Staff Reports
The drama surrounding late night host Steven Colbear and his network CBS is heating up, and it’s not a laughing matter. Recently, Colbear revealed that CBS blocked him from airing an interview with Texas State Representative James Telerico. This decision, according to Colbear, stemmed from pressure exerted by the Trump administration. It appears that Colbear is not taking the news lying down, especially as his show faces the possibility of cancellation.
In a recent monologue, Colbear made waves by asserting that CBS lawyers prevented the airing of Telerico’s interview due to the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) equal time rule. This rule mandates that television networks provide fair coverage to all political candidates, but it rarely gets enforced in programs like talk shows and news content. However, changes could be on the horizon. FCC Chairman Brendan Carr hinted earlier this year that he might take a closer look at this enforcement depending on whether a show has political motives in choosing its guests.
Colbear didn’t shy away from naming Carr in his broadcast, questioning his motivations and implying that Carr might be using this rule to silence critics of President Trump. This isn’t just idle chatter, as media watchdogs have pointed out that Colbear has shown a noticeable political bias. Since 2022, he has hosted 176 guests with left-leaning political views and only one Republican guest—Liz Cheney, who, as everyone knows, is not exactly a Trump fan. The sheer disparity in guest preference raises eyebrows and suggests the host might be more inclined to echo a progressive narrative.
The blocked interview with Telerico eventually found a home on Colbear’s YouTube page, allowing fans a chance to hear what the Texas Democrat had to say. Telerico shared concerns that the Lone Star State might be shifting towards blue territory, which could spell trouble for the GOP. This has added fuel to the fire, especially since Telerico is running for a U.S. Senate seat against Representative Jasmine Crockett in the upcoming Texas Democratic primary. Early voting in Texas is already underway, making this a timely topic for discussion.
Interestingly, Telerico isn’t a stranger to controversy. His past appearances, including one on ABC’s “The View,” led to an FCC investigation over similar concerns regarding political representation on the airwaves. The unfolding situation suggests that Colbear’s network may be feeling the heat on how they handle political content as they continue to navigate a polarizing agenda. With the stakes high, one might wonder if Colbear will consider inviting a few more Republican guests to the show, as adding diversity might be a step towards balancing what many see as a decidedly one-sided effort.
As fans eagerly await the latest twist in this broadcast battle, it’s clear that the lines between entertainment and politics are becoming increasingly blurred. Whether the FCC will step in to enforce changes in guest appearances remains to be seen, but for now, the spotlight shines brightly on Colbear and his dealings with the network in these politically charged times.
