CBS Blocks Colbert's Talarico Interview
CBS lawyers told Colbert he could not broadcast his interview with Texas Senate candidate James Talarico — before the FCC had actually changed any rules. Colbert revealed the block on air and posted the interview to YouTube.
What Happened
CBS lawyers called The Late Show directly to say the planned broadcast interview with James Talarico would trigger the FCC’s equal time rule. Colbert was told he had to abide by equal time requirements — something he had never been asked to do in 21 years on television.
The interview was instead posted to The Late Show’s YouTube channel. Colbert said CBS would not even allow him to share a URL or QR code directing broadcast viewers there.
The Legal Fiction
CBS would later claim the show was merely “provided legal guidance” and chose on its own to use YouTube. Colbert disputed this, noting CBS lawyers approved every word of his script and called him backstage mid-show to dictate specific language.
Why It Matters
This was the culmination of a chain: Carr issued guidance (January 21) threatening talk shows, the FCC investigated The View (February 7) over a Talarico appearance, and CBS lawyers preemptively censored Colbert (February 17) — all before the FCC formally changed any rule.
The government achieved censorship without censorship. No law was passed, no rule was changed, no sanction was imposed. The regulatory threat alone was sufficient.