Jon Stewart Responds to Colbert’s Cancellation, Greg Gutfeld’s Rise, and the State of Late-Night Media

In a candid episode of The Weekly Show podcast, Daily Show host Jon Stewart offered a fiery yet thoughtful take on the evolving media landscape—from The Late Show’s upcoming cancellation to the surging success of Fox News’ Greg Gutfeld.

Stewart, a long-time veteran of political comedy and media criticism, didn’t hold back when asked by producer Brittany Mehmedovic about President Donald Trump’s influence over the FCC, the future of late-night shows with liberal leanings, and what Gutfeld’s ratings say about the cultural and political divide in America.

On the Cancellation of Colbert’s Late Show

Stewart weighed in on the news that CBS would end The Late Show with Stephen Colbert in May 2026. The network cited financial reasons for the decision, but speculation has swirled that the move was politically motivated. The timing of the announcement followed Paramount’s controversial $16 million settlement with Trump and its pending merger with Skydance—both matters requiring federal regulatory approval from the Trump administration.

One of the loudest critics of Colbert—and liberal media more broadly—has been FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr. Last month, Carr mocked Colbert’s cancellation on X, writing:

“The partisan left’s ritualist wailing and gnashing of teeth over Colbert is quite revealing. They’re acting like they’re losing a loyal DNC spokesperson that was entitled to an exemption from the laws of economics.”

Stewart called that line of thinking “illogical,” arguing that right-wing media personalities often define their identity in opposition to the very liberal media they celebrate seeing fail.

On Greg Gutfeld’s Ratings Dominance

Fox News’ Gutfeld! has undeniably shaken up the late-night world. For the second quarter of 2025, the show averaged 3.289 million viewers—surpassing every broadcast rival including Colbert (2.417M), Kimmel (1.772M), and Fallon (1.188M).

Stewart acknowledged Gutfeld’s dominance but took issue with how it’s being interpreted.

“That’s how Fox is popular,” he said. “They all talk about, ‘Gutfeld’s the most popular.’ Yeah. He’s not popular because he’s a both-sides guy. He’s not a fair-use, ‘let’s look at the full context’ guy. He’s relentless.”

He added that Gutfeld’s appeal stems from his role in reinforcing a narrative for viewers already immersed in Fox’s brand of commentary:

“After a day of watching Fox News and being bathed in their very purposeful propaganda, it’s a great way to top off the night.”

Gutfeld’s rise as a ratings powerhouse has been celebrated in conservative circles, with some comparing his blend of anti-left humor and cultural commentary to Bill Maher’s early HBO days—albeit with a harder partisan edge.

On Right-Wing Media’s “Business Model”

Stewart went further, criticizing conservative influencers who claim to fight “liberal media bias” while profiting off the very opposition they claim to reject:

“The whole thing is f***ing ridiculous. If you look at the social media profiles of all the people that complain about the left-wing bias, they’re all right-wing influencers. Their entire economy is based on how willing they are to attack and defame and to crush liberals.”

He argued that figures like Gutfeld—and right-wing media more broadly—build careers off the existence of progressive voices, not despite them.

On the Fate of The Daily Show

With Paramount—the parent company of both CBS and Comedy Central—making big strategic moves and cutting high-profile shows like The Late Show, questions have surfaced about the future of The Daily Show, especially with Stewart back in the host seat (at least weekly) since 2024.

But Stewart said he’s not losing sleep over it.

“Unfortunately, we haven’t heard anything from [Paramount]. They haven’t called me and said, ‘Don’t get too comfortable in that office, Stewart,’” he joked. “But let me tell you something, I’ve been kicked out of s***tier establishments than that. We’ll land on our feet. I honestly don’t know.”

That blend of cynicism and calm confidence reflects Stewart’s signature approach—calling out absurdities with sharp humor, while acknowledging the bigger systemic shifts in the media industry.

What It All Means

The broader implications of Stewart’s comments speak to a larger question: What is the role of late-night TV—and political satire—when the media landscape is splintering and streaming services, social media, and partisan news have fractured audiences?

If The Late Show‘s cancellation signals that liberal-leaning late-night comedy is no longer “profitable” enough, what comes next? And if conservative commentators continue to define their success by the left’s supposed failure, are we headed for a culture where media is just a reflection of tribal loyalty, not dialogue?

For now, Stewart’s position is clear: late-night isn’t dying, it’s transforming—and its future will depend on whether it can evolve with an audience that demands more than just partisanship.

And in typical Stewart fashion, if The Daily Show is next on the chopping block?

“We’ll land on our feet.”

No matter where the industry goes next, it’s clear: Stewart—and the media commentary he champions—isn’t going anywhere quietly.