Joy Behar recently stirred up conversation when she claimed that Stephen Colbert’s late-night show was canceled due to pressure from former President Donald Trump. During a discussion on "The View," Behar likened Colbert to a medieval court jester, suggesting that comedians like him have a duty to mock those in power. She implied that Trump, who has been known to take offense at jokes about him, was behind Colbert’s show being axed.
Colbert’s show reportedly faced cancellation not because of political pressure, but due to financial struggles. Cohost Sunny Hostin expressed her concern that the dismissal of Colbert represented a threat to democracy, arguing that if comedians are being silenced, it undermines the Constitution. She insisted that the issue goes beyond just a television program.
Sara Haines, another cohost, acknowledged that the television landscape is changing. She noted that advertisers are spending less on traditional shows as they shift towards digital platforms. While Hostin pointed out that Colbert had secured around $60 million in ad revenue, she failed to mention that the production costs were about $100 million, leading to a significant loss of $40 million.
Whoopi Goldberg also weighed in, showing her support for Colbert. She stated that she doesn’t believe the show is truly gone, expressing her hope that it could make a comeback.
The conversation reflects broader concerns about the state of late-night television and the impact of changing media consumption habits. As audiences turn to streaming services, traditional shows like Colbert’s face increasing challenges in attracting advertisers and maintaining profitability.