Stephen Colbert’s “Late Show” has transformed into a platform for liberal discourse, described by some as a “therapy session” for left-leaning viewers, according to a recent analysis.
Since 2022, the show has featured 176 guests with leftist leanings, while only one Republican made an appearance. This stark contrast has been noted in the latest findings from a media watchdog.
In the first half of this year alone, Colbert hosted 43 guests aligned with liberal ideologies, with no conservatives in sight, marking a significant partisan imbalance among late-night programs.
“Colbert’s show has been late-night group therapy for liberals,” remarked a managing editor from the watchdog organization. “Americans have shown they no longer have the time or patience for such partisan sneering masquerading as comedy.”
The guest list included prominent Democratic figures such as Chuck Schumer and Elizabeth Warren, alongside liberal journalists like Chris Hayes and John Oliver. The only conservative voice since 2022 was former Rep. Liz Cheney, who engaged in a heated exchange with Colbert last December.
Cheney, known for her vocal opposition to Donald Trump, has campaigned alongside Kamala Harris during the 2024 election cycle. Her presence on the show was a rare instance of conservative representation.
Colbert also welcomed Adam Kinzinger earlier this year, but his criticisms of Trump led to his exclusion from the conservative count in the study.
The timing of the study’s release coincided with CBS announcing plans to cancel “The Late Show” in May 2026, citing significant financial losses as the primary reason.
Just days before the announcement, Colbert criticized CBS’s parent company for settling a defamation lawsuit with Trump, which raised eyebrows regarding the motivations behind the cancellation.
Some CBS employees expressed concern over the decision, describing it as “chilling,” while others pointed to the show’s substantial budget and ongoing losses as indicators of its unsustainable model.
“Year after year, this show has been defined by unrepentant sneering and visceral hatred for more than half the country,” said the managing editor. “With declining linear TV subscribers, Paramount had no choice.”
The study tracked 511 liberal guests across late-night television since 2022, compared to just 14 conservatives. It analyzed five major late-night hosts, revealing a significant leftward tilt in guest selections.
In early 2025, “The Daily Show” featured 32 left-leaning guests, while other hosts like Jimmy Kimmel and Seth Meyers had far fewer. Notably, only one conservative appeared across these shows.
Policy expert Oren Cass noted that while he appreciated Jon Stewart’s open-mindedness on “The Daily Show,” Colbert seemed more focused on reinforcing a specific worldview rather than engaging in balanced discourse.
Colbert remains on air until next spring, while competitors like Kimmel and Fallon continue their contracts through 2028. Meanwhile, Steve Bannon has called for investigations into late-night television production companies for potential illegal campaign contributions.
“This is a deeply ingrained pattern of criminal behavior to assist the Democratic Party,” he stated, suggesting that Colbert’s financial losses could reach $500 million as part of this trend.
