Stephen Colbert Says James Talarico Interview Pulled Over FCC Equal Time Concerns
Late night host Stephen Colbert said network lawyers blocked an interview with Democratic Texas Senate candidate James Talarico from airing Monday night, citing concerns that it could violate updated federal guidance on equal time for political candidates.
Colbert told viewers on “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” that Talarico had been scheduled to appear but was removed after attorneys intervened.
“He was supposed to be here, but we were told in no uncertain terms by our network’s lawyers, who called us directly, that we could not have him on the broadcast,” Colbert said. He added that he was also instructed not to mention the cancellation on air. “Because my network clearly doesn’t want us to talk about this, let’s talk about this.”
The dispute comes as broadcast networks adjust to new regulatory guidance issued in January by the Federal Communications Commission under the Trump administration. The agency warned that late night and daytime talk shows may not automatically qualify for the “bona fide news” exemption to the equal time rule, which requires broadcasters to provide comparable airtime to competing political candidates.
FCC Chairman Brendan Carr questioned whether some talk show hosts were “motivated by partisan purposes,” and the agency stated in a public notice that it had not been presented with evidence that current interview segments on such programs qualify for the exemption.
Historically, the equal time rule has applied to broadcast stations but has not typically been enforced against entertainment driven talk shows.
Interview Posted Online As Early Voting Begins
Colbert noted that the equal time requirement applies to broadcast television, not streaming platforms. The nearly 15 minute interview with Talarico was instead posted to the show’s YouTube page, with Colbert emphasizing that it would appear online only.
Talarico shared a clip of the sit down on X, writing, “This is the interview Donald Trump didn’t want you to see. His FCC refused to air my interview with Stephen Colbert. Trump is worried we’re about to flip Texas.”
Neither CBS nor the FCC immediately responded to requests for comment.
The episode unfolded just as early voting began Tuesday in Texas’ primary elections. Talarico and U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett are among Democrats vying for the Senate seat currently held by four term Republican Sen. John Cornyn. The primary election is set for March 3.
The controversy also lands during a transitional moment for Colbert. CBS announced last year that it will cancel “The Late Show” in May for “financial reasons”, ending a long running franchise.
The timing of that announcement drew scrutiny after it came three days following Colbert’s criticism of a settlement between Trump and Paramount Global, CBS’ parent company, over a “60 Minutes” story. Two U.S. senators publicly questioned whether the cancellation was politically motivated, noting that it would remove one of Trump’s most visible late night critics from broadcast television.
