For 20 years, Stephen Colbert distinguished truth from truthiness
Stephen Colbert's career spanned 20 years and over 3,000 episodes, during which he popularized the concept of 'truthiness.' His approach to satire, particularly in the context of political commentary, has left a significant impact on late-night television. As his Late Show concludes, Colbert is remembered for his commitment to truth and his ability to adapt to the evolving media landscape.
- ▪Stephen Colbert's first episode of The Colbert Report introduced the term 'truthiness.'
- ▪His Late Show was canceled by CBS despite high ratings, with speculation about political motivations behind the decision.
- ▪Colbert's work has influenced a generation of comedians and late-night hosts, showcasing the power of political satire.
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| Original publisher | NPR — News |
| Canonical URL | https://www.npr.org/2026/05/18/nx-s1-5815315/stephen-colbert-final-show |
| Publication time | Mon, 18 May 2026 05:00:00 -0400 |
| Retrieval time | 2026-05-18T09:09:56.112Z |
| Last seen | 2026-05-18T09:09:56.112Z |
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Analysis For 20 years, Stephen Colbert distinguished truth from truthiness May 18, 20265:00 AM ET Eric Deggans Stephen Colbert during a taping of Comedy Central's The Colbert Report in December 2014. Andrew Harrer/Pool/Getty Images hide caption toggle caption Andrew Harrer/Pool/Getty Images After more than 3,000 episodes of television stretched over 20 years and two TV networks, this critic believes Stephen Colbert's greatest legacy as a host and performer comes down to a single word. Truthiness. Colbert highlighted it on the very first episode of his Colbert Report, a spinoff of The Daily Show which featured him as a blown-up parody of TV pundits like original Fox News Channel star Bill O'Reilly — championing the idea of believing something because it feels true, regardless of the facts.
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