Late-night host Stephen Colbert mocked the Paramount-Skydance merger during his monologue on Monday, poking fun at the new stock ticker symbol, ‘PSKY,’ and the merger’s implications for content. The humor included jokes about water sports and ‘PSKY’ becoming synonymous with number one, reflecting his satirical style. Colbert’s contract was not renewed by the network, following a settlement with former President Donald Trump over an edit in a ’60 Minutes’ interview with Kamala Harris.
During the segment, Colbert joked, ‘I’m thrilled for everyone at Paramount that the deal went through and very excited for our newly announced official combined Paramount-Skydance stock ticker name, which will go from ‘PARA’ to ‘PSKY.’ Soon, PSKY will blast hot streaming content right in your face. With hits like ‘Yellowstone,’ ‘Yellowjackets,’ and a full variety of water sports. I predict PSKY will become synonymous with number one. PSKY, a pitcher of warm entertainment.’ The remarks were lighthearted, showcasing his typical satirical approach.
The cancellation of Colbert’s show was a significant development, marking the end of his tenure with Paramount. This followed a settlement between Paramount and former President Trump over an edit to a ’60 Minutes’ interview with then-Vice President Kamala Harris. The edit, which occurred during the 2024 presidential campaign, was a point of contention, and the settlement underscored the political tensions at play. Colbert had previously accused Paramount of accepting a ‘big fat bribe’ from Trump, which he believed was part of the deal to sell the network to Skydance.
Colbert’s remarks also extended to President Trump’s recent comments on media networks. In a post on Truth Social, Trump criticized NBC and ABC, suggesting they were affiliated with the Democratic Party. Colbert responded with a quip, ‘Okay, first it was CBS. Now he’s going after ABC and NBC.’ He further mocked the situation by referencing his fellow late-night hosts Jimmy Fallon and Jimmy Kimmel, saying, ‘Come on in, Jimmy and Jimmy. The water’s warm, because of all the PSKY.’ The humor highlighted the ongoing tensions between the media and political figures.
Trump had previously criticized Colbert for his show’s cancellation, suggesting it was due to his political stance. On Truth Social, Trump wrote, ‘I absolutely love that Colbert got fired. His talent was even less than his ratings. I hear Jimmy Kimmel is next. Has even less talent than Colbert! Greg Gutfeld is better than all of them combined, including the Moron on NBC who ruined the once great Tonight Show.’ Colbert responded with a retort, ‘How dare you, sir? Would an untalented man be able to compose the following satirical witticism? Go f— yourself.’ The exchange underscored the adversarial relationship between Trump and Colbert.
Colbert’s contract not being renewed by Paramount was a notable event, reflecting the broader political and media landscape. His comments on the merger and the settlement with Trump highlighted the intersection of media, politics, and corporate decisions. As the merger proceeds, the new ticker symbol PSKY remains a symbol of the network’s transformation and Colbert’s ongoing critique of the media landscape.