Well, folks, it seems the late-night landscape just got a seismic shakeup as CBS pulls the plug on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.
In a stunning turn of events, CBS, under its new parent company Paramount, announced the cancellation of the long-running talk show, set to conclude in May 2026 at the end of the broadcast season, as the Daily Mail reports.
The decision, unveiled on Thursday, comes hot on the heels of Colbert’s sharp criticism of a $16 million settlement between CBS parent Paramount and President Donald Trump, sparking whispers of political payback despite the network’s insistence that it’s all about the bottom line.
Colbert’s critique sparks controversy
Let’s rewind a bit: on a Wednesday monologue, Colbert didn’t hold back, calling out the settlement, which stemmed from a 60 Minutes interview with then-presidential candidate Kamala Harris that Trump claimed was unfairly edited.
Colbert mocked the situation with a quip about Paramount knowing the case was “without merit,” by tying it to blockbuster flops, and suggesting that the company could’ve fought what he said was a nuisance lawsuit instead of coughing up cash.
That $16 million, by the way, covers Trump’s legal fees and even funds his future presidential library — quite the parting gift for a network claiming no journalistic misstep.
Settlement details raise eyebrows
As part of the deal, Paramount agreed to release unedited transcripts of 60 Minutes interviews with future presidential candidates, a move that smells like damage control to many of us who value transparency over corporate spin.
Colbert, never shy with a zinger, implied the payout was less about principle and more about Paramount needing the money elsewhere — turns out, standing firm isn’t cheap.
Meanwhile, Paramount’s imminent $8.4 billion merger with Skydance, which needs approval from the Trump administration, looms large, and some speculate it’s no coincidence that criticism of Trump might be dialed back.
Political pressure or purely financial decision?
Adding fuel to the fire, Skydance owner David Ellison reportedly wants a more neutral political tone, while his father, Larry Ellison — a known Trump supporter — has ties to the White House through a project unveiling called Stargate.
The New York Times notes that Larry is believed to be bankrolling the $8 billion CBS deal, which makes one wonder if backstage politics played a role in silencing a vocal critic like Colbert.
CBS and Paramount executives, however, are adamant: “It is not related in any way to the show’s performance,” they claim, insisting this is just a financial call in a tough late-night market.
Colbert breaks the news
On Thursday, Colbert broke the news to his audience, stating, “Next year will be our last season,” and clarifying that the entire “Late Show” franchise on CBS is ending, not just his tenure.
The crowd met the announcement with loud boos, a clear sign of loyalty to a host who’s been a staple since 2015, even if his progressive jabs often missed the mark for folks like us who prefer straight talk over snark.
California Democrat Sen. Adam Schiff weighed in, saying, “If Paramount and CBS ended the Late Show for political reasons, the public deserves to know,” and frankly, he’s right — clarity matters when trust in media is already on shaky ground.
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Author: Mae Slater
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