Colbert's Unaired Talarico Interview Hits 6.4 Million YouTube Views and Results in $2.5 Million Raised for Talarico

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

“The Late Show With Stephen Colbert” was blocked on Monday by CBS from broadcasting its interview with Texas State Rep. James Talarico — fearing retribution from the FCC. So, instead the conversation was posted on YouTube and other social media platforms, where at last count, the clip had been viewed more than 5.3 million times. Talarico also revealed on X that his campaign raised $2.5 million in the 24 hours after Colbert revealed he was barred from airing the interview.

That’s an astounding number for a video that has been up for less than 48 hours — and already puts it among the top political interviews that have ever been posted by “The Late Show With Stephen Colbert” since its launch in 2015. It’s also easily the most-watched YouTube clip so far this year for “The Late Show” — and its most-watched Colbert clip since one in September, where the host celebrated the return of fellow host Jimmy Kimmel after his own battle with his parent network (ABC) and the FCC.

As of Wednesday morning, the Talarico interview — which can be found here — had been viewed 5.3 million times on YouTube, 4 million views on TikTok and 400,000 likes on Instagram. What’s remarkable is that any other Colbert “Late Show” political interviews that have higher numbers were posted prior to 2019. Those clips have had several years of cumulative traffic, compared to the mere days that the Talarico clip has had.

The Talarico clip racked up those numbers even though Colbert noted the network would not allow him to share a URL or QR code directing viewers there.

https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/tv/articles/stephen-colbert-unaired-james-talarico-144601596.html

[kwolf68]

1. Democracy is trying to hang on

The people can speak.

[Skittles]

2. LOVE it

[Melon]

3. I hate to say this...but Crockett has to be fuuuming!

This is so much air time for Talarico.

[Brother Buzz]

5. No, she's totally cool with it.

I can’t remember who was interviewing her, but she was amused with the FCC/CBS kerfuffle, and rightfully suggested the stink will lead directly back to the marmalade shartcannon.

[Initech]

8. We don't care what Nazi candidates have to say. We know.

We see it on TV and social media every single day. We know the shit they're going to spew. They do not need to be interviewed on prime time TV. This is just another toddler tantrum power grab like that stupid fucking Kid Rock halftime shit.

[Rhiannon12866]

10. Jen Psaki on MS NOW

Rep. Crockett SPEAKS OUT on CBS Colbert controversy with her opponent - The Briefing w/Jen Psaki - MS NOW
https://www.democraticunderground.com/132166809

[Brother Buzz]

11. Yes, Jan Psaki

YouTube algorithms decided I needed to view it. Their algorithms are almost as good as you are.

[Rhiannon12866]

12. And what she said was that she was in the middle of campaigning, so leaving Texas would be a problem for her now

And she's already been on the show several times.

[Rhiannon12866]

9. Rep. Crockett SPEAKS OUT on CBS Colbert controversy with her opponent - The Briefing w/Jen Psaki - MS NOW

Rep. Jasmine Crockett talks with Jen Psaki about the Texas Senate race and the phone call she received from Paramount in connection to the confrontation between Stephen Colbert and CBS over Colbert's interview with Crockett's Senate race rival James Talarico. - Aired on 02/17/2026.

[Cha]

14. Ohh... TY, Rhiannon. I really like

Last edited Thu Feb 19, 2026, 03:52 PM - Edit history (1)

listening to Jasmine Crockett speak from her heart.. it actually brings tears to my eyes. :candle

[Rhiannon12866]

15. Oh, I certainly feel the same way! She knows her stuff and she expresses herself so well

And she truly represents the people. I've often wished that I was fortunate enough to have her as my Rep. - since you know I've been stuck with Stefanik.

[Cha]

19. Hope you get a Dem in November!

[Brother Buzz]

4. LOL! Can you say, "Blowback", Baby?

[Initech]

6. Excellent! Fuck you Brendan Carr!

Go eat shit and shove your equal time bullshit where it doesn't shine!

[Cha]

13. So C BS, Unknowingly, did Talarico & Dems

a Big Fat Favor.

TY

[Buns_of_Fire]

16. The Late Show averages 2.69 million viewers per episode.

Source: https://latenighter.com/news/ratings/late-night-tv-ratings-q4-2025/

The Talarico clip on YouTube alone: 5.3 million.

Some candidates are probably wondering how they can get Brendan Carr to help their campaigns, too.

[Kaleva]

17. I think that's more viewers than Kid Rock's halftime show got

[LetMyPeopleVote]

18. MaddowBlog-'Their plan backfired': Colbert's James Talarico interview generates large online audience

Far more people watched the interview on YouTube than probably would have seen it if it had aired on CBS without controversy

Link to tweet

https://www.ms.now/rachel-maddow-show/maddowblog/their-plan-backfired-colberts-james-talarico-interview-generates-large-online-audience

On Tuesday afternoon, as public interest in the story grew, CBS issued a written statement insisting that Colbert was not prohibited from airing the Talarico interview. Rather, the network said the CBS lawyers “provided legal guidance,” which included “options for how the equal time for other candidates could be fulfilled.”

Soon after, while the host filmed Tuesday night’s show, Colbert referred to CBS’ statement as “crap” and picked up a copy of the statement in a dog waste bag. “I’m just so surprised that this giant global corporation would not stand up to these bullies,” he added.

The host received some backup from Anna Gomez, a Democratic member of the FCC, who said in a statement, “This is yet another troubling example of corporate capitulation in the face of this Administration’s broader campaign to censor and control speech. The FCC has no lawful authority to pressure broadcasters for political purposes or to create a climate that chills free expression.”

Gomez added, “CBS is fully protected under the First Amendment to determine what interviews it airs, which makes its decision to yield to political pressure all the more disappointing.”

But as the developments unfolded, a related question needed an answer: Would all of this lead more people to take an interest in the interview that wasn’t included in the broadcast? The New Republic summarized:

Instead of including the interview in his CBS show Monday night, which the network’s lawyers had warned against, Colbert posted the interview to YouTube and other social media channels, where it has already garnered millions of views on each platform, much more than a single TV broadcast of the show, which averages 2.3 million viewers.

As of this writing, the YouTube video of the interview has generated more than 5.2 million views.

What’s more, the hullabaloo appears to have given Talarico a boost just two weeks before primary day in Texas. The Democrat raised $2.5 million in the 24 hours after the segment was posted online — the single best day of fundraising for his candidacy thus far.