This video dives deep into Bill Maher’s scathing critique of Stephen Colbert, following reports of Colbert’s alleged firing from CBS due to a staggering $40 million annual financial loss. Maher, known for his unfiltered commentary, attributes Colbert’s show’s decline to what he terms “Trump derangement syndrome” and a relentless embrace of partisan politics, arguing that late-night television has fundamentally shifted from genuine entertainment to ideological indoctrination.

Maher doesn’t mince words, accusing Colbert of abandoning his core role as a comedian and rebranding himself as a “shameless mouthpiece for the left.” He contends that Colbert transformed a once-iconic late-night platform into a megaphone for “woke orthodoxy,” devoid of nuance, balance, or independent thought. In Maher’s view, Colbert traded authentic comedy for political preaching, delivering sermons to a progressive choir and leaving no room for diverse perspectives.

The video highlights the long-standing, palpable tension between Maher and Colbert, noting that despite operating in similar media circles and even having appeared on Colbert’s show, the two have never been friends. Maher, while identifying as a liberal, emphasizes that he is “no loyalist” and is willing to call out his own side when he believes they “go off the rails,” a stark contrast to Colbert’s perceived unwavering allegiance. Maher also suggests that Colbert’s carefully constructed public persona is merely a “performance wrapped in applause,” where everything, from the laughs to the audience reactions, is meticulously choreographed to support a predetermined narrative rather than reflecting genuine authenticity. Unlike Maher’s Real Time, where he routinely challenges his audience and isn’t afraid to be booed for speaking uncomfortable truths, Colbert’s show, according to Maher, comes across more like political theater than genuine satire.

The financial aspect of Colbert’s alleged firing is a central focus. The video details that despite a jaw-dropping $100 million annual budget, Colbert’s show was reportedly bleeding $40 to $50 million a year. This ultimately led CBS to make the “obvious business decision” to pull the plug. Dave Rubin is quoted, sharply pointing out that the larger question isn’t just the losses, but why Colbert was given such an exorbitant budget in the first place. The video posits that the budget wasn’t for groundbreaking comedy but rather to echo whatever narrative the establishment desired to push, citing Colbert’s role in promoting the COVID vaccine and dismissing the Hunter Biden laptop story.

The video also covers Jon Stewart’s furious reaction to Colbert’s firing, with Stewart publicly lashing out at Paramount (CBS’s parent company). Stewart accused the network of shamelessly kowtowing to Donald Trump in pursuit of an $8 billion merger, allegedly prioritizing political expediency over preserving Colbert’s late-night legacy. Stewart, who played a pivotal role in launching Colbert’s late-night career, saw the decision as deeply personal. However, Megan Kelly offers a sharp counter-critique, labeling Stewart’s outrage as “performative.” She notes that while many expected Stewart to take a principled stand, perhaps even resigning from The Daily Show (which shares the same Paramount umbrella), he instead opted for a “cringe-worthy song and dance routine,” choosing the “safety of his paycheck and the comfort of celebrity” over showing genuine solidarity with his long-time friend and protégé.

The video concludes by observing that the outrage over Colbert’s firing is coming almost entirely from the left, while the right’s “silence speaks volumes.” This, it argues, highlights just how far Colbert had strayed from universal comedy and into partisan activism. By turning his show into a “political megaphone” rather than a late-night escape, he alienated half the country, leading to a steady decline in ratings. The ultimate downfall of Colbert’s show is presented as a consequence of trading humor for sermons, punchlines for politics, and drifting from an entertainer to a polarizing, agenda-driven partisan voice. The video’s final message is clear: comedy is meant to challenge, not conform, and when it becomes predictable and polarizing, audiences will inevitably tune out.