Colbert and the slow death of dissent

A closer look at what really ended Colbert’s run — and what it says about comedy, corporations, and cowardice.

I’ve argued before that hosting The Colbert Report was one of the most incredible feats in comedy/television that's ever occurred. He carried the entire thing, every night, in character FLAWLESSLY – even the improv riffs during the Q&A’s were gold.

I can only imagine how exhausting that gig musta been. Tons of late night hosts go mad even when they have support filling air time (e.g. a sidekick, correspondents, musical performances, etc). Colbert was just solo on the high wire the whole time.

And then there was that in-character White House Correspondents Dinner performance where he mocked Bush to his face.

Legendary. Like Hollywood said to Maverick:

After that, he went to CBS (owned by Paramount), dropped the mask, and did the Ed Sullivan theater thing. Until now…

So was CBS’ move financially driven (the show was losing money) or politically motivated (Colbert routinely mocks 47 and, more recently, CBS for kowtowing to him)?