On the eve of Stephen Colbert's final Late Show, America is asking: Can late night survive the Trump administration?
Late-night talk shows, once ratings juggernauts and woven into the fabric of American culture, are being stress-tested like never before. As Stephen Colbert prepares to sign off, the question looms large: Can late-night television endure in an era of political polarization and shifting media landscapes?
Colbert's departure from CBS's Late Show franchise is a stark reminder of the challenges facing late-night television. With a reported $40 million annual deficit, CBS's decision to axe the program has sparked debate and skepticism. Colbert's allies, including media critics and fellow late-night hosts, question the timing and motives behind the cancellation, suggesting a deeper political undercurrent.
The timing of the announcement is particularly intriguing. It came amidst CBS's efforts to secure regulatory approval for a merger with Skydance, and just days after Colbert criticized CBS for settling a lawsuit filed by Donald Trump against 60 Minutes. This sequence of events has led some to speculate about a potential conflict of interest or even political pressure.
Colbert, a fervent critic of Trump, had been a voice of resistance against the former president's policies and rhetoric. His departure leaves a void in the late-night landscape, one that may be difficult to fill. The question of whether late-night television can survive the Trump administration is not just about ratings or financial viability; it's about the very essence of free speech and cultural critique.
Late-night talk shows have long been a platform for political commentary and social satire. They have played a crucial role in shaping public opinion and holding those in power accountable. However, in an era of heightened political polarization, late-night hosts find themselves navigating a delicate balance between entertainment and activism.
The late-night format, once characterized by light-hearted humor and political satire, has evolved into a battleground for free speech and cultural critique. Hosts like Colbert and Jimmy Kimmel have become voices of resistance, using their platforms to challenge the status quo and hold those in power accountable. But this shift has not been without controversy.
Trump's supporters argue that late-night comedians are fair game, given their wall-to-wall attacks on the president. They contend that the format has become overly political, with liberal hosts lecturing the audience from behind their desks. However, Bill Carter, a former New York Times media reporter and author of two books on late-night TV, offers a different perspective.
Carter acknowledges that late-night has become more overtly political, but attributes this more to Trump's 'daily dalliance with outrage' than to the hosts' liberal views. He argues that the edge to the criticism from late-night hosts is a response to Trump's impact on American culture and norms. In his view, late-night hosts have a right to criticize the president, and Trump's hostility towards them is a violation of free speech.
The irony is not lost on Carter. Trump, who was once a frequent guest on late-night shows and a frequent figure of fun, is now lashing out at the very format that made him a celebrity. Carter sympathizes with those who lament late-night's pivot to relentless criticism, but he also understands the need for hosts to speak truth to power.
The late-night format, despite its challenges, is not going away anytime soon. Carter believes that the 'crazy endurable' format will stick around in one form or another. He points to Kimmel's strong performance when Colbert is on hiatus, indicating a continued appetite for anti-Trump-flavoured comedy. However, the late-night landscape is evolving, and the cultural heft of these shows is diminishing.
The rise of streaming and the exodus of advertisers from linear TV have left late-night hosts competing for a smaller piece of a smaller pie. The format, once a guaranteed meal ticket, is now struggling to adapt to a changing media landscape. The technical cost of producing a late-night show has decreased, but the cultural impact of these shows is no longer what it once was.
In the end, the question of whether late-night can survive the Trump administration is not just about ratings or financial viability. It's about the very essence of free speech and cultural critique. As Colbert prepares to sign off, the late-night format faces an uncertain future. But for those who value the role of late-night in shaping public opinion and holding those in power accountable, the fight for late-night's survival is far from over.
