A lot of people have already written about the “awful optics” and timing of CBS’ decision to cancel The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. Those folks probably didn’t spend part of their night sobbing into their Americone Dream after the cancellation announcement was made. But I’m still going to go ahead and join the chorus of people who say this news reeks of bending the knee. Because it does. Let’s pretend, for a moment, that this is just another series that’s getting bad news, though. Even then, there’s still plenty to say on the subject of how much it just plain hurts to lose this one.
As anyone who’s followed his career for even five seconds knows, Stephen Colbert knows grief. Somehow, even on a late-night variety hour, he always made that clear. And if you haven’t watched his long form interview with Anderson Cooper on the subject, haven’t heard his thoughtful, empathetic, equal parts devastating and comforting words, you should. But it’s what he’s done to distract us from our long, national grieving (which has no end in sight and is deeper than ever now), and what his nerding out over Tolkien, or his long-running vendetta against bears, spit takes aimed most often at Jon Stewart, dancing, devouring popcorn, and so many other things has done to distract me from my own grief that I think this is, in some roundabout way, is supposed to be about.
I remember grieving the loss of The Colbert Report. A show I’d initially watched only sporadically, but quickly made my personal must-see TV when things were falling apart. Stephen Colbert’s idiot conservative pundit critic was, on many days, the only person I could count on to make me laugh. I felt like a total loser for being so devastated when that series ended and wasn’t sure what I’d get out of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.
Well. I got something even better — the real (or, at least, as real as TV and a public persona will allow) — guy. The one from the aforementioned interview with Anderson Cooper, the guy with the strong faith actually rooted in love — something some of the loudest so-called “religious” people can’t stand — the even bigger, more endearing nerd than his character ever was…and, yes, the guy who’d talk smack on bears. Bears and “GOOP,” actually. Love when he drags that mess.
Life is…not easy for most of us. So, to say these 10 years have been difficult, in a way that made the previous 10 look like a walk in the park at times, is simultaneously an understatement and, probably, too much. When the mood went from hopeful to stunned, to wrecked on Election Night 2016, Stephen was there. Visibly just as upset as the rest of us but trying to be encouraging, to let us know we’d get through it, he was a breath of fresh air. Or, well. As fresh as anything could be at that point. I don’t know about anyone else, but I needed that. Still do. Even his recent announcement about the Late Show cancellation hit that same tone.
But it was the early days of the pandemic when, completely isolated from everyone I considered a friend and/or family, Colbert welcomed his audience into his home. Those more intimate, less produced episodes were my absolute favorite. I felt less alone. Plus, they began the trend of regularly seeing his wife Evie on screen with him. When the time comes, I might miss those couples’ “First Drafts” segments more than just about anything, actually.
Then came January 6, 2021 and a surprise live show, more from the heart than anything that came before or after it. In retrospect, that day was the beginning of the end. For this nation and for The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, it was a sign of things to come. Notably, though, Colbert met the moment. It was one of the best monologues he’s ever done, possibly the best late night has ever had to offer. And that was because we saw the real man, struggling with the rage and the grief (there’s that word again) over what had happened to the country he loved. It was, yet again, a time when the loneliness was just a little bit lighter to bear because, as it turned out, I wasn’t alone. Colbert, and his writers, were with me.
As much pure, idiotic fun as LSSC has been, it’s just also been so incredibly human. I know he’s not perfect, and there have even been recent criticisms of interviews done with the best of intentions that still involved biases that hurt already-hurting communities. But Colbert has, quite often, stunned me with his interviews and his ability to be genuine and connect with the person on the couch. We need more people with that level of empathy and a desire to try, even if it sometimes means failing. Instead, we’re losing one more thing that brings some of us joy.
So, here’s to years of “Meanwhile” segments with increasingly lengthy and ridiculous introductions. Even if you’re of the belief that they eventually got to be a bit too much. I’m not sure how you can help but admire the writers’ dedication to constantly taking bigger swings there. We obviously can’t talk about Colbert without talking about music. And no, I don’t only mean from Jon Batiste and Stay Human or from Louis Cato and the Late Show Band. One of my favorite genres of Late Show appearances has always been what I’ve called “Stephen Colbert sings with celebrities.” Remember when Stephen sang Sondheim with the Christine Baranski? I sure do.
Another thing I’m grateful for: The good this series has done in the world. I can’t count how many times proceeds from one product or another has gone to World Central Kitchen. Among those, Whose Boat Is This Boat? is a personal favorite. On the show itself, we had “Rescue Dog Rescue.” Puppies who received homes because of the creative backstories and celebrity guest snuggles would probably be expressing their gratitude right now…if puppies could actually do that. Not to mention, as a viewer, how do you not smile while watching Stephen and guests make up backstories for those adorable furrballs?
This light in the darkness, this occasionally heartfelt (and frequently silly) joy that The Late Show with Stephen Colbert has done so well, is exactly what gives us the strength to fight back against despair, to defeat that inner exhaustion that lets us roll over for dictators. Comedy is always more than just for laughs; comedy that also speaks truth to power, relentlessly, night after night is a lifeline against authoritarians. They know that. I’m going to go out on a limb here and say Colbert knows that. So, don’t let them win. And wherever Colbert goes next, I’ll follow. And if you don’t, find your light in the darkness. Find your joy. And don’t ever, ever give up.
Currently, I’m grieving the news. But we still have until May 2026. I’m looking forward to more laughs, more chances to connect, and more honesty about what’s happening out there in the world. (Perhaps, even, one more spit take contest with the man who lives under the desk. You know, for old times’ sake.) Give ‘em hell, Mr. Colbert. I know you will.
Thank you to Stephen Colbert and everyone at The Late Show for making the last decade a touch bit more bearable. Or, perhaps, this has just all been an elaborate trick to drag y’all to the end so you could watch me give a giant middle finger to the weak, self-serving dudes who made this decision. But hey, they can enjoy their merger or whatever. Either way.
There are probably really good Tolkien quotes for this. Sorry to Mr. Colbert for not having one for you, but here’s hoping another member of the Colbert Nation will take care of that.
