Stephen Colbert, ousted by CBS from The Late Show, has made a defiant and electrifying comeback with Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett as his co-host, declaring independence from network control in a fiery New York debut that thrilled fans, rattled rivals, and left CBS facing regret for ever letting him go.

In a twist that has left Hollywood buzzing and network executives scrambling, Stephen Colbert has roared back into late-night television with a brand-new talk show, just months after CBS quietly pushed him out of The Late Show.

The Emmy-winning comedian, long praised for blending sharp political commentary with humor, is not returning alone.

His surprise partner is none other than Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett, the fiery Texas Democrat whose viral moments in Congress have made her a household name among political watchers.

The pair launched their new venture Monday night in New York City with a live-streamed premiere event at a packed theater in midtown Manhattan.

Tickets for the taping sold out within hours, and fans lined the block, eager to see Colbert’s highly anticipated return.

The energy in the room was electric, with celebrities, journalists, and longtime fans filling the seats.

When Colbert finally took the stage, he wasted no time in firing off the kind of opening shot that has since set social media ablaze: “We don’t need CBS’s permission anymore.”

The line, delivered with a grin, drew thunderous applause, and within minutes clips of the remark were flooding Twitter, TikTok, and Instagram.

One short clip posted to TikTok racked up over 3 million views in less than six hours, accompanied by hashtags like #ColbertIsBack and #CBSWho.

For viewers, it was a declaration not just of independence but of defiance, a direct message to the network that cut ties with him earlier this year amid what insiders described as “strategic changes” and declining ratings.

Jasmine Crockett, who joined Colbert as co-host, wasted no time making her mark either.

“If CBS thought Stephen was dangerous alone, just wait until they see us together,” she said during the show’s introduction, sparking cheers and laughter from the crowd.

Known for her fiery speeches on Capitol Hill and her sharp exchanges during congressional hearings, Crockett has been building a reputation as one of the most outspoken rising stars in Democratic politics.

Her pairing with Colbert instantly shifted the tone of the show, signaling that this would not be business as usual in late-night.

The debut episode featured a mix of satirical monologues, candid political discussion, and celebrity interviews.

Guests included award-winning actor Sterling K.

Brown and pop superstar Dua Lipa, both of whom praised the show’s bold format.

Brown remarked, “This feels alive in a way late-night hasn’t felt in years,” while Lipa joked, “I wasn’t sure if I was coming to a talk show or a campaign rally, but either way, I’m glad I did.”

Reactions from the entertainment industry and political world were immediate.

Supporters hailed Colbert’s comeback as a masterstroke, with some calling it “the reinvention late-night desperately needed.”

Fans flooded social media with praise, declaring the pairing of Colbert and Crockett a “dream team” and “the most dangerous duo in television.”

One viral tweet read, “CBS buried Colbert, but he came back with the shovel — and dug up their mistakes.”

But not everyone was laughing.

Critics of Crockett accused the show of injecting partisan politics too directly into late-night comedy, warning it risked alienating half the audience.

Several conservative commentators blasted Colbert’s “funeral flowers” jab at CBS, calling it petty and vindictive.

One pundit said, “This isn’t comedy, it’s political theater dressed up as entertainment.”

Still, the buzz surrounding the premiere was undeniable.

Industry insiders reported that executives at rival networks, including NBC and ABC, called emergency meetings Tuesday morning to discuss how to counter the sudden surge in attention for Colbert’s return.

Even CBS, caught off guard by the ferocity of the reaction, is rumored to have had internal discussions about whether letting Colbert walk was a miscalculation.

One anonymous executive reportedly admitted, “We thought we’d moved on.

Clearly, he hasn’t — and now neither has the audience.”

Colbert, for his part, appeared more energized than he has in years.

Wrapping up the premiere episode, he addressed the crowd with a statement that summed up his mission going forward: “This isn’t just a comeback.

This is a chance to change late-night forever.

No more gatekeepers, no more corporate filter.

Just truth, humor, and maybe a little chaos.”

Crockett echoed the sentiment, adding: “The days of playing it safe are over.

If you want safe, you can turn the channel.

But if you want real talk with real laughs, this is where you’ll find it.”

Whether Colbert’s gamble will pay off remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: his return has already reshaped the late-night conversation.

What CBS thought was the end of Colbert’s story may instead be the beginning of a new chapter — one written with defiance, satire, and a co-host who knows exactly how to set the internet on fire.

For now, all eyes are on Colbert and Crockett, as Hollywood and Washington alike brace for what could be the most disruptive late-night experiment in decades.