Stephen Colbert insisted he’s “more conservative than people think” and not the “lefty figure” that his critics claim him to be.
The Late Show host spoke with GQ‘s Zach Baron in a Monday interview where he claimed his show appeals to both conservatives and liberals.
“The demographics of these shows are interesting too. It’s about a third, a third, a third. It’s about a third Republicans, a third Democrats, a third Independents. You’d think, you know, old, you know, people perceive me as this sort of lefty figure. I think I’m more conservative than people think. I just happen to be talking about a government in extremis,” Colbert said.
According to an Associated Press-NORC poll in September, regular viewers of late-night television tend to lean Democrat, with approximately one-third saying they watch late-night live, compared to two in 10 for Republicans and independents.
Colbert, a vocal critic of President Donald Trump, also bashed his own network, CBS, during the interview. Colbert called a $16 million lawsuit that Paramount, the parent company of CBS, settled with Trump “damaging to the reputation of the network.” Shortly after the settlement, which was over 60 Minutes reporting, the FCC approved a merger between Paramount and Skydance. Colbert’s show was also cancelled. It will run until May of next year.
Colbert said his on-air criticisms of Trump are a genuine reaction to what he sees as an extreme form of governing.
“What I’m giving you is my reaction video to the day,” he said. “And, and my reaction video is like, you know, is like the scream in a way, but with, with jokes and so that makes me—perceives me as more left necessarily than I am because I’m not sure of what other reaction would be an honest one. It’s hard to have a balanced reaction to the idea of troops on the street of a city that actually is not undergoing an invasion. Is any other reaction honest other than to?”
The post Stephen Colbert Insists He’s No ‘Lefty Figure’: ‘I’m More Conservative Than People Think’ first appeared on Mediaite.
