CBS has cancelled The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. The programme will end in May 2026 after 33 years on television.
Stephen Colbert revealed the decision during Thursday, July 26’s episode.
CBS said the Colbert Late Show cancellation resulted from “a purely financial decision.”
The network also said the decision had nothing to do with the show’s performance or content. CBS added that the cancellation had no connection to other matters involving Paramount, its parent company.
However, critics have questioned that explanation. Some believe politics played a role in the decision.
During his time on The Late Show, Colbert regularly criticised US President Donald Trump. The cancellation therefore attracted political attention.
‘A big fat bribe’
Just three days before CBS announced the cancellation, Colbert criticised Paramount.
He discussed the company’s $16 million settlement with Donald Trump. Colbert called the payment “a big fat bribe.”
Trump had accused CBS of misleadingly editing a 60 Minutes interview with US presidential hopeful Kamala Harris.
CBS denied the allegation.
Meanwhile, Paramount was preparing to merge with production company Skydance Media. The deal required approval from the Trump administration.
Critics argued that the settlement could help Paramount with the merger process.
Colbert also questioned the company’s decision.
“Paramount knows they could have fought it,” he said during his Monday monologue.
He noted that Paramount had described the lawsuit as “completely without merit.”
“I am offended. I don’t know if anything – anything – will repair my trust in this company. But, just taking a stab at it, I’d say $16 million would help,” Colbert continued.
After CBS announced the cancellation, Trump celebrated the news.
Trump said he “absolutely loved” that Colbert was “fired.”
“I hear Jimmy Kimmel is next,” he wrote on Truth Social on Friday.
Senators and late night hosts support Colbert
Democratic Senator Adam Schiff, who showed up as a guest on Thursday night, wrote on X: “If Paramount and CBS ended the Late Show for political reasons, the public deserves to know. And deserves better.”
Similarly, Senator Elizabeth Warren wrote: “CBS cancelled Colbert’s show just THREE DAYS after Colbert called out CBS parent company Paramount…America deserves to know if his show was cancelled for political reasons.”
“I’m just as shocked as everyone,” Jimmy Fallon, host of NBC’s ‘Tonight Show’, wrote in an Instagram post.
“Stephen [Colbert] is one of the sharpest, funniest hosts to ever do it. I really thought I’d ride this out with him for years to come.”
“I’m sad that my family and friends will need a new show to watch every night at 11:30,” he added.
“For as great a comedian and host he is, [Stephen Colbert] is an even better person.”
“I’m going to miss having him on TV every night but I’m excited he can no longer use the excuse that he’s ‘too busy to hang out’ with me,” NBC’s ‘Late Night’ host, Seth Meyers, said on Instagram.
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