A Dazzling Performance Meets a Fierce Debate
When the curtain fell on “One Last Ride,” the much-anticipated television special celebrating Stephen Colbert’s long-running career in late-night entertainment, the audience should have been basking in the joy of an extravagant send-off. Instead, the night has become the center of a storm.
Colbert’s decision to collaborate with a troupe of male drag queens during the grand finale has sparked passionate responses from fans, critics, and cultural commentators. For some, the performance was a breathtaking expression of inclusivity and artistry; for others, it crossed a line, igniting a wave of backlash that shows no sign of quieting down.
The Performance That Sparked It All
The finale was billed as a celebration of Colbert’s trademark wit, his ability to push boundaries, and his unflinching embrace of satire. Few expected the boldness of the closing act: a dazzling stage show featuring Colbert himself surrounded by a group of renowned drag performers.
The act began with Colbert delivering a heartfelt monologue about “the power of comedy to open doors” before he stepped aside, only to reappear moments later clad in a sequined jacket. Flanked by dancers in towering heels, extravagant wigs, and shimmering gowns, he launched into a choreographed routine that fused Broadway spectacle with biting satire.
The performance, accompanied by a mash-up of classic show tunes and contemporary pop, ended with Colbert and the drag queens taking a theatrical bow to thunderous applause. In the theater that night, the energy was electric. But as soon as clips hit the internet, the conversation shifted.
Social Media Reaction: A Divided Audience
The fallout began almost instantly on Twitter, TikTok, and Instagram. Hashtags like #ColbertFinale, #OneLastRide, and #DragDebate began trending within hours.
Supporters flooded timelines with praise:
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“Stephen Colbert just reminded America why drag is art. What a finale! Inclusive, brilliant, unforgettable.”
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“Colbert’s finale wasn’t just comedy — it was a love letter to expression and freedom.”
But critics were equally vocal:
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“Why did Colbert have to bring drag into this? He alienated half his audience on his way out.”
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“This used to be a comedy show. Now it’s just political theater disguised as entertainment.”
The divide underscored the polarized cultural climate, where even an artistic collaboration becomes a flashpoint in broader debates about representation, gender, and the role of entertainment in shaping society.
Colbert’s Statement
Sensing the growing backlash, Colbert addressed the controversy the following day. In a short video shared on his official social media accounts, he defended the finale’s message:
“Comedy has always been about shining light in unexpected places. The finale was about joy, creativity, and standing with people who use art to express truth. If that made some people uncomfortable, maybe that says more about where we are as a culture than about one performance.”
He closed with a trademark Colbert quip: “Besides, I look great in sequins.”
His response did little to quell the storm. For every fan who applauded his courage, another accused him of dismissing legitimate concerns about “turning comedy into activism.”
A History of Blending Art and Politics
Colbert is no stranger to controversy. Throughout his career, he has used satire to push the envelope, often blurring the line between entertainment and political commentary. From his days on The Colbert Report parodying right-wing punditry to his tenure on The Late Show, Colbert has built a reputation for tackling difficult issues through humor.
Yet the finale took that ethos further, critics argue, by leaning fully into performance art. Collaborating with drag queens was a deliberate choice, one that some saw as a celebration of queer culture while others perceived it as unnecessarily provocative.
Cultural historian Dr. Marlene Hayes noted: “Colbert has always been a provocateur. What’s different here is that he placed himself not just as commentator but as participant in a cultural battlefield. For some, that’s inspiring. For others, it feels like a betrayal of what they wanted from him as an entertainer.”
The Drag Community Responds
For the drag performers themselves, the finale was a career-defining moment. Several of the queens who appeared alongside Colbert have spoken out about the backlash.
One performer, known for her elaborate couture costumes, said: “We were honored to share that stage. For years, drag has been relegated to the margins, but Colbert gave us visibility on one of the biggest platforms in entertainment. That matters.”
Another added: “People are angry because drag challenges norms. But that’s the point. Comedy challenges norms too. Together, it was art in its purest form.”
Drag fans have echoed that sentiment online, pointing out that drag artistry has long been misunderstood, and that moments like Colbert’s finale help normalize it in mainstream culture.
Sponsors and Networks Weigh In
The controversy has not gone unnoticed by advertisers and network executives. While CBS, which broadcast the special, issued a brief statement praising Colbert’s “bold and memorable finale,” several sponsors reportedly received complaints from viewers threatening boycotts.
One major advertiser confirmed privately that they had “received an unusual volume of negative feedback” and were “reviewing the situation closely.” However, no sponsor has yet publicly pulled support.
Media analysts note that while backlash can create headaches for networks, it also drives ratings. Indeed, “One Last Ride” drew some of the highest viewership numbers of Colbert’s career, bolstered by the viral debate surrounding the drag collaboration.
Political Figures Enter the Debate
As expected, the controversy quickly bled into politics. Several conservative commentators criticized Colbert for “injecting gender politics into entertainment,” with one congressman tweeting: “Another example of Hollywood elites using platforms to push ideology.”
Progressive politicians, meanwhile, defended the performance. One senator called it “a brilliant celebration of freedom of expression,” adding: “Art should challenge, inspire, and make us talk. Colbert achieved all three.”
The politicization of the moment highlights the extent to which drag has become a lightning rod in contemporary debates, with lawmakers in several states introducing legislation aimed at limiting drag performances. Colbert’s finale became yet another battlefield in that ongoing cultural war.
The Audience’s Role
What makes the backlash particularly significant is that it highlights shifting expectations of what late-night comedy should be. Some viewers want lighthearted entertainment divorced from politics; others crave meaningful commentary. Colbert, throughout his career, has tried to straddle both worlds.
But as media critic James O’Connor put it: “You can’t dance with drag queens in sequins and expect neutrality. Colbert knew exactly what he was doing. The real question is whether audiences are ready to accept that comedy is no longer just about laughs—it’s about taking a stand.”
Looking Ahead
Will the backlash tarnish Colbert’s legacy? Or will it cement him as a performer who refused to play it safe?
Supporters argue that, years from now, the finale will be remembered not for the controversy but for its artistry. Critics predict the opposite, warning that it will overshadow his accomplishments and alienate audiences who once admired his work.
For Colbert himself, the finale appears to have been a fitting capstone to a career defined by bold choices. He has not announced plans for another major project, but insiders suggest he is already exploring new ways to blend comedy, commentary, and performance art.
Final Thoughts
The “One Last Ride” finale was intended to be a celebration, a joyful farewell filled with music, humor, and spectacle. Instead, it became a mirror—reflecting the cultural divides that define today’s society.
Whether one saw it as a triumph of inclusivity or an unnecessary provocation, there is no denying the impact. Stephen Colbert’s collaboration with male drag queens will be remembered as a lightning-rod moment in television history, one that forced viewers to confront their own assumptions about comedy, identity, and the power of art.
And perhaps that was the point all along.
