In a twist worthy of late-night legend, Stephen Colbert has sent shockwaves through the entertainment industry by teaming up with rising political star Rep. Jasmine Crockett for a brand-new talk show—and it’s already being called the boldest shake-up in late-night history.

Just weeks after his controversial departure from The Late Show, Colbert broke his silence in dramatic fashion: by stepping onto an independent set with Crockett at his side and declaring, “We don’t need their cameras, their rules, or their permission. We’re rewriting the game.”

The announcement came via a surprise livestream broadcast from a makeshift studio in downtown Atlanta, where the duo unveiled their project: UNFILTERED with Colbert & Crockett, an unscripted, politically charged, comedy-meets-activism talk show aimed squarely at disrupting the late-night status quo.

The Fallout with CBS

Colbert’s departure from CBS remains murky, but insiders point to ongoing creative tensions between Colbert and network executives. Allegedly, Colbert pushed for more unfiltered political commentary and unscripted guest segments, while CBS pushed back in favor of safer, advertiser-friendly formats.

“He felt stifled,” said a former producer. “The Colbert you saw on TV wasn’t the Colbert he wanted to be.”

Things came to a head after a particularly fiery monologue in June, where Colbert took aim at media conglomerates and political inaction—ironically, the very forces he said were “editing truth out of the script.”

Days later, CBS announced it was “parting ways” with Colbert. The network cited a shift in creative direction, but many fans cried foul, calling it a politically motivated ouster.

Enter Jasmine Crockett

Rep. Jasmine Crockett, known for her no-nonsense takedowns in Congress and viral internet moments, was the last person anyone expected to see on a comedy stage—and that’s exactly why she said yes.

“Stephen called me and said, ‘You want to start a fire?’ And I said, ‘Only if we burn the right things down,’” Crockett told reporters with a grin. “This show isn’t about playing nice. It’s about telling the truth, with jokes.”

Their chemistry is already making waves. In teaser clips from UNFILTERED, Colbert and Crockett riff on everything from presidential debates to pop culture chaos, blending sharp satire with unfiltered political perspective.

The Format: No Filters, No Apologies

Unlike traditional late-night shows, UNFILTERED won’t be filmed on a glitzy Hollywood soundstage. Instead, the show plans to travel—broadcasting from community centers, college campuses, and even outdoor protest rallies. Guests will range from celebrities and activists to everyday Americans with powerful stories.

“We’re flipping the format,” Colbert said. “Less monologue, more dialogue. Less studio, more street.”

The show will air on multiple digital platforms, including YouTube, TikTok, and a subscription-based streaming service currently in development.

Industry Reaction: Shock and Awe

Hollywood insiders are divided. Some call it career suicide. Others say it’s genius.

“Colbert teaming up with a sitting member of Congress? It’s unheard of—and it might be brilliant,” said media analyst Dana Hawthorne. “Late-night has gotten stale. This could be the disruption we didn’t know we needed.”

CBS, for its part, has declined to comment—though one anonymous executive allegedly told Variety, “If this takes off, we’ll be kicking ourselves.”

Already, UNFILTERED has drawn attention from rival networks and major streaming services, including whispers of a bidding war if the first few episodes go viral.

Public Response: Explosive

Within 24 hours of the announcement, the UNFILTERED Instagram account gained over 2.5 million followers. Hashtags like #ColbertCrockettUnleashed and #UnfilteredTV trended worldwide.

“This is the revolution late-night needed,” one fan tweeted. “I’ve never cared about talk shows until now.”

Critics, however, aren’t holding back.

“Colbert’s gone full activist, and he’s dragging the entire genre with him,” conservative columnist Bryce Keller wrote. “It’s not comedy. It’s propaganda with a laugh track.”

To which Colbert responded in a follow-up livestream: “If the truth feels like propaganda, maybe you’re on the wrong side of it.”

What Happens Next?

The first episode of UNFILTERED with Colbert & Crockett is set to drop next Friday, and both hosts promise a no-holds-barred premiere.

“We’re not here to make people comfortable,” Crockett teased. “We’re here to make them think—and laugh their butts off while we do it.”

Whether UNFILTERED will rewrite the rules of late-night TV or crash and burn in spectacular fashion remains to be seen. But one thing is clear: Stephen Colbert isn’t done talking.

And now, he’s got a new mic—and a new partner—to help him say exactly what he wants.