The Late Show With Stephen Colbert 11:35 p.m., CBS

Stephen Colbert’s transition to playing himself and to network TV has been a little rocky. His ratings on “The Late Show’’ are lousy, hitting a new low last week.

Obviously aware that he’s struggling, Colbert is making changes, including a new showrunner (Chris Licht from “CBS This Morning’’), new writers, and the decision to do the show live from the upcoming GOP and Democratic conventions.

When I watch late-night TV, I usually choose Colbert. I think he’s done a strong job so far, and I find his humor relevant and biting. The Jimmies — Fallon and Kimmel — have strengths, but still, neither takes on political targets with the same passion, precision, and sustained interest, such as Colbert’s recent seven-minute tirade about Brexit featuring a cameo by Mary Poppins.

Able to swing easily from late-night silliness to serious issues, he continues to bring his “Daily Show’’ and “Colbert Report’’ sensibility to late night. When he’s not interviewing stars, he’s willing to go on the attack, a bit like Samantha Bee on her fierce “Full Frontal.’’

For example, Colbert killed it in his five-minute explosion at the Senate last week for its gun control fail. “After the attacks in Orlando, Florida,’’ he said, “I thought maybe the government might do their job and pass any kind of law, even a fig leaf to justify their existence. Well, for thinking that, I owe myself an apology.’’

Colbert also wins the late-night contest to ridicule Donald Trump most effectively. At one point last week, he did a blackboard diagram — a “Figure-It-Out-Atron’’ — explaining Trump’s response to Obama’s response to Orlando; that diagram looked suspiciously like a swastika in the middle of the explanation.

Right after Orlando, Colbert had Bill O’Reilly on for a 20-minute debate on gun control. It was compelling, as the two argued congenially but in detail about the issue. You’re definitely not going to see Fallon doing that kind of substantive material.

Maybe Colbert’s political bent is hurting his ratings? I’m hoping that as we move into the general election, viewers will remember his value.

Matthew Gilbert can be reached at gilbert@globe.com. Follow him on Twitter @MatthewGilbert.