Now that CBS has officially pulled the plug on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, there’s renewed curiosity about the direction the show took over the years—especially when it came to politics.
What’s become clear is just how frequently Colbert opened his stage to progressive voices, drawing criticism for what many see as a heavy liberal tilt.
A Familiar Face: Anderson Cooper’s 21 Appearances
One name that repeatedly popped up in Colbert’s guest lineup? CNN anchor and outspoken Trump critic Anderson Cooper.
He joined Colbert on the show 21 times between 2016 and 2025.
Cooper even appeared in a recent comedic Coldplay-style sketch with Colbert and other hosts, where a cartoon version of Donald Trump hugged a Paramount logo—a jab that didn’t go unnoticed.
The Show’s Sudden Exit and the Trump Lawsuit Fallout
CBS’s decision to end The Late Show by May 2026 follows increasing tension between Colbert and the network’s parent company, Paramount Global.
The breaking point? Paramount’s decision to settle a $16 million defamation lawsuit with Donald Trump—something Colbert openly mocked, calling it a “big fat bribe” during one of his monologues.
A Rolodex of Left-Leaning Media Personalities
A deeper look at Colbert’s guest list, tallied by Fox News Digital, shows just how stacked the show was with left-leaning figures.
Around 200 episodes featured major liberal media voices. Guests included:
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Rachel Maddow (8 appearances)
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Jake Tapper (12 times)
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Whoopi Goldberg (multiple appearances)
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Joy Reid, who joined him four times before her own show was axed earlier this year.
Even former Obama staffers turned podcast hosts—Jon Favreau, Jon Lovett, and Tommy Vietor of Pod Save America—dropped in 11 times.
CBS Colleagues Got Their Share of Airtime Too
It wasn’t just liberal stars from other networks. Colbert’s own CBS family was regularly featured too:
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Gayle King appeared 14 times
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John Dickerson made it to the show 19 times
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Norah O’Donnell and Margaret Brennan showed up several times as well
These regulars added a layer of network camaraderie to Colbert’s politically charged hosting style.
Not Just CBS: Guests from MSNBC, CNN, and More
Colbert also made room for high-profile media names from rival networks:
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George Stephanopoulos of ABC, who famously declared Trump “liable for rape” (despite the legal ruling actually being sexual abuse), appeared twice
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Savannah Guthrie and Craig Melvin from NBC joined briefly
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Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski, co-hosts of Morning Joe, made four appearances together
From CNN, the guest list included heavyweights like Don Lemon, Chris Cuomo, Kaitlan Collins, Jim Acosta, and Van Jones.
Why It Matters: Politics and Prestige
This alignment with liberal figures may not just be about preference—it could also play into Emmy voting dynamics.
According to Steven Zeitchik from The Hollywood Reporter, Colbert’s public stances, particularly his resistance to the Trump administration, could win over voters at the Television Academy.
There’s speculation that this new wave of attention, mixed with sympathy following the show’s cancellation, could finally land The Late Show an Emmy—something it never achieved during its CBS run despite being nominated multiple times.
Colbert vs. Oliver: The Emmy Rivalry
Although Colbert has one Emmy win under his belt—for The Colbert Report on Comedy Central—his CBS years haven’t yielded a win.
Between 2017 and 2022, The Late Show was consistently nominated but always lost out to Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, another show known for its unapologetically liberal angle.
What Comes Next?
With the show ending in 2026, all eyes are on how Colbert’s legacy will be remembered.
Was he a bold voice for progressive commentary in late-night television? Or did the show veer too far into partisan territory?
Either way, the guest list doesn’t lie.
For nearly a decade, Colbert turned The Late Show into a platform where America’s liberal media figures felt right at home—and that’s left plenty of people talking as the curtain prepares to close.