In a moment blending heartfelt camaraderie and pointed satire, Stephen Colbert delivered a memorable farewell to his former CBS colleague John Dickerson during a live taping of Slate’s Political Gabfest podcast on December 18, 2025. As the audience erupted in applause for Dickerson’s introduction, Colbert embraced the departing CBS Evening News anchor warmly—only to pivot and extend his middle finger in a gesture that seemed aimed squarely at their shared network. The act, captured on video and quickly going viral, underscored the tensions brewing at CBS amid major shake-ups, including Dickerson’s exit after 16 years and the impending cancellation of Colbert’s own Late Show.
Stephen Colbert, 61, born in Washington, D.C., and raised in Charleston, South Carolina, has been a staple of late-night television since taking over The Late Show in 2015. The youngest of 11 siblings, he endured early tragedy with the loss of his father and two brothers in a 1974 plane crash, which shaped his resilient humor. After studying philosophy at Hampden-Sydney College and theater at Northwestern, Colbert honed his skills at Chicago’s Second City, leading to gigs on The Daily Show and his breakout Colbert Report in 2005, where he satirized conservative pundits. Married to Evelyn McGee since 1993, with three adult children, Colbert’s show has blended celebrity interviews with sharp political commentary, often targeting figures like Donald Trump. However, CBS announced in July 2025 that The Late Show would end in May 2026, citing financial pressures—a decision Colbert linked to the network’s controversial $16 million settlement with Trump over alleged defamation.
John Dickerson, 57, a veteran journalist from Washington, D.C., joined CBS in 2009 after stints at Time magazine and Slate, where he hosted the Political Gabfest. Son of legendary correspondent Nancy Dickerson, he rose through the ranks, moderating Face the Nation from 2015 to 2018 and co-anchoring CBS Evening News with Maurice DuBois starting in 2024. Known for his thoughtful analysis and books like “The Hardest Job in the World” on the presidency, Dickerson announced his departure in October 2025, expressing gratitude for the opportunities and his colleagues who “made me a better journalist and a better human.” His final broadcast on December 19, 2025, capped a tenure marked by in-depth reporting on politics, including critiques of media ethics. Dickerson had publicly questioned CBS’s Trump settlement on air, highlighting risks to public trust and the spread of misinformation.
The Gabfest event, celebrating the podcast’s 20th anniversary, featured Colbert and Dickerson reminiscing about their careers. After the hug and flip-off, the duo discussed potential collaborations, with Colbert joking about learning new skills in his post-Late Show era. Fans interpreted the gesture as a playful yet biting commentary on CBS’s decisions, especially given both men’s vocal criticisms of the settlement. As Dickerson steps into new ventures—possibly in writing or independent media—and Colbert prepares for his show’s swan song, this incident captures the blend of affection and frustration in network television. In an industry facing declining viewership and ethical dilemmas, such unscripted moments remind viewers of the human dynamics behind the headlines.
