The cancellation of Stephen Colbert’s “Late Show” may do more harm than taking the show off the air.
According to “The View” co-host Sunny Hostin, it could trigger the “dismantling of our Constitution.”
Hostin spoke about the show’s cancellation and its impact on Tuesday’s show, Fox News reported.
CBS said the decision was a “purely financial decision,” — an answer “The View’s” panel was not buying. If it was politically motivated, it could mean the “dismantling of our democracy. This is the dismantling of our Constitution,” Hostin said.
“My concern is, if it is political, then everyone should be concerned. People on the right should be concerned. People on the left should be concerned. Because it’s very clear that, if it is political, this is the dismantling of our democracy. This is the dismantling of our Constitution. Right?” Hostin said.
She pointed out its effect on the First Amendment.
“The First Amendment is the First Amendment for a reason and that is freedom of the press, freedom of speech,” Hostin said. “Freedom to speak truth to power. If that is taken away, if the comedians are being attacked, then that means our Constitution is being dismantled… That means the very rubric of our democracy is being dismantled. And I think every single person should be really, really concerned about it.”
The last “The Late Show” episode will air in May.
“We must protect our Constitution and we must protect our democracy! This is bigger than just the cancellation of a television show!” Hostin said.
Last week’s announcement came after Colbert criticized the recent settlement between Paramount and President Donald Trump. Colbert called it a “big fat bribe.” Trump was suing CBS over an interview “60 Minutes” did with then-Vice President Kamala Harris.
Co-host Joy Behar said Trump was to blame for Colbert’s cancellation. She also voiced concern for comedians.
“It’s always been the role of the court jester to make fun of the king. That is the role of comedians. I have said on this show, I think I said it years ago, when they start coming for the comedian, all bets are off, because the king is supposed to take the hits and this guy has a skin thinner than, I don’t know, than this card,” Behar said, as she held one up.
