Why Colbert's cancellation marks a dangerous new stage for the culture at large
18.07.2025 15:25
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Why Colbert's cancellation marks a dangerous new stage for the culture at large
On July 2nd, Paramount agreed to settle a baseless lawsuit brought against 60 Minutes and CBS News by President Trump for $16 million. On July 15, during a regular show of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, Colbert went on-air and called the settlement a “big fat bribe” in exchange for a favorable decision on the proposed merger between Paramount and Skydance, a charge currently under investigation in California. Less than 48 hours later, on July 17, Paramount canceled The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, a show currently performing first in its timeslot, giving vague references to the program’s “financial performance” as the only explanation. For ten years, the show has been one of the most successful, beloved and profitable programs on CBS, entertaining an audience of millions on late night television, on streaming services and across social media.
Given Paramount’s recent capitulation to President Trump in the CBS News lawsuit, the Writers Guild of America has significant concerns that The Late Show’s cancelation is a bribe, sacrificing free speech to curry favor with the Trump Administration as the company looks for merger approval. Cancelations are part of the business, but a corporation terminating a show in bad faith due to explicit or implicit political pressure is dangerous and unacceptable in a democratic society. Paramount’s decision comes against a backdrop of relentless attacks on a free press by President Trump, through lawsuits against CBS and ABC, threatened litigation of media organizations with critical coverage and the unconscionable defunding of PBS and NPR.
The Writers Guild of America calls on New York State Attorney General Letitia James, no stranger to prosecuting Trump for illegal business practices, to join California and launch an investigation into potential wrongdoing at Paramount. We call on our elected leaders to hold those responsible to account, to demand answers about why this beloved program was canceled and to assure the public that Colbert and his writers were not censored due to their views or the whims of the President. In the meantime, the Writers Guild of America will support our members at The Late Show with Stephen Colbert and across the late-night industry as they speak truth to power and we will explore all potential legal and political avenues to fight for our members in the aftermath of this decision.
The following is a statement from the Writers Guild of America East (WGAE) and Writers Guild of America West (WGAW) on Paramount’s Decision to Cancel “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert”.
@tomtomorrow.bsky.social @rubenbolling.bsky.social
First they come for the comedians, then the cartoonist. Kings fear being laughed at. We have a funny bone to pick with/without a smile on our faces #Colbert #Kimmel #SethMeyers #DailyShow
What do we think/expect maga may do once he's no longer around?
(I mean, after all, none of us lives forever...)
Good god, frightening
I'm not sure if I have any empathy remaining to spare?
Yes, yes, yes.
It's time.
Its historical analysis is flawed, however – only as good as the information/datasets to which it has access. Too often (already), I’m seeing examples of bad source materials giving way to suspect output.
Let’s be very clear about this. The nation’s hospitals are about to be crippled.
The NIH cuts to research universities’ indirect cost rates may seem obscure and complex. But the consequences are crystal clear.
Hospitals that serve Americans in every state and community will be destroyed.
The number of colleagues I have using it is astounding – and the results are less than impressive.
It starts with Senate Dems, throwing sand in the gears, slowing down the process. You can call your senators today and insist that they object to unanimous consent.
More tools feckless Dems are refusing to use
indivisible.org/resource/exp...
NOAA is a vital public asset that should never be privatized. #KeeptheDogeKidsAway
Ha.. was just trying to figure out the best way to say this! Thank you!
In case it helps someone:
The phrase “We don’t do / say that here” is immensely useful in managing people who feel emboldened to try to push boundaries and test behaviour norms in your spaces.
It’s a bland statement of fact, doesn’t contain an accusation, and can be used by anyone including peers.
Trump wants to distract you from the fact that he gutted the Aviation Safety Committee and ousted the FAA administrator last week.
Don’t let him.
Totally this
If you’ve been directly impacted by a pause or cancellation of an NIH study session, we @forbes.com would like to talk to you
Just received notice that my NIH study section next week has been cancelled. It has nothing to do with DEI and will have a negative impact on critical cancer research.
memo to self: acting as an information filtration system, taking in the constant raw stream of garbage and trying to put out something useful that makes sense, will require periodic maintenance downtime to clean the filters
Helpful
EU is asking X for internal documents about its algorithms.
"The company has been accused of manipulating the platform’s systems to give far-right posts and politicians greater visibility over other political groups."
www.theguardian.com/technology/2...
A billboard advertising free fries at McDonald's if the Green Bay Packers win.
Meanwhile, in Wisconsin...
And I'm here for it
Here I am, directing the choir
Helping people sing together isn't a bad way to spend time.
When does your chorus resume in the new year? We get underway Jan 14th, so a bit of a break.
F. Melius Christiansen began teaching music at St. Olaf in 1903. Seeking to improve the quality of choral music, Christiansen focused on developing the tradition of unaccompanied singing called a cappella. buff.ly/4iN7KC5
Good ol’ David Willcocks
Damn straight we should politicize it… they hypocrisy is off the charts
