CBS’s Stephen Colbert and ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel kicked off their respective Wednesday shows by welcoming Black History Month while condemning alleged GOP attacks on the subject of black history.
On The Late Show, Colbert began by singling out Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, “It is the first day of Black History Month. Happy Black History Month, everybody. Or as Ron DeSantis calls it, ‘month.’”
After ridiculing Black History Month corporate promotions, Colbert returned to Republicans, lamenting “Of course, this year feels differently because in the last year at least 18 states have enacted legislation to limit the teaching of divisive concepts or Critical Race Theory.”
It may feel different, but that is only because Colbert does not bother to engage with the substance of the legislation or what it is seeking to combat. Still, after some booing from the studio audience, Colbert wrapped up his thoughts on the matter by decrying, “And as black history month arrives, teachers' fears are mounting and that's not right, okay teachers already have enough fears, mainly running into students at the grocery store and having to explain that they don't live at the school.”
Nobody in the media, whether they are a comedian or a journalist, has bothered to ask whether the fears are legitimate or political, probably because they wouldn’t like the answer.
Meanwhile, over at Jimmy Kimmel Live!, the eponymous host also took aim at Republicans, “Thank you for joining us on the first day of February. It's February, it is black history month, President Biden made an official proclamation declaring it Black History Month. Republicans in the House of Representatives countered by declaring it March.”
At the same time, plenty of people were asking when they could expect some good jokes.
The Late Show was sponsored by Arby’s and Jimmy Kimmel Live! was sponsored by Red Lobster.
Here are transcripts for the February 1 shows:
CBS The Late Show with Stephen Colbert
2/1/2023
11:37 PM ET
STEPHEN COLBERT: It is the first day of Black History Month. Happy black history month, everybody. Or as Ron DeSantis calls it, “month.” It's a time when we as a nation reflect on the vast contribution of black citizens. As a wise man once said, black history is more than just a month. That wise man, a party city promotional email I got this morning. Yes, yes, oh, yes. Your silence is deafening, Hobby Lobby.
Some killjoys out there might say it's an inappropriate ad to be sending but I got a lot of my history knowledge from Party City. That's how I know our first president was little boy in long blue coat, wig sold separately. Thank you for your service. Of course, this year feels differently because in the last year at least 18 states have enacted legislation to limit the teaching of divisive concepts or Critical Race Theory. And as black history month arrives, teachers' fears are mounting and that's not right, okay teachers already have enough fears, mainly running into students at the grocery store and having to explain that they don't live at the school.
***
ABC Jimmy Kimmel Live!
2/1/2023
11:36 PM ET
JIMMY KIMMEL: Thank you for joining us on the first day of February. It's February, it is black history month, President Biden made an official proclamation declaring it Black History Month. Republicans in the House of Representatives countered by declaring it March.
