In a striking departure from the usual rhythm of late-night comedy, Stephen Colbert used his monologue this week to deliver what many viewers are calling one of the most searing defenses of a female athlete in recent memory.
On The Late Show, Colbert paused midway through his opening remarks, fixed his gaze on the camera, and said: “Enough is enough. Let’s talk about Caitlin Clark.”
What followed was not a joke, nor a political punchline, but an unflinching critique of how sports media has treated the WNBA’s brightest new star.
“You’ve got a young woman dominating her sport, breaking records, drawing millions of fans,” Colbert said, his voice edged with frustration. “And what does the media focus on? Manufactured drama. Manufactured outrage. It’s exhausting.”
The studio fell silent before breaking into sustained applause. Some audience members stood. Others simply looked stunned.
Colbert, who has built a career on satirical wit, turned earnest as he described Clark as more than a promising rookie: “She’s a symbol of how far women’s sports have come—and how far the coverage still has to go.” He drew parallels to Serena Williams and Simone Biles, two athletes whose triumphs were often shadowed by relentless scrutiny. “The moment a young woman shines too brightly, the media rushes in to dim her light,” he said.
The remarks quickly rippled far beyond the Ed Sullivan Theater. Within minutes, clips circulated across social media, where hashtags like #LetHerPlay and #ColbertForCaitlin trended overnight. WNBA legend Sue Bird responded with a succinct “Preach.” NBA star Damian Lillard praised Colbert for saying “what others won’t.” Clark herself quietly acknowledged the segment on Instagram, posting a simple “Thank you.”
CBS has not commented on the unscripted moment, though a source close to the show confirmed that Colbert’s remarks were not in the script. “It came from the heart,” the source said. “And sometimes, that’s what late night is supposed to be.”
For Colbert, who has long balanced humor with political commentary, the choice to address Clark’s treatment was less about sports than about fairness. “Let her grow. Let her lead,” he said, before signing off. “And stop pretending she’s the problem when what’s broken is the way you cover her.”
It was, in the end, a monologue without punchlines. But for many viewers—and perhaps for Caitlin Clark herself—it was the most powerful one he has delivered.