Stephen Colbert, pushed out by CBS earlier this year, has roared back with a fiery new talk show alongside Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett, declaring “We don’t need CBS’s permission anymore,” a defiant comeback that stunned Hollywood, rattled network executives, and left fans hailing it as both a revenge tour and a reinvention of late-night TV.

Stephen Colbert, the Emmy-winning comedian and longtime host of The Late Show, has made a dramatic and unexpected return to the late-night stage, only months after his unceremonious exit from CBS.

On Monday night in New York City, Colbert unveiled a brand-new talk show with a surprise co-host: Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett, the outspoken Texas Democrat known for her fiery speeches and viral social media presence.

Together, they set out not just to relaunch Colbert’s career, but to challenge the very foundations of late-night television.

The announcement came during a live-streamed special from a midtown Manhattan theater packed with fans, celebrities, and media insiders.

Colbert, visibly energized, opened the show with a line that has already ricocheted across social platforms: “We don’t need CBS’s permission anymore.”

The remark drew thunderous applause from the audience and underscored the deep tensions lingering after CBS’s decision earlier this year to quietly remove Colbert from The Late Show, citing “strategic changes” and declining ratings.

But Monday’s debut proved Colbert has lost none of his star power.

The format felt familiar — monologues, celebrity guests, satirical segments — but the addition of Jasmine Crockett added an unpredictable edge.

Crockett, known for her fiery clashes in Congress and her rapid rise as a political firebrand, opened the show by addressing the audience directly.

“If they thought Stephen was dangerous before, they should see what happens when he sits next to me,” she said, drawing cheers and laughter.

The pair’s chemistry was immediately apparent.

Colbert, who has long walked the line between sharp political commentary and playful humor, seemed reinvigorated alongside a co-host unafraid of wading into controversy.

During one exchange, Crockett teased Colbert for still “acting like CBS is watching,” prompting Colbert to grin and reply, “Old habits die hard — but CBS is already dead to me.”

The fallout was immediate.

Within hours of the debut, Hollywood group chats lit up with speculation about what this meant for the traditional late-night hierarchy.

Industry insiders reported that executives at rival networks called emergency meetings to discuss how to counter the sudden buzz around Colbert’s new venture.

Social media platforms flooded with clips, hashtags like #ColbertIsBack trended worldwide, and fans declared the debut a “revolutionary moment” for late-night.

Meanwhile, CBS executives were said to be caught off guard by the show’s reception.

According to multiple reports, network leaders were in meetings when news of Colbert’s new program began dominating headlines, prompting hurried discussions about whether the network had made a grave mistake in letting him go.

One unnamed executive was quoted as saying, “We thought the chapter was closed.

Clearly, we underestimated him.”

The choice of Jasmine Crockett as co-host is also fueling speculation.

Crockett, who has gained national attention for her outspoken criticism of Republican leadership and her ability to go viral with pointed one-liners, brings a distinctly political flavor to the show.

Analysts say her presence signals that Colbert intends not only to entertain but to directly engage with America’s polarized political landscape.

“Pairing Colbert with Crockett is like mixing dynamite with a match,” one political commentator observed.

The show’s debut also included high-profile guests, with Oscar-winning actor Mahershala Ali and musician Billie Eilish joining Colbert and Crockett on stage.

Both praised Colbert’s return and the boldness of pairing with a sitting member of Congress.

Eilish joked, “This is the only talk show where I might leave with homework,” while Ali called it “the most alive I’ve seen late-night in years.”

Critics, however, are already divided.

Supporters hail the program as a much-needed jolt to a stale genre, applauding Colbert for reinventing himself after CBS.

Detractors argue that bringing politics so explicitly into a late-night format risks alienating audiences who tune in for humor rather than partisanship.

Some even questioned whether Crockett’s dual role as a sitting congresswoman and talk show co-host raises ethical concerns.

Colbert appeared unfazed by the controversy.

Wrapping up the debut episode, he addressed the audience with a promise: “This isn’t just a comeback — it’s a new beginning.

Late-night doesn’t belong to the networks anymore.

It belongs to the people who still believe laughter can tell the truth.” Crockett added, “And we plan on telling it — loudly.”

The coming weeks will determine whether Colbert’s gamble pays off.

If the early response is any indication, his “revenge tour” may not only solidify his legacy but reshape the late-night landscape altogether.

And for CBS, the network that once touted Colbert as its crown jewel, the question may soon shift from whether they made the right call to whether they can withstand the firestorm their decision has unleashed.