On the eve of Stephen Colbert's final Late Show, America is asking: Can late night survive the Trump administration?
The late-night talk show format, once a ratings juggernaut and an integral part of American culture, is facing an uncertain future. As Stephen Colbert prepares to sign off, the question of whether late-night can withstand the challenges posed by the Trump administration looms large. Personally, I think this is a fascinating and critical moment for the genre, and what makes it particularly intriguing is the interplay between free speech, political commentary, and the evolving media landscape.
The End of an Era
Colbert's departure from The Late Show is a significant moment in late-night history. As a fervent critic of President Trump, Colbert's show was a whip-smart, critically acclaimed hour of political comedy and conversation. His final sign-off is set to be "something simple," but the impact of his show will be far from simple. In my opinion, Colbert's departure is a symptom of a broader struggle within the late-night format, one that has been exacerbated by the Trump administration's approach to free speech and media criticism.
Financial vs. Political Decisions
CBS's decision to axe The Late Show has been framed as a purely financial move, citing losses of up to $40 million a year. However, many, including Colbert's allies and media critics, are skeptical. David Letterman, a fellow late-night veteran, suggests that CBS is "lying weasels" about the true reasons behind the cancellation. The timing of the announcement, in the middle of Paramount's merger with Skydance, and Colbert's recent criticism of CBS's handling of a Trump lawsuit, raises suspicions. This raises a deeper question: Are financial concerns really the primary driver, or is there a political undercurrent at play?
The Political Late Night
Late-night talk shows have long been a platform for political commentary, but the Trump era has seen a significant shift. The days of light-hearted cracks at both sides of politics are gone, replaced by a plethora of earnest liberals lecturing the audience. Trump's supporters complain that late night has become overtly political, devoting entire monologues to cataloguing the president's misdeeds. Bill Carter, a former New York Times media reporter, agrees that late night has become more critical, attributing this to Trump's "daily dalliance with outrage." However, he argues that this doesn't change the fundamental right to free speech and political commentary.
Trump's Insecurity and Late Night
One thing that immediately stands out is Trump's insecurity and his reaction to late-night criticism. In the past, Trump was a frequent guest on these shows, often the subject of jokes. But as he has aged, his insecurity has become more extreme. He can't take the criticism, and he's tried to kick late-night hosts off TV. This raises a deeper question: Is Trump's hostility to late-night comedians a response to his own insecurities, or is it a calculated move to silence his critics?
The Battle for Free Speech
The late-night format has become the staging ground for America's battle for free speech. Trump's supporters justify his hostility as fair game, a response to the format's wall-to-wall attacks. But, as Carter points out, Trump's actions are a violation of the fundamental right to free speech. Every president has been mocked, but Trump doesn't accept that. He thinks people who criticize him aren't talented and shouldn't be on television. This raises a deeper question: Can late night survive in an era where the president is trying to silence his critics?
The Future of Late Night
Despite the challenges, there is reason to believe that late night will stick around. When Colbert has been on hiatus, Jimmy Kimmel has picked up roughly half of his audience, indicating a strong appetite for anti-Trump-flavoured comedy. Kimmel, with his chip on his shoulder, could be Trump's worst nightmare. However, the late-night format is struggling, with more hosts competing for a smaller piece of a smaller pie. The rise of streaming and the exodus of advertisers from linear TV have left networks scrambling to adapt.
A New Era for Late Night
In conclusion, the end of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert marks the end of an era for late night. The format is evolving, and the battle for free speech is far from over. As a citizen, I am dismayed by the president's unlimited time to watch late-night TV, and I hope that late night will continue to be a platform for political commentary and free speech. The final episode of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert will air in Australia at 10:40 pm on Channel Ten, marking the end of an era and the beginning of a new one for late night.
