Endings

Last Thursday, Stephen Colbert wrapped up his tenure at CBS, or more accurately, CBS wrapped up Colbert's tenure there. Unlike you or me, who, when we were "released" from a job to "pursue other opportunities," and the security guard would show up with a box of our personal belongings, Colbert had a few months to conclude his employment. What a glorious error CBS made in that part of their absurd mistake in canceling Colbert: he wasted no time in crapping, nightly, on CBS's new ownership that was responsible for his show's demise. He also wasted no time mocking Trump. Glorious.

It was no secret that his cancellation was prompted by thin-skinned Trump's anger over being ridiculed nightly on the program. The cancellation was announced during the multibillion-dollar merger between CBS's parent company, Paramount, and Skydance, a deal that required approval from the incoming Trump administration. Trump would deny any influence in the decision. You believed that, right?

In an interview with the Times, David Letterman, Colbert's predecessor at the "Late Show" and previous tenant in the restored Ed Sullivan Theater explained it this way:

"He was dumped because the people selling the network to Skydance said, 'Oh no, there’s not going to be any trouble with that guy. We’re going to take care of the show. We’re just going to throw that into the deal. When will the ink on the check dry?' I’m just going to go on record as saying: They’re lying. Let me just add one other thing... They’re lying weasels." --David Letterman

Letterman famously paved the way for the modern crop of late-night hosts. He flipped the script on the entire format. Rather than talk show guests coming out on stage through Johnny Carson's sparkly curtain wearing suits and formals, a very different CBS rebuilt the famed Ed Sullivan Theater where guests just came out from the wings in a wide open stage layout where you could see the backstage wall. Rather than two or three sit-down interviews and maybe a comic's routine or a musician's performance... Letterman brought out the wacky, the goofballs, and characters that he could interact with... There were "Top Ten Lists," the man under the seats, dressing guests in velcro suits and throwing them against a velcro wall, and, famously, throwing stuff off the theater's roof. Because what kid in us still doesn't thrill in seeing a watermelon or a layer cake sent flying five stories below to the pavement.

Colbert, fresh off of an incredibly successful show where he conducted a psuedo talk-show completely in character of a blowhard FoxTV host, would make "Late Night" his own. He loved his place in the Broadway adjacent world of New York, he welcomed Broadway stars to bring musical numbers or scenes to his stage... He showcased political satire and top tier comics. He talked openly about his religious faith, and regularly welcomed his wife on the show. All talk shows "preinterview" their guests backstage, prepping them to talk about whatever that they're (often) there to promote or some anecdotes that might work in a nationally televised conversation. (You didn't think that those childhood stories and accompanying photos just coincidentally appeared on the host's desk, did you?) But Colbert would let a guest go rogue if it was entertaining. He was known to have deeper, philosophical conversations with A and B-list guests alike. Over the years, he grew more political and anti-authoritarian. And he exhibited a rare and open sincerity, even vulnerability with his guests and in regard to his own life.

On his last show, it was rumored that he was attempting to book the Pope, (a rumor that he didn't quell.) But in the end, it was Sir Paul McCartney, who would return to the same stage where he first appeared in America in 1964. It was a tremendous bookend for the show and for McCartney.

I would have been 4 in '64. I'm not gonna tell you that I remember that night, though plenty of my boomer contemporaries will. I will say that the Beatles, like hundreds of other artists of that generation, became formative to who we are. Our collective DNA. Many are gone, more are fading away. We're down to 2/4 of the Beatles as it is.

Trump blew his denials of influence over the cancellation when he celebrated Colbert’s final show in a Truth Social post, writing, “Amazing he lasted so long! No talent, no ratings, no life. … Thank goodness he’s finally gone!”

Stephen never mentioned Trump once during his final broadcast.

McCartney reflected on that '64 appearance, remembering the screaming, the excitement, the girls. At that point, a girl in the balcony shrieked. He pointed up and said, "Not you!" In his interview, McCartney reflected all of our apprehension toward life changes. He revealed that he hates having to update his iPhone.

The show closer started with a sweet musical number with Elvis Costello, former band leader Jon Batiste, current band leader Louis Cato, and Colbert.

Jump up--hold on tight
Can`t trust the promise or a guarantee
`Cause the man `round the curve says that he`s never heard
Of you or me.
-Elvis Costello

After a brief fade to black, the lights came up to see them joined by the Great Big Joy Machine and Sir Paul, out front. They broke into the classic "Hello-Goodbye" for a final goodbye. The entire staff of the show made their way onstage, as well as Stephen's family.

You say, "Goodbye" and I say, "Hello. Hello, hello"
I don't know why you say, "Goodbye", I say, "Hello. Hello, hello"
-Paul McCartney

Just like Stephen to suggest a hopeful "Hello" to the CBS Network's "Goodbye."

You don't have to have been 4 in 1964 for endings to be getting harder. And the hellos are getting harder to find.

It's not just about the holy curse of updating a smartphone. Consider:

• In addition to Colbert's show, CBS has canceled CBS radio after nearly a century. It had established its integrity and brand as the famed Edward R. Murrow broadcast Germany's blitz on London from London rooftops. No one could forget his famous sign-off, "good night, and good luck." CBS had gutted one of their other legacy properties, the iconic 60 Minutes. Producers and correspondents are jumping ship as they openly fued with new management's spiking or editing their stories.
• Trump fired the Kennedy Center board and put in his cronies who happily renamed it the "Donald J. Trump and The John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts." Artists and performing groups couldn't cancel fast enough. It's now closed "for remodeling."
• Education access continues to decline in the US. Between Trump dismantling the Dept. of Education and the GOP leadership in several states funneling money to the private sector, (religious schools, elite academies for the wealthy) test scores and general quality of education continues to decline. State universities are consistently under attack, as prices increase and enrollment declines.
• Science, general medical, and cancer research dollars are being stripped away by a roadkill-eating Director of HHS, (JFK, Jr.) and his sidekick, a quack named Oz.
• One of America's most popular and treasured possesions, our national parks and public lands are being defunded and it's parts auctioned off. Mineral and logging rights are being offered for the highest bribe. Big Bend National Park and the adjoining state park are about to get the ridiculous "Wall" run along the Rio Grande River... built by no bid contractors in an area where immigrant crossings are almost non existent. It's worth noting that opposition to this is furious and non-partisan. It is the largest national park in Texas and one of the most spectacular parks in the nation.
• Real estate prices are such that this upcoming generation is having a helluva time finding a way to afford home to invest in. Mortgage rates, while not historically crazy, are higher than the rates that we experienced in our home buying years. Ask any late 20 something or 30 something, and most will tell you that they can't even envision what owning a home might look like.
• Other goods and services have seen inflation spikes due to Trump's unforced trade war. Fuel has increased 50% as a result of Trump's unforced shooting war with Iran.

It's hard to say good bye to the many opportunities that were gifted to us by our forebears. Sure, "I got mine." But what do you tell your twenty something son/daughter when s/he needs advice on finding a way to afford something besides a shared rental for the rest of their lives? How do you excuse our health care system, or explain this ridiculous trade war, or inflation due to fuel prices?

'Back in my day,' endings usually meant new beginnings. The tragedy we see today? It's almost impossible to see a recovery/restoration from the disruption/destruction foisted upon us by Trump and his minions. Certainly not in my lifetime.

Hello, Goodbye.

If you're in my age cohort, you've no doubt lost your grandparents and probably a parent or two. You've lost others close to you... friends, extended family, and colleagues, all of whom shared your DNA (real or figurative) - good and bad. The losses stack up, you don't get to be this old without going through a tragedy or two. Endings never get easier.

Last week, seeing and humming along with Sir Paul and the canceled Colbert was a poignant, bittersweet reminder of our age and ultimately, our own mortality. Mainly, it's a constant reminder of what we're losing as far as our personal heroes, favorite musicians, and movie stars who we've "known" all of our lives. (Lord, how I miss John Prine and Jimmy Buffet.) Their music and art live on, of course, but I want to see them and hear them share more of their lives that resonates now more than ever. Springsteen is still playing the part of a modern Woody Guthrie, and played his fairly recent protest song, "“Streets of Minneapolis” on Colbert's next to last show. He explained to the audience that “I am here tonight to support Stephen, because you’re the first guy in America who lost his show because we’ve got a president who can’t take a joke. And because Larry and David Ellison feel the need to kiss his ass to get what they want.”

Keep the faith, Boss.

The ever ebullient Colbert explained to his audience in a cold open that he and his staff called the show "the joy machine." He borrowed that label from his band who go by "Louis Cato and the Great Big Joy Machine." He explained to the studio and home audience how much they all loved doing the show for them. If you know Colbert or have followed him long enough, you know that was sincere.

In today's political/cultural climate, I suppose that I'm just a bit more cynical than Colbert, though I desperately need to hear his brand of deep and heartfelt joy. Most days, I'm with David Letterman, who after he and Colbert had fun throwing melons and layer cakes off of the roof, thanked each other for their respective contributions to late night TV and to the country. When Colbert asked him if he wanted say anything to the audience, Dave said, no, but he did want to address the folks at CBS.

"In the words of the great Ed Murrow, 'good night, and good luck, mother-fuckers.'"