CBS Shockwave: Stephen Colbert Sparks Outrage After Crude Comment About Serena Williams

In a moment that left viewers stunned and social media ablaze, CBS late-night host Stephen Colbert is facing widespread backlash after making an unexpectedly crude remark about tennis legend Serena Williams during a segment on The Late Show Thursday night.

The incident occurred during what began as a humorous discussion about the rise of athlete commentators and their impact on modern sports media. Colbert, known for his sharp wit and political satire, veered off course when he referenced recent interviews featuring Serena Williams, jokingly referring to her as “a talking hemorrhoid.”

The comment was met with a mix of shocked silence and awkward laughter from the studio audience, but the reaction online was swift and overwhelmingly negative. Within minutes, clips of the moment began circulating on social media platforms, with fans and public figures calling the remark “disrespectful,” “misogynistic,” and “completely out of line.”

“Stephen Colbert has built his brand on intellect and social awareness — this was neither,” tweeted one viewer. “Serena Williams has given everything to her sport. She deserves better.”

By Friday morning, the hashtag #RespectSerena was trending across Twitter and Instagram, with thousands of users demanding an apology from Colbert and CBS. Prominent voices in both the sports and entertainment industries weighed in, including former athletes, journalists, and fellow comedians who called for accountability.

“Mocking Serena is mocking every woman who has fought to be heard in sports,” wrote a former ESPN commentator. “That ‘joke’ wasn’t edgy — it was lazy and cruel.”

In response to the growing backlash, Serena Williams herself posted a dignified yet pointed message on social media:

“Throughout my career, I’ve faced many labels — some inspiring, others meant to tear me down. I stand proud, unbothered, and focused on lifting up the next generation of champions.”

By midday, a spokesperson for The Late Show issued a brief statement:

“Stephen Colbert’s comments were made in jest and were not intended to cause offense. We recognize the strong reaction and are taking the feedback seriously.”

However, critics argue that the statement fell short of a full apology and failed to address the larger issue of how female athletes — particularly women of color — are often targets of inappropriate commentary in mainstream media.

This controversy comes at a time when Serena Williams has been increasingly vocal about mental health, equity, and the pressures of public life after stepping away from professional tennis. Many fans see Colbert’s remark as undermining the very progress she’s worked so hard to champion.

Whether or not a formal apology is issued, the damage may already be done. What was meant to be a light-hearted segment turned into a cultural flashpoint — one that has reignited the ongoing debate about how powerful media figures speak about women in sports.