Stephen Colbert, the host of the well-known US late-night show The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, has recently been in the news—not for something funny, but because his show got canceled. This news surprised many people, especially those who watched the show regularly. But some others, like British TV personality Piers Morgan, say they saw this coming.
On Sunday, Piers Morgan wrote on X (formerly Twitter) about why he believes Colbert’s show was canceled. He said that many late-night show hosts in America are now acting more like political supporters than entertainers. In his words, “Most of America’s biggest late-night hosts have become nothing more than hyper-partisan activist hacks for the Democrats – a party that’s rarely been more unpopular. No wonder Colbert got canned. More will follow.” He also posted a New York Post headline that called the show “The Left Show with Stephen Colbert.”
Morgan believes that these shows used to be about comedy and fun, but now they’ve become too political. According to him, many of these hosts spend more time supporting one political party instead of making everyone laugh. This, he says, could be one of the main reasons people have stopped watching.
But Piers Morgan isn’t the only famous face talking about this issue. Jay Leno, a former host of The Tonight Show, also shared his opinion in a recent interview. He spoke with David Trulio, who is the president and CEO of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute. Leno said, “I love political humor, don’t get me wrong. But it’s just what happens when people wind up cozying too much to one side or the other. Why shoot for just half an audience all the time? You know, why not try to get the whole. I mean, I like to bring people into the big picture.”
Jay Leno has hosted late-night TV for many years, so he understands what works with viewers. He believes comedy should make everyone laugh—not just those who agree with one political group. If a show always supports one side, the people on the other side might stop watching. And when fewer people watch, networks may decide to cancel the show.
This is exactly what seems to have happened with The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. In recent years, the show became known for making fun of certain politicians, especially those from the Republican Party. While this made some viewers happy, it also upset others who didn’t agree with that kind of humor. Over time, this may have caused the audience to shrink.
Piers Morgan pointed out that this change isn’t just about Colbert. He believes many other late-night hosts could lose their shows for the same reason. He feels they focus too much on political topics instead of making their shows fun and enjoyable for everyone. He also believes that this strong political focus is happening at a time when people are already tired of politics and want to escape from it—especially at night, when they just want to relax.
There was also more drama when David Letterman, who hosted The Late Show before Stephen Colbert, spoke up about the cancellation. He blamed the companies behind the show—CBS and Skydance—and called the decision “pure cowardice.” He didn’t like how things were handled and seemed very disappointed.
So now, people are talking: Should late-night shows focus more on comedy for everyone or stick to their opinions even if it means losing part of the audience?
This moment brings up a big question about how late-night TV is changing in the US. These shows used to be about fun, laughter, and interesting guests. They were something people looked forward to after a long day. But lately, some shows have become more serious, with hosts often sharing strong political views. Some people enjoy this, but others don’t.
When a show takes one side too often, it can feel like it’s not for everyone anymore. That’s why both Piers Morgan and Jay Leno are saying that it’s better for these shows to find a balance. They believe that making jokes about both sides—without showing clear support for one party—is the smarter way to keep everyone entertained.
Of course, political humor has always been part of late-night shows. Even in the past, hosts joked about presidents and politicians. But there’s a difference between making jokes and constantly siding with one group. Viewers can usually tell the difference, and they may decide to stop watching if they feel left out or judged.
Colbert’s show had a strong fan base, and many people will miss it. But the network’s decision to cancel it seems to show that ratings and viewership matter more than ever. If a show can’t keep enough people watching, it risks being taken off the air.
Now, fans and critics alike are wondering what will happen next. Will more shows follow the same path? Will late-night TV change again and go back to focusing more on light-hearted fun? Or will shows continue to be a space where political opinions are shared strongly?
One thing is clear: the world of late-night television in the US is going through a big change. The cancellation of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert may just be the beginning. And voices like Piers Morgan and Jay Leno are pushing for a future where comedy brings people together, not divides them.