Colbert slams CBS statement, accuses Paramount of not standing up to "bullies"

"Colbert said on his Tuesday night show that CBS didn't inform him of the statement it put out saying he it didn't prohibit the show from airing the interview, but it did provide legal guidance "that the broadcast could trigger the FCC equal-time rule for two other candidates" in the Texas race. "This statement, it's a surprisingly small piece of paper considering how many butts it's trying to cover," he said."

"The comedian said the statement was "clearly" written by and for lawyers, but they should know that "damn well that every word of my script last night was approved by CBS' lawyers," who approve every script that goes on the air. Colbert said after his Tuesday night monologue and before his second act, he discussed with lawyers backstage at the Ed Sullivan Theater FCC guidelines, which he cited on the show."

"Zoom in: Colberte explained there's "a very famous exemption" to the equal time rule, and that's talk shows' interviews with politicians. The comedian said he's "well aware that we can book other guests" and noted he'd had Talarico's Democratic primary rival Rep. Jasmine Crockett twice. "We obeyed our network and put the interview on YouTube, where it's gotten millions of views," the comedian said."

CBS issued a statement saying it did not prohibit the show from airing the interview but provided legal guidance that the broadcast could trigger the FCC equal-time rule for two other candidates in the Texas race. The statement used lawyerly language while every on-air script receives approval from CBS lawyers and the show's script for the interview had been approved. Backstage lawyers discussed FCC guidelines and the program cited a well-known exemption for talk-show interviews with politicians. The show booked other guests and posted the interview on YouTube, where it received millions of views. The season will be the program's last after cancellation, and the show expressed surprise that lawyers released the statement without prior communication while noting gratitude for eleven years at CBS.

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