gospel .
Catholics are called to infuse the temporal order with Christian values, respecting the nature and rightful autonomy of that order, and cooperating with other citizens according to their particular competence and responsibility . This involves promoting and defending goods such as public order and peace, freedom and equality, respect for human life and the environment, justice, and solidarity . The Church emphasizes that the lay faithful are never to relinquish their participation in "public life," which encompasses various economic, social, legislative, administrative, and cultural areas aimed at promoting the common good .
The participation of Catholics in public discourse is fundamentally an act of witness and evangelization . Through their words and deeds, lay people are to proclaim the message of the Gospel and demonstrate how Christian faith offers a valid response to the problems and hopes of every person and society . This "wordless witness" can stir up profound questions in the hearts of those who observe their lives, leading to a silent yet powerful proclamation of the Good News .
To effectively engage in public discourse, Catholics must be well-formed in the Church's social teaching, which provides principles for reflection, criteria for judging, and practical directives . This formation helps them to develop a social conscience and apply Christian moral and social doctrine in public and private life . The Church's social teaching is dynamic and adapts to circumstances of time and place, guiding Christians in defending human rights and promoting the common good .
Active participation in political life is considered a lofty vocation and one of the highest forms of charity, as it seeks the common good . Catholics are encouraged to be guided by their moral convictions rather than by attachment to a political party, and to help transform political parties to align with fundamental moral truths . This can involve running for office, working within political parties, communicating concerns to elected officials, and joining advocacy networks . The goal is to build a "civilization of truth and love" .
In summary, the Church sees the role of Catholics in public discourse as indispensable for the renewal of society and the advancement of God's Kingdom . It is a call to active, informed, and morally guided engagement in all aspects of temporal life, serving as leaven to sanctify the world from within and bear witness to Christ .