CBS, or "See B.S."

More humiliation as network kisses goodbye to Colbert, plus our usual cartoons, and Dylan on Woody.

Yes, it’s still free to subscribe to this nearly daily newsletter! Greg Mitchell is the author of fourteen books and director of five films for PBS since 2022. In a previous life, he was a longtime editor at the legendary Crawdaddy.

Had to enjoy Colbert show, above, mocking pathetic Bari Weiss-installed anchor Tony “The Dupe” Dokoupil just as Stephen closes out his CBS-terminated tenure. Bill Carter, author of notable books on latenight TV, at the NY Times has this to say this morning:

In forcing Mr. Colbert out and shutting down a 33-year late-night franchise — while selling that post-local-news hour of airtime to a syndicated show instead of replacing him with an original program of its own creation — CBS is assenting to its own diminishment.

The biggest loss is to core America values, such as the right to speak freely, even in brutally mocking terms, about those in power. Then there is the opportunity, shared by everyone, to find and be entertained by voices like that on a free national platform, or to turn them off and watch something else.

As for next week? Tuesday’s episode brings Jon Stewart and Steven Spielberg, plus a performance from David Byrne (maybe “Psycho Life During Wartime”?). Wednesday has Bruce Springsteen, along with Colbert taking the Questionert himself before Thursday’s finale—guests remain a secret. Jimmy Kimmel and Jimmy Fallon announced they’ll air reruns the night Colbert signs off.

Trump, needed no Colbert to write his material, yesterday:

"They've closed the strait in the past. They use it as a weapon. They aren't using it as a weapon with me."

"President Xi said America is a nation in decline. And I said, 'You're right.'"

But at least:

Smithsonian Adds Back Impeachment Language to Label on Trump Portrait

The language had been removed from wall text in the National Portrait Gallery, but it’s back as the museum unveiled changes to its exhibition on U.S. presidents.

Lucian K. Truscott IV:

We are far beyond worrying about any sort of normalization of Donald Trump. We are on a lost highway of wonderment at this point, looking around for signposts that might give hints of where we’re headed. But there are none. Trump does what he wants, and there is nothing to stop him. The law does not apply anymore. The Supreme Court took care of that.

We would be defenseless if we didn’t still have elections, but the Republican Party – aided and abetted once again by the Supreme Court – is trying to negate the right to vote along with the right to control your own body and your right to drive a car or walk down a street without being shot dead by an agent of the state wearing a badge that reads ICE or CPB.

It needs to be said that this country is in more trouble than it has ever been in. It can be saved by people of goodwill, but the question is, are there enough of them?

First public showing of my film before coming to PBS was just announced this week for June 25. If you’re 24 hours from Tulsa or closer come on over and we will chat. You can also tour the Dylan and Guthrie museums. The poster itself is a highlight of my life:

Dylan talking and playing Woody here:

From Tunes to Toons:

Telnaes:

Wuerker:

Bagley:

Bramhall:

Horsey:

Loper:

Britt:

Photo Finish

Van Gogh’s Irises, at the Getty in Los Angeles