When you thought Jon Stewart was going to put into Paramount over its resolution to cancel the Late Show with Stephen Colbert, you had been proper — however even community executives couldn’t have ready for the blistering 10-minute takedown Stewart delivered on their very own airwaves throughout Monday’s episode of The Day by day Present.
“Clearly, I’m actually not probably the most goal to touch upon this matter,” Stewart started, acknowledging his lengthy historical past with Colbert, which dates again to his days as a correspondent on The Day by day Present. Colbert then hosted The Colbert Report on Comedy Central (which Stewart produced) earlier than taking up for David Letterman on Late Present.
“Watching Stephen exceed all expectations within the function and develop into the No. 1 late-night present on community tv has develop into an plain nice pleasure for me as a viewer and as his pal,” Stewart continued.
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“And now Stephen has been canceled for purely monetary causes,” Stewart mentioned, trying straight into the digital camera and letting out an incredulous “ehhh?” He continued, “And by the way in which, not simply Stephen’s present — CBS has canceled the whole lot of Late Present franchise.”
“I acknowledge that late-night TV is a struggling monetary mannequin,” Stewart famous, referencing reviews that Colbert’s present was shedding between $40-$50 million yearly. “We’re all principally working a Blockbuster kiosk inside a Tower Data. However when your trade is confronted with modifications, you don’t simply name it a day. When CDs stopped promoting, they didn’t simply go, “Oh nicely music, it’s been an excellent run! The truth that CBS didn’t attempt to save their primary rated late-night community franchise that’s been on the air for over three many years is a component of what’s making everybody ponder whether that is purely monetary or somewhat the trail of least resistance in your eight billion greenback merger.”
“I consider CBS misplaced the good thing about the doubt two weeks prior after they bought out its flagship information program [60 Minutes] to pay an extortion program to [Donald Trump].”
Stewart repeatedly harkened on this theme of capitulation all through his monologue — particularly because it pertains to CBS mother or father firm Paramount’s pending merger with Skydance— and attainable political stress from the Trump administration to silence Trump critics on the community (similar to Colbert and people featured on 60 Minutes).
“However perceive this, actually,” Stewart continued. “The reveals you now search to cancel, censor, and management… a not insignificant portion of that $8 billion worth got here from these fucking reveals. That’s what made you that cash. Reveals that say one thing, reveals that take a stand, reveals which might be unafraid… When you consider, as companies or as networks, you can also make your self so innocuous you could serve a gruel so flavorless you’ll by no means once more be on the boy king’s radar, A.) who would ever watch you? and B.) you’re fucking improper. You wish to understand how unimaginable it’s to remain on Lord Farquaad’s good facet? Donald Trump is suing Fox Information.”
“So right here’s the purpose: in the event you’re attempting to determine why Stephen’s present is ending… I believe the reply is within the concern and pre-compliance that’s gripping all of America’s establishments at this very second, establishments which have chosen to not combat the vengeance and vindictive actions of our pubic hair-doodling commander and chief. This isn’t the second to provide in. I’m not giving in, I’m not going anyplace… I believe.”
Former Late Present host David Letterman has also backed Colbert, sharing a YouTube video earlier on Monday with the caption, You possibly can’t spell CBS with out BS.”
For its half, CBS mentioned Colbert’s cancelation “is solely a monetary resolution in opposition to a difficult backdrop in late night time. It’s not associated in any solution to the present’s efficiency, content material or different issues occurring at Paramount.”
