The Rise of Greg Gutfeld: How Stephen Colbert’s Fall Marked the End of an Era in Late-Night TV

It was supposed to be a quiet transition, another chapter in the ever-changing landscape of late-night television. But on the night of June 2025, something seismic happened that no one saw coming: The Late Show with Stephen Colbert was abruptly canceled, leaving the entertainment world stunned. In its place, a rising star emerged in the form of Greg Gutfeld and his edgy, unpredictable late-night show on Fox News. What was once considered a joke—a conservative late-night talk show—had turned into the most-watched late-night program, dethroning Colbert in the blink of an eye. The king had fallen, and a new order was rising.

The End of Colbert’s Era: A Silent Farewell

For nearly a decade, Stephen Colbert had been the undisputed ruler of late-night television. Known for his sharp wit, biting satire, and fearless political commentary, Colbert became the voice of a generation during the tumultuous Trump years. His monologues were more than just jokes; they were emotional catharses for viewers, a way to cope with the madness of the political world.

But as the political landscape shifted, so did the mood of the nation. The urgency that once fueled Colbert’s nightly rants began to fade. The laughs became quieter, and his edge started to dull. The network executives noticed. Ratings began to drop. But what happened next shocked the entire television industry.

CBS, which had stood by Colbert for nearly a decade, made the stunning decision to pull the plug on The Late Show without fanfare. There was no grand farewell, no tribute to the legend. Just a cold, businesslike press release and a sudden, unexplained silence from the network. Colbert’s show was no more.

The question that followed was simple: Why? The official story cited ratings fatigue, shifting demographics, and the changing nature of television as reasons for the cancellation. But there was something deeper—a sense that Colbert’s voice, once so powerful and necessary, had simply lost its resonance with audiences.

Enter Greg Gutfeld: The Unlikely Challenger

As CBS mourned the end of an era, a new contender was already rising—Greg Gutfeld, the unlikely late-night host on Fox News. When Gutfeld! was first announced, many in the media world laughed it off. Fox News was home to hard news and opinions, not comedy. Gutfeld, known for his panel shows, was not a traditional late-night figure. But something about Gutfeld! clicked.

Unlike Colbert, who built his reputation on sarcastic political humor aimed at liberal targets, Gutfeld took a different approach. His comedy was irreverent, unpredictable, and often biting, targeting both sides of the political aisle. He was not afraid to mock the powerful, but he also took aim at the elitist establishment within his own ranks. His humor wasn’t just about punching up—it was about punching across, at everyone. It was fresh, it was bold, and it spoke directly to an audience that felt left behind by the mainstream media.

Over time, Gutfeld! began to steadily climb in the ratings. It was the tortoise to Colbert’s hare—slow, persistent, and completely underestimated. But in 2025, it happened: Greg Gutfeld surged ahead, overtaking Colbert’s The Late Show to become the top late-night talk show in America.

Why CBS Might Regret Letting Colbert Go

As the news of The Late Show’s cancellation spread, many began questioning whether CBS had made a grave mistake. The network’s reasons for ending Colbert’s run, while plausible on the surface, seemed to ignore the bigger picture: the cultural shift in American media.

Colbert’s relationship with his audience had once been a perfect match. His humor resonated deeply with a public exhausted by political chaos. But as the political climate evolved, so did the needs of the late-night audience. The problem wasn’t just Colbert’s fading edge—it was the saturation of political humor and the desire for something different. Colbert’s show had become predictable, caught in a loop of anti-Trump jokes and liberal talking points. And just like that, Gutfeld! swooped in with a fresh, irreverent approach that felt authentic to a new generation of viewers.

One anonymous media executive put it bluntly: “Letting Colbert go may go down as one of the worst strategic blunders in recent network history.”

Gutfeld’s Unlikely Rise: A New Era of Late-Night Television

So why did Gutfeld! succeed where Colbert’s show faltered? The answer is simple: audience fatigue with the old late-night format and the desire for something bold. Gutfeld’s show wasn’t about catering to the political elite or playing it safe. It was about irreverence, humor, and challenging the system from the inside out.

In a country where division has become the norm, Gutfeld! resonated with an audience that felt ignored by traditional media. The show’s success isn’t just about its humor—it’s about its authenticity. Gutfeld didn’t just entertain; he gave a voice to the silent majority who felt disconnected from the coastal elites and the mainstream narrative.

A New Era of Late-Night TV: The Death of Political Comedy?

With the rise of Gutfeld!, the late-night landscape is undergoing a radical transformation. It’s no longer just about sharp wit and satire aimed at the powerful. It’s about inclusivity—laughing at everyone, not just the political figures on the left or right. In many ways, this reflects the changing nature of comedy in America, where humor is used as both a weapon and a tool of unity.

As streaming platforms like Netflix and YouTube experiment with new formats, the traditional late-night model has become outdated. The future of late-night television isn’t about staying in the safe zone of political banter. It’s about reaching the middle ground—appealing to a more diverse, fractured audience and finding humor in shared experiences, not just in political battles.

The Collapse of Old Alliances: The End of Late-Night as We Know It?

With Colbert’s departure, we’re seeing the end of an era for late-night television. Jimmy Fallon and Jimmy Kimmel, once heavyweights in the industry, are now facing a decline in viewership, struggling to keep pace with the changing tides. The old alliances, forged between networks and the political establishment, are now crumbling.

For many, this shift marks the beginning of a new chapter in late-night television. The reliance on legacy hosts and familiar faces is gone. The future is about diverse voices and new perspectives—voices like Greg Gutfeld, who aren’t afraid to challenge the norms and rewrite the rules.

The Power of Humor: Why ‘Gutfeld!’ Matters

In many ways, Gutfeld! is more than just a late-night show. It’s a statement—a revolution in the making. It’s about disrupting the status quo and taking risks in a world that feels increasingly polarized. It’s about finding unity in humor, even when the political divisions seem insurmountable.

In a country where political discourse has become increasingly toxic, Gutfeld’s humor offers a much-needed reprieve, a space where people can laugh at themselves and at the absurdity of politics—without taking everything too seriously.

Conclusion: What Happens Next for Late-Night TV?

The death of The Late Show and the rise of Gutfeld! signal a seismic shift in the media landscape. The old late-night order is gone, and with it, the political battles that dominated the conversation for the past decade. What’s emerging is something fresh, edgier, and, above all, more inclusive—a late-night world where the rules are being rewritten, and everyone is fair game.

So, as Colbert’s era fades into history, one thing is certain: Greg Gutfeld is the future of late-night television. Whether you love him or hate him, he’s playing by his own rules—and in the world of television, that’s the most powerful thing of all. The stage is set, and the audience has spoken. The next chapter of late-night TV is here, and it’s going to be anything but predictable.

The era of safe political comedy is over—and the era of unfiltered, bold humor has begun. Buckle up, America. The game has changed.