Some of my favorite Colbert Late Shows were the Covid shows that were shot in his home. With his wife, Evie and his cute Boykin Spaniel, Benny. They were great shows—spontaneous, unpolished and genuine. I’d love to watch it if he returned to that format.
He did not get cancelled because the show was failing. He got cancelled because the show was working. There is a difference and it matters.
You cannot sue a punchline. You cannot depose a metaphor. You cannot serve a subpoena on a well constructed analogy. Every tyrant in recorded history has had the same relationship with comedians that a vampire has with garlic. The current occupant of the Oval Office used the regulatory apparatus of the federal government to pressure a network into ending a contract because the joke was getting too close to the nerve and the only tool he has ever had is the threat.
No talent he says. From a man who has survived zero exchanges with a comedian intact.
The show is over. The work is not. I wrote an open letter to Stephen Colbert today as a fan who has been watching since the Report, who sat in the Ed Sullivan Theater in 2018 and watched him work, and who believes that the gift does not go quiet because a regulatory agency pressured a network into ending a contract.
If you loved what he built I think you will want to read it.
Community television in Monroe, Michigan is where Colbert interviewed Eminem on July 1, 2015, the start of his new show. This was a full circle moment.
Having lived downriver Detroit near Monroe (Wyandotte) it’s especially diabolical for Colbert to be there because the area is basically ground zero for Michigan MAGA. So good!! 😊
The streaming model w/ a premium option for steady cashflow also improves the quality of the product because it allows for long form...provided you dont overdue ad reads or 10 sec commercials (looking at you Pod Johns) the long form is also one of Rogans built it advantages
Some of my favorite Colbert Late Shows were the Covid shows that were shot in his home. With his wife, Evie and his cute Boykin Spaniel, Benny. They were great shows—spontaneous, unpolished and genuine. I’d love to watch it if he returned to that format.
He did not get cancelled because the show was failing. He got cancelled because the show was working. There is a difference and it matters.
You cannot sue a punchline. You cannot depose a metaphor. You cannot serve a subpoena on a well constructed analogy. Every tyrant in recorded history has had the same relationship with comedians that a vampire has with garlic. The current occupant of the Oval Office used the regulatory apparatus of the federal government to pressure a network into ending a contract because the joke was getting too close to the nerve and the only tool he has ever had is the threat.
No talent he says. From a man who has survived zero exchanges with a comedian intact.
The show is over. The work is not. I wrote an open letter to Stephen Colbert today as a fan who has been watching since the Report, who sat in the Ed Sullivan Theater in 2018 and watched him work, and who believes that the gift does not go quiet because a regulatory agency pressured a network into ending a contract.
If you loved what he built I think you will want to read it.
http://barronstjohn.substack.com
The pattern is this consistent. But so is the resistance to it. — Barron St. John, The Decoder Ring
Community television in Monroe, Michigan is where Colbert interviewed Eminem on July 1, 2015, the start of his new show. This was a full circle moment.
He should do this all over the country…
Every Public Access Station could use a Colbert…
It would be “Traveling with Benny”…
Jack White steals the show with his deadpan indifference.
I was laughing out loud! I will watch anything he does. Forever.
Is the video gone?? I was watching and got pulled away for a bit. When I came back it wasn’t there 😞. And it is hilarious!
Still works for me in the article.
I got a few good belly laughs watching this.
Colbert is the show, but he also brings out the best in everyone involved
I didn’t intend to watch the whole hour but I did. Hilarious! I read that YouTube pulled it. Glad you still had it available!
I’m boycotting CBS and watching anything Stephen does! Genius.
Having lived downriver Detroit near Monroe (Wyandotte) it’s especially diabolical for Colbert to be there because the area is basically ground zero for Michigan MAGA. So good!! 😊
Great article! Thank you for writing it! 💯👍🥰
The streaming model w/ a premium option for steady cashflow also improves the quality of the product because it allows for long form...provided you dont overdue ad reads or 10 sec commercials (looking at you Pod Johns) the long form is also one of Rogans built it advantages
Excellent analysis.
Thank you.
May stephen prosper and we have his voice in America.
tRump is old, dumb, obese and embarrassing to our country.
Frump