The Info You Didn’t Know Until You Needed It

Tag: News

  • “The Late Show” Cancelled: A Cultural Icon Faces Its Final Curtain

    “The Late Show” Cancelled: A Cultural Icon Faces Its Final Curtain

    The Late Show

    For nearly a decade, The Late Show with Stephen Colbert has been a cornerstone of American late-night TV. Its witty political satire, viral sketches, and loyal audience made it one of CBS’s most-watched shows. So when Colbert recently announced the show’s end in May 2025, it wasn’t just TV news—it felt like the end of an era.

    But The Late Show isn’t just a show—it’s a symbol of American pop culture, one that stretches back through iconic hosts like David Letterman and even earlier to Johnny Carson-style television DNA. Its cancellation raises uncomfortable questions: Is late-night dead? Or is it simply evolving in ways traditional TV can’t keep up with?

    As media habits shift, especially for Gen-Z and younger millennials who favor TikTok and YouTube over live broadcasts, even legacy giants like The Late Show are struggling to survive. And CBS pulling the plug might be a sign of bigger tectonic shifts ahead.

    Why Is CBS Cancelling The Late Show?

    CBS claims the decision to end The Late Show is purely financial—but fans and critics aren’t buying it. Despite averaging 2.57 million viewers in 2024 and maintaining a strong YouTube presence, the show’s cancellation seems abrupt. So why is CBS cancelling The Late Show now?

    Some insiders point to cost-cutting measures. Producing a nightly talk show is expensive, involving large teams of technical staff, editors, and writers. Compared to nimble YouTube creators who run professional-looking channels on a shoestring budget, traditional TV formats suddenly feel bloated.

    Others believe the cancellation may be politically charged. Colbert has been one of Donald Trump’s most vocal critics, and CBS’s parent company, Paramount, recently settled a controversial media dispute with the Trump administration. Colbert’s final season coincides with that high-profile settlement—raising eyebrows and speculation alike.

    While CBS denies any political motivations, the optics are undeniably messy. For many, the loss of The Late Show feels like more than just budget cuts—it feels like a silencing.

    Why is CBS cancelling The Late Show

    The Evolution—and Erosion—of Late-Night TV

    The cancellation of The Late Show highlights a deeper cultural shift: late-night TV is no longer the king of topical entertainment. Once the place where stars premiered movies and comics tested material, late-night has become, frankly, outdated for younger audiences.

    Gen-Z especially favors fast, digestible content. Why sit through a full episode when TikTok, YouTube Shorts, or meme accounts can deliver the same punch in under a minute? Traditional chat shows struggle to go viral unless they manufacture “bits”—segments designed for social media like Carpool Karaoke or Fallon’s games.

    Then there’s the guest issue. Celebs increasingly prefer lighter, controlled appearances on internet-first formats like Hot Ones or Chicken Shop Date, where they can be funny without fielding serious questions. That shift leaves late-night producers scrambling.

    With fragmented viewership, dwindling ad dollars, and an audience that’s mostly gone digital, late-night TV faces an existential crisis. It’s not just Colbert leaving—it’s the whole model that’s falling apart.

    The Late Show Hosts: Icons of a Fading Format

    From David Letterman’s acerbic wit to Stephen Colbert’s razor-sharp satire, The Late Show hosts have shaped American culture for generations. But in 2025, the torch may be laid down permanently—without anyone left to pick it up.

    Stephen Colbert took over the show in 2015 and redefined it through a political lens. While his critics say the show leaned too heavily into partisanship, fans credit him with reviving its relevance in the Trump era. Yet The Late Show was always evolving—just not fast enough for today’s digital-first generation.

    The Late Show cancellation raises uncomfortable questions about legacy. Are Fallon, Kimmel, and Meyers next? Will any network take on a nightly talk show in a post-streaming world? And where does Colbert go from here?

    Some predict a move to podcasting or streaming. Others point to formats like My Next Guest Needs No Introduction, which let older hosts adapt to Netflix’s bingeable culture. Either way, the era of the traditional host desk may be officially over.

    The Late Show hosts

    What’s Next for Stephen Colbert?

    While Colbert hasn’t announced his next move, don’t expect him to fade quietly into the night. Industry insiders speculate he could follow in the footsteps of David Letterman or even Piers Morgan—adapting his brand to streaming, YouTube, or even the booming podcast world.

    A transition to YouTube isn’t as wild as it sounds. Colbert already boasts over 10 million subscribers on the platform, and his bits consistently rack up millions of views. Add in the cost efficiency and creative freedom of going digital, and the shift feels inevitable.

    Streaming platforms are also an option. Netflix tried the late-night model with John Mulaney’s Everybody’s in LA—a bold swing that didn’t quite land. Still, Colbert’s proven charisma and loyal fanbase make him a hot commodity for networks hoping to reinvent the genre.

    Whatever’s next, one thing is clear: Colbert isn’t done yet. If anything, the end of The Late Show may finally unleash him from broadcast TV’s limitations.

  • AI Physio: Can a Virtual Therapist Really Fix Your Back?

    AI Physio: Can a Virtual Therapist Really Fix Your Back?

    AI Physio

    Back pain is the world’s silent epidemic—common, crippling, and chronically under-treated. In the UK alone, hundreds of thousands wait months for basic musculoskeletal care, with the backlog stretching the NHS to its limits. Globally, lower back pain is the leading cause of disability, affecting over 220 million people and draining both economies and personal well-being. The demand for treatment far outweighs the supply.

    Now, a new solution is making waves: the AI physio. Tools like Flok Health’s artificial intelligence–powered physiotherapy app promise faster, scalable access to care. Instead of waiting weeks for a referral, patients can begin treatment instantly—straight from their phone. No need for scans, no clinic visits, no hands-on adjustments.

    But can an AI physio truly heal a real injury? I tested Flok alongside traditional physical therapy in the U.S.—and what I discovered reveals both the promise and the pitfalls of automated care.

    When AI Joins the Clinic: Which Profession Can’t AI Replace?

    Back pain isn’t just a nuisance—it’s a global crisis. With over 223 million people affected worldwide, it’s also one of the most common reasons people seek medical help. In the UK, demand is off the charts: more than 350,000 people were waiting for musculoskeletal treatment by late 2024. And that’s where AI physio tech is stepping in—fast.

    Flok Health, a UK startup, is now treating patients through a fully AI-enabled physio clinic. It’s the first of its kind approved by the NHS and the Care Quality Commission. Patients use an app where a virtual physiotherapist guides them through stretches and pain assessments—all stitched together through AI.

    But here’s the big question: can AI replace physical therapists entirely? While it might streamline care, many experts argue that human empathy, intuition, and real-time correction—hallmarks of hands-on physiotherapy—aren’t so easily replicated. It’s raising new debate about which profession can’t AI replace—and whether physios are safe from the robot takeover.

    Which profession can't AI replace

    Behind the Curtain: My Experience with a Virtual Physio

    After injuring my back lifting a bed last fall (rookie mistake, I know), I entered a months-long cycle of pain, specialist referrals, and finally, in-person physical therapy. Weekly sessions with a human physio became my salvation: real-time corrections, massage therapy, and tailored exercises helped tame my sciatic pain.

    But curiosity (and convenience) led me to try something new: Flok’s AI-powered physio app. Instead of live interaction, I was greeted by Kirsty, a calm, pre-recorded virtual physiotherapist. She asked questions, guided me through stretches, and recommended exercises—all tailored to my answers in real-time.

    The catch? It’s a one-way interaction. Kirsty can’t see my form or correct my posture. Feedback is based on what I report. That’s both the promise and the pitfall: it scales care fast but lacks the nuance of physical observation. For tech-savvy users with mild conditions, it’s a sleek solution. But for injury-prone klutzes like me? It’s no substitute for a trained eye.

    Stretching the Limits: AI Physio and the Future of Back Pain Treatment

    AI physio is no longer sci-fi—it’s happening now. Flok Health’s app is the first AI-backed physiotherapy clinic approved by the NHS, and its goal is clear: tackle the musculoskeletal crisis by treating simpler cases through automated care. The service now treats patients across the UK and plans to expand into hip, knee, and women’s pelvic health.

    Flok doesn’t use ChatGPT-style AI. Instead, it relies on a custom logic engine built around clinical reasoning. That means no hallucinations or rogue recommendations—just structured, adaptive video pathways with over a billion potential combinations.

    It’s not alone in the field. Apps like selfBACK, currently undergoing trials in the US, use data-driven treatment recommendations based on what worked for others with similar issues. However, adoption has been rocky. Many users skip or abandon the app, revealing a key insight: AI physio works best when paired with human care.

    This raises an essential question for those studying AI in physiotherapy courses: Can machines enhance recovery without replacing human touch?

    AI in physiotherapy course

    AI and Healthcare: A Balancing Act Between Access and Accuracy

    Medical experts remain cautiously optimistic about AI’s role in healthcare. Elizabeth A. Stuart of Johns Hopkins argues AI tools must meet the same gold-standard trials as any other intervention. They can’t just work in theory—they need to work consistently, for real patients, and across demographics.

    One challenge? AI tools evolve. Unlike medications or annual vaccines, some AI systems continuously adapt, making it hard to track what’s changed. That can be dangerous in clinical settings where precision matters.

    Others, like Harvard’s Pranav Rajpurkar, believe the real win lies in clearly dividing tasks between AI and clinicians. Instead of blending roles awkwardly, let AI handle triage or repeatable routines, freeing up doctors for critical, complex cases.

    And that’s where Flok shines. Patients can send voice notes for follow-up from a real physiotherapist. This hybrid model—tech-forward, human-backed—may be the most realistic and ethical future of AI in medicine.