Stephen Colbert used his show’s cold-open to talk about North Carolina’s HB2 laws and the subsequent fallout (see boycotts) in the entertainment world.
Stephen Colbert here. Yesterday, the band Pearl Jam announced they were cancelling their show in North Carolina to protest the controversial new law curbing LGBT rights.
And they’re not alone.
Bruce Springsteen also called off his concert there. PayPal canceled their plans for a new operation center, and even the porn site, xhamster blocked North Carolina users. Now where are North Carolina hamsters going to go for their porn?
While I respect those artists, as an entertainer I believe it is not my job to deny you my talent. I believe it is possible to use the magic of television to bridge our differences. I mean, for Pete’s sake, even after the civil war, great figures like Abraham Lincoln and Robert E. Lee believed this country could come together.
That’s why I will never withhold this show from anyone.
It’s a light slice of pastry by today’s standards, but it’s just right for late night, network television.