Becker Private Equity & Business Podcast

Episode: The Colbert Show 7-18-25
Host: Scott Becker
Release Date: July 18, 2025

Introduction

In the July 18, 2025 episode of the Becker Private Equity & Business Podcast, host Scott Becker delves into the recent cancellation of The Colbert Show on CBS. Becker uses this event as a springboard to discuss broader trends in late-night television, particularly the increasing politicization of content and its implications for both audiences and the industry.

The Evolution of Late-Night Television

Becker begins by tracing the transformation of late-night TV over the past decade. He contrasts the current landscape with that of previous eras dominated by figures like Johnny Carson, David Letterman, and Jay Leno—hosts who maintained an apolitical stance, focusing primarily on humor and entertainment.

Scott Becker [02:15]: "It's sort of very different than the old days of Johnny Carson, David Letterman, Jay Leno where the late night like late night TV hosts were largely apolitical."

He observes that contemporary hosts, including Stephen Colbert, have shifted towards left-of-center political commentary, positioning themselves as influential voices within the political discourse rather than just entertainers.

Scott Becker [03:05]: "Stephen Colbert has become sort of a lightning rod on TV over the last decade or so where... late night TV host were largely apolitical."

Cancellation of The Colbert Show

The core of Becker’s discussion centers on the abrupt decision by CBS not to renew The Colbert Show. He provides a timeline of events, highlighting Colbert’s personal announcement about the show's cancellation and the broader implications this has for the industry.

Scott Becker [05:30]: "Stephen Colbert was the latest casualty here as his talk show, his late night talk show has been canceled by CBS. It's not going to be canceled at the end of this contract."

Becker expresses a mix of surprise and intrigue over the cancellation, speculating on possible reasons, including shifting viewer preferences and network strategies.

Impact of Politicization on Audience Engagement

A significant portion of Becker's analysis focuses on how the politicization of late-night shows may have alienated portions of the audience. He nostalgically references the apolitical nature of past shows as a model for broader appeal.

Scott Becker [07:45]: "Again, that's the Colbert show being canceled again. Again. I don't want to speak out of turn... but to me, the end of late night talk show that is completely based on essentially politics versus humor and entertainment."

Becker suggests that the integration of heavy political content could be a double-edged sword—engaging a politically active audience while potentially disengaging those who prefer entertainment devoid of political bias.

Call for a Return to Apolitical Entertainment

Advocating for a return to the traditional, apolitical late-night format, Becker hopes that Colbert’s cancellation signals a broader industry shift away from politically charged content. He envisions a revival of the classic late-night formula that prioritizes humor and entertainment without the overlay of political commentary.

Scott Becker [09:20]: "I hope it leads to a return to and again I'm aging myself to the Johnny Carson's, the Jay Leno's David Letterman where you got your late night comedy, you got your late night entertainment."

Conclusion and Final Thoughts

In wrapping up the episode, Becker reiterates his appreciation for apolitical entertainment and expresses optimism that the industry may pivot back towards the values that made late-night television a staple of American culture.

Scott Becker [10:55]: "But to me, good riddance. It is what it is. Thank you very much for listening."

He closes by reinforcing the podcast's commitment to providing insightful discussions on business and private equity, distancing his primary focus from the politicization trends he critiques in the late-night arena.

Key Takeaways

• Trend Shift: Late-night television has increasingly embraced political commentary, diverging from its traditionally apolitical roots.
• Impact of Politicization: While politically charged content can engage a specific audience segment, it risks alienating others who seek neutral entertainment.
• Industry Implications: The cancellation of The Colbert Show may indicate a potential shift back towards apolitical programming, reflecting broader audience preferences.
• Host's Perspective: Scott Becker advocates for the revival of the classic late-night format that emphasizes humor and entertainment over political discourse.

This episode offers a critical examination of the evolving dynamics within late-night television, using the specific case of The Colbert Show’s cancellation to explore larger themes of audience engagement and content strategy in the entertainment industry.