Jon Stewart: Canceling Colbert Was CBS’s ‘Path of Least Resistance’ During Merger

In a recent episode of “The Daily Show,” Jon Stewart took a bold stance against CBS, criticizing the network’s decision to cancel “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.” This move, he argued, was not merely a financial decision but rather a reflection of the corporate culture that prioritizes conformity over creativity, especially in the face of political pressures.

Stewart, who has long been a prominent voice in late-night television, began his segment by acknowledging his bias. “Clearly, I am not the most objective person to comment on this issue,” he admitted, referencing Colbert’s rise to fame on Comedy Central through “The Daily Show” and “The Colbert Report.” He expressed his joy in witnessing Colbert’s success, noting that he had become the number one late-night show on television. However, the news of its cancellation left him skeptical about CBS’s claims that the decision was purely financial.

“To see Stephen exceed all expectations in this role and become the top-rated late-night show is an undeniable joy for me as a viewer and a friend of his,” Stewart said. “And now Stephen has been canceled for ‘entirely financial reasons,’ which I find hard to believe.” He acknowledged the financial struggles facing late-night television but emphasized that when an industry faces changes, it cannot simply treat it as a regular workday.

Stewart posed a critical question: “Is CBS’s failure to try to save their top-rated late-night broadcast, which has been on the air for over three decades, part of the reason people are asking: ‘Is this just a financial issue, or perhaps the easiest path for your $8 billion merger?'” His words resonated with many who see the cancellation as a capitulation to corporate interests rather than a genuine assessment of the show’s value.

The former “Daily Show” host did not shy away from addressing the political implications of the cancellation. “Canceling a show that you know has made a weak and hate-filled president insecure, deeply distressed over his chronic erectile dysfunction, is a significant move,” Stewart remarked. He suggested that CBS had lost the benefit of the doubt when they sold out their flagship news program to pay a ransom to that very president.

Stewart expressed understanding regarding the pressures of the impending $8 billion merger but became more serious as he pointed out, “The shows you currently want to cancel, censor, and control—part of that $8 billion value comes from those damn shows.” He argued that the very essence of what made these shows valuable was their willingness to speak out, to take a stand, and to challenge the status quo.

“That’s why you make so much money! Shows that say something, shows that have a stance, shows that are not afraid,” he declared passionately. “We try. We try damn hard every night. And if you, as a corporation or network, think you can be so harmless that you can serve up a bland porridge that will never catch the eye of that young king, then why would anyone watch you? You’re dead wrong.”

Stewart continued to emphasize that critics would not find “emails or phone calls proving clearly” why Colbert’s show was canceled. Instead, he suggested that the answer lay in “the fear and compliance that is currently enveloping all American institutions at this moment.”

“This is not the time to give up. I will not give up. I think I’m not going anywhere,” Stewart quipped, alluding to the fact that Comedy Central is also owned by CBS’s parent company, Paramount. “To those organizations, those corporations, advertisers, universities, and law firms, all of them. If you still think that kneeling before Trump will save you, I have just one thing to say… get lost.”

He concluded his monologue with a powerful message, backed by a gospel choir, preaching to the audience, “If you are afraid and protecting your interests, I have just one thing to say, just one short sentence: get lost!”

The announcement of the cancellation sent shockwaves across the nation, with many liberal critics accusing CBS and Paramount of having political motives. A report from Matt Belloni of Puck revealed that Colbert’s show was costing the network $40 million a year, operating on a massive budget of $100 million per season. This financial strain, coupled with the recent settlement of a lawsuit from Trump against CBS News regarding the editing of a “60 Minutes” interview with Kamala Harris, raised eyebrows. Colbert had been one of the show’s harshest critics, likening the settlement to a bribe as the merger loomed and required government approval.

As the dust settles on this controversial decision, the implications of corporate influence on media and the arts become increasingly clear. Stewart’s passionate defense of Colbert’s show serves as a reminder of the importance of creative expression and the need for media to challenge power rather than bow to it. In an era where corporate interests often overshadow artistic integrity, Stewart’s words resonate as a rallying cry for those who believe in the power of satire and the necessity of speaking truth to power.

In the end, the cancellation of “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” is not just a loss for late-night television; it is a reflection of a broader struggle within the media landscape. As Stewart aptly pointed out, the value of programming lies not just in its profitability but in its ability to provoke thought, inspire change, and hold those in power accountable. The fight for creative freedom and integrity in media continues, and voices like Stewart’s are crucial in this ongoing battle.