Stephen Colbert has only been off CBS for a week, but the internet is already drafting him for a new job: saving PBS.
The pitch is simple: put Colbert on public television as the host of a series of specials built around the same mix of comedy, politics, culture, and civic-minded mischief that made him broadcast television’s No.1 late-night host.
The proposed version of the idea has PBS using each installment as a pledge-drive event.
In concept, it’s not all that far removed from the comedy specials satirist Mark Russell produced for PBS over three decades, from 1974 to 2004. Only this version comes with a newly available late-night host, a threatened public-media landscape, and an extremely online fan base ready to make noise.
The idea began picking up steam over Memorial Day weekend after Ashley Rickards posted a plea to social media: “Colbert could save PBS. Please have your NEW show on PBS. We will buy all the tote bags. PLEASE.”
Rickards, an actor/director/writer best known for her starring role as Jenna Hamilton in the 2011-2016 MTV series Awkward, told LateNighter she has never met Colbert, but has watched him “religiously ever since I stopped paying my publicist—make of that what you will.”
Dismayed by his CBS exit, she said she posted her PBS idea late Sunday, “thinking I was just yelling into the void and woke up to numbers I had to refresh twice to believe.”
Within 48 hours, Rickards said, the post had crossed 485,700 views across her profiles, with nearly 97 percent of interactions coming from people who didn’t already follow her.
The campaign’s premise is not coming out of nowhere.
Colbert has specifically defended PBS on-air. In April 2025, after the Trump administration announced plans to rescind $1.1 billion in federal funding from NPR and PBS, he joked on The Late Show that both public-media entities were “already operating on a shoestring budget,” adding, “Daniel Tiger can’t even afford to wear pants.”
The broader public-media world has also embraced Colbert. Last November, he and his wife Evie McGee Colbert were honored at New York Public Radio’s Stand With Public Media gala, where the evening’s rallying cry was “You Can’t Defund the Truth.” The event’s message—defending nonprofit, mission-driven journalism and culture—tracks closely with what Rickards’ campaign is trying to bottle.
Rickards says Colbert’s appeal is not just that he is funny. “He’s been one of the steadiest voices defending journalism, science, history, and democracy on national television,” she said. “Those are the same values PBS was built on. The alignment is so natural it almost writes itself.”
There’s been no response yet from PBS or Colbert’s camp, but Rickards says she is preparing to send a formal pitch to PBS, as well as Colbert’s representatives.
“Monday: the pitch goes out,” she said. “After that, it’s not up to me—it’s up to PBS and Stephen’s team to decide.”
And if nothing comes of it? Rickards says she still sees value in making the case.
“If PBS and Stephen each see a runway here, this becomes a real show,” she said. “If not, I’ll have spent a week of my life advocating for public media at a moment when public media needs advocates, and that’s not nothing.”
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Steven Colbert for a president!!! No better candidates. Reagan was an actor, Z elinski was a comedian, what better man for this job? Everyone knows him, he knows more about government than any of those current squatters in the WH and he is a DECENT HUMAN who recognizes people skills for leadership roles! Steven for PRESIDENT, spread the word!
The last thing America needs is someone who’s never served in public office to become president! Drumpf is living proof of that!
i disagree. Zelensky is a prime example of someone who, with no experience in public office, has done an exemplary job governing a nation. in addition he is doing it during wartime while having to deal with all the major free countries in the world in an extremely difficult job of trying to obtain support, political, militarily and financially. We need a president like him!
He was far more ready to assume government power than Stephen Colbert could ever be!
A single tweet is a campaign? Ok…..I know pitch ideas at Latenighter are becoming scarce…but come on.
This would be so incredible!!
Ashley, I hope you succeed in your effort to bring Stephen Colbert and PBS. I love PBS and was so disappointed when Trump cut the federal funding. Stephen Colbert was my favorite late night show and once again, I was so disappointed that CBS dropped his show at the request of Trump. No one was fooled by the ridiculous reason given by CBS. So, you go girl; get it done!
Truth Bomb: I don’t like Colbert’s brand of comedy much, but, I like what is being proposed. Sra. Rickards has a wonderful idea here. For me, it is not about saving Colbert but I was really moved by Sra. Rickard’s clear thinking and her human approach to this. I don’t know her or what she does. I like her creative solution.
What about a “listening tour?”
He lost CBS $50 million annually. PBS is literally state-run Zionist propaganda with billionaire Zionist financiers.
Bet you wish you could frog march the Jews to the gas chambers, like the little Nazi you are!
No matter your stupid politics or party is you only care about Israel. Nobody under 45 cares for Israel.
Because that’s what this is really about with you losers! The chance to get your anti Semitic freak on and have people believe you’re coming from a place of righteousness, when, in reality, you’re just a hate filled loser!
Sucks being you, Zero!
How do people as delusional as you even manage the necessities of everyday life?
It’s hilarious to watch your Jew card get revoked after what you people do to Palestinians.
Before the grown ups drag your fat ass out to have it beaten to a crippling pulp!
WOW 😮
Instead of recreating a nightly late show on PBS, Stephen Colbert might work better through seasonal specials focused on satire, journalism, culture, and civic discussion. That feels more realistic financially — and more aligned with PBS.
TEAM COLBERT-PBS !!!
Before Colbert is on PBS, Stephen needs to:
1) The Daily Show guest host Tues-Thurs. (heck, the same week he can be Stewart’s guest/interviewee on Mon)
2) Kimmel Live! guest host the 1st week Jimmy is gone for summer vacation.
He’s got a script to write, so won’t be available FT for anything like your Daily Show proposal, but I would love it if fellow members of Strikeforce Five would embrace him as guest host.
I am sure we’ll see more of him soon. The people demand it!
I was thinking that too with him creating a script for LOTR but he could run part-time one show a week would be good. if you wanted to and getting a break from writing once in awhile to do a 1 hour comedy talk parody. he has the talent it’s up to what he wants to do.
Happy to donate!
Tremendous idea!! I love PBS & have always supported PBS by bring a member of my local PBS station. And I love Colbert & have always followed him! What a wonderful idea for saving PBS & finding a new home for Colbert’s brilliance. Let’s all support this tremendous idea & make it a reality — soon than later.
Tremendous idea!! I love PBS & have always supported PBS by bring a member of my local PBS station. And I love Colbert & have always followed him! What a wonderful idea for saving PBS & finding a new home for Colbert’s brilliance. Let’s all support this tremendous idea & make it a reality — soon than later.
Yes please
Please do it Stephen Colbert
The country needs you !
And PBS needs you too!
Great idea. PBS needs new blood. Much is now reruns of Brit detective shows. New ideas, new people. 3 networks are dying. No innovative shows. Just same old reality, game, dull comedy shows. Techbois will find that their monopolies don’t mean jack. People leaving MSM in droves.
I think this is such a fantastic idea! I really hope PBS & Stephen Colbert team up, it brings tears to my eyes just reading the article. Thank you Jenna Rickards for being an advocate and thank you PBS, NPR and Stephan Colbert for your tireless efforts at delivering the truth in not only straightforward direct reporting but also creative, hilarious and artistic ways. I truly hope this dream team comes true!
Three words, Stephen – Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood. If I had 2 nickels to rub together, I’d move heaven and earth to get my hands on a full set of every episode ever aired. Air it again. Get the estate to sell it or lease it all back to remind Americans where we’ve been – and how to behave like human beings.
I will double my monthly PBS donation if this happens!
I’d support this! Love both Colbert AND PBS!
What a great idea, I’ll definitely support
I don’t know, I just don’t know about this idea.
This is an embarrassing article. “Inside the Campaign Working to Make It Happen?” More like “one tweet sent into the void and the person who tweeted it *might* write one letter into the same void.”
Having Stephen Colbert on PBS would be fabulous!! I feel like a light went out in my world when The Late Show ended.
Stephen, please come back. PBS needs you, we need you, the world needs you.
Don’t let these people win.
Maybe we could get the Pope to come on to PBS with you.
Only in Monroe was great! I was lucky enough to catch it the day after you left the show.
Hope you are doing well.
Unfortunately they still have to bow to the power that is the FCC, Trump’s FCC. enough said 😕
Stephen Colbert + PBS = Fantastic idea!! That’s an awesome combination. I’m all for it!👏👏👏👏