Additional Coverage:
Megyn Kelly’s recent comments about Stephen Colbert’s show ending have backfired spectacularly. Kelly, on her own show, criticized Colbert, stating he “completely drove [The Late Show] into the ground” and compared him unfavorably to Keith Olbermann. The irony wasn’t lost on social media users, who quickly pointed out Kelly’s own high-profile and costly departure from NBC after a short-lived stint hosting Megyn Kelly Today.
Kelly’s tenure at NBC ended after she defended the use of blackface in Halloween costumes, a controversy that led to the network canceling her show and ultimately paying out the remainder of her substantial $69 million contract. Following her departure, NBC reported an 18% increase in ratings for the third hour of the Today show.
Social media users were quick to remind Kelly of her own career trajectory. One user highlighted the contrast between Colbert’s successful ten-year run and Kelly’s abrupt exit from NBC, calling her “one of the biggest failures in media history.”
Others criticized her perceived shift in political alignment following her departure from Fox News and subsequent feud with Donald Trump. The overall sentiment online suggests Kelly’s attempt to criticize Colbert ultimately served as a reminder of her own past controversies.