FCC Equal‑Time Guidance Spurs Colbert Claim Agency Is Trying to 'Silence' Liberal Late‑Night Hosts
The FCC’s new equal‑time guidance — framed by critics as a crackdown on liberal late‑night shows and programs like The View for not giving GOP guests equal airtime — has prompted sharp pushback from hosts. On Jan. 22 Stephen Colbert told viewers the move was “clearly an attempt to silence me, Jimmy and Seth,” warned he now has to watch what he says about President Trump because “Johnny Law” is coming after him, while Jimmy Kimmel has also signaled he may need viewers’ help; CBS has canceled The Late Show but it will remain on the air until May.
📌 Key Facts
- On Jan. 22, 2026, Stephen Colbert used his Late Show monologue to call the FCC’s equal‑time guidance "clearly an attempt to silence me, Jimmy and Seth."
- Colbert directly addressed the FCC on air, saying he now has to "watch what he says" about President Trump because "Johnny Law" is "coming after" him, framing the guidance as prompting self‑censorship.
- Colbert described the guidance as "flattering but dangerous," joking that if politics followed his preferences, FCC Chair Brendan Carr would not have the authority to make the announcement.
- Colbert explicitly tied fellow liberal late‑night hosts Jimmy Kimmel and Seth Meyers to his warning; Kimmel recently told his audience he might need their help again in response to the FCC move.
- Fox noted CBS has canceled The Late Show, but the program will remain on the air until May, underscoring its lame‑duck status as the FCC guidance lands.
📰 Source Timeline (2)
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January 23, 2026
6:32 PM
Stephen Colbert says FCC trying to 'silence' him, Jimmy Kimmel and Seth Meyers
New information:
- Stephen Colbert used his Jan. 22, 2026 'Late Show' monologue to claim the FCC’s equal‑time guidance is 'clearly an attempt to silence me, Jimmy and Seth.'
- Colbert directly addressed the FCC on air, saying he has to 'watch what he says' about President Trump because 'Johnny Law' is 'coming after' him.
- Colbert framed the guidance as flattering but dangerous, quipping that if politics followed his preferences, FCC Chair Brendan Carr would not have power to make this announcement.
- Fox notes CBS has canceled 'The Late Show' but it will remain on the air until May, underscoring the show’s lame‑duck status as the guidance lands.
- Jimmy Kimmel also recently told his audience he might need their help again in response to the FCC move, tying multiple late‑night hosts into the pushback.
January 22, 2026