Stephen Colbert shared a pointed message for President Trump days after the latter rejoiced on social media that “I absolutely love that Colbert got fired.”
“Go f— yourself,” the late-night veteran mentioned Monday throughout his opening monologue. Monday’s episode was Colbert’s first time behind the desk after he introduced final week that CBS had determined to cancel “The Late Show,” bringing the franchise to an finish after greater than 30 years.
The community’s gorgeous choice — apparently “purely a financial decision against a challenging backdrop in late night” — was met with disappointment and shock from Colbert’s loyal viewers, concern from his late-night cohorts and delight from his critics, notably President Trump. On his Fact Social app, Trump wrote that Colbert’s “talent was even less than his ratings” and took an extra swipe at Jimmy Kimmel, who he claimed “has even less talent than Colbert.”
Earlier in his monologue, Colbert, 61, informed his in-studio viewers and viewers that till the “Late Show” goes darkish in Could, the gloves are formally off and “he can finally speak unvarnished truth to power and say what I really think about Donald Trump.” Colbert, who took over the “Late Show” from unique host David Letterman in 2015, has lengthy been important of Trump, even earlier than the previous actuality TV star and businessman took workplace. Since turning into president, Trump has given Colbert and his late-night cohorts loads of materials to work with.
In current weeks, Colbert chided his personal bosses for his or her choice to cave to Trump by settling the president’s lawsuit over “60 Minutes” edits, a case that almost all 1st Modification specialists known as frivolous. Paramount agreed to pay $16 million, with most of that going to Trump’s future presidential library.
Although Colbert saved issues principally mild in his monologue, he questioned CBS’ justification for canceling his present. “How could it be a ‘purely financial decision’ if ‘The Late Show’ is number one in ratings? It’s confusing,” he mentioned, echoing considerations that followers have additionally voiced on social media. He continued his phase, citing experiences that specified the alleged losses had been someplace between $40 million and $50 million.
“$40 million’s a big number. I could see us losing $24 million, but where would Paramount have possibly spent the other $16 million — oh yeah,” he mentioned, alluding to the settlement.
Mulling on Trump’s diss on Fact Social, Colbert joked concerning the president’s need to see Kimmel’s program go darkish: “I’m the martyr. There’s only room for one on this cross and I gotta tell you the view is fantastic up here.”
In a phase spoofing that viral kiss-cam fiasco at a current Coldplay live performance, visitors Lin Manuel-Miranda and “Weird Al” Yankovic carry out a model of “Viva La Vida,” and the digicam pans to the viewers the place Anderson Cooper, Andy Cohen, Jimmy Fallon, Seth Meyers, Adam Sandler, Christopher McDonald, Stewart and Oliver are noticed within the crowd. The hush-hush pair uncovered by the kiss-cam? An animated Trump lovingly cuddling the Paramount emblem.
Although Letterman didn’t return to his outdated stomping grounds to affix the opposite late-night stars on Monday, his YouTube account shared a 20-minute compilation of him throwing shade at CBS all through his “Late Show” tenure. “You can’t spell CBS without BS,” says the outline for the video.
Over on Comedy Central on Monday, Stewart devoted a portion of his newest episode to debate the “Late Show” cancellation. Stewart reminded audiences that he and Colbert had been each “Daily Show” alumni, recalled watching his colleague “exceed all expectations in the role” through the years and skewered CBS for “killing a show you know wrinkled a fragile and vengeful president.” Stewart ended his opening phase dancing and singing together with a choir to a well-recognized phrase.
“If you’re afraid and you protect your bottom line, I’ve got but one thing to say. Just one little phrase: ‘Go f— yourself.’”
Amid the uncertainty at Paramount, Stewart contemplated the way forward for the “Daily Show” in a podcast interview revealed earlier than the “Late Show” cancellation. Chatting with the “Weekly Show” podcast, Stewart mentioned he had not gotten any phrase about his collection getting the ax.
“They haven’t called me and said like, ‘Don’t get too comfortable in that office, Stewart!’” he mentioned, including, “I’ve been kicked out of [more] s— establishments than that. We’ll land on our feet.”
This week “The Daily Show” will push ahead with former author and present on-air correspondent Josh Johnson set to make his anchoring debut, beginning Tuesday by means of Thursday. He joins a number rotation that additionally consists of “Daily Show” personalities Ronny Chieng, Jordan Klepper, Michael Kosta and Desi Lydic.
Occasions workers author Meg James contributed to this report.
