The recent uproar over Stephen Colbert left Americans with a false impression.
A network TV host said CBS’ cancellation of The Late Show could mark “the dismantling of our democracy” and the Constitution. But what it really shows is the need to dismantle something. I explain in the new episode of They Stand Corrected. (Find it everywhere.)
News coverage of CBS’ announcement quickly fell into the “drama triangle,” which casts people or institutions as victims, villains, and heroes.
In that simplistic paradigm, Trump and CBS corporate powers were the villains; Colbert and CBS News the victims; and everyone supporting Colbert, like his fellow comedians, became the heroes. (In this episode, you’ll hear a painful musical take led by Jon Stewart.)
But that whitewashes CBS News, which has become a disaster. This story involves a Kamala Harris interview, a $16 million settlement CBS made to Trump, a giant corporate merger, and the dangers of egomania. It also involves CBS News platforming Russian propaganda, throwing its own anchor under the bus to appease bigots, and grandstanding at 60 Minutes.
Learn more in the episode. I’ll also write more about it here soon, and get you links for additional background. So if you haven’t yet, be sure to subscribe.
Also in the new episode:
What a new study finds about Americans getting news from comedians
Patton Oswalt is right
Has Colbert become what he satirized?
John Oliver gets fact checked on trans issues
Jon Stewart and a guest produce the stuff of nightmares
Have thoughts, questions, feedback, or links you want me to fact check? Paid subscribers can message me or post in the comments here. Everyone else can find a form at my website.