Recommendations of the Editorial team
The late show will be discontinued next year. On Thursday, CBS announced that the late night talk show, which was moderated by Stephen Colbert in the past ten years, will end in May 2026. Against the background of financial difficulties with the broadcaster.
Colbert’s reaction to Instagram
“We think Stephen Colbert is irreplaceable and will therefore stop the format of the late show at this time. We are proud that Stephen CBS has called his home. He and the show will be remembered in the glory hall of the great personalities who have shaped the late night television,” said CBS on Thursday. “This is purely a financial decision against the background of the difficult situation in the Late Night area. It is not related to the performance of the program, content or other processes at Paramount.”
Colbert commented on the decision in a video posted on Instagram. He said that he only “found out about it last night”. Shortly before today’s episode with Senator Adam Schiff. “I am not replaced. All of this just disappears,” he said under the fly of the live audience. Later he added: “I wish someone else would get it.” Colbert thanked the big audience of the show. He mentioned the “200 people who work here. We make this show for each other every day.”
Political speculation
In his communication, CBS praised the program as the best rated late night show for nine seasons. And gave it an “integral part of the nation’s social spirit”. In addition, the broadcaster promised to duly appreciate Colbert in the remaining months until the last broadcast.
Ship, which is due to appear on the show on Thursday evening, commented on X (formerly Twitter) and speculated. “When Paramount and CBS have set the late show for political reasons, the public has a right to find out. And deserves something better.” (CBS’s statement claims that the dismissal is purely financial.)
Colbert took over the moderation of the Late Show 2015 from David Letterman after moderating the news satire “The Colbert Report” on comedy Central. As of July, Colbert moderated the show over ten seasons at CBS. Rotated in the Ed Sullivan Theater in New York City. The first version of the Late Show went on the air in August 1993 with Letterman as a moderator. The show is broadcast “live-to-tape” at 11:35 p.m. ET and PT.
“Our admiration, affection and respect for the talent of Stephen Colbert and his incredible team made this painful decision even more difficult,” said CBS’s statement. “Stephen conquered CBS Late Night in the storm. With an innovative comedy. A mandatory monologue. And interviews with greats from entertainment, politics, news and other areas.”