James Carville broke ranks with fellow Democrats on Thursday, offering a more grounded take on why CBS canceled The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.
Appearing on Jesse Watters Primetime, Carville said the cancellation might not be political at all. “It might have been a purely economic decision. I don’t know that, to tell you the truth, Jesse,” he told the host.
Carville emphasized that viewer habits have changed dramatically. “People just don’t watch [late-night TV] like they used to,” he said. “The media landscape changes.”
While Carville downplayed the political angle, many Democrats are claiming censorship. Sen. Chris Murphy blamed Trump, suggesting the move came in retaliation for Colbert’s criticism of an $8.4 billion Trump-linked settlement.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries called Colbert a “political martyr,” while Sen. Bernie Sanders called the timing “suspicious” and praised Colbert as “an extraordinary talent.”
CBS parent company Paramount insists the move was about money. The network cited a 40% drop in ad revenue since 2018.
Colbert’s ratings also tell the story — down from 3.1 million viewers in 2018 to 1.9 million by May 2025.
Whatever the reason, Carville’s take stands out: maybe this isn’t about politics. Maybe it’s just business.