CBS Blocks Colbert from Airing Interview with Texas Senate Candidate

Network cited FCC's 'equal time' rules in decision to pull segment with Democratic hopeful James Talarico

Feb. 18, 2026 at 10:15pm

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Stephen Colbert revealed that CBS did not allow him to air a scheduled interview with Texas State Representative James Talarico, a Democrat running in the state's U.S. Senate primary. The network cited concerns about the FCC's 'equal time' rules, which require broadcasters to provide comparable opportunities to all legally qualified candidates for the same public office.

Why it matters

The decision by CBS to block Colbert's interview with Talarico comes at a delicate moment in the network's relationship with its late-night host. In July 2025, CBS announced it would end The Late Show with Stephen Colbert in May 2026, retiring the entire Late Show franchise after more than a decade. The cancellation came days after Colbert publicly criticized a $16 million settlement between CBS's parent company, Paramount Global, and former President Donald Trump.

The details

Talarico, 36, serves in the Texas House and is campaigning in the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate. A Presbyterian pastor with a growing national profile, he rose to wider prominence after he and fellow Democrats left the state in an effort to block a Republican-backed redistricting plan supported by Trump. In the interview posted online, Talarico addressed the controversy surrounding the unaired segment, accusing conservatives of targeting media outlets and entertainers they oppose.

  • On Monday's broadcast, Colbert said network attorneys instructed him 'in no uncertain terms' not to air or even mention the pulled segment.
  • In July 2025, CBS announced it would end The Late Show with Stephen Colbert in May 2026.

The players

Stephen Colbert

The host of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert on CBS.

James Talarico

A 36-year-old Texas State Representative who is running in the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate.

CBS

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

Donald Trump

The former President of the United States.

Paramount Global

The parent company of CBS that reached a $16 million settlement with Donald Trump.

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What they’re saying

“So I'm not allowed to air the interview.”

— Stephen Colbert, Host of The Late Show

“This is the party that ran against cancel culture, and now they're trying to control what we watch, what we say, what we read. And this is the most dangerous kind of cancel culture, the kind that comes from the top.”

— James Talarico, Texas State Representative

“Just to fact-check you, my network said our cancellation was a purely financial decision.”

— Stephen Colbert, Host of The Late Show

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.