Jon Stewart unleashed a fiery monologue criticizing CBS's decision to cancel The Late Show with Stephen Colbert in last night's uncensored episode of The Daily Show.
Colbert has been receiving a lot of support from fans and colleagues in show business ever since it was announced that CBS had canceled his late-night talk show. While financial reasons were cited by the network as the main factor for their decision, there have also been speculations that it might be politically motivated. The other late-night hosts have also shown solidarity with Colbert by appearing on his show last night.
How Did Jon Stewart React to The Cancellation of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert?
In last night's uncensored episode of The Daily Show, Stewart slammed CBS for their decision to cancel The Late Show with Stephen Colbert and the potential political implications.
As long-time fans know, Stewart and Colbert have been friends for decades as they worked together in the earlier years of The Daily Show. Stewart is also an executive producer of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. Both shows are owned by the same corporate umbrella, Paramount.
"The fact that CBS didn’t try to save their number one-rated network late-night franchise that’s been on the air for over three decades is part of what’s making everybody wonder: was this purely financial?" Stewart said.
"Or maybe the path of least resistance for your $8 billion merger [with Skydance] was killing a show that you know rankled a fragile and vengeful president, so insecure, suffering terribly from a case of chronic penis insufficiency."
The host added, "Look, I understand the corporate fear. I understand the fear that you and your advertisers have with $8 billion at stake. But understand this, truly, the shows that you now seek to cancel, censor, and control, a not insignificant portion of that $8 billion value came from those f***ing shows."
Stewart ended his monologue by joking, "This is not the moment to give in. I’m not giving in. I’m not going anywhere… I think." Then, he brought in a gospel choir to help him sing the lyrics, "But if you’re afraid and you protect your bottom line, I got but one thing to say! Go f*** yourself!"
Is the Future of The Daily Show Also in Jeopardy?
Before it was announced that CBS had canceled Colbert's show, Stewart already weighed in on the future of The Daily Show amidst the impending merger of Paramount and Skydance.
He said that he remains unsure about how the merger could impact his show, but he acknowledged the changing media landscape.
"Unfortunately, we haven’t heard anything from them. They haven’t called me and said, ‘Don’t get too comfortable in that office, Stewart.’ But let me tell you something, I’ve been kicked out of sh*ttier establishments than that. We’ll land on our feet," Stewart said.
"I’d like to believe that without The Daily Show… I don’t know. Comedy Central is kind of like Muzak at this point. I think we’re the only sort of life that exists on a current basis other than South Park."
Stewart continued, "But it’s the only thing on there. I’d like to think we bring enough value to the property. If they’re looking at it as purely a real estate transaction, I think we bring a lot of value. But that may not be their consideration. They may sell the whole f**king place for parts, I just don’t know. We’ll deal with it when we do."
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