The Fall of The King: How Gutfeld! Took the Late-Night Throne and What It Means for TV’s Future

In a seismic shift that nobody saw coming, Keanu Reeves couldn’t have scripted it better: “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert,” the crowned king of late-night TV, has been dethroned. Not by a big-name contender, but by the brash and unconventional upstart of the hour, “Gutfeld!” on Fox News. The reign of Stephen Colbert, which once held the late-night airwaves hostage with sharp political commentary and biting satire, has come to a quiet, almost anticlimactic end. CBS’s decision to pull the plug on the show was an announcement that left Hollywood and viewers alike stunned. And how did Greg Gutfeld—a comedian who was once dismissed as a side act—become the one to take the crown?

What’s behind this shift? What does the rise of “Gutfeld!” mean for late-night television, and does it signal the end of an era for traditional programming as we know it? Get ready for the revolution that’s happening under your nose. This is the story of how a brash underdog won the late-night wars.

The Reign of Colbert: Once a Titan, Now a Relic of the Past

Let’s rewind. Stephen Colbert, the king of late-night, had long been synonymous with satire, political commentary, and sharp humor that dissected the madness of the times. During the Trump years, Colbert dominated the cultural landscape, his nightly monologues providing both catharsis and comedic relief for an audience worn out by political chaos. He was the comedic rallying cry for liberals, a voice that cut through the noise of the tumultuous era.

However, as the political winds began to shift and Trump’s presidency faded into the rearview mirror, Colbert’s humor—and perhaps more crucially, his relevance—began to lose steam. The tone changed. The urgency dwindled. The once razor-sharp wit felt less like a weapon and more like a repetitive drumbeat.

Enter “Gutfeld!”: The Unlikely Challenger Nobody Saw Coming

When Fox News announced Greg Gutfeld’s late-night show, “Gutfeld!”, few took it seriously. After all, Fox News was known for its hard-right politics, not its comedy chops. But from the start, “Gutfeld!” was a game-changer. This was no ordinary late-night show—it was an irrevocable departure from the tired, formulaic structures that had dominated the late-night scene for decades.

Gutfeld himself was more unpredictable, more irreverent, and most importantly, unafraid to poke fun at both sides of the political aisle. With its sardonic tone and no-holds-barred humor, Gutfeld! created a space where both the left and the right were fair game. The show was a revolution in comedy—it didn’t simply follow the script; it created a new narrative where the audience could laugh at the absurdity of all sides.

But what really made Gutfeld’s show a threat to Colbert’s reign was the tactical genius behind it. While Colbert’s show became increasingly catered to a niche, appealing to a base of politically aware liberals, “Gutfeld!” tapped into the forgotten middle—the silent majority of viewers who were tired of the drama and wanted to laugh without being lectured. It was humor without agenda, a breath of fresh air for those disillusioned with the politics of mainstream media.

The Unthinkable: Gutfeld! Overtakes Colbert in Ratings

In 2023, the unthinkable happened. “Gutfeld!”—the show many had dismissed as a joke—overtook Colbert’s “The Late Show” in ratings. It was a quiet storm at first, but the numbers didn’t lie: Greg Gutfeld had dethroned Stephen Colbert. The former titan of late-night television, once the gold standard, had been eclipsed by a show that dared to be irreverent, unpredictable, and anti-establishment.

How did it happen? The answer lies in the shift in the public’s appetite for content. After years of political hyperbole, people began to crave something new. And Gutfeld, with his unique blend of comedy and commentary, filled the void that Colbert’s sharply partisan routine had left behind.

CBS Pulls the Plug: A Quiet End to a Glittering Era

When CBS made the announcement that they were pulling the plug on The Late Show, there was no grand farewell, no emotional send-off—just a terse press release. Colbert’s exit was a somber, almost anticlimactic moment for a show that had once dominated the late-night landscape.

Why the sudden end? Insiders point to declining ratings, shifting demographics, and the rise of streaming platforms as factors. But there was an unspoken truth: Colbert’s voice, once so vital, had lost its edge. He had grown weary, and the audience had become restless. They didn’t want to just hear the same old political commentary; they wanted something fresh, something more inclusive, and Gutfeld was there to give it to them.

The Rise of News-Centric Programming: Is This the New Wave of TV?

The biggest takeaway from Gutfeld’s meteoric rise is the growing shift toward news-centric programming. With the massive success of Gutfeld! and the declining relevance of shows like The Late Show, it’s clear that audiences are moving away from theatrics and celebrity gossip and seeking straightforward, fact-based humor.

In today’s fractured media landscape, viewers no longer want to be lectured by comedians or preached to by late-night hosts. Instead, they want authenticity—a show that makes them think, laugh, and feel connected to the cultural moment without forcing them into a box.

For years, late-night television was about escapism. But in an era where people feel more polarized than ever, it’s becoming clear that what the audience craves is something that reflects their own frustrations and views. Gutfeld’s blend of comedy and commentary gives them that—and that’s why his ratings are climbing, while Colbert’s are slipping.

Is the End of The Late Show the End of Late-Night as We Know It?

The end of The Late Show isn’t just about a single show—it’s the end of an era. Late-night television, once the undisputed king of the evening, is changing. Colbert’s fall is symbolic of a larger cultural shift in how we consume media.

This seismic change isn’t just happening on TV; it’s happening across all platforms. As more viewers flock to streaming services like Netflix, Amazon Prime, and YouTube, the very idea of late-night television is undergoing a transformation. The audience no longer needs to settle for what’s mainstream—they can pick and choose what resonates with them. Gutfeld’s success is a perfect example of this paradigm shift.

Gutfeld’s Legacy: The Unlikely King of Late Night

So, where does that leave Greg Gutfeld? The unlikely king of late-night TV, who rose from the ashes of low expectations, is now sitting at the throne—and he’s in no rush to step down. While his style may not appeal to everyone, Gutfeld has found his niche. He’s created a tribe of loyal followers who appreciate his irreverence, his humor, and his willingness to challenge the establishment.

Gutfeld! isn’t just a show; it’s a movement. It’s the beginning of a new era where comedy as insurgency takes the lead. It’s the era of humor as rebellion, and in that new world, Gutfeld is the undisputed leader of the pack.

Conclusion: The End of an Era, and the Rise of a New One

The fall of The Late Show and the rise of Gutfeld! marks a massive shift in the television landscape. As Hollywood’s late-night giants crumble under the weight of their own predictability, a new era of unfiltered, unpredictable media is dawning. The audience has spoken, and the days of polarizing political rants and recycled punchlines are over.

The future of late-night television isn’t just about who has the funniest jokes—it’s about who can connect with an audience that feels increasingly alienated from the mainstream. Gutfeld! has proven that it’s not just about dominating the ratings; it’s about defying expectations and writing your own rules.

For Colbert, it’s a bittersweet exit. For Gutfeld, it’s just the beginning. The throne is empty, but the game is far from over. So, stay tuned, because this revolution is just heating up. The question isn’t whether Gutfeld will remain at the top—but rather, how far can this movement go?