MORNING HEADLINES | Comedian Stephen Colbert, who grew up in Charleston, tonight will offer the last of almost 1,800 episodes of his popular “The Late Show” satire. It was cancelled last year by CBS — purportedly for “financial reasons,” although many believe it was due to political pressure and a $16 million deal with the Trump Administration.
Critics say highly-rated show’s curtain is the end of an era.
“Colbert presided over an era when political TV comedy could take a side and still succeed. Or actually, two eras, which almost perfectly coincided with his two shows: one that parodied politics, one made in a time when politics became a parody of itself,” wrote television critic James Poniewozik of The New York Times.
There’s no word yet on the guests for the final episode tonight, which will be aired at 11:35 a.m. on CBS. But speculation has ranged from the Pope to actor George Clooney.
Over the show’s final month, Colbert has had a good time saying goodbye with a bevy of famous, connected guests. For example, he and retired late-night host David Letterman threw furniture and melons off of the top of the theater where the show is taped. Musician David Byrne performed “Burning Down the House’ on Tuesday with Colbert. Rocker Bruce Springsteen sang a song Wednesday. And last week, former President Barack Obama shared laughs with Colbert, 62, who attended Porter-Gaud in Charleston.
CBS will not replace Colbert’s show. Rather, it will air Byron Allen’s comedy panel series, “Comics Unleashed.” in the time slot.
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