{"id":2465004,"date":"2025-07-21T21:42:01","date_gmt":"2025-07-22T01:42:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/joe-concha-colberts-show-was-late-night-therapy-session-for-democrats-washington-examiner\/"},"modified":"2025-07-21T21:44:54","modified_gmt":"2025-07-22T01:44:54","slug":"joe-concha-colberts-show-was-late-night-therapy-session-for-democrats-washington-examiner","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/joe-concha-colberts-show-was-late-night-therapy-session-for-democrats-washington-examiner\/","title":{"rendered":"Joe Concha: Colbert\u2019s show was \u2018late-night therapy session\u2019 for Democrats &#8211; Washington Examiner"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">26<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fjoe-concha-colberts-show-was-late-night-therapy-session-for-democrats-washington-examiner%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2465004&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Joe Concha of the Washington Examiner commented on the cancellation of *The Late Show with Stephen Colbert*, describing the show as a &#8220;late-night therapy session&#8221; for Democrats throughout the Trump administration years. Concha dismissed claims that the show&#8217;s cancellation was a free speech or political issue, emphasizing that the program had critically important financial losses-about $40 million annually-and that CBS, as a business, could not sustain such losses. He criticized the show&#8217;s large production budget and Colbert&#8217;s high salary, noting that the show&#8217;s ratings were far behind competitors like Greg Gutfeld.<\/p>\n<p>Concha highlighted the show&#8217;s clear Democratic bias, pointing out frequent appearances by prominent progressive figures such as Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren, and CNN personalities. He also remarked on the decline in The Late Show&#8217;s audience compared to the david Letterman era.Additionally, Concha discussed the uncertain future of Jon Stewart&#8217;s *The Daily Show* amid corporate changes and noted the homogeneity and predictability of left-leaning late-night shows like those hosted by Kimmel, Meyers, Stewart, and Colbert, labeling them &#8220;patently unfunny.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>He credited the rise of *Gutfeld!* to its fresh content and different approach that contrasts with the repetitive messaging of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/jimmy-kimmel-suggests-hes-ready-to-leave-late-night-tv-show\/\" title=\"Jimmy Kimmel hints at departure from late-... TV\">traditional late-night shows<\/a>. Separately,Concha touched on a viral incident known as the &#8220;Coldplay cam,&#8221; warning about the serious personal consequences for those involved in viral social media scandals.<\/p>\n<p>Concha framed Colbert&#8217;s show cancellation as a financially driven decision tied to its partisan slant and dwindling viewership rather than a matter of free speech or political persecution.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Joe Concha: Colbert&rsquo;s show was &lsquo;<a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >late-night therapy session&#038;rsquo<\/a>; for Democrats<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_1567697\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p><em>Washington Examine<\/em>r&rsquo;s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/in_focus\/3476348\/colberts-demise-comes-down-to-these-simple-things\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"Stephen Colbert\">Joe Concha<\/a> weighed in on the recent cancellation of <em>The Late Show with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/in_focus\/3476348\/colberts-demise-comes-down-to-these-simple-things\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"Stephen Colbert\">Stephen Colbert<\/a><\/em>, saying the program&rsquo;s end has deeply disappointed Democrats, having served as a &ldquo;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/entertainment\/3475239\/gutfeld-dominates-ratings-cbs-retires-the-late-show-with-stephen-colbert\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"late-night\">late-night<\/a> therapy session&rdquo; for them during the Trump years.<\/p>\n<p>Appearing Monday on Fox News&rsquo; <em>America Reports<\/em>, Concha rebuffed critics, including Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), who framed the show&rsquo;s cancellation as a First Amendment issue or a chilling effect on free speech.<\/p>\n<div class=\"recommended-stories\">\n<h2>Recommended Stories<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/entertainment\/3476657\/gutfeld-touts-washington-examiner-report-following-colbert-show-cancellation\/\">Gutfeld touts Washington Examiner report following Colbert show cancellation, slams Dems calling CBS decision political persecution<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/entertainment\/3476548\/trump-celebrates-stephen-colbert-show-cancellation\/\">Trump celebrates Stephen Colbert show cancellation: &#8216;I hear Jimmy Kimmel is next&#8217;<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/premium\/3470850\/my-600-lb-life-reality-tv-weight-loss\/\">What do we get out of watching &#8216;My 600-lb Life&#8217;?<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>&ldquo;Do you people live in the real world?&rdquo; Concha asked rhetorically. &ldquo;Last I checked, a one<a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/i-never-had-a-positive-male-influence-in-my-life-besides-rush-limbaugh-final-episode-of-rush-limbaugh-show-airs\/\" title=\"\u2018I Never Had A Positive Male Influence In My Life Besides Rush Limbaugh\u2019: Final Episode of \u2018Rush Limbaugh ...\u2019 Airs\">-hour talk show<\/a> should not need more than 100 staffers, and it shouldn&rsquo;t need a $130 million production budget. The host shouldn&rsquo;t be paid $20 million a year to finish a distant second to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/entertainment\/3476657\/gutfeld-touts-washington-examiner-report-following-colbert-show-cancellation\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"Greg Gutfeld\">Greg Gutfeld<\/a>.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<div style=\"width: 100%; max-width: 640px; max-height: 360px; min-width: 320px; min-height: 180px; overflow: hidden;\">\n<div style=\"position: relative; width: 100%; padding-top: 56.25%;\"><iframe src=\"https:\/\/share.grabien.com\/share?id=3041954&amp;userid=11311&amp;loginid=10455&amp;playercolor=%23000000&amp;playersize=auto&amp;code=76eaf2f2ccda9e171dbdb869d629f2cd\" style=\"position: absolute; top: 0px; left: 0px; width: 100%; height: 100%; border: 0px;\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Concha noted that <em>The Late Show<\/em> <em>with Stephen Colbert<\/em> had reportedly lost approximately $40 million a year, a figure he argued made the show&rsquo;s fate inevitable.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;CBS is in the business of making money, not hemorrhaging it,&rdquo; he said bluntly.<\/p>\n<p>He dismissed suggestions that the cancellation was political, adding that Colbert was consistently a platform for Democrats and progressive media personalities.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;When you provide a late-night therapy session for Democrats, like Stephen Colbert has over these years, I guess this is why they are so disappointed that this platform is going away,&rdquo; Concha said.<\/p>\n<p>He pointed to the show&rsquo;s guest lineup as evidence of partisan slant: Sen. Bernie Sanders (D-VT) appeared 21 times, Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) 16 times, and CNN hosts Anderson Cooper and Jake Tapper had a combined 32 appearances.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;This was a Democrat platform,&rdquo; Concha asserted, adding that Colbert&rsquo;s audience was &ldquo;a fraction&rdquo; of what it was under previous host David Letterman.<\/p>\n<p>Concha also commented on Jon Stewart&rsquo;s uncertain future at <em>The Daily Show<\/em>, especially in light of the pending Skydance&ndash;Paramount merger. Stewart, in a recent interview, said he hadn&rsquo;t heard anything from the new corporate leadership.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;I think he knows what&rsquo;s coming,&rdquo; Concha said. &ldquo;When that happens, probably the Jon Stewart show goes away, too. He&rsquo;s getting a fraction of the ratings he used to.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Concha criticized the homogenization of left-leaning late-night shows, such as<em> Jimmy Kimmel Live<\/em>, <em>Late Night with Seth Meyers<\/em>, <em>The Daily Show<\/em>, and<em> The Late Show<\/em>, saying, &ldquo;They&rsquo;re indistinguishable from each other, &hellip; predictable, and patently unfunny.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>That, he said, is why<a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/entertainment\/3460481\/fox-news-ratings-second-highest-in-history\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\" Gutfeld! has surged to the top of late-night ratings\"> <em>Gutfeld!<\/em> has surged to the top of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/6-reasons-gutfeld-is-late-night-tvs-biggest-surprise\/\" title=\"6 Reasons Gutfeld Is ... TV\u2019s Biggest Surprise\">late-night ratings<\/a><\/a>. &ldquo;He offers different kinds of guests and topics, not the same talking points for the DNC night after night.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>During the segment, Concha also commented on the viral &ldquo;Coldplay cam&rdquo; incident that has taken over social media, where a couple was caught on camera at a concert, sparking a frenzy of speculation about an affair and online shaming.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/in_focus\/3476348\/colberts-demise-comes-down-to-these-simple-things\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"COLBERT'S DEMISE COMES DOWN TO THESE SIMPLE THINGS\"><strong>COLBERT&rsquo;S DEMISE COMES DOWN TO THESE SIMPLE THINGS<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Concha noted that while the story captivated the internet, the personal fallout for those involved could be devastating.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;He&rsquo;s probably going to lose his wife, his kids may never look at him the same way again. There are consequences,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;If they didn&rsquo;t overreact that way, this thing doesn&rsquo;t go viral.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p> <script data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/cdn-cgi\/scripts\/5c5dd728\/cloudflare-static\/email-decode.min.js\"><\/script><script>!function(){var g=window;g.googletag=g.googletag||{},g.googletag.cmd=g.googletag.cmd||[],g.googletag.cmd.push(function(){g.googletag.pubads().setTargeting(\"has-featured-video\",\"true\")})}();<\/script><script>var _bp=_bp||[];_bp.push({\"div\":\"Brid_1567697\",\"obj\":{\"id\":\"27789\",\"width\":\"1280\",\"height\":\"720\",\"stickyDirection\":\"below\",\"video\":\"1567697\"}});<\/script><script defer src=\"https:\/\/services.brid.tv\/player\/build\/brid.min.js\"><\/script><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Joe Concha: Colbert&#8217;s show was &#8216;late-night therapy&#8217; for Dems<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2678,"featured_media":2465005,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Colbert.webp","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[52093,59628,38026],"class_list":["post-2465004","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-joe-concha","tag-late-night-tv-2","tag-stephen-colbert"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Colbert.webp","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2465004","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2678"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2465004"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2465004\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2465008,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2465004\/revisions\/2465008"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2465005"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2465004"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2465004"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2465004"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}