As backlash to the cancellation of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert continues to mount, a growing number of viewers are organizing online—demanding CBS reverse course and keep the top-rated network late-night show on the air.
At last count, more than two dozen different petitions had sprung up on Change.org alone, collectively drawing over 36,000 signatures. A MoveOn.org petition has garnered more than 67,000 supporters, while a petition hosted by the Progressive Change Campaign Committee has passed 120,000 signatures.
The central accusation across the petitions is that CBS’s decision appears politically motivated, and potentially retaliatory. “CBS announced it is cancelling The Late Show just days after Stephen Colbert criticized on-air the recent settlement between President Donald Trump and Paramount Global—CBS’s parent company—calling it a ‘big, fat bribe,’” the MoveOn petition notes. “This cancellation is deeply suspect.”
That petition continues: “We need to stop corporations like CBS from cowing to political intimidation of this administration.”
The Progressive Change Campaign Committee echoed that message in their petition, calling the timing “blatantly political.” “America needs Stephen Colbert’s voice now more than ever,” the petition reads, citing Sen. Elizabeth Warren’s warning that the move came “just THREE DAYS after Colbert called out CBS parent company Paramount for its $16M settlement with Trump a deal that looks like bribery.”
Viewers who signed the petitions weren’t shy about their motivations. “Colbert speaks the truth… helps us laugh about the mean Oligarchy that now runs our land,” wrote one signer. Another added: “Trump is silencing his critics!”
Among the 30 petitions at Change.org, arguments extended beyond politics to cultural value and free speech. “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert has not only been a platform for humor but has also served as a critical voice in American media,” one petition states. “It’s a cultural institution that brings people together, providing laughter and reflection after long days.”
Petition signer Kennedy from Carleton said: “Colbert’s turn of phrase and sense of humor has helped me to keep a positive outlook since I started watching during the 2016 election season. If CBS takes away this vital television program, where are viewers like me supposed to find some respite?”
Another commenter, Arlene from Savannah, GA, shared: “My husband just passed away recently but would have been devastated to hear this news. Every night at 11:30 we would turn on Colbert and have some great laughs. Stephen Colbert helped us get thru the night and ready for the next day. Don’t let this voice of truth and laughter also die.”
Some supporters emphasized the importance of media diversity. “I am a conservative-leaning independent,” one signer wrote. “Everyone deserves to have a voice, regardless if we agree or disagree with what that voice says. Please CBS, keep this show for the people who love it, and for the diversity it lends to the various voices out there.”
In a statement released concurrent with Colbert’s announcement on Thursday, CBS insisted that its cancellation of The Late Show was “purely a financial decision against a challenging backdrop in late night.” The network added, “It is not related in any way to the show’s performance, content or other matters happening at Paramount.”
The network has since claimed it lost 40 million dollars on The Late Show this season, and was poised to lose more with each passing year.
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There are multiple petitions out there. I signed at least 5 valid. Someone needs to update all the potions and signatures, I think you will see there are a lot more than 200,… ALOT MORE.
You, as a network, are lying to your public. You, as many others, have bowed to the bully and his administration. Somebody needs to take a stand against what is happening and your network has the ability to do so, but is not willing to protect freedom of speech and the demise of democracy. SHAME ON YOU!!!
it’s retaliation from Trump!