Greg Gutfeld Mocks Stephen Colbert After Show’s End: “He Should’ve Opened With Sympathies”

The Fox News host delivers a signature jab following Colbert’s surprise exit — but is there more behind the smirk?

NEW YORK, NY — In true late-night fashion, Greg Gutfeld didn’t miss a beat. Within 24 hours of the announcement that The Late Show with Stephen Colbert was ending its long-running tenure on CBS, Gutfeld opened his own show with a signature smirk and a pointed line:

“Colbert should’ve started his first monologue with sympathies — for the viewers.”

The crowd laughed. The timing was sharp. And just like that, Gutfeld! fired the first shot in what’s already becoming a commentary battleground about the fate of mainstream late-night comedy.

Colbert’s Curtain Closes — Abruptly

The abrupt ending of Colbert’s show, after nearly a decade in the coveted CBS 11:35 p.m. slot, stunned industry insiders and longtime fans alike. While CBS has yet to issue a full statement, early reports suggest a mix of declining ratings, creative burnout, and internal friction over political content fatigue may have played a role in the decision.

Colbert, who first made his name on Comedy Central’s The Colbert Report before succeeding David Letterman in 2015, has been a defining voice in politically charged late-night satire. But in recent years, critics have noted a drop in his comedic freshness and a growing disconnect with younger audiences.

Gutfeld’s Growing Shadow

Enter Greg Gutfeld — Fox News’ contrarian court jester turned late-night disruptor.

While originally written off by critics as a political experiment, Gutfeld! has steadily gained momentum, often dominating the 11 p.m. time slot in key demographics. Blending punchy satire, libertarian barbs, and a roundtable format that echoes Real Time with Bill Maher more than traditional monologues, Gutfeld has built an unexpected empire in a space once thought to be owned by the major networks.

So it came as no surprise that Gutfeld seized on Colbert’s departure as a cultural moment.

“Let’s face it,” he joked, “Stephen was never fired. He was just aggressively retired by the audience.”

The joke drew laughs and groans — exactly the reaction Gutfeld lives for.

Rivals, But Never Really Friends

Despite both operating in the late-night sphere, Gutfeld and Colbert have long embodied two sides of America’s cultural divide. Colbert has leaned into his identity as a progressive satirist, especially during the Trump years, while Gutfeld has cultivated a sardonic outsider persona — making him a hero to viewers disenchanted with traditional media.

While Colbert rarely acknowledged Gutfeld publicly, Gutfeld has taken shots over the years, accusing Colbert of “masquerading moral lectures as comedy” and “alienating half the country every night for applause.”

Still, Gutfeld’s tone after Colbert’s show ended was more ironic than brutal.

“Look,” he said, straight-faced for a moment, “We may disagree on politics, but the guy could read a teleprompter like no one else. He’ll be missed — by someone. Probably.”

Changing Landscape of Late-Night TV

The truth behind the headlines is that late-night TV is undergoing a seismic shift. Once a cornerstone of network television, the nightly monologue-plus-interview format has struggled to stay relevant in the age of streaming, TikTok, and YouTube commentary channels.

Shows like The Tonight Show and The Daily Show have seen declining viewership, fragmented audiences, and intense competition from independent digital creators. Meanwhile, shows like Gutfeld! — which fuse political commentary with humor — have tapped into under-served segments of the population.

Media analyst Trina Delgado notes:

“Love him or hate him, Gutfeld found a formula that connects in 2025. Viewers aren’t looking for polish — they’re looking for personality, even if it’s polarizing.”

What’s Next for Colbert?

Stephen Colbert has not officially announced future plans, though insiders speculate he may shift into a producing role or return to political activism — a realm where his sharp intellect and liberal credentials carry weight.

CBS has also hinted at reimagining the time slot with a rotating cast or a new format entirely, possibly leaning away from political satire.

As for Gutfeld, he ended the segment on Colbert with one last line, delivered with a theatrical pause:

“In honor of Stephen’s last show… we’ll do what he rarely did: make you laugh, then let you sleep peacefully.”

Conclusion: The Comedy Divide Grows Wider

The fall of Colbert and the rise of Gutfeld may mark more than a changing of the guard — it’s a shift in what audiences expect from late-night TV. And as long as Gutfeld is holding the mic, the jokes will keep coming — barbed, biting, and unfiltered.