When late-night TV feels like it’s under siege, Stephen Colbert knows how to fight back — not just as himself, but as his old alter ego. On Thursday’s Late Show, Colbert resurrected his iconic Colbert Report character, the blustery conservative pundit who once ruled Comedy Central, to weigh in on the suspension of Jimmy Kimmel Live! and the broader fight over free speech.
Cue the bald eagle screech.
“Hello, nation,” he declared, slipping seamlessly into the persona. “Daddy’s home.”
A Throwback Weapon: “The Word”
Colbert’s faux pundit wasted no time reviving one of his most beloved bits: “The Word.” As always, the gag paired the host’s satirical commentary with a side-chyron of snarky contradictions. This time, the segment zeroed in on what Colbert called America’s “free-speech crisis” in the wake of Kimmel’s abrupt removal from ABC’s airwaves.
His solution? A parody of surrender.
“To get us out of this crisis, we should all just…not say anything,” Colbert deadpanned. “Certainly not aloud.”
Then came the kicker on the First Amendment:
“You can have your rights just as long as you don’t use them.”
[Chyron: “Like a gym membership.”]
The segment ended with the faux-Colbert urging the nation to throw in the towel entirely:
“Give up, America. Just give up and stop saying anything that might upset the president. If you think that’s a terrible idea, no you don’t.”
Why Now?
Colbert’s satirical resurrection comes amid the ongoing controversy around Jimmy Kimmel. ABC suspended Jimmy Kimmel Live! indefinitely after the host’s monologue mocked MAGA Republicans for trying to distance themselves ideologically from Tyler Robinson, the alleged assassin of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
Kimmel’s joke — suggesting Republicans were scrambling to avoid political fallout while still using the tragedy to score points — quickly sparked backlash. Some affiliates, particularly those owned by Nexstar and Sinclair, balked at airing future episodes. Pressure escalated after FCC Chair Brendan Carr urged broadcasters to push back on Disney programming that “falls short of community values.” Within days, ABC pulled the plug.
The result has been a free-speech flashpoint for late-night TV, one Colbert is clearly unwilling to ignore.
Colbert, Stewart, and the Old Guard Rally
Colbert isn’t the only late-night veteran to come to Kimmel’s defense.
Jon Stewart, back in The Daily Show chair part-time, dedicated an entire episode this week to the controversy, framing it as a case study in political censorship. His guest, Nobel laureate Maria Ressa, expanded the conversation to the global fight against authoritarian pressure on media.
Jimmy Fallon on NBC and Seth Meyers on Late Night have both chimed in, with Meyers warning that “comedy can’t survive if it’s only allowed to be polite.”
Prominent politicians including Gavin Newsom and Barack Obama have condemned Kimmel’s suspension, further fueling the debate over government influence in broadcasting.
Colbert’s choice to revive his old character adds another layer: a symbolic reminder of how satire has always been one of the first targets when speech is under pressure.
Guests Turn Serious
Colbert’s Late Show guests Thursday night underscored the seriousness of the topic. CNN anchor Jake Tapper and New Yorker editor David Remnick both blasted Disney for bowing to political interference.
Tapper accused Disney of “acquiescing to power,” while Remnick warned that giving in to this kind of pressure sets “a dangerous precedent that chills speech far beyond late-night monologues.”
Nostalgia Meets Urgency
For longtime fans, the return of Colbert’s character was a nostalgic jolt. The Colbert Report, which ran from 2005 to 2014, made “Stephen Colbert” the satirical embodiment of conservative punditry. His signature segments — The Word, eagle screeches, chest-thumping patriotism — were equal parts parody and critique of how political narratives are shaped.
But Thursday’s revival wasn’t just for laughs. It was a statement about how much the stakes have risen. By dusting off the old character, Colbert reminded viewers that satire thrives only when speech is free — and that comedy itself can be a form of resistance.
The Bigger Picture
Late-night comedy is in a fragile place. Colbert’s own Late Show is slated to end in May 2026, part of CBS’s restructuring amid the Paramount–Skydance merger. Ratings across the genre have softened as audiences shift to digital clips. And political scrutiny of late-night — once a quirky sideshow — now feels like a central battle in the culture wars.
By defending Kimmel and lampooning censorship, Colbert positioned himself once again as one of the genre’s most fearless defenders.
Conclusion: A Defiant “Daddy’s Home”
Thursday’s episode of The Late Show was more than a nostalgic gag — it was Colbert rallying his audience to recognize what’s at stake. By stepping back into his old persona, he not only entertained but delivered a warning: when comedians are silenced, it’s not just about ratings or networks. It’s about the health of democracy itself.
As Colbert’s faux pundit told his audience:
“Give up, America. Just give up.”
It was satire, of course — but also a challenge. The unspoken message? If America wants to keep its sense of humor, it can’t afford to.
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