Bill Maher, never one to mince words, unleashed a devastating critique of Stephen Colbert, following reports of Colbert’s firing from CBS after a shocking $40 million loss. In an impassioned segment, Maher didn’t just touch on Colbert’s departure—he completely dismantled his legacy, blaming Colbert’s obsession with Trump for the collapse of his late-night show and his alienation of half the country. Maher’s comments, sharp as always, were not just a commentary on Colbert’s political approach but a full-scale takedown of his brand of comedy.

Maher’s Relentless Critique: From Comedy to Propaganda

The core of Maher’s critique focused on Colbert’s transformation from a comedian into a political mouthpiece. Maher’s main complaint? Colbert had turned his once iconic late-night platform into an ideological echo chamber that catered exclusively to the progressive left. According to Maher, Colbert’s obsessive focus on Trump and his anti-conservative rants did nothing but divide audiences and strip his show of its original purpose—comedy.

As Maher sees it, late-night TV should be a space where viewers can laugh, not be lectured. But Colbert’s relentless partisan politics, Maher argues, turned his show into a megaphone for leftist ideology. “Comedy is supposed to punch in all directions,” Maher said, criticizing Colbert’s one-sided approach. “Instead, Colbert became predictable, and in comedy, predictability is death.” The essence of Colbert’s downfall, according to Maher, was his failure to balance humor with the diversity of thought that late-night TV once thrived on.

A Hostile Relationship with the ‘Woke’ Left

Maher, who has always made a point of challenging both sides of the political spectrum, also expressed his discontent with the current state of late-night comedy. “I long for the days when late-night shows were just meant to entertain, not indoctrinate,” he lamented. His frustration with the “woke” movement that has taken over late-night TV is palpable. He sees hosts like Colbert, Jimmy Kimmel, and others as falling into line with the cultural and political narratives that the media and entertainment industries want to push, rather than questioning those very narratives.

For Maher, Colbert’s fall from grace is part of a broader trend in the media world, where comedians and public figures are expected to conform to a specific political ideology, often at the expense of their authenticity. The comedian, who has often prided himself on being independent of partisan pressures, accused Colbert of failing to challenge his own side, and in doing so, he alienated a significant portion of his audience. “You gave the machine what it wanted,” Maher said, referring to Colbert’s constant pandering to the left, and as a result, Colbert’s once-beloved show became a shadow of its former self.

Colbert’s Firing: The Inevitable Business Decision

The final blow to Colbert came when CBS reportedly decided to part ways with him after an unsustainable $40 million loss. Maher didn’t hold back in pointing out the financial reality of the situation. “You get a $100 million budget, but you lose $40 million a year. That’s a recipe for getting fired,” Maher quipped. He pointed out the irony of Colbert’s success, noting that it wasn’t the comedy or the laughs that kept him employed, but rather his ability to serve as a mouthpiece for the establishment. “You weren’t hired for comedy,” Maher said, “you were hired to parrot the machine’s message.”

The root cause of Colbert’s financial downfall, according to Maher, wasn’t just poor ratings, but the loss of the essence of what made late-night TV great in the first place—genuine, cross-the-board satire. Instead, Colbert’s brand of comedy became predictable, partisan, and divisive. The show, once a late-night staple, became little more than a political platform.

John Stewart’s Support: The Hypocrisy Exposed

After news broke of Colbert’s firing, Jon Stewart, Colbert’s former mentor and long-time friend, jumped to his defense, accusing CBS of caving to political pressure in an attempt to secure support for their $8 billion merger. Stewart’s impassioned reaction was expected, given his close ties to Colbert, but Maher was less than impressed. He criticized Stewart for his performative outrage, pointing out the hypocrisy in his actions. Despite claiming to be upset by Colbert’s firing, Stewart didn’t step down from his lucrative role at The Daily Show, which is under the same corporate umbrella as Colbert’s show.

Maher pointed out Stewart’s failure to put his money where his mouth is, saying that while Stewart’s anger was dramatic, it didn’t translate into real action. He could have made a bold statement by resigning in protest, but instead, he opted for theatrics and kept collecting his paycheck. This, for Maher, is exactly what’s wrong with the current state of media and entertainment—outrage without accountability.

The Dangers of Blind Partisanship

In one of his more poignant moments, Maher warned against the dangers of letting emotion dictate one’s views, especially when it comes to politics and media. “Emotions can blind you from ever seeing any good in your opponent, just as blind love can keep you from recognizing the bad,” he said, advising Colbert to rise above the tribal noise and think critically, instead of reacting emotionally. Maher argued that true maturity and intellectual honesty require the ability to think beyond party lines and remain open to different perspectives.

For Maher, the key to maintaining integrity in the media is staying level-headed and avoiding the trap of partisan extremism. Whether you’re a conservative or a liberal, the goal should be to foster meaningful dialogue, not to drown out opposing views. Maher suggested that this balance is what sets him apart from Colbert—he values debate, whereas Colbert turned his platform into a stage for blind agreement and partisan propaganda.

Conclusion: A Shift in Late-Night TV

As Colbert’s career seemingly comes to an end at CBS, Maher’s critique underscores a larger shift in the media landscape. The days of late-night television as a space for light-hearted fun and universal satire seem to be over, replaced by a more polarized and ideological approach. Colbert, who once had the ability to make both sides laugh, has lost that ability, choosing instead to preach to his progressive base while alienating those with differing views.

Maher’s words remind us of the importance of maintaining a sense of balance in comedy, media, and politics. When entertainment becomes a tool for one-sided political messaging, it loses its value as a unifying force. The decline of Colbert’s show may be a warning for others in the industry—if you let partisan politics dominate, the audience will eventually tune out. The question remains: will late-night TV return to its roots, or will it continue down this path of predictable, partisan comedy? Only time will tell.