Was Colbert Too Outspoken for CBS?

Was Colbert’s outspoken criticism of Trump a factor in CBS ending The Late Show? Entertainment reporter Stephanie Takyi shares her thoughts.

Transcript

00:00Stephanie, as you say, it's been running for such a very, very long time,

00:03but Colbert has always been quite outspoken, a strong critic of President Trump.

00:07CBS, though, have distanced themselves quite a bit from this.

00:09They've stressed this is not a political decision.

00:12This is solely down to the numbers at the end of the day.

00:15Well, the timing couldn't have come at a wrong time

00:18because it was only maybe two days ago where CBS Paramount

00:22had settled a lawsuit with Donald Trump for £16 million

00:27over what he claims was an edited video with Kamala Harris in an interview.

00:33And Stephen Colbert called it frivolous and he said it was a big, fat bribe.

00:38So this will only happen this week.

00:40So a lot of people are saying, has he been a bit too outspoken?

00:43Has he pushed it too far this time?

00:46I think a lot of networks now, you know, they are trying to control their talent

00:50when it comes to aiming such kind of criticism towards political leaders.

00:55But, you know, they do say it's a financial decision

00:59and nothing about Colbert's personal remarks about Trump.

01:03Stephanie, moving on, there's been an update as well

01:05with the story of kneecap and his performance at Glastonbury from police in the UK.

01:09What's happening with this?

01:10Well, you know, music and politics do go hand in hand,

01:13but there was a big question about kneecap's Glastonbury performance,

01:18whether, you know, they could be charged for any offences.

01:21Avon and Somerset police said, actually, there is no charges that can be brought against the duo.

01:27They said there's nothing there which they can actually think by law that they can charge them with,

01:32which has been welcomed by kneecap, who have said, you know,

01:35that set was all about promoting love and solidarity.

01:39Obviously, their critics see it differently.

01:42And it's one of those things where you cannot, you know, bring them to justice for something

01:48that the law has nothing to find them offensive for.

01:52So, you know, it's been lucky for them.

01:54But going forward, you do have to think whether a lot of festivals are going to take that risk and book them on.

02:01So, you know, I'm going to take that risk and book them on.