Jon Stewart delivered a scathing on-air rebuke of CBS and its parent company, Paramount Global, on Monday’s episode of “The Daily Show.”
Jon Stewart delivered a scathing on-air rebuke of CBS and its parent company, Paramount Global, on Monday’s episode of “The Daily Show,” blasting the network’s decision to cancel “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” and accusing executives of capitulating to political pressure from President Trump.
Stewart, whose shows airs on the Comedy Central cable channel that is also owned by Paramount Global, cited the $8 billion merger between Paramount and Skydance Media as one of the factors that led to the decision to axe the show, which had been hemorrhaging tens of millions of dollars annually.
Stewart, joined by NBC “Tonight Show” host Jimmy Fallon, “Late Night with Seth Meyers” host Seth Meyers, “Daily Show” alum and HBO star John Oliver, and former “Saturday Night Live” star Adam Sandler made a cameo at the Ed Sullivan Theater where Colbert’s show is filmed and offered their support for the star.
Stewart said that the merger, which is awaiting federal approval, would not have been possible without CBS programs like “The Late Show” since it made the Tiffany Network valuable as a property.
“Shows that say something, shows that take a stand, shows that are unafraid — this is not a ‘We speak truth to power.’ We don’t,” said Stewart, who last week addressed speculation that Colbert would be canceled.
“We speak opinions to television cameras. But we try. We f–king try, every night.”
“And if you believe, as corporations or as networks, you can make yourself so innocuous that you can serve a gruel so flavorless that you will never again be on the boy king’s radar — a.) why will anyone watch you? And you are f–king wrong,” he added.
His profanity-laden monologue culminated in a performance with a church choir chanting, “sack the f–k up” or “go f–k yourself.”
Because Comedy Central airs on cable, the segment was uncensored and not subject to network profanity regulations. Paramount and Comedy Central did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
The Post has also sought comment from Skydance and CBS.
Later that night, Colbert also responded during his own show, echoing Stewart’s anger and directing his own “go f–k yourself” at Trump, who had celebrated the program’s cancellation.
