What began as a quirky tribute to Stephen Colbert quickly morphed into a full-fledged rally to save his late-night platform. On Monday afternoon, dozens of Colbert doppelgängers and fans gathered at Sacco Pizza in Manhattan for a lookalike contest that doubled as a protest against CBS’s decision to cancel The Late Show.
Organized by political action committee MoveOn, the event was billed as part anniversary celebration, part demonstration. The group called out what it views as the suspicious timing of Colbert’s cancellation, coming just days after the host made pointed remarks about Donald Trump.
“Whatever CBS says, there’s too much of a connection there,” said Justin Krebs, MoveOn’s Director of Special Projects. “When Stephen Colbert called out the B.S. of CBS’s capitulation to Trump, our members around the country were excited, relieved, and inspired. And then his show gets cancelled.”
Pizza, Prizes, and Protest
The contest promised a free slice of pizza and a $250 gift card, luring a small but enthusiastic group of wannabe Colberts — complete with glasses, ties, and that signature arched eyebrow.
The judging panel was as eclectic as the contestants: public defender and former Manhattan DA candidate Eliza Orlins (Survivor, The Amazing Race), singer-actress Peppermint (RuPaul’s Drag Race), and comedian Negin Farsad (Fake the Nation).
But this wasn’t about physical resemblance. “It’s the essence, the vibe,” said Peppermint. Contestants each had a chance at the mic, many using their moment to echo Colbert’s satirical style and rally the crowd behind the host’s cause.
Highlights included contestant Janet, who performed an original song lampooning Trump’s White House, earning a special “Most Creative” nod. Josh Burstein, who went by “Stefan,” won the Audience Choice vote after theatrically removing his glasses and delivering an earnest thank-you to journalists. “Stephen is one of the last people speaking truth to power,” he said.
The top prize ultimately went to Nancy Hamada, who pitched Colbert as a 2028 presidential candidate with Pete Buttigieg as a potential running mate. Her boldness won over the judges — and the gift card.
From Contest to March
Once the trophies were handed out, the event transformed. Contestants, judges, and fans marched two blocks to the Ed Sullivan Theater, home of The Late Show. Backed by members of Local 802 of the American Federation of Musicians playing the Late Show theme, marchers carried signs with slogans like:
“10 More Years! Keep Colbert On-Air”
“Cancelled for ‘Purely Financial Reasons’”
“Capitulation Broadcast Station”
The crowd’s favorite chant? “We’re calling BS on CBS.”
Despite the sharp messaging, the tone was celebratory rather than confrontational. Protesters sang, laughed, and posed for selfies, turning the day into what organizers described as “part party, part resistance.”
“Sometimes it’s nice to do something celebratory,” said Krebs. “There’s a lot of outrage fatigue right now. This was about joy alongside our resistance.”
A Petition Gathers Steam
The lookalike contest and march are the latest wave in a growing fan-led campaign to keep Colbert on the air. MoveOn’s petition has already surpassed 145,000 signatures, with several similar efforts gathering momentum online.
Paramount Global, CBS’s parent company, has maintained that Colbert’s cancellation is a financial decision tied to the studio’s merger with Skydance. Fans and critics alike, however, have questioned whether politics played a role, especially given Colbert’s sharp critiques of Trump and other conservative figures.
Cupcakes and Colberts
The day wrapped up with cupcakes and a birthday cake in honor of Colbert’s 10th anniversary as Late Show host — a bittersweet reminder that the milestone might be his last at the Ed Sullivan Theater.
The event also tapped into a growing trend: celebrity lookalike contests that double as viral fan gatherings. New York recently hosted a Timothée Chalamet contest that drew the actor himself, followed by Adam Sandler and Pedro Pascal contests. The Pascal event was even won by a Daily Show lighting designer.
The Last Word
What started as a tongue-in-cheek Colbert lookalike competition turned into something much bigger: a visible, joyful protest demanding that CBS rethink its decision to cancel The Late Show.
With chants, costumes, and cupcakes, the day embodied exactly what fans say they love about Colbert himself — humor as a form of resistance, truth-telling wrapped in laughter.
Gift baskets
Whether CBS listens remains to be seen. But one thing is clear: for Colbert’s fans, the fight isn’t over.
