Stephen Colbert debuted as host of “The Late Show” in 2015, making a memorable first impression by critiquing Donald Trump while indulging in Oreos. The cookie served as a metaphor for resisting Trump’s influence during his presidential campaign. Colbert confidently asserted his independence from needing Trump-related content to create successful television.

Throughout his tenure, Colbert often targeted Trump’s policies, positioning his show as a vocal critic of the MAGA agenda. Trump labeled him a “dead man walking.” The ongoing rivalry reached its conclusion as Colbert’s top-rated late-night program ended, silencing one of the White House’s critics.

“The legacy of this show needs to be that we remember it as the show that was canceled because a presidential administration wanted it off the air,” said Heather Hendershot, a professor of communication studies and journalism. “It’s clear that this was a political decision.”

When CBS announced Colbert’s departure, the network reasoned it from an economic standpoint, while others speculated that Trump’s criticism influenced the decision. The cancellation followed CBS’s settlement of a lawsuit with Trump related to a “60 Minutes” interview. Meanwhile, Paramount awaited Trump administration approval for a sale to Skydance Media.

Trump expressed satisfaction over the cancellation via a Truth Social post. “I absolutely love” that Colbert “got fired,” he wrote, predicting Jimmy Kimmel’s show might follow. Subsequently, ABC temporarily suspended Kimmel, bowing to political pressure stemming from remarks about conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Historical parallels include the abrupt cancellation of “The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour” in 1969 due to its Vietnam War and civil rights advocacy.

Colbert’s journey began on “The Daily Show” and evolved on “The Colbert Report,” where he played a satirical conservative persona. His entrance to “The Late Show” met resistance, with Rush Limbaugh alleging CBS was “at war” with Middle America.

Colbert, alongside other comedians, offered perspectives on daily events distinct from traditional news. These alternative viewpoints provided audiences with humor and insight during overwhelming times, noted Dustin Kidd, professor of sociology.

While similar to other late-night formats, Colbert infused “The Late Show” with personal touches, showcasing his Catholic faith and fondness for his wife, Evie McGee Colbert, a recurring guest. Unique segments like “Meanwhile,” addressing global affairs, and “Cyborgasm,” focusing on tech, set the show apart.

The Late Show began its journey in 1993 under David Letterman, earning two Emmys and a Peabody Award during Colbert’s helm. The 11:35 p.m. slot transitions to “Comics Unleashed,” a talk show intending to avoid political topics.

Various figures lament Colbert’s departure, including astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson, who appreciated Colbert’s “The Sound of Science” segment, recognizing the scarcity of science-themed discussions in pop culture. Late-night hosts rallied in support of Colbert, with Jimmy Kimmel, Jimmy Fallon, John Oliver, and Seth Meyers collaborating on “The Strike Force Five” podcast amid Hollywood strikes.

Catholics would miss Colbert’s religious reflections and openness about faith. Stephanie Brehm, author of a biography on Colbert, emphasized his moral authority in progressive Catholic circles.

Fans of J.R.R. Tolkien, a passion Colbert frequently shared through skits and references, also mourned his departure. Duane Cronkite, part of the Fellowship of Fans forum, remarked on Colbert’s community impact. Timothy Lenz, representing The Mythopoeic Society, emphasized how Colbert’s enthusiastic endorsement of Tolkien’s works inspired new readers.

The next chapter finds Colbert co-writing a new “Lord of the Rings” movie. Timothy Lenz noted, “He’s living the fan dream right now.”