'Looks Like Bribery!': Critics Say This 1 Colbert Joke May Have Gotten 'Late Show' Canceled
Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) shared a clip from Colbert's Monday monologue on social media where he slammed Paramount Global for settling a lawsuit with Trump, who claimed that a '60 Minutes' interview with Kamala Harris was deceptively edited to aid her chances of winning the election.
That settlement notably arrived as Paramount looks to merge with Skydance Media in a multibillion-dollar deal, one that requires approval from the Trump administration to proceed.
'As someone who has always been a proud employee of this network, I am offended. I don't know if anything — anything — will repair my trust in this company,' Colbert quipped. 'But, just taking a stab at it, I'd say $16 million would help.'
The host proceeded to point out that Paramount once described the lawsuit as 'completely without merit' before joking that the company put a price tag on its 'dignity' and referred to the settlement as a 'big fat bribe.'
Colbert, a frequent Trump critic, previously made fun of Paramount back in May amid reports that the company was ready to settle the lawsuit.
Warren echoed Colbert's sentiment as she wrote on X that the deal 'looks like bribery' and America 'deserves to know if his show was canceled for political reasons.'
In May, Warren, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and more lawmakers sent a letter to Paramount Global chair Shari Redstone warning her not to make a 'grave mistake' by settling the lawsuit.
At the time, Sanders — when asked by Colbert about the letter to his 'ultimate boss' — quipped that it could be the host's 'last show' before stressing that such a deal could set a dangerous precedent for other media companies.
CBS canceled Colbert's show just THREE DAYS after Colbert called out CBS parent company Paramount for its $16M settlement with Trump – a deal that looks like bribery.America deserves to know if his show was canceled for political reasons.Watch and share his message. pic.twitter.com/Rz7HcWFLYM
— Elizabeth Warren (@SenWarren) July 18, 2025
Sen. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), who is set to appear on Thursday's episode of 'The Late Show,' also criticized CBS' move.
'If Paramount and CBS ended the Late Show for political reasons, the public deserves to know. And deserves better,' Schiff wrote on X.
Just finished taping with Stephen Colbert who announced his show was cancelled.If Paramount and CBS ended the Late Show for political reasons, the public deserves to know. And deserves better.
— Adam Schiff (@SenAdamSchiff) July 17, 2025
Other critics alleged that the move by CBS was political motivated although the network claims it was 'purely a financial decision.'
CBS sells out…again. https://t.co/VX9Ft4UWyq
— Martin Heinrich (@SenatorHeinrich) July 18, 2025
Stephen Colbert's show was canceled three days after he called out Paramount, CBS's parent company, for folding to Trump with a $16M settlement for a lawsuit that even they called 'without merit."People deserve to know if this is a politically motivated attack on free speech.
— Rep. Pramila Jayapal (@RepJayapal) July 18, 2025
Colbert to be canceled May 2026.A direct result of Paramount paying Trump 60 million. pic.twitter.com/ZxuXZOAnOH
— Steve Martin (@UnrealBluegrass) July 18, 2025
'This is purely a financial decision against a challenging backdrop in late night,' top CBS executives said in a statement announcing the news. 'It is not related in any way to the show's performance, content or other matters happening at Paramount.' pic.twitter.com/VXp4zWeT1e
— Bill Simmons (@BillSimmons) July 18, 2025
Colbert has the highest ratings of any late night host."Financial reasons" my ass. This is political. pic.twitter.com/4WMyj5lPte
— Charlotte Clymer 🇺🇦 (@cmclymer) July 18, 2025
On the one hand: There *is* an economic rationale for this. Late night shows aren't cheap (w/ giant talent salaries) and they don't deliver traditional strong ratings anymore.Other hand: I don't believe them. It's not the money in this case. https://t.co/RwXrZTgMT9
— Michael Socolow (@MichaelSocolow) July 17, 2025
If Donald Trump is going to get Stephen Colbert canceled, Stephen Colbert should talk about Donald Trump & Jeffrey Epstein every night on his show until it's off the air.
— Evan (@daviddunn177) July 18, 2025
Stephen Colbert doesn't need CBS anyway. Wherever he ends up, people are going to watch him even harder now. All CBS did was solidify the fact that they'll be know until the end of time as just another spineless corporation that couldn't do the right thing.
— Karly Kingsley (@karlykingsley) July 18, 2025
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Pulpits unleashed: Churches no longer bound by IRS gag rule on politics
Florida houses of worship can now endorse political candidates in some cases, an exception created by the IRS recently that reversed decades of legal precedent preventing churches from involvement in politics. The Internal Revenue Service's position came from a July 7 filing meant to end a lawsuit from the National Religious Broadcasters association last year, who argued that a provision in the U.S. tax code infringed on First Amendment rights to speech and religious expression. That provision, known as the Johnson Amendment and covering what are called "501(c)(3)" nonprofits, banned tax-exempt organizations from political participation, like issuing endorsements or opposing candidates. The IRS's joint filing with the religious groups instead says political discussions "from a house of worship to its congregation in connection with religious services" isn't interfering with political campaigns, but instead is similar to a "family discussion concerning candidates." This decision empowers churches in Florida to endorse political candidates, although that is not entirely new in the state's faith landscape. Often, political candidates would speak at churches and would mobilize religious groups to get involved in campaigns related to important issues to their congregation. In 2024, former Vice President Kamala Harris' campaign aimed to mobilize Black churchgoers to turn out to vote in "Souls to the Polls" initiatives in battleground states. Before last year's election, Gov. Ron DeSantis also turned to faith groups to stir opposition against ballot initiatives that would have enshrined abortion rights and recreational marijuana in the state's constitution. The governor turned to his faith and community initiative to mobilize religious groups, and his administration worked with Mat Staver to oppose the abortion amendment. Staver is chairman of Liberty Counsel, a nonprofit law firm and Christian ministry that advocates for religious freedom of expression. Staver lauded the president in a statement following the joint ruling, saying President Donald Trump "pledged to eliminate the Johnson Amendment and allow our pastors and churches to speak freely and without fear of retribution." "The Trump administration has now agreed to unshackle the pulpit from the chains of the Johnson Amendment," Staver said. It's not unusual for churches to get involved in discussions about contentious policy issues, namely abortion. When DeSantis campaigned against the abortion amendment, he went to City Church Tallahassee, which says on its website that it maintains a "conservative theological position." Thomas Wenski, the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Miami, said many churches, despite these rules about political endorsement, would endorse candidates and wouldn't have a problem. The Archdiocese of Miami wouldn't do that, however, Wenski added. Although the church says its opinions on contentious topics in ballot amendments, Wenski said it wouldn't endorse political candidates because "a Catholic would feel homeless in either party at this point." Earlier this year, Wenski spoke at a Catholic mass in Tallahassee attended by the governor and reminded those in attendance that even "the migrant is not a stranger," quoting Jesus, and he thanked DeSantis for speaking out against the proposed constitutional amendment on abortion. He added: "The church doesn't endorse political leaders. That's a fool's errand to do that." This reporting content is supported by a partnership with Freedom Forum and Journalism Funding Partners. USA Today Network-Florida First Amendment reporter Stephany Matat is based in Tallahassee, Fla. She can be reached at SMatat@ On X: @stephanymatat. This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: In Florida & elsewhere, churches can now endorse political candidates
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21 People Who Dated The "Bad Boy" Or "Bad Girl" As Teenagers Are Sharing How (Or If) That Person Changed As An Adult
From Romeo & Juliet to Grease, dating the "bad" boy or girl has been seen as a rite of passage for young people for centuries. However, as these "rebels" mature, they sometimes become very different from the people they were as teenagers... That's why, when I recently decided to ask members of the BuzzFeed Community who dated their high school's "bad boy" or "bad girl," to tell me how that person turned out as an adult, I received many comments that ranged from heartwarming to "What the hell?" Without further ado, here are 21 of their most enlightening responses: Some responses were also taken from Reddit threads, which you can check out here and here! If you dated your high school's "bad" boy or girl, feel free to tell us how (or if) they changed as an adult using this anonymous form! Content warning: abuse, addiction, and death. 1."I was 17 when I became friends with the 19-year-old bad boy, whom I'll call 'Jesse', right after high school. He had been on his own since he was 15 and had a past history of stealing to make ends meet. He would also regularly get into fights, didn't have a license or a phone, lived in a camper in someone's backyard, and went from job to job. His only real prospect was being in a rock band." "Around the time we became friends, I was privately struggling in an emotionally abusive three-year relationship with my boyfriend, whom I'll call 'Kyle.' Kyle was the epitome of a 'good guy' — charming, handsome, rich, and generally well-liked by Jesse. Jesse was the only person who saw through Kyle's 'nice guy' facade, and he made his opinions known. I was defensive and decided that Jesse must have feelings for me and was trying to drive Kyle and me apart, so I ended my friendship with him. But his opinions on Kyle bothered me for weeks because they were completely accurate. This eventually gave me the courage to break up with Kyle." "I found my way back to Jesse about a month later and thought dating a bad boy for the summer might be a fun rebound. I'd hang out with him and his band, drink alcohol for the first time, and let his wild energy rub off on me. That wild summer turned into a wild year and then another. Thirteen years later, we're happily married." "It was work and took a lot of time and patience, and maybe I was naive in the beginning, but he was totally worth the effort. He expressed the desire to do better and to be better, and he proved it to me every day. Jesse is more responsible than I am now, despite growing up troubled. He worked his way up from a warehouse job to being the top earner in his company with no formal education. We bought a house last year and a new vehicle (he eventually got his license). Our goal is to travel as much as possible in our 30s. When I look back on our history, I couldn't be more amazed and proud of who he has become. 'Good guy' Kyle, on the other hand, got kicked out of our old school for smoking indoors, was caught driving without a license, lost his car, and dropped out of university for poor attendance. He is currently unemployed and still living with his mom." —Anonymous, 30, Austin 2."My husband of 27 years was the motorcycle riding, chain on the wallet wearing, anti-establishment punk in high school. I was the Bible-toting, prayer-group leading, honors student. He told me he was going to marry me the first week I met him in the middle of tenth grade." "Now, he still rides a motorcycle, wears a wallet chain, and maintains an anti-establishment vibe, but he also teaches the Bible. He's a good dad to our three kids and supports our dreams and goals." —greentraveler944 3."In high school, I briefly dated a girl known for shenanigans that usually resulted in her being suspended from school. They were all harmless pranks, but I suspect they were a nuisance for teachers or anyone with ears sensitive to creative swearing." "Sometimes she'd come to school late with oil or grease on her hands and clothes. (She worked at a shop for European cars and had an awesome cobbled-together BMW from the '80s.) However, I was a year older than her, and we'd broken up by the time I graduated, so we didn't keep in touch. Fast forward 15 years, I heard from a friend that she had been accused of murder by distributing an intentional overdose. I occasionally Google her name and our hometown to see if anything pops up, but the accusation/arrest didn't come from there, and her name is, unfortunately, quite generic, so I've been stuck wondering for the last decade or so." —37, Washington 4."Started dating a super cool guy who was three years older than me when I was a senior. I had known him prior, but our relationship was never romantic or inappropriate. We got married shortly after I graduated, and I got pregnant. We split up before I gave birth, as he had become addicted to drugs. His family was always very helpful with our daughter." "He eventually became sober, and we not only co-parent beautifully, but we get along great. I adore his wife and his other child. He's even helped me move three times over the years. He's a great guy. We now share a grandson, as well. It's been so long since we were a couple that we almost think of each other like siblings at this point, weird as that sounds." —Anonymous 5."The 'bad boy' I dated is now in a Christian rock band, proselytizing on social media about how God hates immigrants and members of the LGBTQ+ community. He claims to know what God thinks about the issues, because he and God are 'so tight.' I definitely dodged that bullet." —60, Missouri 6."We casually dated for four months, and it was wild, hot, heavy, and intense, yet sweet and romantic too. He was covered in tattoos from his ankles to his neckline." "When I later decided to move across the country, I told him and left. I still think about him, and we catch up every couple of years. He's building houses now, wanting to leave his hometown, and taking medication for his borderline personality disorder. He seems to be in a good place. I'm happy for him, and I hope he finds someone special." —u/Sundae7878 7."I started dating the 'bad boy' (he was 18 and I was 17) during my senior year of high school when he offered to give me guitar lessons in exchange for me teaching him how to play the piano. Unbeknownst to me at the time, he was on probation for underage drinking and doing community service. (He also did many other questionable things before we met, but was never caught)." "He was really sweet to me at the beginning, but as our relationship continued, his true colors began to emerge. He had a terrible temper, so much so that he once threw a half-empty soda bottle that hit me in the ribs. That was the moment I decided to end our relationship and go 'no contact.' During our relationship, I always told him that if he didn't learn to control his temper and not fly into rages, he would be dead by the time he was 40. Sadly, I heard that he died from a heart attack two weeks before his fortieth birthday. When I was in college, I went in the complete opposite direction and began dating a cop whom I've been happily married to for 26 years, and he and I have a 20-year-old daughter. (I never learned how to play guitar, though.)" —Anonymous, 45 8."I went to high school with the typical rebel teen boy. He cut class, sold weed, was very intelligent, and in all the honors classes, but barely graduated due to poor attendance and grades. After graduation, we didn't talk or see each other because we barely talked at school." "Fourteen years later, we both, under very random circumstances, ended up living across the country in the same small town in Northern California. We actually bumped into each other at a restaurant. Turns out he went on to become a very successful legal cannabis lawyer, representing growers and dispensaries. He also takes pro bono immigration cases for migrant workers in the farming community. (I guess his high school 'education' in that field paid off.) Four years after reconnecting, we are very happily married. You truly never know what life will bring you!" —36, California 9."The 'bad boy' was a terrible (and annoying) person. He was known for stealing, cheating, breaking hearts, and spitting gum at the teachers. In high school, he got a girl pregnant, refused to deal with it, and forced her to get an abortion." "Now, he lives with his parents, owns five cats, and collects McDonald's Grimace memorabilia. He's also currently a teacher at our former school." —Anonymous 10."I married him. We met on a blind date when we were 15, but it didn't work out. We met again when we were 16/17 at a house party. Everyone was drinking, but I wasn't because I was on medication for seizures, so I basically sat in a corner wondering why I was even there." "He walked up to me and offered to get me a drink. I said I didn't drink, so this incredibly tall, long-haired 90s dreamboat leaves and comes back with a blanket. He invited me outside, where we sat while he pointed out constellations. When my big sister picked me up at the end of the night, he said, 'I think you're amazing, can I have your number?' My sister gave me sh*t for not telling her about the grungy rockstar, but I protested. I stayed at her house that night, and when I got home, he had already called. My parents hated him at first because he built cars in his free time, looked 'intimidating,' wore horrible clothes, etc. Eventually, he followed me to college, and they said I was too young to be so serious, etc. But he is and was so reliable and kind, despite his rough childhood. Anyways, it's been over 20 years, and I'm pretty sure my parents like him more than me now. I mean, they love me, but when we (finally) got married, my mom celebrated more than anyone I know, and my dad was excited to officially 'adopt' my husband. My husband is great and super hot, and I still have a crush on him. He's an amazing dad, too." —u/thin_white_dutchess 11."I married my bad boy. I met him just after high school. He was spontaneous, edgy, and got me outside my cautious comfort zone. We were very random and impulsive together, but all that changed when I had his kids." "I eventually left him. The traits that made him a fun, youthful, bad boy didn't make him a good financial provider or stable husband. He unfortunately hasn't changed much. In fact, he is doing worse as a single dude." —u/febgeekymom 12."I have no idea what my 'bad boy' is up to these days. But while we were dating, he got my then-friend pregnant, and I broke up with him. I left town and pursued my dreams, but she got stuck there with the kid. Last I heard, she was finally getting her life on track, and he had left." "Honestly, I'm thankful to her because that very easily could have been me. Now I'm happily married and 1000 miles away from that place." —u/shhhOURlilsecret 13."Mine was addicted to alcohol and drugs when I met him. He was also annoying, reckless, and partied a lot, so I don't know what attracted me to him in the first place. We had an intense time, but it didn't work out because he couldn't commit to me." "Four years later, he got sober, became a vegan, cleaned up his life, started lifting weights, and changed a lot physically. But on the inside, he is still the same anxious, rude, and arrogant man he was when we met, which is so sad. He just changed the 'facade,' not his character. I sometimes ask myself if we could have been a good match by dating later in life, but it is what it is. I moved on, and so did he." —u/CommissionStrong6305 14."I went to the prom with the 'bad boy' when I was a freshman and he was a junior. My parents were pretty overprotective because of his history (the year before I met him, he stole a friend's car and took a joyride several states away). Anyway, when the school year ended, so did our relationship." "I haven't spoken to him since 1988, but I heard that at some point in the early 90s, when he was 22-23, he got a 15-year-old girl pregnant. I have no idea what he's doing now." —u/SquatBootyJezebel 15."We dated at 14 and again at 17. He had the reputation of a rebel, hung out with a crowd that got into trouble, and was even voted 'Class Rebel' senior year. But he wasn't a malicious person and got along with everyone. He was more of a 'wrong place at the wrong time' type of guy." "We reconnected many years later, and now I'm marrying him. He's no longer the 'bad boy,' but is responsible, runs a business, and is still street-smart and combative when necessary. It was hot then, and it's still hot now." —36, NJ 16."My husband of 20 years was a certified bad boy. We didn't meet until after high school, but I've heard the stories about him running dice games in the halls, dealing in the parking lot, breaking into houses, and engaging in other behaviors that resulted in a few trips to rehab. After high school, it only got worse, and his run-ins with the justice system were very serious." "By the time we met in our early 20s, he had been indicted and was awaiting trial and sentencing. Somehow, he was only sentenced to house arrest and probation. The thing about him is that he's never been a bad person, just a kid who made lots of ill-advised choices. He's incredible, and all of those experiences made him interesting and wildly empathetic." —Anonymous 17."It hasn't been that long since we graduated, but I had a thing with the 'bad boy' new kid my senior year — weed, street racing, etc. He was kicked out of his house at 17. He always had to be in a relationship, and he'd cling to that person like his life depended on it, then completely shut them out without warning (me included)." "I went out of state for college, and he tried to work as a mechanic. Last I heard, he got his girlfriend pregnant. I have no idea where he's living, or if he's working, but I really don't care. I just feel bad for his current girlfriend, who he is inevitably going to drag down with him." —Anonymous, 19, CO 18."I dated the 'bad boy' in high school— the one all my friends tried to warn me about. He was well known for using drugs, partying, and being with a lot of girls. He had also been arrested shortly before I met him." "We definitely had our ups and downs, but he grew out of it and started associating with better people. He says my influence helped put him on a better path. Growing up, his home life was a mess, and his family didn't seem to care what he did, so of course, he was 'bad.' Now we are in our 30s, happily married, and have a child. He is the best husband and father. He no longer does 'bad' stuff, and we have a very normal life together." —32, DC 19."He wasn't exactly a 'bad boy' like a delinquent, but he was the class clown: We hit it off in middle school for a while until life started getting bad for me. He later went on to bully me because I had a low social status in the community and was showing signs of poverty at school. I had also developed a disability that affected my education, and he, along with his friends, bullied me to the point where I almost committed self-harm." "He's a doctor now and is either engaged or married to a woman who resembles me (apparently he has a type), but she clearly takes better care of herself (fake tan, veneers, etc.) I'm now a disabled substitute teacher and married mother of two." —[deleted] 20."I was convinced I was in love with him when we were in tenth grade, but my parents HATED him. We reconnected when I was in college, until one night when he left me a voicemail filled with vitriol because he couldn't reach me while I was out for a girls' night. That was enough for me, so I dropped him." "Last I heard, he's unemployed and battling his ex because he can't see his kids due to a restraining order she filed against him for domestic violence. He's a f*cking disaster. My parents were right all along (though I denied it until recently)." —u/Too-bloody-tired 21."I guess my high school 'bad' boy experience could be considered as the typical relationship of a good girl and a bad boy in reverse order, as he became the 'bad' version of himself after we broke up." "There was always the potential threat of his environment causing him to steer in the wrong direction at any time; overcoming that early on seemed like the start of a successful journey to something positive, despite all that was against him. When we broke up, he took it horribly, and I felt awful about it. Eventually, he rose above his anger and resentment by dating a girl I'd gone to school with since pre-k. Once they had established their commitment to each other, I thought nothing more of it and was happy for them both." "Then a few years later, someone asked me when I'd seen him last. I couldn't remember. They proceeded to describe to me in vivid detail and with incredible accuracy a person I would no longer recognize if he'd walked up and spit in my face." "Drugs, disease, alcohol, dishonesty, and multiple years of bad decisions and wrong choices robbed him of any chance he had at becoming something. All that was left of him looked like an image from a disturbing movie with an emptiness that made your own soul shiver. He is now simply surviving." I would love nothing more than to be able to hug him and help him get back to the boy I once knew, who had big dreams of being someone someday. Many have tried to help him over the years, but he won't change. He is doing the bare minimum to keep up his self-destructive lifestyle, which will eventually be the end of him." —53(F), South Carolina Did any of these stories surprise you? If you dated your high school's "bad" boy or girl, tell us how they turned out it in the comments or using the anonymous form below! If you or someone you know is in immediate danger as a result of domestic violence, call 911. For anonymous, confidential help, you can call the 24/7 National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 (SAFE) or chat with an advocate via the website. If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse, you can call SAMHSA's National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357) and find more resources here. Solve the daily Crossword
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The Odyssey Imax Tickets Sell Out a Year Early, Resale Prices Soar
A year ahead of its theatrical debut, Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey has already triggered a ticket-buying frenzy. Imax 70mm screenings for the July 17–19, 2026 weekend sold out within an hour of going live at midnight ET on July 17. The rapid sellout reportedly generated around $1.5 million in sales and set off a wave of high-priced resales across major platforms. The Odyssey Imax tickets being resold for $400 Buyers immediately began listing tickets for The Odyssey on platforms like eBay due to the high demand. A source told The Hollywood Reporter that resellers are pricing tickets between $300 and $400, with some listings reportedly hitting $500. One Dallas screening ticket appeared at 400% above its $25–$28 retail value. Another listing reportedly offered two seats to a July 19 screening for $399, while four AMC Lincoln Square tickets opened bidding at $1,000. Imax tweeted the offer alongside the message: 'Get tickets now to experience the first IMAX 70mm screenings of The Odyssey Movie – A film by Christopher Nolan. In theaters 7 17 26.' Major U.S. venues such as AMC Lincoln Square (New York), Universal Cinema AMC (Hollywood), and Regal Irvine Spectrum (Orange County) reported sellouts. Imax locations in San Francisco, Dublin, Ontario, Fort Lauderdale, Buford, Indianapolis, Grand Rapids, King of Prussia, and Dallas also reached capacity. Canadian theaters like Cineplex Mississauga Square and Vaughan sold out quickly. In the U.K., London's BFI Imax and Science Museum locations sold out as well. Additional sites in Melbourne and the Czech Republic reported near-full or full capacity. Fans reacted with frustration online, expressing disappointment over the inflated resale prices and limited ticket availability. Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey adapts Homer's Greek epic and stars Matt Damon as Odysseus. Nolan is shooting the film entirely on Imax cameras, marking the first time a commercial feature has used the format exclusively. The cast includes Tom Holland, Anne Hathaway, Zendaya, Robert Pattinson, Lupita Nyong'o, Charlize Theron, Mia Goth, and others. Although production is still underway, Universal premiered a teaser in theaters ahead of Jurassic World Rebirth earlier this month. Nolan's previous film Oppenheimer grossed $975.8 million globally, with Imax accounting for $190 million. The Odyssey has a reported net budget of $250 million. Originally reported by Anubhav Chaudhry on SuperHeroHype. The post The Odyssey Imax Tickets Sell Out a Year Early, Resale Prices Soar appeared first on - Movie Trailers, TV & Streaming News, and More. Solve the daily Crossword
