During a recent appearance on “Jimmy Kimmel Live!,” former “Late Show” host Stephen Colbert discussed his decision to step away from the nightly news cycle. Kimmel remarked that Colbert seemed happier and healthier at the Emmy Awards, prompting the comedian to confirm the change.
Leaving the nightly grind
Colbert explained that he now has “an opportunity to not think about the news every day, and I took it.” He likened his former schedule to “drinking a cup of poison” each day, describing the job as “being lowered like carbon rods into a radioactive pool” and then “radiating it back at the audience at a non‑lethal rad level.” The metaphor underscores how the constant pressure of delivering political commentary can feel exhausting.
Reactions from media observers
Newsbusters managing editor Curtis Huock praised the exchange, noting that a left‑leaning commentator who “spews daily, anti‑Trump missives” appears happier when he steps back from partisan focus. Huock called the moment a lesson for the country: “Never let politics completely consume your life.” The comment reflects a broader conversation about media fatigue among viewers.
Colbert on free speech and the future of late‑night
When asked about free speech, Colbert emphasized the importance of protecting expression, stating, “If you can’t say something because you go to jail, that is a violation of free speech.” He also expressed optimism about the late‑night format, saying, “I think that late night is just as funny and just as vital as it ever has been, and I love watching Jimmy and John and Seth and everybody else. I hope it goes on for a long time because you get to work with people like this, and that’s the greatest gift.”
Deflecting questions about the show’s cancellation
When CNN correspondent Elizabeth Wagmeister asked whether the cancellation of “The Late Show” was linked to former President Trump, Colbert repeatedly deflected, focusing instead on light‑hearted remarks about his staff and the interview setting. The exchange, reported by Variety, highlighted Colbert’s preference to keep the conversation on his personal well‑being rather than speculation about political motivations.
Recognition for the final season
Colbert’s final season earned the Outstanding Variety Series award at the 78th Primetime Emmy Awards, underscoring the program’s impact despite its conclusion in May 2025. The accolade serves as a reminder of the show’s cultural significance even as its host moves on to a quieter pace.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
