Late night hosts react to Stephen Colbert's show being cancelled and one profanely blasts CBS

Daily Mail​

18-07-2025

A number of late night hosts have shared their reactions after CBS announced the cancellation of the Late Show with Stephen Colbert.
Colbert's, 61, show, which launched in 2015, will conclude in May 2026, executives with the network and Paramount, its new parent company, announced on Thursday.
Following the news, Jimmy Kimmel, 57 — who hosts ABC's Jimmy Kimmel Live! — blasted CBS via his Instagram Stories.
Kimmel reposted a clip of Colbert's announcement to his Instagram story with the caption: 'Love you Stephen. F**k you and all your Sheldons CBS.'
It's unclear what exactly Kimmel was referencing, though it likely pertains to CBS's The Big Bang Theory franchise, which includes the spin-offs Young Sheldon and Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage.
Kimmel and Colbert famously banded together during the writers' strike for a podcast supporting their striking staffs.
They've also appeared on each other's shows and joint events, such as their memorable bit at the 2019 Emmy Awards.
Late night talk show host Andy Cohen, 57, also weighed in on the news, sharing he was 'stunned.'
'I can't believe CBS is turning off the lights at 11:30 after the local news. I'm stunned. He's one of three late-night shows deemed worthy enough for an Emmy nomination. He produces a brilliant show,' he told Deadline.
'I think it's a sad day for late-night television. I think it's a sad day for CBS. I think Stephen Colbert is a singular talent. He's going to have an incredible next chapter.'
Cohen added that he 'worked at CBS when Letterman came to CBS' helping make the network 'a powerhouse in late-night television, so it's sad. I spent 10 years at CBS. It's sad for CBS, really.'
Cohen hosts Bravo's late-night talk show Watch What Happens Live. The show was recently renewed through 2027.
Other late night hosts including Jimmy Fallon, who helms NBC's The Tonight Show, and Seth Meyers of Late Night with Seth Meyers (also on NBC), have yet to weigh in.
Colbert's show was cancelled just days after the host blasted the network's $16 million settlement with President Trump as a 'big fat bribe.'
'The Late Show with Stephen Colbert will end its historic run in May 2026 at the end of the broadcast season,' the network said in a statement.
Other late night hosts including Jimmy Fallon (L), who helms NBC's The Tonight Show, and Seth Meyers (R) of Late Night with Seth Meyers (also on NBC), have yet to weigh in
'We consider Stephen Colbert irreplaceable and will retire the Late Show franchise at that time,' the executives continued. 'We are proud that Stephen called CBS home. He and his broadcast will be remembered in the pantheon of greats that graced late night television.'
The network explained that the decision to cancel the show is 'purely a financial decision against a challenging backdrop in late night.'
'It is not related in any way to the show's performance, content or other matters happening at Paramount,' it added.
But the announcement comes just days after Colbert slammed the network for settling the president's lawsuit for $16 million - with some now questioning whether the cancelation may be political retaliation.
'If Paramount and CBS ended the Late Show for political reasons, the public deserves to know. And deserves better,' California Sen. Adam Schiff - who is set to appear on Thursday night's episode - posted on X.
Trump had accused the network of falsely editing an interview with then-presidential candidate Kamala Harris.
Although the network didn't admit to any journalistic wrongdoing, the massive settlement will cover Trump's legal fees and his future presidential library.
Paramount also agreed to release unedited transcripts of 60 Minutes interviews with presidential candidates.
Colbert didn't hesitate to take shots at his parent corporation, confessing in his opening monologue on Wednesday's episode that he was 'offended' by the actions of his employer.
The late night host called the lawsuit against CBS a 'nuisance,' and claimed that Paramount could've 'easily fought it' - citing the company's own words calling the allegations 'completely without merit.'
'And keep in mind Paramount produced Transformers: Rise of the Beast. They know "completely without merit,"' Colbert joked, poking fun at the Paramount+ film that bombed at the box office.
Colbert then cited a phony statement, joking that the network said, 'You may take our money, but you will never take our dignity.
'You may, however, purchase our dignity for the low, low, price of $16 million. We need the cash.'
The comedian went on to argue that the settlement was a 'big, fat, bribe,' in light of the company's $8.4 billion merger with Skydance, which will need approval from the Trump administration.
The late night host also cited an article from Puck, that claimed the merger could 'put pressure' on him to ease up on Trump criticisms.
The owner of Skydance, David Ellison, has expressed his desire to have a more neutral tone on politics.
His father, Larry Ellison, is also a major Trump supporter who joined the president at the White House in January for the unveiling of a project called Stargate. It is now believed the elder Ellison is providing the $8 billion for the CBS deal, according to the New York Times.
But Colbert brushed off the gossip on his show Wednesday, joking that his new mustache will make it impossible for the new executives to find and put pressure on him.
Just one day later, though, Colbert announced the cancelation of his program.
'Next year will be our last season. The network will be ending the Late Show in May,' he told audience members, who responded to the news with emphatic 'boos.'
'It's not just the end of our show, but it's the end of the Late Show on CBS,' he continued.
'I'm not being replaced, this is all just going away,' Colbert added, telling the audience he was just grateful to be given the opportunity to host the long-running show.