Opinion

Stephen Colbert and me: How late-night partisan comedy works – until it doesn’t 

Stephen Colbert’s final 'Late Show' highlights the changing landscape of late-night television, partisan comedy and the challenges facing network TV.

By Howard Kurtz Fox News

Published May 22, 2026 3:00am EDT

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Kimmel urges viewers to stop watching CBS for good

Jimmy Kimmel urged his viewers to stop watching CBS for good after Stephen Colbert's show ends on Thursday. 

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Stephen Colbert and I go way back.

I’ve interviewed him many times.

I’ve been on his show, he’s been on my show.

Whether or not you agree with his liberal crusading – and half the country can’t stand it – his final show raised questions about political retribution, a splintered media universe and the crumbling future of late night itself. 

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"The Late Show with Stephen Colbert" host Stephen Colbert. (CBS Photo Archive/Getty)

Putting aside the cosmic conclusions for a moment, I first interviewed Colbert when Comedy Central was giving "The Daily Show" correspondent an eight-week tryout as host of his own show, and he didn’t know if it would last. He was congenial and about as quick-witted as any comedian I’ve seen, possibly matched by Jon Stewart.

While playing a blowhard conservative anchor on "The Colbert Report," he once took a mild swipe at me. I had reported, factually, on Fox that some Republicans and right-wing media figures were taking shots at Hillary Clinton’s age, 69, and arguing she had a double liability as potentially the first female president.

AOC, RO........

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