Stephen Colbert Unleashes Fury on CBS Over Alleged Censorship
In a fiery monologue on Monday night, "Late Show" host Stephen Colbert launched a scorching attack on his network, CBS, accusing it of bowing to Federal Communications Commission (FCC) threats by canceling a scheduled interview. The interview was with Texas state Representative and U.S. Senate candidate James Talarico, a Democrat.
"He was supposed to be here, but we were told in no uncertain terms by our network’s lawyers ― who called us directly ― that we could not have him on the broadcast," Colbert stated emphatically during the show. He implied that CBS executives made the decision to spike the segment due to pressure from regulatory bodies, highlighting a clash over editorial freedom and corporate compliance.
Anderson Cooper Announces Departure from 60 Minutes After Two Decades
In a separate but significant development at CBS, veteran journalist Anderson Cooper revealed he is planning to leave the iconic news program "60 Minutes" after nearly 20 years as a correspondent. Cooper cited family reasons for his decision, emphasizing his desire to spend more time with his young children.
"Being a correspondent at 60 Minutes has been one of the great honors of my career. I got to tell amazing stories, and work with some of the best producers, editors, and camera crews in the business. For nearly twenty years, I've been able to balance my jobs at CNN and CBS, but I have little kids now and I want to spend as much time with them as possible, while they still want to spend time with me," Cooper said in an official statement released on Monday.
The news was first reported by media newsletter Breaker. CBS News responded with a statement expressing gratitude for Cooper's contributions and leaving the door open for a potential return. "We're grateful to him for dedicating so much of his life to this broadcast, and understand the importance of spending more time with family. 60 Minutes will be here if he ever wants to return," the network said.
Cooper's Legacy and Future Plans
During his tenure at 60 Minutes, Cooper earned two Emmy Awards in 2017 for his outstanding work. His final segment, airing this Sunday, features an interview with renowned documentary filmmaker Ken Burns. Despite leaving the CBS program, Cooper will remain fully employed at CNN, where he continues to anchor "Anderson Cooper 360" nightly and hosts a podcast and streaming show titled "All There Is."
Cooper's decision not to renew his contract marks the first major on-air change at 60 Minutes since conservative commentator Bari Weiss took over as editor-in-chief of CBS News, signaling a potential shift in the network's editorial direction.
Other News: Tragic Shooting at Youth Hockey Game
In unrelated news, a shooting during a youth hockey game in Rhode Island on Monday night resulted in three fatalities, including the suspect, and left three others hospitalized in critical condition. According to Pawtucket Police Chief Tina Goncalves, the violent incident was brought to a swift end when an individual intervened to subdue the shooter, who was attending the game to watch a family member. The shooter died from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound, with authorities continuing their investigation into the tragic event.
