Certainly the most transparent administration in history wouldn’t have a finger, a hand or a fist in anything, right?
No one is saying that. what I am saying is considering all of the facts, a net revenue of -$40 million, the pending sale, time to renew contracts coming up, the facts suggest this is a financial decision. I’ve asked 4 or 5 times and haven’t received an answer. How would you justify keeping a show that has shown continued decline for the last few years and is currently worth -$40 million? Tell me how you justify that in a way that makes sense. If you can’t, then that demonstrates a financial motivation.
Again, it shouldn’t be an issue for the executives to show their balance sheet(s), particularly in light of their last quarter financial report.
Nothing to see here! CBS’s cancellation of “The Late Show” has nothing to do, we are told, with Stephen Colbert and his steady stream of critique aimed at President Donald Trump. Never mind that Paramount, CBS’s parent company, recently forked over $16 million to Trump, following his lawsuit against “60 Minutes.” Or that only three days before the cancellation was announced, Colbert inveighed against that settlement—calling it a “big fat bribe”—on the show. And don’t worry about the fact that Paramount now desires to sell itself to the entertainment behemoth Skydance Media, owned by the mega-rich David Ellison, “and that it might help to offer up a nice, juicy Colbert-size sacrificial lamb to the Trump Administration—known, of course, for its susceptibility to bribes and ostentatious displays of forced loyalty—in order to clear the way to get the deal done,” Vinson Cunningham / @vinsoncunningham writes. One of the signature features of life under the Trump regime is that a constant sandstorm of casual lies and destabilizing ambiguity keeps obscuring important facts. The conventional wisdom is that late-night television is doomed. CBS and its parent company, Paramount, have set an end date for one of the last public pipelines to some version of the truth. Read more: https://newyorkermag.visitlink.me/HPGHdn
Not today Sir, Probably not tomorrow.............................................. bayfront arena st. pete '94
you're finally here and I'm a mess................................................... nationwide arena columbus '10
memories like fingerprints are slowly raising.................................... first niagara center buffalo '13
another man ..... moved by sleight of hand...................................... joe louis arena detroit '14
Don’t bribes work the other way? If Trump wanted the show canceled, wouldn’t he be the one paying the money? You don’t accept money then get the benefit of the bribe. That’s not how it works. Or so I’m told, I’ve never tried to bribe anyone. This whole bribe argument is Trump accepted $16 million in return for having the show he didn’t like cancelled. Shouldn’t the money flow the other way in a bribe? Wouldn’t Trump be paying cbs millions to cancel the show in a bribe? If I’m wrong on how bribes work, then i need to get a cop to pay me $500 to not give me a ticket next time I’m pulled over. That’s would be awesome.
Don’t bribes work the other way? If Trump wanted the show canceled, wouldn’t he be the one paying the money? You don’t accept money then get the benefit of the bribe. That’s not how it works. Or so I’m told, I’ve never tried to bribe anyone. This whole bribe argument is Trump accepted $16 million in return for having the show he didn’t like cancelled. Shouldn’t the money flow the other way in a bribe? Wouldn’t Trump be paying cbs millions to cancel the show in a bribe? If I’m wrong on how bribes work, then i need to get a cop to pay me $500 to not give me a ticket next time I’m pulled over. That’s would be awesome.
no. the position of power doesnt pay. wtf.
given his power of the government, its really extortion. Implied extortion. I wont hold up your merger if you settled this bullshit lawsuit.
Not today Sir, Probably not tomorrow.............................................. bayfront arena st. pete '94
you're finally here and I'm a mess................................................... nationwide arena columbus '10
memories like fingerprints are slowly raising.................................... first niagara center buffalo '13
another man ..... moved by sleight of hand...................................... joe louis arena detroit '14
0
brianlux
Moving through All Kinds of Terrain. Posts: 43,615
I'm reading all over the place that people think the cancellation was for monetary reasons.
Don’t bribes work the other way? If Trump wanted the show canceled, wouldn’t he be the one paying the money? You don’t accept money then get the benefit of the bribe. That’s not how it works. Or so I’m told, I’ve never tried to bribe anyone. This whole bribe argument is Trump accepted $16 million in return for having the show he didn’t like cancelled. Shouldn’t the money flow the other way in a bribe? Wouldn’t Trump be paying cbs millions to cancel the show in a bribe? If I’m wrong on how bribes work, then i need to get a cop to pay me $500 to not give me a ticket next time I’m pulled over. That’s would be awesome.
no. the position of power doesnt pay. wtf.
given his power of the government, its really extortion. Implied extortion. I wont hold up your merger if you settled this bullshit lawsuit.
You’re right, I misread that. I thought the statement was the bribe was to cancel the show, not stop the merger.
Now, I can picture that happening. I just don’t picture the show being a part of that deal, especially when it’s in the red so much.
So, which is it? Open the books and let the truth be free.
Paramount says its decision to cancel “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” despite it being the No. 1 late-night television program was “purely a financial decision.”
But there is little in Paramount Global Inc.’s
PARA
+0.19%
recent earnings report to indicate that the finances of its television division had eroded so precipitously that jettisoning one of its trademark programs would be a necessary solution.
The Writers Guild of America, which represents many writers on the show, said the timing appeared suspicious and called on New York Attorney General Letitia James to investigate.
“For ten years, the show has been one of the most successful, beloved and profitable programs on CBS, entertaining an audience of millions on late night television, on streaming services and across social media,” the union said. “Given Paramount’s recent capitulation to President Trump in the CBS News lawsuit, the Writers Guild of America has significant concerns that ‘The Late Show’s’ cancellation is a bribe, sacrificing free speech to curry favor with the Trump administration as the company looks for merger approval.”
This is absolute silliness. The timing corresponds to a SALE OF THE COMPANY. It sounds like you don’t have any m and a experience. The timing makes 100% sense. And if they are lying about Colbert being not profitable they could get sued by the buyer. This is exactly why Dems lose elections, they live in fantasy land.
while all this is going on, the Rs took away NPR from most of rural America, making it more difficult to reach these voters.
like you said earlier, enjoy your nap. hey boss, look, da plane!
Don’t bribes work the other way? If Trump wanted the show canceled, wouldn’t he be the one paying the money? You don’t accept money then get the benefit of the bribe. That’s not how it works. Or so I’m told, I’ve never tried to bribe anyone. This whole bribe argument is Trump accepted $16 million in return for having the show he didn’t like cancelled. Shouldn’t the money flow the other way in a bribe? Wouldn’t Trump be paying cbs millions to cancel the show in a bribe? If I’m wrong on how bribes work, then i need to get a cop to pay me $500 to not give me a ticket next time I’m pulled over. That’s would be awesome.
no. the position of power doesnt pay. wtf.
given his power of the government, its really extortion. Implied extortion. I wont hold up your merger if you settled this bullshit lawsuit.
You’re right, I misread that. I thought the statement was the bribe was to cancel the show, not stop the merger.
Now, I can picture that happening. I just don’t picture the show being a part of that deal, especially when it’s in the red so much.
Being in the red (if it really is...easy to manipulate revenue/costs to support just about any position) seems like a convenient excuse to me...given the circumstances at least.
Remember the Thomas Nine !! (10/02/2018) The Golden Age is 2 months away. And guess what….. you’re gonna love it! (teskeinc 11.19.24)
1998: Noblesville; 2003: Noblesville; 2009: EV Nashville, Chicago, Chicago 2010: St Louis, Columbus, Noblesville; 2011: EV Chicago, East Troy, East Troy 2013: London ON, Wrigley; 2014: Cincy, St Louis, Moline (NO CODE) 2016: Lexington, Wrigley #1; 2018: Wrigley, Wrigley, Boston, Boston 2020: Oakland, Oakland:2021: EV Ohana, Ohana, Ohana, Ohana 2022: Oakland, Oakland, Nashville, Louisville; 2023: Chicago, Chicago, Noblesville 2024: Noblesville, Wrigley, Wrigley, Ohana, Ohana; 2025: Pitt1, Pitt2
I was wondering that the other day. And I think they’re safe for a while.
Google still says it’s profitable for one, with more viewership and more higher ads. But also I think they could easily cut the budget. When you think of iconic SNL cast members, they typically were only on SNL 5-6 years. The formula worked for a long time, recycle cast members more frequently. My guess is one big reason is salaries weren’t what they are now to the long standing members. In 2001 Will Ferrel set the record in salary at $17,500 an episode. It doesn’t seem to be openly shared, but some current members, like Keenan, make $2-3 million a season, which translates to over $100k an episode. Lorne makes between $30-40 million a season. Looking at the cast from 2001, pretty much every single one of them was or is an icon in comedy. Most were only on 5-6 seasons, I think Tina fey was the longest and lasted 9 seasons. Compared to this year’s cast, several members are 10-20+ years as cast members. They are spending a lot more on salaries because they are keeping many of them longer and paying much higher salaries. I think before they cut SNL, they reduce salaries and go back to the shorter tenure they had before. seems like people liked SNL more when they did that anyway.
I think you’re gonna see big SNL purge for s51. Really felt like a couple of the sketches from the s50 finale were a send off for some and several looked emotional.
That being said, SNL is a different beast than the late night talk show. I’d even argue it’s a bigger institution than any of the late night talk shows, even The Tonight Show.
I was wondering that the other day. And I think they’re safe for a while.
Google still says it’s profitable for one, with more viewership and more higher ads. But also I think they could easily cut the budget. When you think of iconic SNL cast members, they typically were only on SNL 5-6 years. The formula worked for a long time, recycle cast members more frequently. My guess is one big reason is salaries weren’t what they are now to the long standing members. In 2001 Will Ferrel set the record in salary at $17,500 an episode. It doesn’t seem to be openly shared, but some current members, like Keenan, make $2-3 million a season, which translates to over $100k an episode. Lorne makes between $30-40 million a season. Looking at the cast from 2001, pretty much every single one of them was or is an icon in comedy. Most were only on 5-6 seasons, I think Tina fey was the longest and lasted 9 seasons. Compared to this year’s cast, several members are 10-20+ years as cast members. They are spending a lot more on salaries because they are keeping many of them longer and paying much higher salaries. I think before they cut SNL, they reduce salaries and go back to the shorter tenure they had before. seems like people liked SNL more when they did that anyway.
Lorne HATED having to come up with new cast members every few years so he made the cast bigger so the quest for talent wasn't that critical.
I think most use this as a stepping stone for bigger things? Keenan befuddles me. He had a career before this and decided to stay for so many years.
Well he killed it every year and if no one was pushing him out, why go? Plus he was Lao the known face for so many cast turnovers. Kept people checking it out despite new faces (which people always hate for 2 seasons and then they’re a cast that people miss a decade after)
I was wondering that the other day. And I think they’re safe for a while.
Google still says it’s profitable for one, with more viewership and more higher ads. But also I think they could easily cut the budget. When you think of iconic SNL cast members, they typically were only on SNL 5-6 years. The formula worked for a long time, recycle cast members more frequently. My guess is one big reason is salaries weren’t what they are now to the long standing members. In 2001 Will Ferrel set the record in salary at $17,500 an episode. It doesn’t seem to be openly shared, but some current members, like Keenan, make $2-3 million a season, which translates to over $100k an episode. Lorne makes between $30-40 million a season. Looking at the cast from 2001, pretty much every single one of them was or is an icon in comedy. Most were only on 5-6 seasons, I think Tina fey was the longest and lasted 9 seasons. Compared to this year’s cast, several members are 10-20+ years as cast members. They are spending a lot more on salaries because they are keeping many of them longer and paying much higher salaries. I think before they cut SNL, they reduce salaries and go back to the shorter tenure they had before. seems like people liked SNL more when they did that anyway.
Lorne HATED having to come up with new cast members every few years so he made the cast bigger so the quest for talent wasn't that critical.
I think most use this as a stepping stone for bigger things? Keenan befuddles me. He had a career before this and decided to stay for so many years.
It for sure was a stepping stone, not a career, until recently. You’re capped at 400k a season then someone offers you 5 million for your first lead role in a movie, you’re going to take it. Even if it means leaving the cast. Im sure it’s a gamble and a pain always looking for new members. But everyone loves the 90s and 2000s SNL over now, and it was a lot cheaper, so it worked.
Hopefully it will die a quiet, peaceful death. That show used to be so good, but it really lost its way some years ago.
No. People say this every year.
It has its ups and downs just like every year. I think a lot of people are forgetting how bad some of the sketches/episodes and cast members were back in the 90's and early 2000's. Every week usually had at least one good skit and that still stands today. There are also some horrendously bad skits.
It's a hopeless situation...
0
brianlux
Moving through All Kinds of Terrain. Posts: 43,615
I think Weekend Update is as good as it's ever been and I've thought numerous times over the last 30 years that when each person/people left that duty that it would never be the same, but I still think it's the most consistently funny segment year after year.
Hopefully it will die a quiet, peaceful death. That show used to be so good, but it really lost its way some years ago.
No. People say this every year.
It has its ups and downs just like every year. I think a lot of people are forgetting how bad some of the sketches/episodes and cast members were back in the 90's and early 2000's. Every week usually had at least one good skit and that still stands today. There are also some horrendously bad skits.
I heard someone say a while ago SNL was best when you were in high school and college. Doesn’t matter when that was, but that’s when it was best for you. might be some truth in that.
0
brianlux
Moving through All Kinds of Terrain. Posts: 43,615
Comments
Libtardaplorable©. And proud of it.
Brilliantati©
Not today Sir, Probably not tomorrow.............................................. bayfront arena st. pete '94
you're finally here and I'm a mess................................................... nationwide arena columbus '10
memories like fingerprints are slowly raising.................................... first niagara center buffalo '13
another man ..... moved by sleight of hand...................................... joe louis arena detroit '14
This whole bribe argument is Trump accepted $16 million in return for having the show he didn’t like cancelled. Shouldn’t the money flow the other way in a bribe? Wouldn’t Trump be paying cbs millions to cancel the show in a bribe?
If I’m wrong on how bribes work, then i need to get a cop to pay me $500 to not give me a ticket next time I’m pulled over. That’s would be awesome.
Not today Sir, Probably not tomorrow.............................................. bayfront arena st. pete '94
you're finally here and I'm a mess................................................... nationwide arena columbus '10
memories like fingerprints are slowly raising.................................... first niagara center buffalo '13
another man ..... moved by sleight of hand...................................... joe louis arena detroit '14
Now, I can picture that happening. I just don’t picture the show being a part of that deal, especially when it’s in the red so much.
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DMZTCYOshrb/?igsh=Mm54azhtNjA5OHpk
Libtardaplorable©. And proud of it.
Brilliantati©
while all this is going on, the Rs took away NPR from most of rural America, making it more difficult to reach these voters.
like you said earlier, enjoy your nap.
hey boss, look, da plane!
The Golden Age is 2 months away. And guess what….. you’re gonna love it! (teskeinc 11.19.24)
1998: Noblesville; 2003: Noblesville; 2009: EV Nashville, Chicago, Chicago
2010: St Louis, Columbus, Noblesville; 2011: EV Chicago, East Troy, East Troy
2013: London ON, Wrigley; 2014: Cincy, St Louis, Moline (NO CODE)
2016: Lexington, Wrigley #1; 2018: Wrigley, Wrigley, Boston, Boston
2020: Oakland, Oakland: 2021: EV Ohana, Ohana, Ohana, Ohana
2022: Oakland, Oakland, Nashville, Louisville; 2023: Chicago, Chicago, Noblesville
2024: Noblesville, Wrigley, Wrigley, Ohana, Ohana; 2025: Pitt1, Pitt2
https://youtu.be/Rv6SNu0aavU?si=cIND133RPEF5mqPm
Google still says it’s profitable for one, with more viewership and more higher ads.
But also I think they could easily cut the budget. When you think of iconic SNL cast members, they typically were only on SNL 5-6 years. The formula worked for a long time, recycle cast members more frequently. My guess is one big reason is salaries weren’t what they are now to the long standing members. In 2001 Will Ferrel set the record in salary at $17,500 an episode. It doesn’t seem to be openly shared, but some current members, like Keenan, make $2-3 million a season, which translates to over $100k an episode. Lorne makes between $30-40 million a season.
Looking at the cast from 2001, pretty much every single one of them was or is an icon in comedy. Most were only on 5-6 seasons, I think Tina fey was the longest and lasted 9 seasons.
Compared to this year’s cast, several members are 10-20+ years as cast members. They are spending a lot more on salaries because they are keeping many of them longer and paying much higher salaries.
I think before they cut SNL, they reduce salaries and go back to the shorter tenure they had before. seems like people liked SNL more when they did that anyway.
I think most use this as a stepping stone for bigger things? Keenan befuddles me. He had a career before this and decided to stay for so many years.
You’re capped at 400k a season then someone offers you 5 million for your first lead role in a movie, you’re going to take it. Even if it means leaving the cast.
Im sure it’s a gamble and a pain always looking for new members. But everyone loves the 90s and 2000s SNL over now, and it was a lot cheaper, so it worked.
Hopefully it will die a quiet, peaceful death. That show used to be so good, but it really lost its way some years ago.
Perhaps. But do you still enjoy SNL? Most people I knew in the 80 loved it. I literally do not have a single friend that watches that show any more.
Doesn’t matter when that was, but that’s when it was best for you.
might be some truth in that.
I'm glad you still enjoy the show.