L · LeftMixed
SalonNews report · May 21, 4:00 PM
What we’re losing as “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” ends
whatlosinglateshowends
We'll see Stephen Colbert again, but his broadcast exit closes out David Letterman's absurdist TV legacy
← Today's headlines
6 sources checked · Left, Center, and Right included · 11h ago
Different Spin
End of Stephen Colbert’s show illustrates risks of stirring a polarized nation to laughter
We'll see Stephen Colbert again, but his broadcast exit closes out David Letterman's absurdist TV legacy
2 Left1 Center3 Right
DIFFERENT SPIN
HOW EACH SIDE WORDED IT
Left frame · LeftWhat we’re losing as “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” endsSalon
whatlosinglate
Right frame · RightStephen Colbert Wasn’t Funny. Even Worse, He Wasn’t InterestingThe Federalist
wasntfunnyeven
Center baseline · Christian Science MonitorEnd of Stephen Colbert’s show illustrates risks of stirring a polarized nation to laughter
As of May 21, 2026 at 7:57 PM, this is how Optics News reads the wording differences in this story.
What happened The demise of “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” raises questions of whether humor can bring together a polarized nation.
The headline split One side frames it as "What we’re losing as “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” ends". The other frames it as "Penn State professor: Stephen Colbert ‘one of the most important satirists in American hi...".
Can I trust it? Yes. 6 sources checked, with Left, Center, and Right represented.
WHAT EACH SIDE EMPHASIZED
Left / center-leftWhat we’re losing as “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” ends
Salon · Left · News report
CenterEnd of Stephen Colbert’s show illustrates risks of stirring a polarized nation to laughter
Christian Science Monitor · Center · News report
Right / center-rightStephen Colbert Wasn’t Funny. Even Worse, He Wasn’t Interesting
The Federalist · Right · News report
SEE THE HEADLINES
Open source
R · RightMixed
The FederalistNews report · May 21, 7:57 PM
Stephen Colbert Wasn’t Funny. Even Worse, He Wasn’t Interesting
wasntfunnyevenworseinteresting
Stephen Colbert’s character on Comedy Central’s The Colbert Report was funny and interesting. The real-life Stephen Colbert, or whatever iteration of Colbert it is on CBS’s The Late Show, i...
CR · Center-rightHigh
Religion News ServiceNews report · May 21, 5:13 PM
As Stephen Colbert signs off, America loses a prophet
(RNS) — Comedians are doing some of the most serious moral work in America right now.
R · RightMixed
The College FixNews report · May 21, 11:51 AM
Penn State professor: Stephen Colbert ‘one of the most important satirists in American history’
A Penn State professor argues Stephen Colbert is one of America's most significant satirists, as he not only entertained but also informed the public on crucial issues, shaped political dia...
CL · Center-leftHigh
The New York TimesNews report · May 21, 11:07 AM
Stephen Colbert’s Final ‘Late Show’ Marks the End of an Era
Stephen Colbert’s “Colbert Report” satirized politics. Then his “Late Show” confronted a moment when politics became self-satirizing.
C · CenterHigh
Christian Science MonitorNews report · May 20, 5:24 PM
End of Stephen Colbert’s show illustrates risks of stirring a polarized nation to laughter
The demise of “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” raises questions of whether humor can bring together a polarized nation.
Details88/99 Wording Gap · High confidence · 6 sources
88/99 Wording GapHigh confidence6 sources · 3 bias bucketsStable · 6 sources · all three buckets · comparable news formatFormats: News report
SOURCE MAP CHANGES
May 20, 5:24 PM: Christian Science Monitor joined the source map.
May 21, 11:07 AM: The New York Times joined the source map.
May 21, 11:51 AM: The College Fix joined the source map.
May 21, 4:00 PM: Salon joined the source map.
Now: Wording Gap is 88/99 and story health is stable · 6 sources · all three buckets · comparable news format.