Latest news with #US16
Sydney Morning Herald
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Sydney Morning Herald
I lived my dream on US talk shows – the axing of Colbert's Late Show is about one thing
When I first got to Hollywood in 2011, I had a movie-like experience. I was picked up from the airport by my friend in a red '70s convertible and driven straight to a stand-up comedy night where I performed a set that landed me a job writing for The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. Having just come from the Melbourne open-mic comedy scene, it seemed surreal that I could all of a sudden land a job on the longest-running late-night talk show in the history of television. If I had stayed in Australia, the best I could hope for would be a gig on brekkie radio – no offence to Kyle and Jackie O. Such is the allure of showbiz in the US. You can turn up and become a star, or you can be caught cheating on your wife at a Coldplay concert. Anything can happen. But over 15 years of working in American television, I've discovered how those showbiz dreams are underpinned by an old boys' club – men (mostly) in suits who all went to the same college, competing for status and bonuses big enough to buy yachts. These business execs aren't patrons of the arts. They're not champions of political causes. They're businesspeople who could just as well be in construction or tech or, if they're really daring, health insurance. This underbelly has now come to the surface with Stephen Colbert's announcement that The Late Show has been cancelled by CBS. The decision came days after Colbert criticised the network for settling a $US16 million lawsuit with President Donald Trump, calling it a 'big fat bribe'. It's speculated that such dissent from Colbert had to be stifled by CBS, to help them secure federal approval of their planned $US8 billion merger with Skydance Media. The network denies this, stating the cancellation of The Late Show was 'purely a financial decision against a challenging backdrop in late night' – an explanation that would be far more plausible if Colbert wasn't winning the ratings in his time slot and hosting the only late-night talk show in recent years to grow viewers. For the writers, the performers and the audiences of late night, these shows are a sacred emblem of the first amendment. This is where Johnny Carson cracked wise about Nixon during the Watergate scandal; where Leno ripped into Bill Clinton for his affair; where David Letterman had a regular segment mocking George W. Bush for being downright dumb. All of these presidents copped it on the chin because any indication they wanted the mockery stifled would be an affront to the Constitution. That doesn't seem to be the case with the current administration, which has a glass jaw when it comes to criticism. Colbert himself put it best: 'Donald Trump has the thinnest skin in politics. If you just whisper 'Obama' near him, he bruises like a peach in a wind tunnel.' Loading I can only speculate with the rest of the internet about why this cancellation of a popular, prominent Trump critic happened at this time. But I do have experience rubbing shoulders with the decision-makers at these networks. I've sat in the guest lounge at The Tonight Show (where I would pray my jokes would get big laughs) while network execs stood around talking about golf instead of even watching the show they commissioned. They always seemed to be in their own world, competing over their hobbies, their private jets, their business deals, or the calibre of celebrities they secured for projects. Unlike the writers of these shows, they never spoke about politics. They didn't seem to care if jokes were left- or right-leaning. They just wanted good ratings to further their own careers.
The Age
a day ago
- Entertainment
- The Age
I lived my dream on US talk shows – the axing of Colbert's Late Show is about one thing
When I first got to Hollywood in 2011, I had a movie-like experience. I was picked up from the airport by my friend in a red '70s convertible and driven straight to a stand-up comedy night where I performed a set that landed me a job writing for The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. Having just come from the Melbourne open-mic comedy scene, it seemed surreal that I could all of a sudden land a job on the longest-running late-night talk show in the history of television. If I had stayed in Australia, the best I could hope for would be a gig on brekkie radio – no offence to Kyle and Jackie O. Such is the allure of showbiz in the US. You can turn up and become a star, or you can be caught cheating on your wife at a Coldplay concert. Anything can happen. But over 15 years of working in American television, I've discovered how those showbiz dreams are underpinned by an old boys' club – men (mostly) in suits who all went to the same college, competing for status and bonuses big enough to buy yachts. These business execs aren't patrons of the arts. They're not champions of political causes. They're businesspeople who could just as well be in construction or tech or, if they're really daring, health insurance. This underbelly has now come to the surface with Stephen Colbert's announcement that The Late Show has been cancelled by CBS. The decision came days after Colbert criticised the network for settling a $US16 million lawsuit with President Donald Trump, calling it a 'big fat bribe'. It's speculated that such dissent from Colbert had to be stifled by CBS, to help them secure federal approval of their planned $US8 billion merger with Skydance Media. The network denies this, stating the cancellation of The Late Show was 'purely a financial decision against a challenging backdrop in late night' – an explanation that would be far more plausible if Colbert wasn't winning the ratings in his time slot and hosting the only late-night talk show in recent years to grow viewers. For the writers, the performers and the audiences of late night, these shows are a sacred emblem of the first amendment. This is where Johnny Carson cracked wise about Nixon during the Watergate scandal; where Leno ripped into Bill Clinton for his affair; where David Letterman had a regular segment mocking George W. Bush for being downright dumb. All of these presidents copped it on the chin because any indication they wanted the mockery stifled would be an affront to the Constitution. That doesn't seem to be the case with the current administration, which has a glass jaw when it comes to criticism. Colbert himself put it best: 'Donald Trump has the thinnest skin in politics. If you just whisper 'Obama' near him, he bruises like a peach in a wind tunnel.' Loading I can only speculate with the rest of the internet about why this cancellation of a popular, prominent Trump critic happened at this time. But I do have experience rubbing shoulders with the decision-makers at these networks. I've sat in the guest lounge at The Tonight Show (where I would pray my jokes would get big laughs) while network execs stood around talking about golf instead of even watching the show they commissioned. They always seemed to be in their own world, competing over their hobbies, their private jets, their business deals, or the calibre of celebrities they secured for projects. Unlike the writers of these shows, they never spoke about politics. They didn't seem to care if jokes were left- or right-leaning. They just wanted good ratings to further their own careers.
The Advertiser
a day ago
- Business
- The Advertiser
Trump boasts about $25m Paramount payday
US President Donald Trump says CBS parent company Paramount has paid him $US16 million ($A25 million) as part of a lawsuit settlement. This month, Paramount agreed to settle a lawsuit filed by Trump claiming that the CBS news program 60 Minutes deceptively edited an interview with former vice president Kamala Harris that the network broadcast in October. Paramount needs approval from the Federal Communications Commission for its $US8.4 billion ($A12.9 billion) merger with Skydance Media. The FCC did not make a decision by the 180-day informal deadline in mid-May and FCC Chair Brendan Carr has denied Trump's lawsuit was a factor. Paramount declined comment. Trump and CBS formally agreed on Tuesday to the dismissal of his lawsuit, according to a court filing. "We have just achieved a BIG AND IMPORTANT WIN in our Historic Lawsuit against 60 Minutes, CBS, and Paramount... Paramount/CBS/60 Minutes have today paid $16 Million Dollars in settlement, and we also anticipate receiving $20 Million Dollars more from the new Owners," Trump said in a post on Truth Social. Skydance declined to comment on Trump's social media post. Skydance and its investors plan to acquire National Amusements, which holds the family's controlling stake in Paramount. Skydance will subsequently be merged into Paramount, with its CEO, David Ellison, becoming Paramount's next chief executive. The payment comes after CBS faced a barrage of criticism over its controversial decision to axe Stephen Colbert's Late Night talk show after he labelled Paramount's decision to pay the settlement to Trump a "big fat bribe". The New York Post previously reported Ellison, son of billionaire Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison, agreed to run up to $US20 million ($A31 million) in public service announcements to promote causes supported by the president. Following publication, Paramount issued a statement that its settlement with Trump "does not include PSAs or anything related to PSAs". Paramount also said it had no knowledge of any promises or commitments made to Trump other than those put forth by the mediator. US President Donald Trump says CBS parent company Paramount has paid him $US16 million ($A25 million) as part of a lawsuit settlement. This month, Paramount agreed to settle a lawsuit filed by Trump claiming that the CBS news program 60 Minutes deceptively edited an interview with former vice president Kamala Harris that the network broadcast in October. Paramount needs approval from the Federal Communications Commission for its $US8.4 billion ($A12.9 billion) merger with Skydance Media. The FCC did not make a decision by the 180-day informal deadline in mid-May and FCC Chair Brendan Carr has denied Trump's lawsuit was a factor. Paramount declined comment. Trump and CBS formally agreed on Tuesday to the dismissal of his lawsuit, according to a court filing. "We have just achieved a BIG AND IMPORTANT WIN in our Historic Lawsuit against 60 Minutes, CBS, and Paramount... Paramount/CBS/60 Minutes have today paid $16 Million Dollars in settlement, and we also anticipate receiving $20 Million Dollars more from the new Owners," Trump said in a post on Truth Social. Skydance declined to comment on Trump's social media post. Skydance and its investors plan to acquire National Amusements, which holds the family's controlling stake in Paramount. Skydance will subsequently be merged into Paramount, with its CEO, David Ellison, becoming Paramount's next chief executive. The payment comes after CBS faced a barrage of criticism over its controversial decision to axe Stephen Colbert's Late Night talk show after he labelled Paramount's decision to pay the settlement to Trump a "big fat bribe". The New York Post previously reported Ellison, son of billionaire Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison, agreed to run up to $US20 million ($A31 million) in public service announcements to promote causes supported by the president. Following publication, Paramount issued a statement that its settlement with Trump "does not include PSAs or anything related to PSAs". Paramount also said it had no knowledge of any promises or commitments made to Trump other than those put forth by the mediator. US President Donald Trump says CBS parent company Paramount has paid him $US16 million ($A25 million) as part of a lawsuit settlement. This month, Paramount agreed to settle a lawsuit filed by Trump claiming that the CBS news program 60 Minutes deceptively edited an interview with former vice president Kamala Harris that the network broadcast in October. Paramount needs approval from the Federal Communications Commission for its $US8.4 billion ($A12.9 billion) merger with Skydance Media. The FCC did not make a decision by the 180-day informal deadline in mid-May and FCC Chair Brendan Carr has denied Trump's lawsuit was a factor. Paramount declined comment. Trump and CBS formally agreed on Tuesday to the dismissal of his lawsuit, according to a court filing. "We have just achieved a BIG AND IMPORTANT WIN in our Historic Lawsuit against 60 Minutes, CBS, and Paramount... Paramount/CBS/60 Minutes have today paid $16 Million Dollars in settlement, and we also anticipate receiving $20 Million Dollars more from the new Owners," Trump said in a post on Truth Social. Skydance declined to comment on Trump's social media post. Skydance and its investors plan to acquire National Amusements, which holds the family's controlling stake in Paramount. Skydance will subsequently be merged into Paramount, with its CEO, David Ellison, becoming Paramount's next chief executive. The payment comes after CBS faced a barrage of criticism over its controversial decision to axe Stephen Colbert's Late Night talk show after he labelled Paramount's decision to pay the settlement to Trump a "big fat bribe". The New York Post previously reported Ellison, son of billionaire Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison, agreed to run up to $US20 million ($A31 million) in public service announcements to promote causes supported by the president. Following publication, Paramount issued a statement that its settlement with Trump "does not include PSAs or anything related to PSAs". Paramount also said it had no knowledge of any promises or commitments made to Trump other than those put forth by the mediator. US President Donald Trump says CBS parent company Paramount has paid him $US16 million ($A25 million) as part of a lawsuit settlement. This month, Paramount agreed to settle a lawsuit filed by Trump claiming that the CBS news program 60 Minutes deceptively edited an interview with former vice president Kamala Harris that the network broadcast in October. Paramount needs approval from the Federal Communications Commission for its $US8.4 billion ($A12.9 billion) merger with Skydance Media. The FCC did not make a decision by the 180-day informal deadline in mid-May and FCC Chair Brendan Carr has denied Trump's lawsuit was a factor. Paramount declined comment. Trump and CBS formally agreed on Tuesday to the dismissal of his lawsuit, according to a court filing. "We have just achieved a BIG AND IMPORTANT WIN in our Historic Lawsuit against 60 Minutes, CBS, and Paramount... Paramount/CBS/60 Minutes have today paid $16 Million Dollars in settlement, and we also anticipate receiving $20 Million Dollars more from the new Owners," Trump said in a post on Truth Social. Skydance declined to comment on Trump's social media post. Skydance and its investors plan to acquire National Amusements, which holds the family's controlling stake in Paramount. Skydance will subsequently be merged into Paramount, with its CEO, David Ellison, becoming Paramount's next chief executive. The payment comes after CBS faced a barrage of criticism over its controversial decision to axe Stephen Colbert's Late Night talk show after he labelled Paramount's decision to pay the settlement to Trump a "big fat bribe". The New York Post previously reported Ellison, son of billionaire Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison, agreed to run up to $US20 million ($A31 million) in public service announcements to promote causes supported by the president. Following publication, Paramount issued a statement that its settlement with Trump "does not include PSAs or anything related to PSAs". Paramount also said it had no knowledge of any promises or commitments made to Trump other than those put forth by the mediator.
Perth Now
a day ago
- Business
- Perth Now
Trump boasts about $25m Paramount payday
US President Donald Trump says CBS parent company Paramount has paid him $US16 million ($A25 million) as part of a lawsuit settlement. This month, Paramount agreed to settle a lawsuit filed by Trump claiming that the CBS news program 60 Minutes deceptively edited an interview with former vice president Kamala Harris that the network broadcast in October. Paramount needs approval from the Federal Communications Commission for its $US8.4 billion ($A12.9 billion) merger with Skydance Media. The FCC did not make a decision by the 180-day informal deadline in mid-May and FCC Chair Brendan Carr has denied Trump's lawsuit was a factor. Paramount declined comment. Trump and CBS formally agreed on Tuesday to the dismissal of his lawsuit, according to a court filing. "We have just achieved a BIG AND IMPORTANT WIN in our Historic Lawsuit against 60 Minutes, CBS, and Paramount... Paramount/CBS/60 Minutes have today paid $16 Million Dollars in settlement, and we also anticipate receiving $20 Million Dollars more from the new Owners," Trump said in a post on Truth Social. Skydance declined to comment on Trump's social media post. Skydance and its investors plan to acquire National Amusements, which holds the family's controlling stake in Paramount. Skydance will subsequently be merged into Paramount, with its CEO, David Ellison, becoming Paramount's next chief executive. The payment comes after CBS faced a barrage of criticism over its controversial decision to axe Stephen Colbert's Late Night talk show after he labelled Paramount's decision to pay the settlement to Trump a "big fat bribe". The New York Post previously reported Ellison, son of billionaire Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison, agreed to run up to $US20 million ($A31 million) in public service announcements to promote causes supported by the president. Following publication, Paramount issued a statement that its settlement with Trump "does not include PSAs or anything related to PSAs". Paramount also said it had no knowledge of any promises or commitments made to Trump other than those put forth by the mediator.
Sky News AU
04-07-2025
- Politics
- Sky News AU
CNN broadcasts fake Donald Trump extortion claim
Sky News Digital Editor Jack Houghton has slammed CNN's Brian Stelter for claiming CBS' $US16 million settlement with US President Donald Trump was 'extortion'.
