Stephen Colbert last show subverted critics' expectations by omitting one of the host's favourite hot topics from his final monologue.
The Late Show with Stephen Colbert aired its final episode on a high note on Thursday, almost a year after CBS announced its cancellation. Colbert started the show with his traditional monologue, ribbing on topics like AI, the hantavirus, and the Catholic Church. The speech was also relatively apolitical, lacking any Trump jokes.
Colbert quickly hushed the audience, which booed after he mentioned they were airing the final episode. 'No, no, we were lucky enough to be here for the last 11 years. You can't take this for granted,' he said, before reminiscing on the show's milestones.
Comedians Bryan Cranston, Paul Rudd, and Tim Meadows interrupted Colbert's speech as part of a skit, all vying for the final interview. It was ultimately Paul McCartney who sat down with Colbert toward the end of the show.
The episode ignored the elephant in the room for the sake of an optimistic sendoff. CBS announced last July that the show was being cancelled for financial reasons, but critics argued the network buckled under political pressure.Colbert has slammed Trump and his administration in jest, especially in his monologues.
Paramount's ownership of CBS sits at the centre of speculations, because CBS is a subsidiary of Paramount and the network's parent was already seeking regulatory approval for its Skydance merger.
Critics said the timing fueled suspicion that the decision was meant to keep Trump-friendly regulators satisfied, while CBS said the move was a financial one and not tied to the show's content or politics.
Rumours about Trump's involvement in the cancellation mounted after Colbert mocked Paramount's $16 million (£11.92 million) settlement with Trump over the CBS News dispute, his lawsuit alleging the network deceptively edited its 60 Minutes Kamala Harris interview.
Trump later celebrated The Late Show's sacking but denied responsibility. 'I absolutely love that Colbert' got fired. His talent was even less than his ratings,' he wrote onTruth Social. 'I hear Jimmy Kimmel is next. Has even less talent than Colbert! Greg Gutfeld is better than all of them combined, including the Moron on NBC who ruined the once great Tonight Show.'
🚨 LMFAO! President Trump was just asked about Stephen Colbert's FINAL show tomorrow night, he will officially be doneQ: What is your message to Colbert?TRUMP: "I'll have a message at a later date."Get ready for a REALLY long and scathing TRUTH 🤣pic.twitter.com/Gw11xij3Qf
Source: International Business Times UK
