Common Sense Media Review
By Kari Croop
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Razor-sharp sampler of celebs, politics, and pop culture.
Parents Need to Know
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Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
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The Late Show with Stephen Colbert
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 48 parent reviews
Parents say the show has received significant criticism for its lack of true comedy, with many viewers feeling that it primarily focuses on making fun of political figures, particularly Donald Trump, rather than providing humorous content. Critics describe it as biased political propaganda that fails to deliver laughs, with jokes becoming repetitive and often disrespectful, leaving audiences feeling frustrated and disappointed.
- political focus
- not funny
- repetitive content
- disrespectful tone
- biased perspective
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
Based on 11 kid reviews
What's the Story?
Picking up the mantle from former Late Show host David Letterman, funnyman Stephen Colbert puts his own spin on the late-night talk-show format for THE LATE SHOW WITH STEPHEN COLBERT, mixing comedy, music, and celebrity interview segments with some of the political humor he perfected on The Colbert Report. Juilliard-trained jazz musician and bandleader Jon Batiste initially stepped into the shoes of Letterman's longtime sidekick, Paul Shaffer, though Batiste departed the show in 2022. Later seasons feature Louis Cato and the Great Big Joy Machine.
Is It Any Good?
The show's sarcastic and razor-sharp satire features Colbert's humble, polished, and occasional kooky style of humor. Following on the heels of The Colbert Report, which ran from 2005 to 2014, The Late Show with Stephen Colbert's time slot puts it in direct competition with Jimmy Kimmel Live and The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, whose hosts' epic pranks and star-studded lip-sync battles make them hits among teens and 20-somethings. But Colbert's late-night shenanigans, while fun, feel a lot more traditional by comparison, courting a slightly older audience. In later seasons, Colbert took intentional aim at the Trump administration, questioning its attacks on free speech; a move that likely got the show cancelled, but that led to an even more opinionated final season.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the purpose of late-night talk shows such as The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. What does the audience get out of it? And, more importantly, what do the guests get out of it? Is it all about entertainment, or is it also all about promotion?
With which other variety shows is The Late Show with Stephen Colbert competing? What's it doing differently to set itself apart? Who seems to be the target audience?
How does the Stephen Colbert you see on The Late Show compare to the character he created to host The Colbert Report? Is his late-night persona the "real" Stephen, or is it another persona he's developed for television?
TV Details
- Premiere date : September 8, 2015
- Cast : Stephen Colbert
- Network : CBS
- Genre : Variety Show
- Character Strengths : Integrity
- TV rating :
- Awards : Emmy - Emmy Award Winner , Emmy - Emmy Award Nominee
- Last updated : May 20, 2026
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