The FCC's renewed enforcement of the Equal Time rule—prompted by Chairman Brendan Carr—led CBS to pull a planned interview with Texas State Rep. James Talarico (D), a Democratic Senate candidate, from The Late Show with Stephen Colbert's broadcast.
Instead, LateNighter.com reports the full sit-down was posted to the show's YouTube channel, though Colbert was barred from sharing the link or a QR code on air.
During Monday night's episode, Colbert defied CBS lawyers' warnings not to discuss the matter and openly criticized the decision.
He explained that network lawyers directly instructed the show not to air Talarico, nor even mention the cancellation, citing the Equal Time rule. This FCC regulation requires broadcasters to offer equal opportunities to opposing candidates if one appears (outside bona fide news exemptions).Colbert mocked the rule as the FCC's "most time-honored" after the Super Bowl nipple ban and recapped Carr's January letter questioning exemptions for talk shows he claimed were "motivated by partisan purposes.
"In response, Colbert accused Carr—the Trump-appointed FCC chair—of partisan bias himself, quipping "FCC you" and calling the move an attempt to "Dutch oven" America's airwaves while silencing Trump critics.
He noted similar impacts on hosts like Jimmy Kimmel and highlighted Carr's suggestion that they move to cable, podcasts, or streaming if they dislike the rules—prompting Colbert to retort, "Great idea, Man Whose Job Is to Regulate Broadcast TV!"
Colbert sarcastically attributed CBS's preemptive enforcement to "purely financial reasons," even as no formal rule change has occurred—only Carr's letter signaling potential shifts and related probes (e.g., into ABC's The View for Talarico's appearance there).
He joked about restrictions barring him from interviewing Talarico, showing his picture, or even saying his name—then displayed Talarico's photo anyway, followed by a mock nude of Carr (censored by a cactus) as a stand-in for pulled material.
In the YouTube interview, Talarico argued the scrutiny stems from Trump fears of Texas flipping blue, accusing corporate media of trading First Amendment principles to favor corrupt politicians.Colbert deadpanned a "fact-check": his network insisted the cancellation was purely financial.