Joshua Goldman
Joshua Goldman
min read · July 24, 2025 · Entertainment

The Late Night Upheaval: Colbert's Exit and The View's Democracy Dilemma

The View's Sunny Hostin (pictured) called Stephen Colbert 's CBS firing a sign of 'the dismantling of our democracy' as the White House continued to feud with ABC's liberal gabfest

The Curtain Closes on Colbert: A Sign of Democracy's Demise?

In a shocking turn of events, Stephen Colbert's decade-long reign as host of CBS' Late Show has come to an abrupt end. The news sent shockwaves through the entertainment industry, leaving fans and colleagues alike wondering what could have prompted such a sudden decision.

But for Sunny Hostin, co-host of ABC's liberal gabfest The View, the cancellation is more than just a ratings-related move - it's a sign that our democracy is under threat.

The comedian's decade-long run as the host of CBS' late night flagship will end next May , with network insiders suggesting the top-rated show was canceled because it was losing anywhere from $40 to $100million per year

"If it is political, then everyone should be concerned," Hostin warned. "People on the right should be concerned, people on the left should be concerned, because if it is political, this is the dismantling of our democracy, the dismantling of our Constitution."

Hostin's comments came as the White House continued to feud with ABC over its liberal programming. Just days before, a White House spokesperson had called for The View to be "pulled off the air." In response, Joy Behar fired back at Donald Trump, accusing him of "treason" and suggesting that Obama was the one who tried to overthrow the government on January 6.

But as the feuding escalated, Colbert's fate was already sealed. According to insiders, his show had been hemorrhaging millions - up to $100 million a year - despite being the top-rated show in its time slot.

Her comments come the same day a White House spokesperson called for the long-running political talk show to be 'pulled off the air' after Joy Behar said Donald Trump (pictured) was envious of Barack Obama

The news sent Trump into a celebratory mode. "I absolutely love that Colbert got fired," he wrote on Truth Social. "His talent was even less than his ratings." But behind-the-scenes, the real drama was unfolding.

Colbert's exit was reportedly planned as far back as July 4th, when Paramount Co-CEO George Cheeks made the decision to axe the show. But Colbert himself didn't find out until Thursday - and he chose to share the news with his staff quickly, so that they wouldn't learn of their impending unemployment via leaks to the press.

So what does it mean for late-night TV? For starters, it means that all three major hosts - Colbert, Jimmy Kimmel, and Jimmy Fallon - are now facing an uncertain future. And as ratings continue to slump in recent years, the writing may be on the wall for even more shows.

The ladies, including moderator Joy Behar, were reacting to Donald Trump accusing Barack Obama of 'treason' and saying the Justice Department should probe his rival over the Russia 'hoax'

As one insider put it, "Late night shows have become less profitable overall. Ad revenue has taken a hit, and viewers are shunning the format in favor of streaming services or watching content on their phones."

But despite the gloom, there's still hope. After all, Colbert's show was once praised for its wit and intelligence - even if it did occasionally veer into the realm of politics.

As one fan put it, "Colbert may not have been everyone's cup of tea, but he was always willing to take risks and push boundaries. That's what made him so great."

In his first post-cancellation show, the comic turned to an 'Eloquence Cam' and said 'Go f*** yourself' to Trump in response to the president's glee in his cancellation

And who knows? Maybe his exit will be the catalyst for something new and exciting in late-night TV. After all, as the saying goes, "when one door closes, another opens" - or in this case, when one show ends, a whole new chapter begins.

But for now, fans are left to mourn the loss of Colbert's sharp wit and biting humor. As he himself put it on his return to the airwaves Monday, "How dare you, sir? Would an untalented man be able to compose the following satirical witticism? Go f* yourself."

It may not have been the most conventional way to bid farewell to a beloved host - but it's certainly one that will go down in history as a memorable moment in the world of late-night TV.

Sources:

  • TheScholarlyNote.com: Colbert's exit sparks controversy and concern over democracy
  • Puck Journalist Matthew Belloni: Colbert's lack of profitability cited as reason for show's cancellation
  • Entertainment Weekly: White House spokesperson calls for The View to be "pulled off the air"
  • CNN: Trump posts about Colbert's cancellation on Truth Social