GREG GUTFELD’S SHOCKING DIG AT STEPHEN COLBERT AFTER HIS SHOW’S CANCELLATION – “HE SHOULD’VE OPENED WITH A CONDOLENCE MESSAGE”

“He should’ve opened with a condolence message.”
—Greg Gutfeld on Stephen Colbert’s canceled show

In a moment that has sent shockwaves through late-night television and ignited a social media firestorm, Greg Gutfeld has delivered a stunning jab at Stephen Colbert following the cancellation of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. In an unexpected move that had the media world talking, Gutfeld didn’t mince words when he suggested that Colbert should have opened his final episode with a “condolence message.”

But what prompted this savage remark? And why is this comment causing such a massive stir? Gutfeld is no stranger to controversy, but this latest quip might just be his boldest—and most brutal—shot yet. Here’s the explosive breakdown behind the remark and what it reveals about the state of late-night television.

THE BACKDROP: THE END OF A LATE-NIGHT ERA

It was one of the most unexpected and stunning moves in the world of television. In July 2025, CBS made the decision to cancel The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, a move that left many viewers and industry insiders in disbelief. Colbert, the comedic kingpin of late-night TV for years, was suddenly out of a job. His show had been a late-night staple, but now it was no more.

Fans and critics alike were left wondering why a show with consistently strong ratings and widespread appeal would be axed so suddenly. Was it a change in network direction? Was there behind-the-scenes tension? Or was it simply a case of Colbert’s comedic style no longer resonating with audiences the way it once did?

While these questions remain unanswered, the cancellation has caused a tidal wave of speculation and drama in the media landscape. Enter Greg Gutfeld.

GUTFELD’S FIERCE REACTION: A CONDOLENCE MESSAGE? REALLY?

Gutfeld, the outspoken host of Fox News’ Gutfeld!, wasted no time in reacting to Colbert’s cancellation. In a recent broadcast, he had this to say:

“He should’ve opened with a condolence message.”

The quip was sharp, calculated, and delivered with that trademark biting humor that has earned Gutfeld both admiration and criticism. But why this comment? Why suggest that Colbert should have started with an apology or sympathy rather than a standard late-night monologue?

To understand Gutfeld’s remark, we need to look at the context: the fierce rivalry between late-night hosts has always been a part of the fabric of television. For years, Colbert and Gutfeld have represented two very different takes on late-night television—Colbert as the progressive, comedic voice of late-night and Gutfeld as the conservative, more irreverent counterpart. Now that Colbert’s show is gone, Gutfeld seems to relish the opportunity to throw a pointed comment in Colbert’s direction.

For Gutfeld, Colbert’s cancellation might represent the end of a dominant era of progressive late-night TV—one that Colbert helped shape. The comment about a “condolence message” is not just a swipe at Colbert, but a metaphor for what Gutfeld sees as the “end” of an entire TV era. The implication is clear: Colbert’s cancellation wasn’t just a change in programming; it was a death of sorts.

THE INTERNET ERUPTS: GUTFELD’S REMARK GOES VIRAL

It didn’t take long for Gutfeld’s remark to catch fire across the internet. By the time the clip hit social media, it had already gained millions of views, sparking both praise and condemnation in equal measure.

Supporters of Gutfeld hailed his comment as a perfect example of his fearless humor, while some even applauded the underlying message that Colbert’s era was coming to a close—and not in a graceful way.

Critics, however, were quick to slam Gutfeld’s remarks as petty, classless, and in poor taste. Was this just another cynical jab, or was there a deeper message about the decline of progressive late-night TV?

One Twitter user wrote:

“Gutfeld’s comment says more about him than Colbert. He’s really enjoying someone else’s fall from grace. Kind of sad, actually.”

Another post sarcastically said:

“Gutfeld really went there, huh? Because ‘condolences’ are what everyone wants to hear when a show gets canceled. Real classy.”

But amidst the controversy, one thing was undeniable: everyone was talking about it.

THE LATE-NIGHT RIVALRY: THE UNFOLDING DRAMA BEHIND THE SCENES

Let’s not beat around the bush: Gutfeld’s remark was as much about Colbert as it was about the state of late-night television itself.

For years, the late-night landscape has been dominated by a few key players—Colbert, Jimmy Fallon, and Jimmy Kimmel—with each host representing a different aspect of comedic storytelling. While Colbert and Fallon went for more mainstream, politically-charged comedy, Gutfeld carved out his own lane by blending sharp political commentary with irreverence and humor, targeting a conservative audience that often felt sidelined by traditional late-night formats.

With Colbert now sidelined, Gutfeld’s remark could be seen as part of a broader cultural shift in late-night television. His audience, largely made up of conservatives, may see Colbert’s departure as a sign that the progressive dominance in late-night TV is fading—an era that may have run its course. Gutfeld’s commentary, laced with irony, suggests a desire to reclaim the spotlight for a new generation of late-night TV.

THE FUTURE OF LATE-NIGHT TELEVISION: A NEW ERA EMERGES?

So, what does this all mean for the future of late-night television?

The cancellation of Colbert’s show signals a dramatic shift in the landscape. With more and more viewers turning to streaming platforms and alternative media for their content, traditional networks are feeling the pressure to evolve. In the wake of Colbert’s exit, there’s no doubt that networks like CBS will need to rethink their late-night offerings. Is there space for a new kind of host who pushes boundaries without the constraints of tradition? Or will the Colbert-ian model of progressive comedy return in some form?

Meanwhile, Gutfeld’s show continues to ride a wave of success, cementing his place in the late-night hierarchy. With Fox News investing more into his format, and a rising demand for alternative viewpoints, it’s clear that Gutfeld’s comments weren’t just about Colbert—they were about his own ascension to the throne of late-night television.

CONCLUSION: GUTFELD’S SHARP TONGUE AND THE FUTURE OF TELEVISION

What makes Greg Gutfeld’s remark so shocking isn’t just the venom, but the truth behind it. The end of Colbert’s show is symbolic of something bigger—the fall of a certain style of late-night television, and the rise of new, often more combative formats that are reshaping what it means to be a late-night host.

In a time when the lines between politics, comedy, and media are blurring faster than ever, Gutfeld’s remark could be seen as a declaration of what the future holds: a new late-night era led by voices unafraid to speak bluntly. Whether you love him or hate him, one thing’s for certain—Gutfeld is here to stay, and he’s ready to fill the void left by the Colbert-esque era of political comedy.

For now, Colbert may be gone from late-night TV, but the echo of Gutfeld’s condolence message will remain a part of television history. Whether that’s a laugh or a slap in the face depends on which side of the screen you’re on. The late-night war is far from over.

Stay tuned. The battle for late-night supremacy just got a lot more interesting.