Stephen Colbert Responds to CBS Statement on Talarico Interview

Late Show host says network lawyers approved his script, disputes claim he was not 'prohibited' from airing the interview

Published on Feb. 21, 2026

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Stephen Colbert has reacted after CBS said The Late Show was not "prohibited" from airing an interview on Monday with Democratic Texas State Representative James Talarico. Colbert said CBS' lawyers released a statement without consulting him, and that he was "so surprised that this giant global corporation would not stand up to these bullies."

Why it matters

The "equal time" rule requires television and radio stations on public airwaves to provide comparable opportunities for opposing political candidates. Talarico is currently running in the Texas U.S. Senate Democratic primary, which is why CBS said the interview could "trigger the FCC equal-time rule" for other candidates.

The details

Colbert said CBS' lawyers approved every word of his monologue about the issue, and that he was called backstage to get more notes from the lawyers on the language he should use to describe the equal time exception. He said he has never had an adversarial relationship with the network in his 11 years there, and is "just so surprised that this giant global corporation would not stand up to these bullies."

  • On January 21st, FCC Chairman Brendan Carr issued a letter saying he was thinking about getting rid of the talk show exception to the equal time rule.
  • On Monday, Colbert interviewed Texas Senate candidate James Talarico, but the interview was posted on YouTube instead of airing on The Late Show due to the equal time rule.

The players

Stephen Colbert

The host of The Late Show on CBS, who has worked for the network for the past 11 years.

James Talarico

A Democratic Texas State Representative who is currently running in the Texas U.S. Senate Democratic primary.

Jasmine Crockett

A candidate who would have been entitled to equal time on The Late Show under the FCC's equal time rule, according to CBS.

Brendan Carr

The FCC Chairman who issued a letter on January 21st saying he was thinking about getting rid of the talk show exception to the equal time rule.

CBS

The television network that airs The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.

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What they’re saying

“Last night, I talked to Texas Senate candidate James Talarico, but it wasn't on the show. We put the interview on our YouTube channel because of something called the "equal time" rule, and that rule says that if a show on broadcast television has a qualified candidate on during an election they have to offer equal time to all that candidate's opponents.”

— Stephen Colbert, Host, The Late Show (The Late Show with Stephen Colbert)

“The Late Show was not prohibited by CBS from broadcasting the interview with Representative James Talarico. The show was providing legal guidance that the broadcast could trigger the FCC equal-time rule for two other candidates, including Representative Jasmine Crockett, and presented options for how equal time for other candidates could be fulfilled.”

— CBS (CBS)

“I am well aware that we can book other guests. I didn't need to be presented with that option. I've had Jasmine Crockett on my show twice. I could prove that to you, but the network won't let me show you her picture without including her opponents.”

— Stephen Colbert, Host, The Late Show (The Late Show with Stephen Colbert)

What’s next

It's unclear if the FCC will ultimately move forward with eliminating the talk show exception to the equal time rule, which could have further implications for late night television interviews with political candidates.

The takeaway

This dispute highlights the complex legal and regulatory landscape that late night comedy shows must navigate when interviewing political candidates, as well as the potential tensions that can arise between networks and their high-profile hosts over issues of editorial control and compliance with broadcasting rules.